Standing Strong

A Messianic Jewish Congregation with an outreach to Believers in Israel

This week’s Parasha

Oct 21, 2006 Bereshit

In the beginning

Gen 1:1-6:8

Isa 42:5-43:11

John 1:1-17

Rev 22: 6-21

In the beginning — In the beginning of what?  At G-d’s beginning?  G-d has no beginning or end?  At the world’s beginning? No, for this starts even before the world was formed.

 

We see that all is created for good.  G-d intends nothing but good for man.  He even gives the precious gift of free will; the ability to choose whether we will follow Him or not.

As we read we see that man chose to follow his own desires rather than follow the teachings and law of G-d.  Man, rather than trusting in G-d’s instruction to know what is best, follows the temptation to be as G-d. 

 

This is so ironic to have this reminder immediately after Simchat Torah.  We rejoice in the Law.  We embrace G-d’s instruction and law for our lives.  We sing and dance in acknowledgement of G-d knowing what is best for our lives, yet here we are back at the beginning and we see our own corruption in choosing our own way.  This is not Adam’s sin.  Who among us can honestly say we have not had the same sin of choosing our own desires over the way of the L-rd.

 

We have both the good inclination as shown in Simchat Torah and the evil inclination shown in Bereshit.  How much stronger do we need to pray, “Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.”  As it was in the beginning so it is now.

 

So back to the question: In the beginning of what?  In the beginning of the story of G-d’s love for man, His desire to give us good,  His gift of free will, His knowledge of our own shortcomings, and His plan for our redemption from our misdeeds while maintaining His perfect justice.  In the beginning of the story of His Love…

 

Selah.