Day 12: Genesis 2:4-6
Devotional
READ GENESIS 2:4-6
One of my favorite movie tropes is the flashback scene. They give you a scene showing what happened, but then go back and show you the same scene from a different perspective. You might get more details that explain what’s really going on, or you might learn more about a character you thought was just an afterthought to the story. Whatever the point of the scene, I usually end up with a greater appreciation for what’s happening in the story.
In a way, that’s what we’re seeing here in Genesis 2:4-6. We’ve already seen God creating throughout chapter 1. We saw the rhythm of days one through six, then everything seems to come to a natural completion when God rests on the seventh day. Then, we go back to the beginning in 2:4. Why did the biblical author do this? I believe it’s to both show us more of the story and to bring us further into the story of what would take place in the Garden of Eden. In 2:5 we go back to a world existing in disorder. There’s no vegetation and no rain yet. There’s the potential for growth, but nothing has happened yet that would give any order to this creation. You can see why it’s in disorder at the end of verse 5--“there was no man to cultivate the ground.”
This is where we start to see purpose in our own creation. When I think of cultivating the ground, I think of taking what God has given us and working with it to produce good things. God designed us to cultivate. When we work, we’re fulfilling a task given to us by God. It’s in our nature to cultivate. It doesn’t always feel that way, does it? Sometimes work can feel meaningless, tiring, and unending. That may be true for you today, but be encouraged. No matter what kind of work you do, know that God has designed you to cultivate and create with what He’s given you.
One of my favorite movie tropes is the flashback scene. They give you a scene showing what happened, but then go back and show you the same scene from a different perspective. You might get more details that explain what’s really going on, or you might learn more about a character you thought was just an afterthought to the story. Whatever the point of the scene, I usually end up with a greater appreciation for what’s happening in the story.
In a way, that’s what we’re seeing here in Genesis 2:4-6. We’ve already seen God creating throughout chapter 1. We saw the rhythm of days one through six, then everything seems to come to a natural completion when God rests on the seventh day. Then, we go back to the beginning in 2:4. Why did the biblical author do this? I believe it’s to both show us more of the story and to bring us further into the story of what would take place in the Garden of Eden. In 2:5 we go back to a world existing in disorder. There’s no vegetation and no rain yet. There’s the potential for growth, but nothing has happened yet that would give any order to this creation. You can see why it’s in disorder at the end of verse 5--“there was no man to cultivate the ground.”
This is where we start to see purpose in our own creation. When I think of cultivating the ground, I think of taking what God has given us and working with it to produce good things. God designed us to cultivate. When we work, we’re fulfilling a task given to us by God. It’s in our nature to cultivate. It doesn’t always feel that way, does it? Sometimes work can feel meaningless, tiring, and unending. That may be true for you today, but be encouraged. No matter what kind of work you do, know that God has designed you to cultivate and create with what He’s given you.
Personal Reflection
- What kind of work brings fulfillment for you? Why?
- What can we learn from Genesis 2 that we didn’t learn in Genesis 1?
Posted in The Beginning Devotionals
2 Comments
Great reminder about taking what God has given to me and being productive. What He gives me He may not give to others and vice-versa. I am to be productive with the gifts and resources given to me. I spend to much time worrying about everyone productivity.
A day late as we travel through God’s country heading to the Grand Canyon. What a beautiful example of God’s creation. This devotional is a beautiful reminder that we have a purpose in ‘cultivating’ God’s creation.