Who Is the Serpent in Genesis 3?

Posted on January 8, 2023 by dkoop

Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?” Genesis 3:1

He is a Defeated or Fallen Angel; Also Named the Devil or Satan.


7 Then there was war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon and his angels. 8 And the dragon lost the battle, and he and his angels were forced out of heaven.
9 This great dragon—the ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, the one deceiving the whole world—was thrown down to the earth with all his angels. Revelation 12:7-9 (NLT)

 12 “How you are fallen from heaven, O shining star, son of the morning! You have been thrown down to the earth, you who destroyed the nations of the world.
13 For you said to yourself, ‘I will ascend to heaven and set my throne above God’s stars. I will preside on the mountain of the gods far away in the north.
14 I will climb to the highest heavens and be like the Most High.’
15 Instead, you will be brought down to the place of the dead, down to its lowest depths. Isaiah 14:12-15 (NLT)

 12 “You were the model of perfection, full of wisdom and exquisite in beauty.
13 You were in Eden, the garden of God. Your clothing was adorned with every precious stone— red carnelian, pale-green peridot, white moonstone, blue-green beryl, onyx, green jasper, blue lapis lazuli, turquoise, and emerald— all beautifully crafted for you and set in the finest gold. They were given to you on the day you were created.
14 I ordained and anointed you as the mighty angelic guardian. You had access to the holy mountain of God and walked among the stones of fire.
15 “You were blameless in all you did from the day you were created until the day evil was found in you.
16 …So I banished you in disgrace from the mountain of God. I expelled you, O mighty guardian, from your place among the stones of fire.
17 Your heart was filled with pride because of all your beauty. Your wisdom was corrupted by your love of splendor. So I threw you to the ground and exposed you to the curious gaze of kings. Ezekiel 28:12-17 (NLT)

 17 When the seventy-two disciples returned, they joyfully reported to him, “Lord, even the demons obey us when we use your name!” 18 “Yes,” he told them, “I saw Satan fall from heaven like lightning!  19 Look, I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy, and you can walk among snakes and scorpions and crush them. Nothing will injure you. 20 But don’t rejoice because evil spirits obey you; rejoice because your names are registered in heaven.” Luke 10:17-20 (NLT)

It Appears that Satan Had Not Fallen at Creation (Genesis 1) but Ended Up in the Garden of Eden by Genesis 3

4 “Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell me, if you know so much. 5 Who determined its dimensions and stretched out the surveying line? 6 What supports its foundations, and who laid its cornerstone 7 as the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy? Job 38:4-7 (NLT)

13 You were in Eden, the garden of God….you had access to the holy mountain of God and walked among the stones of fire.
15 “You were blameless in all you did from the day you were created until the day evil was found in you. 16 …So I banished you in disgrace from the mountain of God. I expelled you, O mighty guardian, from your place among the stones of fire. 17 Your heart was filled with pride because of all your beauty. Your wisdom was corrupted by your love of splendor. So I threw you to the ground. Ezekiel 28:12-17 (NLT)

 

He has schemes, strategies and traps to deceive, devour and enslave.

11 so that Satan will not outsmart us. For we are familiar with his evil schemes. 2 Corinthians 2:11 (NLT)

 11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. Ephesians 6:11 (NLT)

14 But I am not surprised! Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 2 Corinthians 11:14 (NLT)

25 Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth. 26 Then they will come to their senses and escape from the devil’s trap. For they have been held captive by him to do whatever he wants. 2 Timothy 2:25-26 (NLT)

8 But when people keep on sinning, it shows that they belong to the devil, who has been sinning since the beginning. But the Son of God came to destroy the works of the devil. 1 John 3:8 (NLT)

8 Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8 (NLT)

 He Lies, Steals, Kills and Destroys

44 For you are the children of your father the devil, and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies. John 8:44 (NLT)

10 The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life. John 10:10 (NLT)

 Satan Must Ask Permission to “Test” to God’s Children

12 “All right, you may test him,” the LORD said to Satan. “Do whatever you want with everything he possesses, but don’t harm him physically.” So Satan left the LORD’s presence. Job 1:12 (NLT)

31 “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat.
32 But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail. So when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers.” Luke 22:31-32 (NLT)

