Bible in 90 Days - Day 1 (Genesis 1-16)

Lord God,

help us to know your ways;

teach us your paths.

Lead us in your truth, and teach us,

for you are the God of our salvation;

for you we wait all day long.

Through Christ, our Lord. Amen.

—based on Psalm 25:4-5

Genesis 1-16 covers a lot of territory! There is no other passage I can think of in this 90 days of reading that covers more time, unless you count genealogies. Several key themes are introduced here that form the core of the story from here to Revelation. Here are a few:

Creator/creation/creature – God created everything that exists. Nothing exists outside of God’s creative hand, and nothing remains unless he sustains it. That means that nothing can stand up to God to challenge him by saying, “I don’t need you.” It also means that there is nothing that exists to which God can say, “How did you get here?” God delights in his good creation, he is angered and saddened by its fall, and since the beginning he is in the process of restoring all of it to himself.

Human distinction – Of all of creation, humans are created in God’s image. We hold a special place in God’s heart and have a special purpose in creation. God has made us responsible agents. What we do matters. We are to care for all of creation. When Adam and Eve sinned, everything suffered. God’s plan of restoration focuses on people.

Presence of God – God created people to be in his presence to enjoy him. It is not safe for sinful people to be in the presence of a holy God, and God sends Adam and Eve out of the garden. God never abandons them, but the intimate fellowship and purpose that is only found in God’s presence is lost. Entering back into God’s presence is a major theme from now until the very last chapter of the Bible.

God’s people – In the beginning all people were God’s people. The story of the flood is God’s reaction to his people’s action, as is the tower of Babel. It is not until Abraham that God makes a distinction. God chooses Abraham, and he does it for a reason. God blesses Abraham so that he will be a blessing to the world. God makes a covenant with Abraham, and we’ll see that more specifically tomorrow.