January 4, 2012

OH NO!

Key Verse
"And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel." (Genesis 3:15)
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Central Truth

God will not allow the force of evil to prevail over mankind, but will deliver His people from its grip.

Reflections

Have you ever done something that you knew to be wrong? How did you feel? Angry with yourself? Defensive? Were you fearful? In this passage, God's crowning achievement - mankind - created in His image and with His spirit, made a willful choice to doubt and go against his Creator. Satan himself, having sinned earlier, brought sin into the Garden of Eden and convinced humans to follow in selfish rebellion instead of trusting the Lord God. As a result, in a sense, we humans carry "defective spiritual DNA." Sometimes we really blow it, don't we? And at times it is even a habitual problem.

Although I have been a Christian for many years, this was brought home for me during last fall's WALLS series at HCBC, where I found out I have the wall of pride. God hates pride! OH NO! Being an engineer and having a MBA, I have been taught there is a right and perfect answer to every dilemma. Countless times my sin of pride has been a barrier that prevented me from the much needed wisdom and counsel of others, since I really believed I had it all together (pride). Through painful circumstances, God has shown me that He is in control, not me, and that my goal is to trust Him since He loves me unconditionally and only wants the best for me. I have asked God to forgive me of pride. The promise of a covering for my sinful pride was first revealed in this game-changing narrative in Genesis 3.

Fortunately, God revealed His prescription for human failure. Theologians call it the "Proto Evangelium": a salvation and redemption pathway that leads to Jesus Christ, who covers the sin so God cannot see it (v. 15). What love! What unfailing love! God's love is strongly evident in this passage! Not only in providing a solution to the human dilemma of sin, but also in taking steps to love and protect Adam and his wife, Eve, with animal skins in their new, much harsher environment.

Even as the first humans failed, God displayed unfailing love to mankind.

Discussion Questions

1. Why is it so seemingly difficult to trust God?

2. In what ways have you discounted what God clearly has said in His Word in order to justify an action or a pathway that you really wanted instead?

3. How has that worked out for you? Can you trust Him now after all?

4. Do you really believe God knows what's best for you?

Comments

The views expressed under “Comments” are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Hill Country Bible Church NW.

  1. Chip Smith

    January 4, 2012 07:28 AM

    Good morning John. In Genesis 1, we read that man was created in God's image to watch over and care for God's creation. In Genesis 2, we see the purpose of vegetation and animals, to feed and help man. The animals were created to help man and man was created to watch over and care for God's creation. This working together in perfect harmony is called shalom. Now, in Genesis 3, we see man shift focus from God to self and sin, bringing harm to all creation and destroying the perfect balance of shalom. How do we get back to this perfection, this shalom? John, you have aptly answered this question in your log: Only the way of the cross of Christ where we die to self and regain God's image through Jesus, who is the perfect image of God and the Prince of Peace (Shalom).

  2. Tim Hawks

    January 4, 2012 07:58 AM

    John, thank for sharing your personal application from this passage. Our "liberation" from God through disobedience has become our "prison". And yet, in spite of this desire to be free from God's plan, He will still restore the sinner who turns to Him in trust. I am amazed by His grace!

  3. Bob A. King

    January 4, 2012 11:43 AM

    Another outstanding devotional, John. Thanks for being so transparent - it reminds me that I am still under construction by the Master Builder. God is using you, my friend. May 2012 be an outstanding year for you and your entire family!

  4. Cindi Vana

    January 4, 2012 03:28 PM

    John, I particularly appreciated your insight and transparency. You brought home the need to see ourselves in every biblical illustration and our great need for God's loving salvation.

  5. Sam Shoquist

    January 4, 2012 09:01 PM

    John, fantastic job! Really appreciate your insights and candidness. Blessings, Sam

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John Weber

John Weber

My name is John Weber. My wonderful wife, Linda, and I have been married for 38 years. We have three kids and five grandchildren, one here in Leander, the others out of state.

I am a consultant in the area of automotive product development and advanced energy concepts. As far as interests are concerned, I love to teach and have been studying the intersection of science and the Bible for many years. I enjoy singing in a good, old-fashioned gospel quartet; snow skiing; water skiing; running; cycling; the ocean and travel. And of course, I love seeing grand kids!