ODJ: God’s Goodness

January 26, 2018 

READ: Genesis 2:1-23 

Then the Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him” (v.18).

Some close friends recently went through a difficult season in which they struggled financially and emotionally. Yet when all was said and done, the trying time caused them to make positive changes to avoid catastrophe further down the line. Although it didn’t feel like it at the time, their challenge was an expression of God’s goodness.

Similarly, Adam and Eve were recipients of God’s goodness, even when the consequences for sin felt devastating. Adam had been created in perfect fellowship with his Creator and was residing in a place of unimaginable beauty. When he had no one to share his unique experience, God declared, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him” (Genesis 2:18). When Eve was created, Adam was ecstatic. “At last!” he exclaimed. “This one is bone from my bone, and flesh from my flesh!” (v.23).

But after sin infiltrated paradise, closely followed by shame and fear (3:1-10), Adam responded to God’s inquiry by pointing an accusing finger at Eve, stating, “It was the woman you gave me who gave me the fruit, and I ate it” (v.12). But although the consequences of Adam and Eve’s sin were severe and defining, even in judgement God’s goodness shone through. There would be pain, but, He promised, from it would come new life (v.16). And although there would be toil, it would yield fruit (vv.17-19).

In this fallen world, evidence of God’s goodness still abounds. Though, like Adam, we’re often tempted to point accusing fingers when things go awry, God never treats us as our sins deserve (Psalm 103:10). Instead, He “gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike” (Matthew 5:45).

—Remi Oyedele

365-day plan: Genesis 42:1-38