Connected to God, Earth, and One Another; Sermon on Genesis 2

Rev. George Miller
September 8, 2019
Genesis 2:4-25

In the Book of Jeremiah, chapter 32, there is a story that has always stayed with me.

Jeremiah was a prophet in the King’s court abut 600 years before Jesus.

He had warned the people that due to their acts of injustice, mismanagement of the land, and the abusive behavior of their kings, that the earth and citizens of Judah would suffer.

And now Jeremiah’s prophecy has come true- the nation is under attack. People are petrified; buildings and businesses have been annihilated.

Folk are displaced; they have given up all hope and faith in tomorrow.

In steps Jeremiah who does a public act of great trust in the Lord.

Following God’s instructions, Jeremiah purchases a plot of land, a barren field.

Not just that, but he does it publicly so that people can see his act of faith.

He pays 17 shekels, has the coins weighed, signs the deed of purchase and hands it over to the proper person, all while his cousin and citizens of the city watch.

Jeremiah is doing this all as a prophetic sign of hope, pointing to the promise that no matter how bad things are now, no matter how much death and destruction surrounds them, they have been given the assurance by God that-

“Houses and vineyards shall again be built on this land.” (Jeremiah 32:15)

After this public act of faith, he offers a prayer, saying “Lord God- it is you who made the heavens and the earth. Nothing is too hard for you. You gave (your people) this land…flowing with milk and honey.” (Jeremiah 32: 17; 22)

Why would Jeremiah publicly purchase a piece of land he would most likely never get to see grow fruit?

To give the people hope. To strengthen their faith. To empower them to look toward the future.

He also did this to remind the folk that we are connected to the land, and that we are spirit-filled beings who are forever entwined with the soil.

Jeremiah’s act was a way of reminding us all that although we are Citizens of Heaven, we are embodied individuals who are connected to the earth below just as much as we are connected to God of the heavens, and to one another.

As the land goes, so do we. As we go, so does the land.

Connectedness- that is the theme of today’s message.

Connectedness is the thread that weaves through today’s scripture.

We see this connectedness in God, our Creator.

Note how intimate, how personal this telling of Genesis chapter 2 is. This is about a God who refuses to be far away and impersonal.

This is a God who prefers to get down and get the Hands of Creation dirty.

God does not design the living beings in Genesis 2 via a factory or computer program or underpaid servants.

God creates by getting deep in the mud, shaping and molding, lifting and breathing, dirt under the fingernails, with perspiration and grass stains.

God plants a garden; God places the person there; God crafts other living beings from birds to bisons, and when the time arrives, God becomes an architect, creating another human being to be a helpmate to the first.

Connectedness.

This theme continues with humanity’s connection to the earth. Amongst the sweet tasting fruits and fragrant flowers, the human is constructed by God to care for creation.

Verse 15 makes it so clear-to till and to keep it. To protect the very ground that will provide nourishment and shade.

This is a relationship and connectedness that humanity is meant to have- to watch over and love the land.

To trim back the bushes, to do controlled burns, to plant and rotate crops, to be the best park rangers we can be.

Connectedness.

Today’s scripture is also about the connectedness we have with one another.

God states “It is not good to be alone.”

But not just dogs or cats, deer or canaries will do, but for an equal, a partner, a co-worker, a park ranger of the same status to help us with all the caring, cleaning, pruning, planting and co-creating that will take place.

For far too long people have misinterpreted this story to form a battle of the sexes, or to place blame, or to justify misogyny.

Nope.

This is a story about connectedness, about how we are not meant to be alone.

How the only way we can truly be whole is to share a part of our self.

That the only way we can survive is to strive side by side.

This woman, this man connected to one another, connected to the earth, and connected to God.

That is the essence of what Genesis is telling us; it is the essence of what Jesus Christ is about; it is the Message, the Good News in such a simple form.

We are created to be connected to God.

We’re created to be connected to the land.

We are created to be connected to one another.

Which should remind us of what Paul wrote to the Philippian Church. How it took him landing in jail to finally accept the love and help of others.

How it took Paul being in chains to finally open up his hands to receive the fragrant gifts of others.

Last week we saw how Paul allowed himself to be connected to others in which he benefitted.

Last week Paul taught us that part of our faith is to accept the generosity of others, and to see their gifts as a pleasing, soothing offering to God.

Adam was not whole until he had Eve beside him, sharing in the Lord’s work.

Paul found comfort in the care of others who sent a gift of goodness.

God was glorified in both of these things.

My prayer for all of us is that we do not lose sight of today’s lesson: that we are created to be connected.

To be connected to the land. To be connected to the Lord. To be connected to one another.

Each of us equal, magnificent, and infused with the breath of God.

We are Citizens of Heaven who are blessed to be connected to the earth, and to one another.

Good times or bad; happy or sad.

Amen.