Jesus Plus
I thought it was interesting to read these two passages together for one major similarity that most probably wouldn't connect. Notice what Eve does when she was repeating God's command. She says you're not to eat from OR touch the fruit... But is that what God really said? No, she added the second part (or maybe Adam did in telling her). Adding to God's law, sincerely or otherwise, is nonetheless a distortion of it. And that's part of the problem with the Pharisees - why John calls them a brood of vipers. It might not seem like it (because it might seem sincere), but really, it's an attempt to manipulate God, or his people... Something that sadly continues today. We should all beware of this "Jesus plus" attitude the some people have, and be sure to stand by what is truth, and not just what sounds good or pious.
God’s Sovereignty
Is there a better way to start the New Year than to reflect on God's Sovereignty? It's amazing to see how this is working out in each of these passages I read this evening. In Genesis, God merely spoke and "it came to be". While in Matthew and Ezra we see fulfilment according to his Word - In Matthew, the coming of the Messiah; while in Ezra, it's the return of the remnant from exile. Even in Acts, we saw it in the simple matter of the Apostles replacing Judas. God is in control. He is sovereign over everything.
Father, may I rest in your sovereignty; remaining "still" and simply "knowing" that you are God.