The Bible opens with an ambitious project, covering the
history of the world from the dawn of creation to the call of Abraham in just
eleven chapters of Genesis. Here are some lessons we learn along the way.
It’s not easy being
green: The Garden of Eden sounds idyllic, but Adam and Eve found it
difficult, and eventually chose to leave it for the “lone and dreary world.” It's interesting that while we all long for it, innocence actually becomes a negative in the long run. Experience
may be painful, but it is the only way to become a spiritual adult. A nice
reminder when we find ourselves longing for the good old days, before we made
all those mistakes!
We are never alone:
Adam and Eve left the garden, but God went with them. The Hebrew word YHWH is
used in the Biblical passages that describe a God who takes walks in the
garden, literally blows life into Adam, and personally shuts the door of the
Ark. The Bible authors want us to feel His closeness. Enoch’s vision, recorded
by Joseph Smith in the Book of Moses, describes a God who (even though He's omniscient and thus should know better) actually weeps over us. He reacts to our emotions with emotions of His own; a startling and life-altering
perspective.
We can’t go back, but
we can go forward. There isn’t a way back to Eden, to innocence, but there
is a way forward through repentance. Even Cain (responsible for killing ¼ of
the world’s population) is offered protection and a way to move on. No matter
what happens ~ even in the worst storm ~ God will help us build an Ark to cover
and protect ourselves and our loved ones until we land safely home.
How to Read this Book
Here are four guidelines for studying the Old Testament:
1. Understand the Context
History,
cultural concerns, social norms
2. Learn
the Language
Literary
styles, idioms, teaching techniques
3. Use
Modern Revelation
The
perspective of the full gospel plan
4. Keep the
Focus on Jesus
See
how the story leads us to Christ
The Old Testament is full of stories, and though they appeal
to children, their complexity has occupied the keenest thinkers throughout
history. Like every great work of literature, it demands the best of us, and as
a great work of scripture, it asks us to change our minds and our behavior in
response to its warnings. We’re in for a wild ride! Remember what Joseph Smith said:
“He who reads it oftenest will like it
best.”
And Sometimes We Get a Little Silly….
If we are serious all the time our heads might explode, so you might enjoy some silly songs about the Old Testament with your kids. My dad taught me this one:
and here is a great old camp song about Noah: The Arky Arky Song.
Finally, we couldn't resist having Bill Cosby tell us the story of Noah!
