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January 1, Wednesday
Reading A1 — Genesis 1 — Six Days of Creation Audio link: Genesis 1 (ESV)
An audio recording of the following comments is available below.
Let There Be… — This expression, “Let there be…,” provides division points in this chapter between the various categories of God’s creation process. It speaks of God’s absolute wisdom and power. Thirteen times in this first chapter of Genesis, the mild command “let” is used as God speaks into existence all that He created. “Let [it happen!] … And it was so.” God’s simple statement, “Let the earth sprout vegetation, plants yielding seed, and fruit trees bearing fruit …” (v. 11), covers countless varieties of plants that are still being discovered on our earth today, over 100 of them discovered in 2022. All of that happened with a simple “let,” demonstrating the infinite ability of God. The vast result of God’s statement, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens” (v. 14), is still being discovered by today’s technology through the James Webb Space Telescope, which arrived at its place of orbit around the sun in 2022. From plants to planets, God’s infinite wisdom and power continue to unfold. That should bring us to our knees in appreciation, wonder, and worship. How great is our God!
January 2, Thursday
Reading A2 — Genesis 2 — The Garden of Eden Audio link: Genesis 2 (ESV)
An audio recording of the following comments is available below.
At Last! — Although the creation of man and woman was already mentioned in 1:27, the second chapter gives us what the ESV Study Bible calls “a literary flashback,” which provides more details for that part of creation. Because God assigned Adam the responsibility of naming all the creatures, he had tremendous mental capability. He lacked something, however—a mate—something he had already seen with all the animals he named. His delight in seeing Eve for the first time is obvious: “This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh” (v. 23). This put the period on the long sentence of creation—satisfaction and oneness. The importance of this relationship is emphasized by the addition of this teaching for subsequent couples: “a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife” (v. 24). Creation was completed by joining humans together in the closest of relationships. It is a relationship to be cherished and held onto.
January 3, Friday
Reading A3 — Genesis 3 — The Fall of Man Audio link: Genesis 3 (ESV)
An audio recording of the following comments is available below.
What Have You Done? — The story of the fall of man in the Garden of Eden is a story of disobedience and excuses. God had many questions for this first couple after they had sinned. Uncovering their disobedience, He asked Adam, “Who told you that you were naked?” (v. 11), and His question for Eve was, “What is this that you have done?” (v. 13). Adam offered the excuse that Eve had given him the fruit (v. 12), and Eve blamed the serpent for deceiving her (v. 13). That is characteristic of our responses, too. We hesitate to take full responsibility for our own sin, and we look for ways to point the finger of blame toward someone else. Full confession is what we need—voluntary self-exposure. That is why the Apostle John said later, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). Full disclosure; full forgiveness.
January 4, Saturday
Reading A4 — Genesis 4 — Cain and Abel Audio link: Genesis 4 (ESV)
An audio recording of the following comments is available below.
Confessing Sin — This time-condensed passage leaves us with many unanswered questions, but we will concentrate on what is clear. Cain is the main (bad) character of much of this chapter, shown first with his offering being rejected by God. The problem was not Cain’s offering as much as it was his heart, shown in his angry response (v. 5). In spite of being warned by God regarding “sin … crouching at the door” (v. 7), he killed his brother, Abel, with vengeance. God confronted him with essentially the same question He had asked Eve after her sin: “What have you done?” (v. 10). At that point, Cain should have confessed, admitting his sin and taking full responsibility for it. However, Cain’s callous reply about not being his brother’s keeper (v. 9) showed his unwillingness to accept blame. What is our response to God after we have sinned? Does it show callousness or contrition? Are we willing to admit to God that we sinned against Him, and accept responsibility for it or do we look for excuses or even brush it off as being of minor importance? Cain’s sin resulted not only in becoming a fugitive, but also being marked in some visible way. His sinful influence was felt for five generations of his descendants down to Lamech, who bragged about killing someone in revenge (v. 24). We are also influencing our family and other people today, either toward ungodliness or righteousness. We are spiritual trend-setters.
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