The Bible in 90 Days (Week One)

Text Overview
This week we read from the beginning of creation all the way to the introduction of the Tent of Meeting; the “Tabernacle.” A lot of ground has been covered and not just the sand in the desert. Man has gone from being “Good” in the sight of God to something quite different… guilty. Why? Because of a thing called “Sin.” These sections give you a vivid picture into the nature of sin, and what happens when man is left to deal with it. Man looses and sin wins, we need help. There is also found a picture of what that help looks like; “The Sovereign Rule of God.” The story line gives us the details of what these two concepts involve.

Sin

Just what is sin?

Our confusion about sin has a lot to do with our continuance to be sinful. Mankind has difficulty putting a face on just what it is. We know that it goes against God. We know it is attached to disobedience. We know that it is immoral and has nothing to do with righteousness. The bottom line is that we know it is wrong. In the text it seems clear that we didn’t always know, or at least we didn’t always understand its implications. The beginning of Genesis looks at man and his state through the eyes of God. We see what God sees; the sin in us, as well as what’s happening to us because of it.

Where did it come from?

God is certainly aware and very familiar with sin, but given His position in relation to it, one would be hard pressed to think that it came from Him. We know that all things that were created were created by Him; so was sin created? Sin, rather than being created it seems to be a byproduct of creation. Now I’m not saying that it s a mistake… God doesn’t make mistakes. Think of a medication that’s useful with great benefits; necessary for quality of life. However one must be mindful of the side effects, they can cause harm if not managed properly. Sin is like a byproduct of righteousness, and obedience to God. Where God has the power to manage it… we don’t. His original plan was to keep us separated from sin by instructing us in righteousness. At the same time; in order to allow us the ability to generate sincere love and fellowship with Him (desire); God gave us the gift of free will. Management of free will requires obedience to God; it’s the nature of choice. Satan in his arrogant and vain hatred for God closed the gap of separation. Adam, the first man, joined Satan’s rebellion simply by choosing to disobey. Eating the fruit was not the sin…

THE CHOICE TO REJECT GOD’S DIRECTION IS SIN. 

God answers to no one, and is self directing. Man, just like the angels have a choice; when you follow anything other than God you reject Him. When you do, you must answer for it and pay the price of your choice. Think for a minute of how you feel when people reject you.


How does it affect us and why do we have no control over it?

 Man was given the ability for desire; it has to do with that likeness of God profile built in our makeup. Its part of the original package of mans God given ability. Somehow the fruit from the “Tree of Knowledge” affected our desire. Both God and Satan were aware of the affect; God decreeing its fruit forbidden and Satan all too ready to reverse that decree. Adam made a conscience choice to eat, and after eating the rest of mankind was corrupted; forever to suffer the affect. We inherit sin without a choice. It’s like a snowball and domino effect combined; it gets bigger and we keep falling harder and harder. The accounts given in the text show the increase of sin in the world. There was rapid spread throughout the whole of mankind. Even the early patriarchs that God chose to set His plan in motion had serious issues. Nobody seems to have the ability to escape the nature and affects of sin. Once the knowledge of evil was introduced man chose to embrace and except it. A choice that goes against God and His righteousness, but without any law or guidance; how could we know the downside. Man needed help.

His Will

To take a line from Abbot and Costello’s, comedy skit; “Who’s on first, and I don’t know on second”, we can get an idea of our relationship with God’s Will and direction. In terms of the Will of God; just who is on first and do we really know for sure? Remember the law has not yet been handed to Moses so man has no standard of which to compare. From Adam on to the introduction of Noah, each example mentioned gives an account of the contrast that takes place between the will of man and that of God. Everyone mentioned has his issues, no one is without fault. Everywhere man had become increasingly evil in his thoughts. However, although the thoughts are evil… can it be said that man is himself willfully evil. Yes there are those who seem to have turned away in earnest, having chosen to do so. Still others could be said to acting out of ignorance to a clear understanding of God’s Will. A select few, in spite of all of this, seem to seek the path of righteousness from a willing standpoint, (see Gen. 4). Even with them there are instances of waffling. Again there is no clear standard by which man can attempt to govern his action.

His Direction

Our direction takes a multitude of paths with the absence of a guide. In order to find a clear path back to righteousness we need Our Fathers direction. There is no one righteous especially in terms of God’s standard, other than God Himself. It’s a good thing for man that He began the process of providing that direction. Slowly with careful precision and His loving gentle nature, mankind was brought into the care of The Fathers instruction. To be sure man was tested, observed, and finally allowed to find favor with an Almighty God. The plan for a relationship with man was never abandoned, in spite of how far mankind had descended. The decision to love us was a firm one, and one He made on His own.

The Sovereign Rule of God

Every parent knows that along with love it will be necessary to also provide discipline to enhance whatever instruction is given. God starts His instruction for His people and eventually all mankind with the “Call of Abram.” At the outset the authority of rule is established with a simple instruction… to leave everything and go where I show you to go… in other words, everything in your life will come from me. No matter what Abram had, who he was, or what he believed… He had the foresight to take God at face value and obey. The groundwork is put in place concerning God’s authority in relation to man. A precedent is also set for who will have authority for establishing the laws of righteousness. From this point on the illustrations in this section center around the instruction and discipline necessary for man to enter into God’s favor and approval. Our God is a just God, but He prefers to have mankind come into an understanding of His just ways and accept His rule with willing conviction instead of a forced hand. Our ability to choose is left in place but we are given good reason to use it to our benefit.

This Week
Use this week to form questions, comments, feedback, or any other concerns you wish to input in this discussion. As you read remember to take notes, mark those things you wish to question or comment on. If enough interest in any one area is formed I will open a forum to handle it more directly. I do hope that your reading is giving you as much enjoyment and new understanding as mine is for me. There is not a time that the reading of God’s Word does not lend new revelation to the reader; there is always something to be gained. Please continue your quest to finish in “90 Days”, and be encouraged… you are not alone.

Reminders
The Daily Readings are posted here… BibleGateway

The Alternate Reading plan for this week

June – Second Week:

Day 8 – Exodus – 31 – Leviticus – 1

Day 9 -- Leviticus –- 2 – 13

Day 10 --------------- 14 – 23

Day 11 – Leviticus – 24 – Numbers – 4

Day 12 – Numbers – 5 – 14

Day 13 –-------------–15 – 25

Day 14 ----------------26 – 34

Ezra 7:10 (NIV)
For Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the LORD, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel.
Blessings,
Matt.