Are you willing to play? ∙∙

Are you willing to play? ∙∙

Come now, and let us reason together, says the LORD. – Isaiah 1:18

Can two walk together, except they are agreed? – Amos 3:3

Genesis 3:8-10

 8 They heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden.

 9 Then the LORD God called to the man, and said to him, “Where are you?”

 10 He said, “I heard the sound of You in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid myself.”

How Did Dogs Become Man’s Best Friend?

Scientists have uncovered a fascinating explanation for how wolves, the wild ancestors of today’s dogs, may have become man’s best friend. Wolves were likely the first animals domesticated by humans thousands of years ago, and their willingness to interact and cooperate with people might have been crucial. 

One notable behavior is their ability to play fetch. Researchers at Stockholm University discovered that some wolves don’t need training or selective breeding to chase and retrieve objects. In fact, a few young wolves naturally show a playful streak and respond positively to human interaction and direction.

The Science Behind Fetch

Behavioral ecologist Christina Hansen Wheat conducted tests on three litters of hand-raised, 8-week-old wolf pups. Among the ten wolf pups she observed, most showed little interest in retrieving balls. However, three pups from the same litter not only retrieved balls but also responded to encouragement from unfamiliar people. Remarkably, one pup succeeded on all three attempts to fetch.

Wheat stated, “When I saw the first wolf puppy retrieving the ball, I literally got goosebumps,” said Wheat in a press release. “It was so unexpected, and I immediately realized that if some wolves possess a genetic variation for human-directed play behavior, this could have been instrumental in dog domestication” (iScience).

Wheat suggested that this playful behavior of playing fetch may have been pivotal in taming wolves. By selectively breeding those willing to interact in this way, humans likely paved the way for the development of domestic dogs. She explains, “It makes sense, we connect with our dogs when we interact with them” (iScience).

The Father’s Desire for Fellowship

Just as wolves’ willingness to play sets them apart, perhaps the Father’s purpose in creating sentient human beings was similar. He knew that some pack members would be willing to “play” with Him. When Adam and Eve were created, the Father walked with them in the Garden of Eden. He enjoyed spending time with His intelligent creation.

The Gospels reveal that the Lord Jesus Christ, during His time on Earth, delighted in companionship, especially with His disciples.

John 3:22 reveals that, “Jesus and his disciples came into Judean territory, and there he spent time with them and was baptizing.”

The Greek word for “spent time,” diatribo, conveys the idea of “remaining, staying, or even ‘rubbing shoulders’ with someone.” Today, we might say that Jesus simply “hung out” with His disciples. In much the same way, perhaps this echoes the Father’s enjoyment when He walked in fellowship with Adam and Eve.

A Tragic Change

Regrettably, everything changed after Adam and Eve sinned. Their intimate relationship with the Father was broken, replaced by fear, shame, and evasion.

Genesis 3:8-10 records this event: “They heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden. Then the LORD God called to the man, and said to him, ‘Where are you?’ He said, ‘I heard the sound of You in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid myself.’”

The Father’s joy in spending time with His creation was shattered when his only sentient, created beings ran and hid. How tragic! Humanity no longer wanted to walk with Him. Like wild wolves avoiding humans, people turned away, wanting nothing to do with their Creator. We treat the Father like wild wolves treat humankind. For the most part, wolves want nothing to do with humanity. Even now, most people ignore Him. Only a few members of the human pack are willing to respond to His call and play with Father.

The Father’s Pursuit

Yet, the Father has not stopped seeking us. Just as we fret over a beloved pet that “gets out” and runs away, He has been calling to humanity for thousands of years. Only those who are His and recognize His voice will come to Him.

The Lord Jesus Christ made this quite clear in John 10:27-28: “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of My hand.”

REFLECT & PRAY

The Father is not a stern, unyielding, or vengeful judge, as some have been taught to fear. Rather, He is a warm, tender, and deeply loving presence, overflowing with compassion. With a gentle whisper, He invites us to draw near, yearning for us to share in His embrace. He longs for heartfelt connection, not demanding our response but tenderly seeking it out of boundless love. Picture the joyful, trusting moments spent with a loyal dog, nuzzling close in pure affection. Could it be that the Father is an ever-loving “hugger,” wrapping us in His warmth and care?

Father, thank You for calling me by name and for making me Yours forever. Create in me a hunger and thirst for Your Word and for spending time with You. Help me to respond to Your loving call with joy and gratitude.

INSIGHT

The Father Invites Us to Play

The Father invites us to engage with Him wherever we wish. Adam and Eve had a special place, “the playground,” where they spent time with the Father, the Garden of Eden. Many of the Father’s children have a special place where they choose to be alone with Him.  

Each person has a unique playground. A child might find joy playing in the sand or mud. A baseball player’s sanctuary is the field, where they practice and compete. A pianist might discover their place of connection at a piano, preparing for the thrill of performing in a concert hall. For intellectuals, who love to explore knowledge, their playground is the mind and the realm of ideas. Each of us connects with the Father in their own unique way.

A Call to Reason

The Father not only invites us to play but also to reason with Him. The Father speaks to us through Isaiah the prophet, Isaiah 1:18, “Come now, and let us reason together.”

This invitation is remarkable. The Father wants us to engage in dialogue with Him, to bring our thoughts and concerns to the table. This isn’t limited to casual conversation. The Father encourages us to use our logic and reason in our discussions with Him. He urges people to talk things out.

The Historical Context

Isaiah’s words reflect a time when the nation of Israel had turned away from God’s laws. Through the prophet Isaiah, the Father raised a legal complaint against the people for their rebellion. Their sin was as deep. But they were in denial. He compares their sins and iniquities to blood-colored, crimson stains on their souls.

The Hebrew word for “reason” in this passage is yaḵaḥ, a legal term that conveys the idea of “arguing or deciding a case in court.” Essentially, the Father was saying, “Come, and let us discuss this matter together and work it out.”

The Difference Between His Opinion and Ours

When engaging in reasoning or discussion with the Father, it’s crucial to remember this fundamental truth: His opinions are not like ours. The difference between His opinion and our opinion is that God’s opinion is always absolutely correct! Through dialogue, He doesn’t simply “prove His point.” Instead, He lovingly guides us to understand His truth.

The Father’s intent in reasoning with His people wasn’t to condemn them outright. He wants them to realize for themselves and be convinced in their own minds of their guilt. And then take appropriate action: acknowledge it, turn from it, and repent from it.

His Endgame is Forgiveness

Wiersbe observes that the Father is offering them a pardon if they repent, change their ways, and turn from their sin. He assured them that their scarred souls could be cleansed. Their sins, as glaring as scarlet, could be made as pure as snow. Their guilt, once as red as crimson-dyed cloth, could be made white like wool.

God promises in Isaiah 1:18, “Though your sins are as scarlet, they will be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they will be like wool.”

When the Father plays, He has an endgame in mind: total forgiveness. He desires to expunge the sin from our records, cleanse us, and restore our relationship with Him.

A Lesson for Today

The Father continues to call each of us to His side. He doesn’t seek to push us away but to draw us closer, offering truth, clarity, forgiveness, and love.

May we be willing to come when He calls.

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© Dr. H 2025