Today's post is by guest writer Joanne Beckley.
I thought to take a closer look at the first chapter of the Bible. Why? Because I listened to a Bible class on the book of Genesis and it opened my eyes to a number of words from this chapter that I had not considered despite all my years of reading this book! So, here are my notes taken from (https://www.charlestownroad.org/category/classes/genesis-how-it-begins/).
The book of Genesis is attributed to Moses and is thought to have been written during the same time period as the book of Deuteronomy, before entering the Promised Land. As we need to be reminded of whom we belong to, so did the Israelites. Both they and we have the knowledge of one eternal being. Through His words and by our faith we trust in Him. One God and His creation. Genesis is indeed a key book to our faith. Look at how this book answers a number of questions:
1. Genesis introduces us to God, self-existing, his nature, maker of good, and the fact that He is not us, although we are unique, made in His image.
2. We find answers to our questions of life–where did we come from, why are we here, why do people have pain and why do we die?
3. The beginning establishes a chain of authority.
4. The love of God lays the ground work for the scheme of redemption.
5. Marriage is defined.
6. We learn about choices, responsibilities and consequences.
7. This book shakes many of the preconceived ideas that we have heard/learned and prove not to be true.
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” The heavens and the earth were created from nothing. From this point of beginning God made all that we know around us today. Note “us” in verse 26 as is evident in verses one and two–God, His Spirit, His Son. The apostle John began his writing from an understanding of this same beginning, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God...” John 1:1-3. The apostle Paul wrote, “For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities–all thing have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together” Col 1:16-17.
Genesis chapter 1
Life came from life, matter is not eternal, and matter is good.
There are several theories about “day” in this chapter, but one cannot ignore the repetition and conclusion: “there was evening and there was morning, one day”. What was made was not a gradual process, nor an increase of development and intelligence. God created the heavens and the earth young and they look old.
Day 1 - Light called day, separated from darkness called night.
Day 2 - Made the expanse (atmosphere) which separated waters above from waters below.
Day 3 - Separated waters named seas from land named earth–one land, no separation of continents. On the same day vegetation made in fully developed form.
Day 4 - Two great lights and stars placed in the expanse of the heavens and light already reaching earth (Some believe created from day one and the lights reaching earth on this day?).
Day 5 - Birds and fish, fully formed, not developed as evolution claims. As also with animals, God set boundaries, cannot change chromosomes, as in male/female, and not across bird-animal.
Day 6 - Made animals and created man on the same day fully formed. This includes dinosaurs, no prehistoric animals! Note that all the animals, including man ate vegetation and no meat. No death until chapter three.
Man was made in God’s image, male and female in His likeness. All creation was made for his benefit. Man was not of “caveman” mentality but a responsible farmer, capable of speech and reasoning ability - in God’s image. “So it is written, “The first man, Adam, became a living soul. The last Adam became a life-giving spirit...The first man is from the earth, earthy; the second man is from heaven” 1 Cor 15:45-47.
Conclusions we can draw from this first chapter:
1. The world came into being instantly by the act of God and not by natural means.
2. The complex and the simple were made at the same time.
3. The earth and the universe are the same age.
4. Creation was precise and accurate.
5. There is no such thing as prehistoric.
6. God is eternal–He is always “prime”, of first importance, the one and only.
7. Man was created distinct from the animal world and answerable to his Creator.
8. Death was not a part of the created world.
9. God is the force, designer, maker of all.
10. The world, including man, began mature and advanced.
I hope you have found this enlightening and interesting.
Joanne Beckley
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