In the beginning....

While Gary was in Winamac this morning at Dobson's for an oil change in the Escape, I read Day 3 and found myself deep in the first chapters of Genesis.

At first I thought...here we go again with the beginning of the Bible and the story of creation. But as I read and studied along with Angela's prompts, I found myself noticing words and meanings that I hadn't before.

The animals, vegetation, creatures, livestock...all created according to THEIR kind.  But  when God created man, He created him in his own image after his own likeness.

On that one verse, Genesis 1:26, two main points are made.  First, man is like God and man represents God.

It should be reflected in our conduct.  How we honor those around us.  How we protect ourselves and others from evil.

There it is...evil.  The snake.  The serpent.  The tempter.

And we all know that story.  But there is more.

Even though man was separated from the presence of God and could only experience Him from a distance since the perfect Garden of Eden was closed permanently.

Even though life without pain was lost and the certainty of pain and earth would be with all creation.

Even though man's innocent nature was replaced by a sinful nature.

And even though perfect relationship was turned to shame and nothing would ever be the same....

God promises to undo all that Satan has wrought on mankind.

He promises a victorious redeemer.

On Adam and Eve's worst day, the day they were banished from the Garden, our God of hope promised His best day (as quoted by Angela's minister).

Jesus Christ is our Redeemer.

You might remember that I said I like Bible study, that I enjoy delving into scripture.  One thing Angela said in Day 2 was that she pushed hard into research about the word 'redeemed' and it was so much fun.  That is the way I am.  I used to tell my students that I LOVED the research part of writing a paper.  (I didn't tell them I didn't like the actual writing part of it though.) But research. Looking for information that will shed light on a topic. On a word. On a concept.  What can be a better way to learn and grow.  Angela hit it on the head there for me.

And Bible study is what Day 3 was about.  Reading the first books of Genesis, taking another look at the Creation Story, and ending with reading Psalm 5 and 6 and prayer again.

Yes, I like this study.  I really do.