Today we read Genesis 6. Seth’s descendants increasingly participate in the evil that overwhelms God’s creation, preferring their own inclinations toward beauty and power over God’s clear will for their lives. Recognizing that the human heart is a continual source of evil, God’s patience is about to give way to judgment. But God also plans to have mercy. Even as Noah finds favor in the eyes of the Lord, so also the faithful of all times have God’s favor on account of the promised Savior. • We thank You, O Lord, that You look upon us with favor because of Christ Jesus, our Savior. Keep us ever in this faith. Amen.

Various Authors. The Lutheran Study Bible (pp. 627-628). (Function). Kindle Edition.

Today we read Genesis 5. The genealogical summary advances the story to the next major development—the flood. Genealogies teach an important theological lesson: God perseveres in the fulfillment of His promises. God does not become bored with His plan or discouraged by Satan’s efforts to derail it. Like God’s people before us, we often wander from God’s path. Yet, God works patiently to set the course right again and to draw us back to Himself. For this reason, the genealogies that may seem boring actually proclaim “The Lord is not slow to fulfill His promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance” (2Pt 3:9). • Lord, fulfill Your good purpose for me in Christ, as You have promised. Amen.

Various Authors. The Lutheran Study Bible (p. 626). (Function). Kindle Edition.

Today we read Genesis 4. Chapter 4 begins with a murder and traces how the shadow of violence lengthens until Lamech perverts God’s intention for marriage by taking two wives and boasting that he is 77 times more violent than his murderous ancestor Cain. But we also learn of the birth of Seth, through whom God’s promise (Genesis 3:15) will continue. God’s plan is not stopped by murder. God appoints another seed of the woman to receive the promise and to carry the story forward. The promise continues to unfold until it comes at last to the cross. There, Satan tries to derail God’s plan by killing the seed of the woman. Once again, God prevails, not by appointing another, but by raising Jesus from the dead in declaration that the work is finished, creation is redeemed, and death itself—the chief effect of the fall—is put to death. • Derail for me, O Lord, the devil’s evil plans. Grant me Your help and salvation in Christ. Amen.

Various Authors. The Lutheran Study Bible (pp. 623-624). (Function). Kindle Edition.

Today we read Genesis 3, one of the most important chapters in the Bible because, tragically, sin enters into the world. But in this chapter God also has a plan to fix this problem: a Savior will come thousands of years later. That will be Jesus Christ. *** With the words that God speaks to the serpent, to Eve, and to Adam after their disobedience, He sets the course for the rest of biblical history. Here there is judgment for sin, but also the first hint that the effects of the fall will one day be undone. There is no way back to Eden. The only way for Adam and Eve and their descendants is forward to the cross. The long story culminates in Jesus Christ, the Seed of the woman, but it does not end there. Today, we are part of the unfolding story. We have received God’s grace through the Seed of the woman, and now we are sent out to the ends of the earth to bear witness to the completion of God’s plan of redemption and to offer His grace in Jesus Christ to all the descendants of Adam and Eve. • O Savior, write our names into Your story, into the Lamb’s Book of Life. Amen.

Various Authors. The Lutheran Study Bible (pp. 616-617). (Function). Kindle Edition.