Christian Living

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Larry Lilly's Letter Monday November 7, 2005

Have you ever taken the time to sit down, open your Bible and just chew on the truths, primary and practical of the book of Genesis? It can be a revelation, especially from the practical perspective. Take for instance the phrase, "Cursed is the ground for thy sake."

Two avenues are open to assess meaning from this phrase, one being that because of mans sin the earth resists his efforts to make a living. This is the primary view and is on good ground. Two is the concept that God cursed the earth, earth encompassing the whole of nature, with the emphasis on 'for YOUR sake,' meaning that the earth will be so 'resistant that you, Adam, and your posterity, will be driven to depend on Me.'

In my opinion this is but one of many ways the Lord lets us know that while He is nature's God, He will not share His glory with 'Mother Nature.'

I suppose this insight could be argued for a few nights over coffee, but the point, in my opinion is good in that we fallen creatures are always looking for a substitute in which to trust for our sustenance and anything will suffice, as long we have no allegiance to said substitute. To compensate for the apathy toward allegiance, humans have developed the concept of Nature being God. Therefore 'god' is impersonal and not meaningfully involved in the day to day working of creation, let alone caring about you or your needs. A refining of this cold, heathen concept is the 'Mother God' Gaia, one who sustains and cares in an encompassing way and is found in partial form in all cultures.

The ground being cursed brings to naught the Earth God understanding of the Deity. Truly, Paul had this in mind when he wrote of the ancient people worshiping the creature more than the creator.

Due to the Fall, the entire creation is observably less than it was when we are given our first glimpse of Eden. Satan's promise of more, has resulted in all of creatation ending up with less. The curse is actually less. The forbidden fruit of knowing between good and evil has in effect decreased the value of the creation in its entirety. Take the serpent for instance. I would say that the serpent of the Genesis account was a highly developed and mobile creature. It is said the serpent was subtle, taken to mean cunning and had some form of legs. In that time it can be simply taught that due to its mental powers and mobility it was an object of wonder. It is now near universally an object of disdain, fear and at enmity with the majority of mankind.

Point: God demands that we depend on Him, Nature's God. Not even a creature can be used of Satan and gain, the serpent in the case in point has lost his legs, the ability to walk with God; the pigs in the account of demon possession went to a premature watery grave. Keep in mind pigs were not created to go to watery graves, thus they were deprived of fulfilling their God given purpose of helping to feed the humans. Unless you were a Child of Israel during the days prior to the Cross.

So, upon whom are you depending? And what about accomplishing your known purpose in life? Think you need a little help from the devious one? You will lose.

Larry Lilly Copyright © 2005 Use with credit.

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