We Have Victory over Satan through Resisting Temptation & Obedience

7 So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:7 (NLT)

19 Look, I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy, and you can walk among snakes and scorpions and crush them. Nothing will injure you. 20 But don’t rejoice because evil spirits obey you; rejoice because your names are registered in heaven.” Luke 10:19-20 (NLT)

19 But everyone knows that you are obedient to the Lord. This makes me very happy. I want you to be wise in doing right and to stay innocent of any wrong. 20 The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. May the grace of our Lord Jesus be with you. Romans 16:19-20 (NLT)

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Rest, Responsibility & Marriage – Genesis 2

Posted on January 7, 2023 by dkoop

2:2, 3 We live in an action-oriented world! There always seems to be something to do and no time to rest. Yet God demonstrated that rest is appropriate and right. If God himself rested from his work, we should not be surprised that we also need rest. Jesus demonstrated this principle when he and his disciples left in a boat to get away from the crowds (see Mark 6:31, 32). Our times of rest refresh us for times of service.

2:3 That God blessed the seventh day means that he set it apart for rest and worship. The Ten Commandments emphasize this distinction by commanding the observance of the Sabbath (Exodus 20:1-17).

2:7 “From the dust of the ground” implies that there is nothing fancy about the chemical elements making up our bodies. The body is a lifeless shell until God brings it alive with his “breath of life.” When God removes his life-giving breath, our bodies once again return to dust. Our life and worth, therefore, come from God’s Spirit. Many boast of their achievements and abilities as though they were the originator of their own strengths. Others feel worthless because their abilities do not stand out. In reality, our worth comes not from our achievements but from the God of the universe, who chooses to give us the mysterious and miraculous gift of life. Value life, as he does.

2:9, 16, 17 Were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil real trees? Two views are often expressed: (1) The trees were real, but symbolic. Eternal life with God was pictured as eating from the tree of life. (2) The trees were real, possessing special properties. By eating the fruit from the tree of life, Adam and Eve could have had eternal life, enjoying a permanent relationship as God’s children.

In either case, Adam and Eve’s sin would separate them from the tree of life. Interestingly, the tree of life again appears in a description in Revelation 22 of people enjoying eternal life with God.

2:15-17 God gave Adam responsibility for the garden and told him not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Rather than physically preventing him from eating, God gave Adam a choice and, thus, the possibility of choosing wrongly. God still gives us choices, and we, too, often choose wrongly. These wrong choices may cause us pain, but they can help us learn and grow and make better choices in the future. Living with the consequences of our choices teaches us to think and choose more carefully.

2:16, 17 Why would God place a tree in the garden and then forbid Adam to eat from it? God wanted Adam to obey, but God gave Adam the freedom to choose. Without choice, Adam would have been like a prisoner, and his obedience would have been hollow. The two trees provided an exercise in choice, with rewards for choosing to obey and sad consequences for choosing to disobey. When you are faced with the choice, always choose to obey God.

2:18-24 God’s creative work was not complete until he made woman. He could have made her from the dust of the ground, as he made man. God chose, however, to make her from the man’s flesh and bone. In so doing, he illustrated for us that in marriage man and woman symbolically are united into one. This is a mystical union of the couple’s hearts and lives. Throughout the Bible, God treats this special partnership seriously. If you are married or planning to be married, are you willing to keep the commitment that makes the two of you one? The goal in marriage should go beyond friendship; it should be oneness.

What the Bible Says About Marriage
Genesis 2:18-24 Marriage is God’s idea
Genesis 24:58-60 Commitment is essential to a successful marriage
Song of Solomon 2:8-13  Romance is important
Song of Solomon 4:9-15 Marriage holds times of great joy and pleasure
Malachi 2:14-16 Marriage creates the best environment for raising children
 

Matthew 5:32

 Unfaithfulness breaks the bond of trust, the foundation of all relationships
Matthew 19:6 Marriage is permanent
Romans 7:2, 3 Ideally, only death should dissolve marriage
Ephesians 5:21-33 Marriage is based on the principled practice of love and commitment not on feelings
Ephesians 5:23-32 Marriage is a living symbol of Christ and the church
Hebrews 13:4 Marriage is good and honorable

2:21-23 God forms and equips men and women for various tasks, but all these tasks lead to the same goal—honoring God. Man gives life to woman; woman gives life to the world. Each role carries exclusive privileges; there is no room for thinking that one sex is superior to the other.

