Origins: The Beginning (Genesis 1–11)Sample

By Danny Saavedra

“Then God said, ‘Let the land sprout with vegetation—every sort of seed-bearing plant, and trees that grow seed-bearing fruit. These seeds will then produce the kinds of plants and trees from which they came.’ And that is what happened. The land produced vegetation—all sorts of seed-bearing plants, and trees with seed-bearing fruit. Their seeds produced plants and trees of the same kind. And God saw that it was good.” Genesis 1:11–13 (NLT)

Today, our passage explores the second creative act of the Genesis narrative. The first was creating the heavens and the earth, bringing matter into existence. God’s second creative act was the introduction of life into the material universe through vegetation. From great big oak trees to fruit-bearing mango trees, from strawberry bushes to gorgeous fields of lilies; in this moment, God added beautiful, vibrant shades of green all over the earth.

It says He created “every sort of seed-bearing plant, and trees that grow seed-bearing fruit,” and that “these seeds will then produce the kinds of plants and trees from which they came.” Now, I want you to see something with me . . . It’s been said that the secret ingredient to the best dishes or the most amazing works of art is love. This expression essentially means that the chef or artist pours their heart and soul into their creation, thus explaining the excellence of their work. 

Well, when I read today’s passage, I see that the secret ingredient to God’s “very good” (Genesis 1:31) creation is undoubtedly love. You may be wondering how I arrived at this conclusion, but consider this with me for a minute: God created trees that bear fruit on day three. Humans were not created until day six. This means that, by the time God breathed life into Adam (and by extension you and me), He had already provided us with everything we’d ever need to survive, thrive, live abundantly, and prosper. He had given us food, shade, an abundance of oxygen, and vibrant beauty. 

He had taken care of our every need and given us all we could ever ask, think, or imagine before we even took our first breath of life. He made sure we’d always have what we needed, and He did so with amazing color and flavor, making it easy to enjoy! He poured His love into every act of creation. And today, thousands of years later, we’re still enjoying the fruits of His labor of love. I hope this revelation fills you with the same renewed sense and understanding of God’s love and care for us that it did for me. 

DIG: What does this passage in the creation narrative reveal to you? 

DISCOVER: Read Matthew 6:25–34 in light of our passage from Genesis 1 today. Does it give you a new sense of appreciation for the order of the universe and the manner in which God has carefully and masterfully crafted His creation?

DO: Spend some time outside today. Sit in a patch of grass and pray, walk through a park and reflect on God’s love, stop and smell the roses (or any other flower you see), buy your favorite fruit and savor it, thanking the Lord for His provision. Admire the beautiful greenness God has given us and enjoy it.