WEEK FOUR
READINGS: Genesis 9:18-28, Genesis 11:1-9, Genesis 10, Genesis 11:10 – 12:9, Luke 3:23-38, Matthew 1:1-17
THE I PROBLEM – THE J SOLUTION
The Lutheran Study Bible describes Genesis like this: “Genesis describes the appearance of good and evil and the struggle that develops as good and evil manifest itself in people’s daily lives… the overarching theme is God’s faithfulness in fulfilling the promise first spoken in Genesis 3:16” (TLSB pg. 9).
As we start a new year and a new decade, it is only fitting that we resume our journey in Genesis with the new earth after the flood. In this week readings we see, man’s I problem and God’s J solution. Be sure to follow the order of reading as it is written as it shows chronologically the order in which things occurred. Let’s begin:
THE I PROBLEM
“Now the whole earth had one language and the same words….Then they said, ‘Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the heavens, and let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be dispersed over the face of the whole earth.’” Genesis 11:1, 4
Do you see it? Do you see the I problem? “Let us make a name FOR OURSELVES?” They wanted to be like God!!! It’s was the same desire that brought about the fall of man “But the serpent said: ‘You will not surely die…you will be like God.’” And isn’t it exactly what get us in trouble on our journey in the middle? We want to be like God!! We want to do things our way, find our own paths, make our own choices, and decide for ourselves what is right and what is wrong. Satan lies to us, just like he lied to Adam and Eve: “Come on, it’s just a (fill in the blank), it won’t kill you, beside you deserve it.” But if we remember from the previous chapters, man’s heart is ONLY evil ALL the time (Genesis 6:5) and we don’t deserve anything but death. “Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalry, dissensions, division, envy, drunkenness (even Noah succumbed to that), orgies and things like these… I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God” (Galatians 5:19). The consequences of wanting to be like God are grave – separation from God. But God loved us too much to let that be our permanent condition (remember He banned Adam and Eve from the tree of life so they wouldn’t stay fallen for eternity) AND He promised to provided a way out!!!
THE J SOLUTION
“The Lord said to Abram, ‘God from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation and I WILL BLESS YOU and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse and IN YOU ALL THE FAMILIES OF THE EARTH SHALL BE BLESSED!!!”
Do you see it? Do you see the J solution? It’s THE PROMISE God first spoke of in Genesis 3:16, touched on twice in Genesis 9 (vrs 12 and vrs. 26), and restated in Genesis 12. Everything else in this week’s readings points to the line in which that promise would be fulfilled – JESUS CHRIST!!! And everything else we will read from here on in will be the unfolding of HIS story.
The blessings we receive God’s promise to Adam and Eve, to Noah, to Abraham, and to us are manifested on this earth “But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law and those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires” (Galatians 5:22-24) and into eternity: “For God so loved the World that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him shall have eternal life” John 3:16. Praise God for His faithfulness in fulfilling His Promise in Christ Jesus.
One more thought: After the flood, God saw what the people were plotting and said: “Behold they are one people and they have all one language, and this is only the beginning of what they will do and nothing that they propose to do will now be impossible for them.” Genesis 11:6-7
I find it thought provoking to know that God saw the power of being united as one people, with one language and one purpose.
Just imagine what could happen if instead of uniting to make a name for ourselves, we unite in JESUS NAME and go out into the world as one people with one voice, for one purpose only – to declare the power of JESUS!! Hmmm, I can only imagine!!!
May God bless your time with Him this week.
Heavenly Father, almighty and awesome God, we come before You in humble awe. You are the One true God, and there is none other like you. Forgive us Father when we desire to make a name for ourselves rather than living in the name that You have given us. Come we pray and bless our hearts and minds as we study Your Word. May it strengthen us in the knowledge of Your Son, may it unite us to be bold in proclaiming, as one voice, the Gospel of Jesus, and may it spark in us a passion to share that Gospel with others so that they too may learn of Your saving Grace. In Jesus Name we pray - AMEN!!!