2:24 God gave marriage as a gift to Adam and Eve. They were created perfect for each other. Marriage was not just for convenience, nor was it brought about by any culture. It was instituted by God and has three basic aspects: (1) The man leaves his parents and, in a public act, promises himself to his wife; (2) the man and woman are joined together by taking responsibility for each other’s welfare and by loving the mate above all others; (3) the two are united into one in the intimacy and commitment of sexual union that is reserved for marriage. Strong marriages include all three of these aspects.

2:25 Have you ever noticed how a little child can run naked through a room full of strangers without embarrassment? He is not aware of his nakedness, just as Adam and Eve were not embarrassed in their innocence. But after Adam and Eve sinned, shame and awkwardness followed, creating barriers between themselves and God. We often experience these same barriers in marriage. Ideally a husband and wife have no barriers, feeling no embarrassment in exposing themselves to each other or to God. But, like Adam and Eve (3:7), we put on fig leaves (barriers) because we have areas we don’t want our spouse, or God, to know about. Then we hide, just as Adam and Eve hid from God. In marriage, lack of spiritual, emotional, and intellectual intimacy usually precedes a breakdown of physical intimacy. In the same way, when we fail to expose our secret thoughts to God, we break our lines of communication with him.

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Source: Life Application Study Bible , (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale, 1988), WORDsearch
CROSS e-book, 9-10.

 

 

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In the Beginning – Genesis 1

Posted on January 6, 2023 by dkoop

1:1 The simple statement that God created the heavens and the earth is one of the most significant truths, but challenging concepts confronting the modern mind. The vast galaxy we live in is estimated to spin at the incredible speed of 490,000 miles an hour, and even at this breakneck speed, our galaxy still needs an estimated 200 million years to make one rotation. And there are over one billion other galaxies just like ours in the universe.

Some scientists say that the number of stars in creation is equal to all the grains of all the sands on all the beaches of the world. Yet this complex sea of spinning stars functions with remarkable order and efficiency. To say that the universe “just happened” or “evolved” requires more faith than to believe that God is behind these amazing statistics. God truly did create a wonderful universe.

God did not need to create the universe; he chose to create it. Why? God is love, and love is best expressed toward something or someone else—so God created the world and people as an expression of his love. We should avoid reducing God’s creation to merely scientific terms. Remember that God created the universe because he loves us.

Beginnings 
Origin of the universe
The Bible does not discuss the subject of evolution. Rather, its worldview assumes God created the world. The biblical view of creation is not in conflict with science; rather, it is in conflict with any worldview that starts without a creator.
Equally committed and sincere Christians have struggled with the subject of beginnings and come to differing conclusions. This, of course, is to be expected because the evidence is very old and, due to the ravages of the ages, quite fragmented. Students of the Bible and of science should avoid polarizations and black/white thinking. Students of the Bible must be careful not to make the Bible say what it doesn’t say, and students of science must not make science say what it doesn’t say.
The most important aspect of the continuing discussion is not the process of creation, but the origin of creation. The world is not a product of blind chance and probability; God created it.
The Bible not only tells us that the world was created by God; more important, it tells us who this God is. It reveals God’s personality, his character, and his plan for his creation. It also reveals God’s deepest desire: to relate to and fellowship with the people he created. God took the ultimate step toward fellowship with us through his historic visit to this planet in the person of his Son Jesus Christ. We can know in a very personal way this God who created the universe.
The heavens and the earth are here. We are here. God created all that we see and experience. The book of Genesis begins, “God created the heavens and the earth.”

1:1 The creation story teaches us much about God and ourselves. First, we learn about God: (1) He is creative; (2) as the Creator, he is distinct from his creation; (3) he is eternal and in control of the world. We also learn about ourselves: (1) Since God chose to create us, we are valuable in his eyes; (2) we are more important than the animals.

