As sure as Leviticus gives us instructions for drawing nearer to God (actually His desire to draw near to us) … so does Genesis gives us numerous examples of mankind drifting further and further away from God!

Because of sin!

The Bible’s first Book begins in Eden … a perfect environment, but soon civilization nearly comes to a total end … because of sin. With the Flood in Noah’s day! A pattern of departing from God’s Presence!

Again Genesis depicts man falling from Innocence (Eden) to chaos, rebellion … at the Tower of Babel!

Then yet again from perfection (the very Tree of Life) to the last few words in Genesis … “in a coffin in Egypt!” Genesis 50:26 (Life to death!)

So sad!

This too, I noticed late last night, even more of this heartbreaking “departure” motif!

Early in Genesis God meets man, often, in direct Communion. Especially Adam, Enoch (who “walked” with God, intimately so), Noah (who also “walked with God”) and Abraham!

But as Genesis progresses (or digresses) fewer and fewer direct Meetings between God and man occur. Later on God merely speaks by dreams and visions, a far cry from Face to Face Fellowship!

Again, the wages of sin!

Still … God hungers for communion with His creation, particularly mankind!

Genesis … man defeating God’s purpose, thwarting God’s longing for “togetherness.” Man ever widening the distance between himself and the great God of all!

Next, on our way to Leviticus, we will encounter the Book of Exodus. Where, surprisingly, man begins to draw back closer to God! Due to God’s Initiative, of course.

I’ll begin to explain this concept more fully tomorrow morning, the dear Lord willing.

Meanwhile … live close to God today!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

One more quick little glimpse. Too brief for a whole Lesson maybe.

When Abraham decided to live closer and closer to God, his Wife Sarah was “barren,” her womb “dried, dead.”

When Lot decided to move further away from God (and righteous Abraham) he close the “well watered” plains of a place called Sodom!

See the difference, “dry” as opposed to “wet?”

But in time, “in the long run” my Dad would have said … God dried up the lush plains of Sodom. (That’s an understatement!) The fire of judgment fell on that wicked place.

And … Sarah’s dried, barren womb was given new vigor, no longer “dead!” Moist with new life, little Isaac was on the way!

God “reversed” these two situations entirely! Based on what? FELLOWSHIP (OR LOVE) FOR HIM, TO HIM! WANTING TO LIVE NEAR HIS PRESENCE! BEING “IN LOVE” WITH OUR CREATOR/REDEEMER!

Wow!

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