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The book of Genesis gets it's name from a Greek word that means "beginnings"-- including the creation of the heavens and the earth as well as all types of vegetation and animals.

God concluded His work of creation with man and set him to "rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground."

With increased responsibility comes increased accountability. Adam and Eve were given dominion over all the other living creatures and placed in a garden of lush vegetation called Eden.

Here Adam and Eve experienced Paradise. All their physical and spiritual needs were supplied and they walked in the garden with God as their companion and friend. Their dominion over this world was limited only by the command to "not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil."

Their disobedience saw another beginning in Genesis, the introduction of sin into the world. The corrupting influence of sin is introduced to mankind by our lifelong spiritual enemy Satan. Satan, the crafty serpent, tempted mankind and with their fall a wedge is driven between God and man. A spiritual gulf is thus created between God and man that cries out for a solution. God yearns to have fellowship with man but a way must be found to bridge this gulf.

God curses the serpent and with His prophetic words, "I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head and you will strike his heel," sets in motion His scheme of redemption which will enable man to return to His fellowship. This is the greatest of beginnings in Genesis and God uses the remainder of His word to bring about this spiritual promise. What is only hinted at in Genesis is revealed in full in the Gospels as they recount the incarnation, crucifixion and resurrection of Christ.

As you read the devotional passage, think about all the beginnings that are mentioned and how God has been responsible for each and how each beginning has blessed our lives. For example, the sun warms the earth and vegetation and animals provide food to sustain our life.

Now think about your own life and all the beginnings you have gone through: getting your first job, going off to college, getting married, having your first child. Talk about how God has helped you through these situations and given you strength to complete the task and reach the goal.

Share with your children your personal trials and that although a beginning may have been a frightening and stressful experience, God was there with you to strengthen you to help you reach your goal.

Discuss with them beginnings they will likely encounter in the future and how important it is for them to depend on God under all circumstances.

Jim Leadabrand