1:1 Just for how did God create the earth? This is still a subject of great debate. Some say that with a sudden explosion, the universe appeared. Others say God started the process and the universe evolved over billions of years. Almost every ancient religion has its own story to explain how the earth came to be. And almost every scientist has an opinion on the origin of the universe. But only the Bible shows one supreme God creating the earth out of his great love and giving all people a special place in it. We will never know all the answers to how God created the earth, but the Bible tells us that God did create it. That fact alone gives worth and dignity to all people.

1:2 Who created God?To ask that question is to assume there was another creator before God. At some time, however, we are forced to stop asking that question and realize that there had to be something that has always existed. God is that infinite Being who has always been and who was created by no one. This is difficult to understand because finite minds cannot comprehend the infinite. For example, we can try to think of the highest number, but we can’t do it. Likewise, we must not limit the infinite God by our finite understanding.

1:2 The statement “the earth was formless and empty” provides the setting for the creation narrative that follows. During the second and third days of creation, God gave form to the universe; during the next three days, God filled the earth with living beings. The “darkness” was dispelled on the first day, when God created light.

1:2 The image of the Spirit of God hovering over the earth’s surface is similar to a mother bird caring for and protecting its young (see Deuteronomy 32:11, 12; Isaiah 31:5). God’s Spirit was actively involved in the creation of the world (see Job 33:4; Psalm 104:30). God’s care and protection are still active.

1:3-2:7 How long did it take God to create the world? There are two basic views about the days of creation: (1) Each day was a literal 24-hour period; (2) each day represents an indefinite period of time (even millions of years).

The real question, however, is not how long God took, but how he did it. God created the earth in an orderly fashion (he did not make plants before light), and he created men and women as unique beings capable of communication with him. No other part of creation can claim that remarkable privilege. It is not important how long it took God to create the world, whether a few days or a few billion years, but that he created it just the way he wanted it.

1:6 The “space between the waters” was a separation between the sea and the mists of the skies.

Days of Creation
First Day Light (so there was light and darkness)
Second Day Sky and water (waters separated)
Third Day Land and seas (waters gathered); vegetation
Fourth Day Sun, moon, and stars (to govern the day and the night and to mark seasons, days and years)
Fifth Day Fish and birds (to fill the waters and the sky)
Sixth Day Animals (to fill the earth)Man and woman (to care for the earth and to commune with God)
Seventh Day God rested and declared all he had made to be very good

1:25 God saw that his work was good. People sometimes feel guilty for having a good time or for feeling good about an accomplishment. This need not be so. Just as God felt good about his work, we can be pleased with ours. However, we should not feel good about our work if God would not be pleased with it. What are you doing that pleases both you and God?

1:26 Why does God use the plural form, “Let us make human beings in our image“? This is a reference to the Trinity—God the Father, Jesus Christ his Son, and the Holy Spirit—all of whom are God. From Job 33:4 and Psalm 104:30, we do know that God’s Spirit was present in the Creation. From Colossians 1:16 we know that Christ, God’s Son, was at work in the Creation.

1:26 In what ways are we made in God’s image? God obviously did not create us exactly like himself because God has no physical body. Instead, we are reflections of God’s glory. Some feel that our reason, creativity, speech, or self-determination is the image of God. More likely, it is our entire self that reflects the image of God. We will never be totally like God because he is our supreme Creator. But we do have the ability to reflect his character in our love, patience, forgiveness, kindness, and faithfulness.

Knowing that we are made in God’s image and thus share many of his characteristics provides a solid basis for self-worth. Human worth is not based on possessions, achievements, physical attractiveness, or public acclaim. Instead, it is based on being made in God’s image. Because we bear God’s image, we can feel positive about ourselves. Criticizing or downgrading ourselves is criticizing what God has made and the abilities he has given us. Knowing that you are a person of worth helps you love God, know him personally, and make a valuable contribution to those around you.

1:27 God made both man and woman in his image. Neither man nor woman is made more in the image of God than the other. From the beginning the Bible places both man and woman at the pinnacle of God’s creation. Neither sex is exalted, and neither is depreciated.

