Today’s Bible Reading: Genesis 3-5, Mark 2

Have you noticed that the moment an authority tells you that you need to do this or that, something happens? If we disagree, something arises in our hearts to say, “No, I will do what I want!” If we agree, then we comply. We are seeing this play out in our society right now as we argue over vaccines and masks and such. But this is nothing new.

In Genesis 2:16-17, God gave Adam and Eve one law: “See this fruit on this tree? Do not eat it.” This was the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. In Genesis 3, the Tempter comes along and plants another “law,” another “Word” in their hearts and minds. That “law” the Tempter laid down seemed good but it also made the ultimate Lawgiver look bad, as if He was keeping something good from them.

Our actions have consequences. Those actions start with the seeds planted in our hearts. The first question asked in Scripture is, “Did God really say…?” The foundation of sin starts in our hearts with this–a questioning of God’s Word and God’s goodness. Genesis 4 and 5 show the consequences. The murderous act of Cain in Genesis 4, killing his brother, followed my the steady drumbeat found in Genesis 5: “… and he died… and he died… and he died.”

In the midst of this, God gives a promise of a Seed who would crush the Tempter’s head (see Genesis 3:15). God’s actions have always been meant to provide and protect us. His saving work in Christ, that Seed to Come, would provide rescue from brokenness and protect us from the work of Satan and that Babylon system so many hold to (see Revelation 17).

Our actions bring consequences. God’s actions through His Son by the Spirit bring conversion.

The Bible reading plan comes from the excellent Five-Day Bible Reading Plan.