DAY FOURTY-THREE - BIG PICTURE IN A YEAR - THE PEOPLE
He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name.
Genesis 2: 19
Reading: Genesis 1 and 2
Over the last few days we’ve discovered that part of our original calling as humanity was to be both priest and prophet – priest, representing people before God - prophet, representing God to people.
Today we see that Adam and Eve were blessed by God and given dominion over the Earth. As we’ve said before, they were, in effect, the kings and queens of Earth. This kingly role consisted of stewarding the natural world as well as discipling the children that God would bless them with.
Their rulership was not total. It was a delegated authority. God was the true King of Heaven and Earth, and Adam and Eve were His vice-regents, His representatives. So when mankind fell, in Genesis 3, the true King decided to choose for Himself a people from among the nations who would love and obey Him. In this way He would create a situation where He could once again live with humanity. In Exodus we see how He demonstrated that He could defeat the enemies of His people and set them free. Later, He demonstrated that He was not just a mighty Warrior, but a Shepherd too, who could lead and pastor His people.
God continued to govern, bless, judge and shepherd His people through the offices of King and Prophet – and this finally culminated in the sending of the Good Shepherd, Jesus, the eternal Son. Jesus is now the King of a new humanity, all those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.
Prayer
Father, I’m so grateful that You chose to redeem us…You could so easily have simply one on without us.
For the family
Explain
Listen to this message and song about the Lamb’s Book of Life.
Explain today’s devotional in an age-appropriate way.
