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.

Today we read Genesis 2. Chapter 2 is a more detailed account of creation, focusing on the creation of humankind. It ends by emphasizing that Adam and Eve are not ashamed—they have nothing to be ashamed of. Too often, we are not ashamed because in our spiritual pride we refuse to acknowledge the shamefulness of our thoughts, words, and deeds. One of the reasons that God gave His Law was to teach us shame, to show us our sinfulness and need of forgiveness. There can be no true repentance without the experience of shame. However, in Jesus Christ, God heals our shame, not by allowing us to deny it but by taking our shamefulness upon Himself and declaring us to be without shame in Him (1Jn 2:28). • Jesus, cover my shame with the robe of Your righteousness, that I may serve my family with joy and confidence. Amen. Genesis 3

Various Authors. The Lutheran Study Bible (pp. 609-610). (Function). Kindle Edition.

We will skip the last book of the Bible, Revelation, because that is a book that is most suitable for people who have been Christians for many years and have read the entire Old Testament. That is why we now jump to the beginning of the Bible and start reading Genesis. *** God makes all things good. He takes great care to place man and woman in the garden to care for the things that He created. Sin has placed the things God created, including us, in bondage to death and decay. Yet Jesus’ death and resurrection has restored the things of God’s creation just as it has restored us (Romans 8:19–23). Indeed, God even used His creation to accomplish our salvation: a cross made of wood; the water of Baptism; the bread and wine of the Eucharist; the printed words on the page in, with, and under which He reveals His Word of life to us. • Lord, You have reclaimed all that is Your own, redeemed and restored all of Your creation to Yourself. Preserve me and Your creation, O Lord, by Your grace. Amen.

Various Authors. The Lutheran Study Bible (p. 601). (Function). Kindle Edition.