In Ezekiel 29:1-16, we read about God’s warning to Pharaoh, King of Egypt.
Despite these harsh words, there is an ancient tradition of Coptic Christianity in Egypt.
It reminds me of Psalm 84:10b, “I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God / than dwell in the tents of the wicked.”
All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age (Jesus’ words in Matthew 28:18-20).
This is the first passage that comes to my mind when thinking about the concept of World Vision.
In verses 20-24, God provides Adam and Eve with clothing made of skin.
God himself killed animals to cover up their nakedness.
We also learn that people originally were intended to live forever. God drove both Adam and Eve from the garden so they couldn’t eat from the Tree of Life.
It seems merciful that we can’t live forever. Who’d want to experience that much pain?
In verses 17-19, Adam receives his punishment, a lifetime of toil.
Ouch.
In verses 15-16, God curses the woman with a constant fight with the serpent, painful childbirth, and a desire for her spouse.
None of these things sounds like an ideal for Eve or any of the women who’ve come after her.
In verses 13-14, the serpent is punished for its role in Adam and Eve’s disobedience.
I wonder what the serpent looked like before being cursed to crawl on its belly. My sense is that most contemporary imagery misses the mark, and that the serpent was a beautiful animal in the Garden.
And I find the interaction between the serpent and Satan to be a curious one.
In verses 7-13, we learn that Adam and Eve are busted, unable to avoid the consequences of their disobedience.
In verses 1-6, Eve and the serpent have an extended conversation about the fruit on the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil.
At the end of verse 6, we learn that Adam was standing there the whole time.
When you hear a friend or family member about to do the wrong thing, speak up!
Can I say that my thoughts and actions and attitudes are consistent with God’s plan for my life?
If yes, then I am on the right track. Otherwise, it’s time to reconsider my behavior.
