1: Trust the Story

In this episode of The BEMA Podcast, Marty Solomon and Brent Billings delve into the creation story in Genesis 1, emphasizing its poetic nature and structure as a chiasm. They highlight the cultural context for the original audience, the Israelites, and how the story's central theme of Sabbath challenges the notion that one's value is tied to productivity. The hosts discuss the patterns of three, seven, and ten within the text, the significance of the word "Moadim" (sacred times or seasons) at the chiasm's center, and the importance of rest and celebration. They advocate for a Sabbath practice that shifts focus from "doing" to "being," trusting in God's good creation and love, and encourage listeners to embrace this perspective to transform their understanding of themselves and the world.