How to Read the Bible Chronologically: Genesis 2-3

And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, ‘You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.'

Genesis 2:16-17 ESV

Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, ‘Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?' And the woman said to the serpent, ‘We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.’'

Genesis 3:1-3 ESV

These verses from the book of Genesis surely spark a lot of thought, don't they? As we continue our journey through the whole Bible in a year in chronological order, today's focus is on some pretty intriguing parts of Genesis.

Genesis is the first book of the Bible and is typically attributed and one of the Books of Moses.  We're not just going to look at that well-known serpent scenario, but we're also delving into some deep lessons that help us understand the God of the Bible better.

Trust me, you're in good company! In this blog series, we walk through some of the most captivating moments from each chapter of the Bible as I've experienced them.

I'll be throwing in a sprinkle of historical background and biblical insights along the way, all to help you connect with, or maybe even deepen, your understanding of God's message to us.

Only ask one thing? If this is your first time or your twentieth, as you read along, try to zero in on discovering God's character in the stories, focus on God's word.

The Bible isn't just a list of dos and don'ts, nor is it there to scold us. It's a pathway to forming a deeper bond with God, a source of solace and direction in our daily life, steering clear of guilt and judgment. This journey is deeply personal, and I'm thrilled to share it with you. 

Here are some of the resources I use for my everyday reading and bible study:

• The Bible Project
• The Bible Recap
• The You Version Bible App
• Journal
• Study Bible
• Spiral Bible
• Stickers
• Markers

Rest as a Directive from God

First up, in Genesis 2:2, there's a crucial lesson about rest. After all His amazing work in the creation of the world and the universe, God took a day to rest. This isn't just a historical context on the Bible; it's a divine lesson and a great resource for us.

In our non-stop world, it's easy to overlook the importance of rest, but here, God is reminding us of the need to pause, reflect, and rejuvenate. It's like God's telling us, “Hey, it's okay to take a break.”  Throughout the entire book of the Bible we will continue to see this theme repeat, aren't these good news?

Te Breath of Life: Ruach

Moving on to Genesis 2:7, we witness something truly miraculous. God breathes the ‘Ruach' or breath of life into humans. There are many Bible translations, depending on the one you are using you will see the Hebrew word Ruach.

 This is more than just the start of physical life; it's a spiritual awakening, a divine touch that elevates us. Remember, we're not just physical beings; we have the breath of God within us, reminding us of our divine connection and origin. Feeling unsure about who you are? Flip back to Genesis 2:7 and read it over and over.

Adam (Human) Role

Here's a fascinating tidbit: God created Adam (human) outside the Garden of Eden! Have you noticed that before? That's right, in Genesis 2:8, 15, we see the creation of Adam outside the Garden, and then Adam is placed inside for the first time to tend and care for it.

This is about more than just gardening; it symbolizes our role as stewards of God's creation, caring for the world He entrusted to us.

Garden of Eden River of Life

The river from Eden, mentioned in Genesis 2:10, splits into four parts, watering areas like Babylon. This isn't just geographical information; it's a symbolic representation of life and civilization stemming from this divine source. Each area mentioned in Genesis 2:10-14 plays a significant role in the biblical narrative in the rest of the Bible.

Now, as for the serpent in Genesis 3, we'll save that for another day (maybe a whole blog post!). For now, ponder over Genesis 3:22. What does it mean to you? How does it shape your understanding of knowledge, temptation, and our relationship with God? What is God's story and God's plan?

Genesis is more than just the first book of the Bible; is the type of book that sets the stage for the entire biblical history. Take your time with it, absorb its richness. Is a great place to start, however the best way to understand the big picture is to follow a chronological Bible reading plan to answer common question and to understand the story of the Bible.

If you're looking to dive deeper into the word of God and reading the entire Bible, join me at the Sip Pray Love podcast and our FREE Facebook group by the same name. There we expand these topics that sometimes are just a little difficult to grasp.  I'd love for you to join me!  

Sip Slow, Pray Deep, Love Always…