The Fall of Man

I would love to make Satan into snakeskin shoes...

This semester my Bible Study is studying a book of Genesis. In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth....there were 6 days of words speaking and things coming into existence. On the last day he created man. He created man in HIS own image. Man will rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air. He will rule over all the creatures of the earth. (Gen. 1)

I have had 7 loaded weeks of this study so far... discussing topics such as man and woman, our sinful nature, marriage, work, and God's characteristics of truth and grace. Here are some key things I have learned so far that have been resonating in my thoughts lately:

• God created a perfect world. Man/woman had no shame and were in a perfect relationship with God. Everything God made was "good." (gen.1)
  
• Adam and Eve were deceived by Satan for the first time, they ate from the tree God instructed for them NOT to eat from, and sin entered the world. (gen. 3) The world would never be the same. Sin reigns in people and the physical world. Adam and Eve were filled with shame, "Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves." (v. 3:7) FOR THE FIRST TIME THEY WERE EMBARRASSED!



• God is gracious. Adam and Eve deliberately disobeyed God, yet He was merciful! The Lord made them garments to cover their shame even though they sinned against him. How sweet! It is sweet also to see God giving his sinful children Jesus. He gave us Jesus even though we don't deserve Him. "While we were sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8) God continues to see us fail but graciously gives us things to "cover" us. How beautiful!



• In Genesis 4, Cain and Abel are born. Cain kills Abel. God does not have favor on Cain because of his heartless sacrafice that he gave to God. During the time to sacrafice Abel gave God the best of the best part of the animal in his sacrafice, his heart was in the right place and he was honoring God, he gave though faith. Cain on the other hand was not genuine in his giving of the sacrafices that were required by God. God did not show him favor and Cain grew angry and murdered his brother. Here is an example of a JUST God but also merciful. When Cain grew angry he warned him not to give into sin and that sin is "crouching" at the door. God warned Cain! Cain sinned anyway. The chapter goes on to continue to show God giving Cain mercy and protection...

How is it that the Creator of the universe can care so much about the details?? He created the details! Studying Genesis really helps me to see the characteristics of our loving God, especially his need to be Just but soo full of Mercy. Truth and Grace. He just seems to let everything make sense...even if we don't see it right away.

My Sweet Bible Study

Amy, Sarah, Brooke, Mary Faith

me, Heather, Lindsey