Proclaim Hope Daily | Week 1

Below is a short summary or synopsis of the Bible reading for the day. Use it as a helpful tool to think through the Scripture. There are also some cross references to study other passages of Scripture to highlight or better understand that passage.

The very first chapter of the bible, teeming with purpose and intentionality, highlights the eternal sovereign plan and will of God. Created out of nothing (ex nihilo), or fashioned without any pre-existent materials, is a very important aspect of creation as it points to the fact that nothing exists independently of God, but everything came into being through him. From each drop of water, to creeping and crawling things, to man being created in His own image; every point of creation was commissioned to have a very important and specific assignment.

(Psalm 19:1, 139:16; Isaiah 14:24,27; John 1:3; Romans 4:17; Ephesians 1:11-12; Hebrews 11:3)

The creation story continues in this chapter, particularly showing God’s providence and his relational character. Mankind is not just fashioned together as the rest of creation, but a personal breath of life was breathed into the lungs of man and he was given dominion over much of what God designed. The advantageous gift of a “helper” was created specifically for the benefit of man, also a relational being. Immediately upon seeing the gift of woman, the man speaks poetically of this intimate and passionate experience. Man’s natural inclination was to bind himself to her physically, emotionally and spiritually. Here we begin to see the power and sanctity of marriage that honors and depicts the relationship of Christ and his Church.

(Ezekiel 37:27; Ephesians 5:22-28, Philippians 4:19)

This section of scripture is widely recognized as the introduction to the serpent (Satan) and sin entering the world, which is referred to as “The Fall.” Often described as the ultimate deceiver, Satan entices God’s image bearers into joining him in the root of all sin: rejecting the will of God and rebelling against his authority. Because of this freewill choice of humanity against their Creator, all the world is fallen into a cursed and broken state, as separation from God and death become a reality. Although sin enters the world, God’s grace and mercy sacrificially clothes their nakedness and covers them with skins, foreshadowing the work of Christ.

(Isaiah 24:5-6; John 8:44; Romans 5:12, 6:23; 2 Corinthians 11:3; Revelation 12:9)