by Michelle J. Goff
We learn a lot about God through the first few chapters of Genesis. Starting with creation, God reminds us that it is worthwhile to recognize a job done well and call it good. Then, after the job is done, call it a day, take a step back, and rest. There is tremendous satisfaction in a time of rest following the hard work of a big project. Work hard, then rest (Gen. 2:2-3).
The Father, the Son, and the Spirit, as One, made man and woman in their own image. By definition and by design, we were made for relationship (Gen. 1:26, 31). Whether walking together and talking in the garden or even in confronting the sin that God knew Adam and Even had committed, God continues to engage in relationship.
After Adam and Eve eat of the forbidden fruit, God begins the conversation by asking them a question, “Where are you?” Did God know where they were? Of course! He’s God! Yet, He asks them a question in order to continue to engage in relationship. Communication is foundational for relationship. God models that listening comes first if we want a relationship to endure. Even though He already knows the answers, God asks Adam and Eve four different questions as He invites them to openly communicate with Him (Gen. 3:8-13).
Sin separates us from God, yet He still longs to be in relationship with us. When we choose something over God and His ways (forbidden fruit, our own desires, plans, ways, or thoughts), they become idols that separate us from God. Sin has no place in our lives—not only because of how it takes place of our number one priority: God, but also because sin brings consequences. There are natural consequences from sin: Adam and Eve knew that they were naked and they felt ashamed (Gen. 3:7). And there are spiritual consequences: Sin separates us from God.
The amazing thing that we learn from God’s priorities is that even though sin separated us from Him, He still made every effort to be in relationship with us. The first sacrifice happened when God made garments of skin for Adam and Eve as clothing (Gen. 3:21). Death and the shedding of blood were necessary when sin entered in because without it, we couldn’t be in relationship with God.
Even when we sin, God still loves us. And He sent the perfect sacrifice of His Son that we might be able to be unified in relationship again (Heb. 10:1). If you do not know of the gift God freely offers through the death, burial, and resurrection of His Son, please contact us as we would love to share with you the hope of the promise of our own resurrection from our sinful state—made possible through His redeeming blood.
What do God’s priorities in Genesis 1-3 imply for our redefined priorities?
1. Work hard, then rest.
2. Make every effort to be in relationship, especially with God. It’s how we were designed.
3. Love and listen—first to God, then to others, always through the filter of loving God first.
4. The only place sin has on our priority list is to actively allow God to help us eradicate it.
5. God loves us too much to leave us in destructive sin. Accept God’s redeeming love and forgiveness, only made possible through His Son.
This is not a one and done priority list. It is more like a rinse and repeat. Daily. Hourly.
I encourage you to reread the first three chapters of Genesis and share what else we learn about God’s priorities. How does a view of God’s priorities redefine your priorities? Do God’s priorities change throughout the course of the Bible story?