OT DAY 14 - A Real Human Being Won't Mess Up God's Created Relationship (請按此處收聼廣東話Cantonese podcast click here)

        Today's Reading: Genesis 3:14-15

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Please click this link to read Genesis 3:14-15

English(ESV):https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis 3&version=ESV 

Chinese: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=創 世 記 3&version=CUV

Bible Study

     We often link today's passage of the snake's deceiving work as Satan's work. In fact, it is not about that. 

Let's take a look at what Professor John Goldingay says (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Goldingay) :

    

     Once you have identified the snake with Satan, it is natural to see Eve's offspring, who ultimately hits the snake on the head (and gets bitten on the heel), as Jesus.  Irenaeus, bishop of Lyons 150 years after Christ, connected the dots like that, and it became a standard way to understand this passage.  Luther thus called it "the first gospel proclamation."  It's a neat idea, but no one thought of interpreting the passage this way until well after Jesus' day, and this delay reflects the fact that this interpretation has nothing to do with what Genesis means.  Genesis is talking about the troublesome and dangerous way snakes and human beings are dangers to one another, a concrete example of the disturbed relationship between humanity and the animate world.  We were supposed to be in charge of the animate world, to hold sway over it, to make it work, and thus Adam was the one who gave the creatures their names.  But instead of exercising authority over it, Adam and Eve let it exercise control over them, and instead of the creatures of the sixth day living harmoniously together, they came to live at odds… 

John Goldingay. Genesis for Everyone. Louisville,KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 2010, p.52.

      Do you have this kind of misunderstanding? What have you got from this new understanding?  

Let's have a time to be still and give the Holy Spirit space to speak through the passage we have just read. Offer this time up to Jesus as you listen to him, while listening to "Gabriel's Oboe":  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmax47l2hLU

Spiritual Journal

    The title I heard from Jesus today is: A real human being won't mess up God's created relationship

    What I receive from Jesus today is a reminder of our important role to take care of the animate world. When Adam and Eve forgot that and let the snake to control their thought and action against God's will, everything changed and human beings have been in a mess from that time until now. 

    We may not have this kind of problem to be controlled by animals unless those things in the movie "Planet of the Apes" happened and it never will. But, we always make that kind of mistakes to let go of God's appointed commanding position because of our humbleness or afraid of confrontation and mess up God's planned relationship. The result would be devastating. 

    Jesus gives me the words God gave to Joshua just a minute ago to encourage all of us to be strong and take the lead to do God's work if He choose you to take that lead:

     "Be strong and courageous.  Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."        Joshua 1: 9

    But, watch out. This passage is not telling you to entertain your pride and act  like a king controlling everybody. This passage is to tell you don't let go of your appointed role to lead and control if God allows you to. Don't think that if you let go that role means that you are humble and meek. It would just mess up God's created relationship. 

    If that is you, and it is you. Don't let other people to do your job!


Dear Lord Jesus,

Help us to be strong to take the lead to do those things you command us to do.  In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

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This blog:

Discipler 123 (Daily devotion using N.T. Wright's NT for Everyone as source)

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Rev. Nicky Gumbel's daily devotion: Bible in One Year

http://www.htb.org.uk/bioy