Category Archives: In the beginning (Genesis)

In the Beginning: Paradise lost

Posted on October 23, 2019 by Deborah

Genesis 3:20-24 God would not allow Adam and Eve to live for ever in their new, sinful state; now that disobedience was no longer unthinkable, it could only become more frequent and serious. They had to be kept away from … Continue reading →

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In the Beginning: The curse

Posted on October 16, 2019 by Deborah

Genesis 3:16-19 Adam had been warned in advance that disobedience would have serious consequences. Now those consequences are spelled out… Our original commission from God was, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it.” (Genesis 1:28) … Continue reading →

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In the Beginning: Declaration of war

Posted on October 9, 2019 by Deborah

Genesis 3:14,15 The Judge, having heard statements from the defence, passes judgement – and He first judges Satan, the prime mover. The lifestyle of his chosen agent, the snake, is a portrait of his own destiny – to be despised, … Continue reading →

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In the Beginning: Temptation and Sin

Posted on September 25, 2019 by Deborah

Genesis 3:6-13 Satan could not force the man and woman to sin, only tempt them. They had a free choice, either to believe him (and regard God as a rival and enemy) or to believe and trust God. The temptation … Continue reading →

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In the Beginning: Enter the Devil

Posted on September 18, 2019 by Deborah

Genesis 3:1-5 We find it somewhat shocking that there could exist, within God’s ‘very good’ world, the possibility of doing evil. Evil is not part of God’s nature, so it must have arisen from within His creation. But we are … Continue reading →

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In the beginning: Marriage

Posted on June 19, 2019 by Deborah

Genesis 2:24,25 Adam and Eve were not just a managerial team; they were also the archetypal couple. Their relationship should therefore be seen as the pattern not just for social relationships between the sexes but also for our sexual relationships. … Continue reading →

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In the Beginning: Man and woman

Posted on June 12, 2019 by Deborah

Genesis 2:18-23 Adam has a relationship with God, but this is not enough. He needs someone else to relate to – somebody on his own level (for the word ‘helper’ in verse 18 carries no implication of inferiority or servitude; … Continue reading →

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In the Beginning: Good and evil

Posted on May 22, 2019 by Deborah

Genesis 2:16,17 But Adam was not given totally free rein in this earthly paradise; he was ‘on probation’. Animal behaviour is a simple product of instincts and urges. Humans alone have been given the awesome burden of moral responsibility. We … Continue reading →

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In the Beginning: Eden

Posted on May 15, 2019 by Deborah

Genesis 2:8-15 If the whole cosmos is intended to be God’s temple, then Eden is the inner sanctuary – the place where His presence is made manifest. Outside is a struggle for existence against adverse conditions; inside is harmony and … Continue reading →

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In the Beginning: Early man

Posted on May 8, 2019 by Deborah

Genesis 2:4-7 And now we go back to the beginning again! The story of creation is now retold – but this time from Man’s viewpoint. And so it looks quite different from the panoramic view we had in chapter 1. … Continue reading →

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