Can two walk together, except they be agreed? {Amos 3:3)
Journey With God
Walking. What comes to mind when you hear the word? A road perhaps? Endurance? Sweat? How about two walking together? Which mental picture forms in your mind? Cooperation between the travelers. One waiting for the other? The two encourage each other when the going gets tough. The travelers are conversing as they progress. Suppose they agree, that is. For them being at odds will add difficulties and challenges to the journey. The two need to be on par. Communing.
Interestingly, the Bible uses walking as a metaphor to illustrate our relationship with God. The connection we have with God through faith is one of discovery. It is knowing Him as a personal friend. He strengthens us when the journey becomes tiresome. God is the third traveler in the Emmaus walk (Luke 24:13-35). But where does this metaphor of journeying start? The first book of the Bible shows us where it began.
God’s Pursuit for Man
Since the fall of man in Genesis 3, God has been seeking man to commune with him. This resulted from sin, which stood in between God and man. Genesis 3:9 tells us of God asking Adam where he is. The record says: “And the Lord God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?” The question asked in this verse is one of a friend longing for communion. Desirous to spend time with the fleeing and hiding friend. His companion was overcome with guilt and shame.
In their hiding, God searches for the guilty pair. For their nakedness, He provides them with coats of skin. He silences their fear and implants enmity with Satan. The promise of a Savior through the metaphor of the seed of the woman in Genesis 3:15 embodied the promise of being one with God. Humanity overcoming at last! The seed of the woman crashed the head of the serpent.
The story of Cain and Abel represents this story of God’s pursuit of man. Cain instead of overcoming sin gives in and kills his brother Abel. But to wicked Cain, God drew near to commune with him (Genesis 4:6,7,9-15). But he rejected the pleadings of the Almighty. Genesis 4:16 records that Cain went out of the presence of God. The next verses of Genesis 4 are depressing. They record how Cain’s lineage sunk lower in departing from God’s ideal.
But hope springs as the chapter ends. For when Seth’s lineage begins Genesis 4:26 informs us that men began to call upon the name of the Lord. From this pure line we read about Enoch walking with God (Genesis 5:24) to the point of him being translated (Hebrews 11:5). Genesis 6 records the fatality of the line of Cain and Seth being unequally yoked. God gives 120 years as the probationary time before He clears the world. There is found one righteous man amidst the wicked generation, walking with God. A bright star that shone in the dark antediluvian world. Noah, the son of Lamech. Of him Genesis 6:8,9 records
8 But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD. 9 These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man, and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.
With Noah, God preserves the human race. And the rest of the beasts – both clean and unclean. These are spared in the ark during the deluge.
Lessons
Thus far some things have come to bear regarding God’s pursuit of man. From the story of Adam and Eve to righteous Noah.
Firstly, it is evident that walking with God involves consent. There must be an agreement between the parties. God does not force our relationship with Him. We must consent to walk with Him. Adam and Eve were granted liberty. Cain and Abel had to choose the path to follow. And so were the descendants of Cain and Seth. How I will exercise my free choice is the big question. Dear friend, how will you exercise your will? Will you choose God or the enemy? What will we do with the liberty granted us? The choice is mine to make. It lies with you to decide. Yes, it is up to us to consent or withhold consent. Voluntary walk.
God’s desire to commune with humanity is also evident. God goes looking for Adam and Eve in their hiding. As a parent who pities the wayward child, Our Heavenly Father goes and embraces the guilty pair. Offering coats of skin to sort their nakedness. To Cain the Almighty pursues. Persuading him to take the right path. He even goes to the point of setting him apart—putting a mark on him. Will I accept His pursuit? Dear reader, will you accept His wooing? Will we agree to commune with Him? At the door, He stands knocking (Revelation 3:20). Asking for admittance.
Thirdly, grace is evident in the stories considered. Unmerited favor. The Almighty accepts us to travel with Him in the journey of faith. Adam and Eve deserved to die upon partaking of the forbidden fruit in Genesis 3. But God goes out looking for them. He desires to know where they are. And He goes and communes with them. Humanly speaking Cain who had killed his brother Abel, deserved not communion with God. Our human minds wonder if God was wasting His time addressing Cain. But God wooed Cain over and over. He did not deserve it yes. But that is what grace is about. Genesis 6:8 says that Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord. Then the next verse goes ahead to say Noah was a just man, perfect in his generation, and walked with God. Meaning what? His righteousness was a result of God’s grace.
Have you been walking with God? Or do you feel you’ve wandered far from God? Is your soul heavy with guilt? Ashamed to approach God and commune with Him? Come guilty one. Yes, there is a coat of grace He will use to cover your nakedness. Worried about your tattered clothes, similar to those the prodigal son had? Jesus stretches forth His hand, giving you costly fine linen. Costly garment at no cost. To cover and shield your shivering body from the cold. Linger not my friend. Tarry not in your sin. Leave not His presence, as did Cain.1
Post Flood
After the flood, God starts again with Noah to populate the world. Given the free choice that God has given humans, the tragedy of the Tower of Babel happens. This is recorded in Genesis 11. What would God do now? How will His character be vindicated? Where will He get one who will commit to Him? One who will brave the challenges that influence brings? The Almighty spots the son of Terah—Abram to walk with Him.