1:28 To “reign over” something is to have absolute authority and control over it. God has ultimate rule over the earth, and he exercises his authority with loving care. When God delegated some of his authority to the human race, he expected us to take responsibility for the environment and the other creatures that share our planet. We must not be careless and wasteful as we fulfill this charge. God was careful how he made this earth. We must not be careless about how we take care of it.

1:31 God saw that all he had created was excellent in every way. You are part of God’s creation, and he is pleased with how he made you. If at times you feel worthless or of little value, remember that God made you for a good reason. You are valuable to him.

www.Upwards.Church

Source: Life Application Study Bible, (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale, 1988), WORD search
CROSS e-book, 7.
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Genesis – The Beginning Introduction & Invitation

Posted on January 2, 2023 by dkoop

You’re Invited!  

Description: Our series in Genesis is a seven-week overview of the major stories and themes in the first book of the Bible, Genesis. Genesis means “beginnings” or “origin,” and it unfolds the record of the beginning of the world, of human history, of family, of civilization, of salvation. It is the story of God’s purpose and plan for his creation. As the book of beginnings, Genesis sets the stage for the entire Bible. We hope you can join us.

 Date             Title                        Scripture                          Events

Jan. 1 – In the Beginning (Gen. 1-2)                            Family Service

Jan. 8 – The Beginning of Problems (Gen. 3-5)

Jan. 15 – A New Beginning (Gen. 6-9)               Movie Night- Is Genesis History? 1/20
Jan. 22 – The Beginning of Nations & Languages (Gen. 10-11)
Jan. 29 – The Beginning of the Blessing (Gen. 12-25)            Communion /Potluck

Feb. 5 – The Beginning of Israel (Gen. 26-36)

Feb. 12 – The Beginning of Deliverance (Gen. 36-50)

Introduction to Genesis

BEGIN… start… commence… open… There’s something refreshing and optimistic about these words, whether they refer to the dawn of a new day, the birth of a child, the prelude of a symphony, or the first miles of a family vacation. Free of problems and full of promise, beginnings stir hope and imaginative visions of the future. Genesis means “beginnings” or “origin,” and it unfolds the record of the beginning of the world, of human history, of family, of civilization, of salvation. It is the story of God’s purpose and plan for his creation. As the book of beginnings, Genesis sets the stage for the entire Bible. It reveals the person and nature of God (Creator, Sustainer, Judge, Redeemer); the value and dignity of human beings (made in God’s image, saved by grace, used by God in the world); the tragedy and consequences of sin (the Fall, separation from God, judgment); and the promise and assurance of salvation (covenant, forgiveness, promised Messiah).

God. That’s where Genesis begins. All at once we see him creating the world in a majestic display of power and purpose, culminating with a man and woman made like himself (1:26, 27). But before long, sin entered the world, and Satan was unmasked. Bathed in innocence, creation was shattered by the Fall (the willful disobedience of Adam and Eve). Fellowship with God was broken, and evil began weaving its destructive web. In rapid succession, we read how Adam and Eve were expelled from the beautiful garden, their first son turned murderer, and evil bred evil until God finally destroyed everyone on earth except a small family led by Noah, the only godly person left.

As we come to Abraham on the plains of Canaan, we discover the beginning of God’s covenant people and the broad strokes of his salvation plan: Salvation comes by faith, Abraham’s descendants will be God’s people, and the Savior of the world will come through this chosen nation. The stories of Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph that follow are more than interesting biographies. They emphasize the promises of God and the proof that he is faithful. The people we meet in Genesis are simple, ordinary people, yet through them, God did great things. These are vivid pictures of how God can and does use all kinds of people to accomplish his good purposes—even people like you.

Read Genesis and be encouraged. There is hope! No matter how dark the world situation seems, God has a plan. No matter how insignificant or useless you feel, God loves you and wants to use you in his plan. No matter how sinful and separated from God you are, his salvation is available. Read Genesis… and hope!

Vital Statistics

Purpose: To record God’s creation of the world and his desire to have a people set apart to worship him

Author: Moses

Original Audience:  God’s People

Date Written: 1450-1410 B.C.

Where Written: In the wilderness during Israel’s wanderings, somewhere in the Sinai peninsula

Setting: The region presently known as the Middle East

Key Verses:  “So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them” (1:27). “‘I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others. I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you'” (12:2, 3).

