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As I looked through Genesis, I realized the most difficult part would be choosing what story not to use for the design. Genesis is a rich book with so many amazing stories and people. Creation, Adam and Eve, Noah’s ark, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph. In the end, the one that called out to me was the story of The Fall, specifically the passage after Adam and Eve eat the forbidden fruit where they realize they are naked and clothe themselves.
I know what you must be thinking. First book and he’s going straight for the nudity? Allow me to explain, I think you’ll see my motives are beyond skin deep.
Wearing your birthday suit everyday
Adam and Eve used to walk around naked through the Garden of Eden, even in front of God! When I really think about that, I’m struck by the fact that was no such thing as shame or worry at that point in history. No thoughts like: Does Adam really like my hair or is he just saying it to be Nice? Does Eve think my nose too big? Should we carve a sharp stick so we can protect ourselves in case someone tries to attack us? I can’t even imagine what it would be like to walk around with that type of complete contentment.
Leaves of shame
The very first thing that happens after they eat the forbidden fruit is that they realize they are naked and clothe themselves with fig leaves. I wonder what that the first ounce of shame must have been like for them. Such a brand new emotion – and one that doesn’t feel good at all.
In a way, I guess we all have been making that same choice ever since.
Next week, Exodus. Same Bible time, Same Bible channel.
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I love that you used a “big nose” as an example. I really like the design. Right when I figured out what it was, I giggled a little bit. Really cool, Jim. I am super excited to see the rest that you have planned. And if I am disappointed, I will egg your house.
Thanks, Marie! I will do my best not to disappoint you :)
First off, I must say I love the uniqueness of your series and the great designs. I will go through all of them as time permits. For this one, I think you used the right story – it not only explain where we were with God in the Genesis of life, but where we ended up after our disobedience. Thank God He had a plan for us so that we now can be redeemed back into proper relationship with him. I heard a commentary on this story today which explained that we have a tendency to try to fix or cover up our sins and Adam and Eve tried to do that. After realizing exactly what they had done they tried to fix it by covering up and hide, maybe not knowing that God could still see their hearts, the place where the true infection of sin rely. We still do it today – we dress up and put on smiles of deceits when deep down we know that inward, in our heart we are hiding secret sins or our shame of the undoing struggle. In light of this God had a marvelous plan, even before the foundation of the earth to offer up His Son, Jesus to be sacrificed for our sin. What a marvelous reason for hope :)
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[...] Glad you asked! The Word is a fantastic biblical graphic-design project by this dude Jim LePage, who has apparently been channeling Donald Knuth for almost two years! [...]
Actually, Gen 2:15 (ESV) “work and keep” more literally mean “serve and guard”. The pair of Hebrew words are often used to describe the priests’ duty to the tabernacle/temple. So as God’s priest in His garden-temple, maybe Adam should have had a sharp stick ready to ward off snakes (or at least a club!)
Also, in the words of the great O.T. scholar Meredith Kline, Adam did not live in a “marshmallow” world where nothing could possibly hurt him. There were real lions with real teeth, and real cliffs with real gravity, and real stones on which to stub his toe. But as long as God’s beloved son remained in His favor, he also remained under God’s protection (Ps 91:12; Mt 4:6; Lk 4:11).
So maybe Adam should have sharpened a stick, but he definitely should not have wielded it with any fear, but in confident faith that God would uphold him in the task He had given him.