As we get started on our reading plan, we start at the beginning — although we will jump around a bit after we get through Genesis.  We start with what Biblical scholars call “pre-history,” stories that tell of times before lasting artifacts or documents.  These are stories that help us develop a sense of identity and our place in the world.  As I talked about Sunday in my sermon, we can’t skip Genesis 1 or read through it quickly or we will miss important information about our identity.  

In Genesis 1, God created everything — the sky, the sun, moon, and stars, the waters separated to form dry land.  On that dry land, plants and animals were created.  In the seas, the fish and other animals were created.  In the sky, the birds were put there to soar.  Everything was blessed and declared “good” in God’s eyes.  Then, humans were created in God’s image and it was “very good.”

Perfection didn’t last — as we learn in Genesis 3 & 4.  We humans couldn’t let a good thing keep going and allow what we have called “sin” to enter the world.  But before there was “Original Sin” there was and remains “Original Grace.”  In Genesis 5:3, we read that Adam has a son named Seth who was born in Adam’s likeness.  Adam’s likeness is God’s likeness, which means Seth’s likeness is God’s likeness.  Even though humans lost their paradise, humans are still created in God’s likeness.  Sin does not disrupt God’s image in humanity.

By chapter 6, humans’ wickedness was rampant — as 6:5 says, “only evil all the time” (NIV) — and, grieved, God wants to start over completely with humans.  However, Noah was a righteous man and God uses Noah and his family to start over with people.  So, Noah builds a boat, it rains for a little bit, and creation is restored.  Through it all, God remembers that all that is created is good — including people — and promises to never destroy it all again.

Without getting caught in the minutiae of every word or verse (or minimizing Noah’s boat, the little rain, and the restoration of ALL creation), we can see the larger picture that Genesis 1-11 (yes, I’m add a couple of chapters as the reading passages don’t always match the breaks/transitions in the text).  God begins humanity with (for tradition’s sake — because in 1:26 male and female are created at the same time) Adam, then Adam’s family, and then, the whole world.  Then, God starts over in chapter 6 with Noah, Noah’s family, and then extending God’s promise to the whole world.  Looking forward, the story and the promise will begin again after Babel in chapter 12 with Abram, Abraham’s family, and to the whole world.

God’s eyes for all creation, including humanity, see the good in it all.  God relates to all creation, including humanity, with faithfulness in all times and in all places.  We know that humanity doesn’t see the good in all of creation, nor do we act with faithfulness to God in all times and places.  I am confident that throughout the reading of the Bible this year, you will see God’s faithfulness.  You will also see that, regardless of the particulars, humanity will fall short.  In fact, humanity will astound you how unfaithful, short-sighted, selfish, callous, and creative (not in a good way) we can be.  Yet, God will forgive and extend grace.  

The story of God’s relationship will humanity continues…