Key People: Adam, Eve, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Rebekah, Jacob, Joseph

The Blueprint

  1. THE STORY OF CREATION (1:1-2:4)God created the sky, seas, and land. He created the plants, animals, fish, and birds. But he created human beings in his own image. At times, others may treat us disrespectfully. But we can be certain of our dignity and worth because we have been created in the image of God.
  2. THE STORY OF ADAM (2:4-5:32)
    1. Adam and Eve
    2. Cain and Abel
    3. Adam’s descendants

    When Adam and Eve were created by God, they were without sin. But they became sinful when they disobeyed God and ate some fruit from the tree. Through Adam and Eve we learn about the destructive power of sin and its bitter consequences.

  3. THE STORY OF NOAH (6:1-11:32)
    1. The Flood
    2. Repopulating the earth
    3. The tower of Babel

    Noah was spared from the destruction of the Flood because he obeyed God and built the boat. Just as God protected Noah and his family, he still protects those who are faithful to him today.

  4. THE STORY OF ABRAHAM (12:1-25:18)
    1. God promises a nation to Abram
    2. Abram and Lot
    3. God promises a son to Abram
    4. Sodom and Gomorrah
    5. Birth and near sacrifice of Isaac
    6. Isaac and Rebekah
    7. Abraham dies

    Abraham was asked to leave his country, wander in Canaan, wait years for a son, and then sacrifice him as a burnt offering. Through these periods of sharp testing, Abraham remained faithful to God. His example teaches us what it means to live a life of faith.

  5. THE STORY OF ISAAC (25:19-28:9)
    1. Jacob and Esau
    2. Isaac and Abimelech
    3. Jacob gets Isaac’s blessing

    Isaac did not demand his own way. He did not resist when he was about to be sacrificed, and he gladly accepted a wife chosen for him by others. Like Isaac, we must learn to put God’s will ahead of our own.

  6. THE STORY OF JACOB (28:10-36:43)
    1. Jacob starts a family
    2. Jacob returns home

    Jacob did not give up easily. He faithfully served Laban for over 14 years. Later, he wrestled with God. Although Jacob made many mistakes, his hard work teaches us about living a life of service for our Lord.

  7. THE STORY OF JOSEPH (37:1-50:26)
    1. Joseph is sold into slavery
    2. Judah and Tamar
    3. Joseph is thrown into prison
    4. Joseph is placed in charge of Egypt
    5. Joseph and his brothers meet in Egypt
    6. Jacob’s family moves to Egypt
    7. Jacob and Joseph die in Egypt

    Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers and unjustly thrown into prison by his master. Through the life of Joseph, we learn that suffering, no matter how unfair, can develop strong character in us.

MEGATHEMES
THEME EXPLANATION IMPORTANCE
Beginnings Genesis explains the beginning of many important realities: the universe, the earth, people, sin, and God’s plan of salvation. Genesis teaches us that the earth is well made and good. People are special to God and unique. God creates and sustains all life.
Disobedience People are always facing great choices. Disobedience occurs when people choose not to follow God’s plan of living. Genesis explains why people are evil: They choose to do wrong. Even great Bible heroes failed God and disobeyed.
Sin Sin ruins people’s lives. It happens when we disobey God. Living God’s way makes life productive and fulfilling.
Promises God makes promises to help and protect people. This kind of promise is called a “covenant.” God kept his promises then, and he keeps them now. He promises to love us, accept us, forgive us.
Obedience The opposite of sin is obedience. Obeying God restores our relationship to him. The only way to enjoy the benefits of God’s promises is to obey him.
Prosperity Prosperity is deeper than mere material wealth. True prosperity and fulfillment come as a result of obeying God. When people obey God, they find peace with him, with others, and with themselves.
Israel God started the nation of Israel in order to have a dedicated people who would (1) keep his ways alive in the world, (2) proclaim to the world what he is really like, and (3) prepare the world for the birth of Christ. God is looking for people today to follow him. We are to proclaim God’s truth and love to all nations, not just our own. We must be faithful to carry out the mission God has given us.

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Source: Life Application Study Bible , (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale, 1988), WORD search CROSS e-book, 2-3.
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