From the first verse of the Bible, God revealed how the earth set the stage for the divine drama of history to take place. From its void beginning, God formed the earth. From the ground, God made physical man a spiritual being in His image.
The Lord planted two trees in the Garden of Eden. Adam’s physical need required him to make a spiritual choice: From which tree would he eat? Would he obey God’s command not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil?
God originally inspired the book of Genesis for a people about to enter yet another land He had prepared. That land would hold the direst of geographical conditions, placing them in a situation similar to Adam’s. Would they obey God’s commands? “I have set before you life and death,” God would tell them. “So choose life” (Deut 30:19).
Whether in Eden or Canaan or California, our decision remains the same. The land where we live is the stage on which we act out God’s glory. Regardless of our location or influences, God gives us a choice each day from which tree to eat. In every case, life or death comes from our response to God’s Word.
As you commit to spending time in the Bible, commit also to obeying what your Creator reveals each day: “For it is not an idle word for you; indeed it is your life” (Deut 32:47)