Stroll through Scripture for Sunday, September 8, 2024

Based on Genesis 2:4b-7, 15-17; 3:1-8

This Sunday begins the new cycle for the Narrative Lectionary and so that means we start at the very beginning of Scripture with the story of creation and the Fall.  There are two creation stories in Genesis constituting the first couple of chapters of the book.  This version focuses primarily on the humans, rather than the seven days of creation.  This version is less concerned with myth of the creation of the cosmos and more about God’s relationship with humanity. 

Which leads us to chapter 3 – the Fall.  This story is so very interesting in so many ways.  First, we need to understand how to read it.  The creation stories and the Fall are not to be read literally.  When we do that, we miss the point of why these readings are important.  The beginning of Scripture is offering an explanation, in a mythic telling, of how humanity got to where it is – having to do hard work, in less than ideal situations, full of division and strife, and more.  

There are a few details that we miss in the English translation and what we have commonly read into the story.  First, a serpent is the culprit in this story.   While we have often read that to mean the devil, that’s not what the passage says.  What matters is that the serpent is crafty.  Crafty means underhanded, devious, or full of deception.  It is the story of created wisdom thinking it is wiser than God.  The consequences of this become apparent quickly.  

Second, the tree in Genesis 3 is in the middle of the garden.  Later in Revelation 22, the very last chapter of the New Testament, we will hear about the tree in the middle of the city with leaves for the healing of the nations.  In a way, these trees bookend all of Scripture.  

Third, the sin of the man and woman in the garden comes down to the serpent’s temptation in Genesis 3:5 – “You will not die; for God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”  This temptation is really about humans’ wanting to be like God, as we think of what it means to be God – being all knowing, which gives us a sense of control and order.  It turns the creation stories on their heads.  We are made in the image and likeness of God, but often that doesn’t seem to satisfy humanity.  We often want more.  We want to be God.  God is oriented towards Shalom, which means wholeness.  What more is there, and in what way could there be improvement on something that is whole?  Yet, the serpent’s temptation is about humans thinking they aren’t whole, that they are missing out on something, and that when they get it, we’ll have wholeness/satisfaction.  Yet, it doesn’t turn out that way.  They are confronted with the naked truth and they don’t like it and they hide their bodies and themselves from God.  

Throughout Scripture, there is a consistent theme – God coming to creation ever since God made creation.  It’s humanity that creates the divide and wants to hide away from God, in fear.  One of the most common messages from God’s messengers is “Do not be afraid!”  In the resurrection of Jesus, Jesus raises from the dead, overcoming death and fear and sin.  In John’s account, Jesus is in a garden, being seen by Mary as the gardener.  And in Revelation, as we talked about earlier, we see the tree in the middle of the city offering healing for the nations.  Throughout it all, God is in the process of bringing restoration and healing to creation.  

Questions for Reflection:

• Did you know there are two creation stories?  How are they similar?  How are they different?  What is the significance of having two creation stories with two different focus points?
• In the story of the Fall, what do you think the fruit symbolizes from the tree in the garden?  
• Why do you think the idea of knowing good and evil is appealing?