The Lord God, the great initiator – the story begins

One of the things that struck me as I reread the first chapters of Genesis is seeing God as the great initiator – or the central actor in this divine drama.  Watch Him move:

“God said” – 15 times in Genesis 1-3

“God made” – 7 times

“God saw” – 7 times

“God blessed” – 3 times

“God commanded” – 1 time

Starting in 2:15, though, is where the drama begins:

2:15 – God “took” and “put” man in the garden that he created for him (setting)

3:9 – God “called” to the man (the tension is building after the fall)

3:21 – God “made” for Adam and eve garments (sacrificial covering for their sin – at the height of climax)

3:23 – God “sent” them out of the garden (resolution)

So what does this mean?  First, God is the central figure of this entire story (not just of Genesis 1-3, but the entire Bible).  It is about Him – what He has done, what He is doing, and what He is like.  Next, not only does God initiate in creation, but His involvement with the created doesn’t end there – he continues to act, move, pursue, etc…

I thank God that He is the central figure in this story.  And, while I wish I was the central figure on the stage of life, I ultimately am eternally thankful that there is someone bigger than myself to worship and find my deepest joy in.

And, even more personally, when I’m tired, he is working…when I’m tempted, Christ is interceding…when I’m lonely, God is moving closer…when I’m hurting, He is healing…and when I was dead in sin, He was dying, drawing me, and saving me.   What a Savior!