When you open a book, you read it looking forward. The first pages reveal what is to come and the Bible is like that, too. I read it looking forward.
I imagine the lovely garden with platypi and fishes watching from the edges of the water and birds hovering in wattle trees and in massive cedars.
I imagine angels strolling through bottlebrush walkways, talking to the emus, smiling at the lyrebirds and holding the first elephant trunk in greeting.
Then I imagine a still moment as the Father, the Creator and the Holy Spirit joined in consultation: “Let us make human beings in our image, after our likeness” (Gen 1:26). agrees the Trinity.
Amid the hovering giraffes and emus and sheep, Adam emerged and his Creator smiled at him. As all the creatures drew near to welcome him, the man walked among them and gave them their names. Then he walked among them again, noting them more carefully this time, and he began to puzzle over something.
He paused. And the Creator waited. Slowly, ever so slowly, Adam turned to his Creator.
Humbly he said, “There’s two of every creature, God. Every creature has a companion. Why is there only one of me?”
“So you have noticed,” commented the Creator. “That is because, Adam, as Isaiah will counsel, ‘I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times what is still to come.’ I underwrite the history of this world and it will be a curious history filled with agony and final triumph.
“You will go to sleep and when you come to life again, your bride will be with you at your side.
“Like you, I will become a man and I will walk alone for a while. Then I too must go to sleep to give birth to the people who will be my bride.””
Adam paused. “Are you sure the children you give to me will understand what this is all about, God? When they learn that I went to sleep will they see you in me?”
“Ah,” said the Creator, “that will depend on them. One day I will ask, ‘What is written in the law? How do you read it?’ And each one must answer for himself.'” (Luke 10:26).
Then quietly, God brought a deep sleep over Adam.
How do you read it?
By Just a Minute team writer Elizabeth Price.
You can contact Elizabeth direct at mailto:reprice@dragnet.com.au