08/03/2016 WHERE ARE YOU?
Genesis 3:9 But the LORD GOD called to the man, “Where are you?”
[New International translation]
Summary
The book of Genesis, the first book of the Bible, is about origins and beginnings. The very first words, in the first verse, in the first chapter, in Genesis contain these words: “In the beginning GOD….” In Greek, the word “Genesis” means origin. In Latin, the word means “beginnings.” The book of Genesis describes physical creation---the origin of those things in our physical environment: light, darkness, day, night, the heavens, the earth, land, vegetation, the moon and the stars. The book of Genesis also describes the origin and creation of birds, fish, animals and human life.
But there is more. And, it is so easy to miss it because it is so easy to focus on the wonder and glory of physical creation as GOD-- THE SUPREME ARCHITECT, THE MASTER DESIGNER, THE ANCIENT MASTERBUILDER-- transforms all that was not and void, into being. Additionally, Genesis also illustrates GOD as SPIRIT—a GOD who intervenes, blesses, instructs, relates, provides companionship, and cares enough to correct humanity.
The Deists, those who picture GOD as a great “clockmaker” who just created the universe (like a clock), wound it up, and let it go (and just walked away) simply got it wrong. Genesis proves that GOD is not a “cold,” non-interventionist creator. Our CREATOR cares. In Genesis, we read:
THE LORD GOD planted a garden in the east, in Eden, and there HE put the man
HE had formed. (Genesis 3:8, 15 GOD prepared a place for humanity, work, purpose, and
food.)
THE LORD GOD gave humanity a warning. (Genesis 3:16)
THE LORD GOD walked and talked with humanity in the garden…(Genesis 3:8 HE was willing to lead the way, provide a path, checkup on us, order our steps, create a smooth path, make a way)
THE LORD GOD made us in HIS image and blessed us. (Genesis 1:27, 28)
The word “bless” in Hebrew is “barak,” means to praise, congratulate or salute. GOD wants the best for us. The word “bless,” in Latin is “beatus,” or happy, which is where the word “Beatitude” comes from. (See, Matthew 5:3-11.) GOD loved us from the very beginning.
But, humanity veered from the way, the true path, stumbled and spiritually fell. Some might even say humanity lost its “moral compass.”
We serve a GOD who is OMNIPOTENT (all powerful), OMNISCIENT (all knowing) and OMNIPRESENT (spiritually infinite, eternal, unchanging, having no beginning or end.) After “the fall” GOD “knew” where humanity was. It was humanity, like a lost sheep, that strayed.
The question: “Where are you?” is an introspective question. It requires us to look “inward” and “outward.” Are we on a GODLY path? Are we being who GOD wants us to be? Are we being good stewards over our physical and spiritual health? Are we heeding GOD’s warnings? Are we walking with GOD? If not, where are we?