1/1/2012
Chapter 1-
-God created the heavens and the earth and all that is in them in six literal days. This simple statement of fact has confounded humanity in multitudes of ways down through history into our modern times. It is interesting that as the Bible is completed in Revelation, several times John notes that our God is the Creator of the heavens and the earth and sea and all things (Rev. 4:11; 10:6; 14:7). So we see that from beginning to end in God’s revelation, He is given credit for being the Maker and Sustainer of all things. This should never escape our meditation, and His glory endures forever- past, present, and future.
-The earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was moving (hovering) over the surface of the waters.
-Day one- Light, waters, heavens and oceans expanse are spoken into existence by the Creator.
-Day two- God separated the waters from the waters. The waters above the expanse were called heaven.
-Day three- Dry land appears (earth) and seas are formed. It was good for sprouting vegetation, seed, and fruit of its kind. And God saw that it was good.
-Day four- The sun, the moon, and the stars were created for lights, for signs, and for seasons, and for days and years. And God saw that it was good.
-Day five- Sea and flying creatures were made to populate the skies and the seas. God blessed them and told them to be fruitful and multiply. And God saw that it was good.
-Day six- Living creatures were brought forth from God on the earth after their kind: cattle, creeping things, and beasts. It was all good. Humans, male and female, were made in the image of God (the text uses a plural form of the Deity= Trinity {Father, Son, Spirit} reference in the beginning). Mankind was given dominion over the earth, its creatures and plants, to subdue it and to be fruitful and multiply.
-God saw all that He had made, and behold, it was very good!
Verses to Memorize: Genesis 1:1, 27
1/2/2012
Chapter 2-
-The heavens and earth were completed and God rested on the seventh day from all His work. This does not mean God was tired, but He blessed the seventh day as a day of completion; He blessed this day and sanctified it knowing that mankind would eventually become tired and need a day of rest and focus on Him, their Creator. A day set apart to worship and relax.
-Another account, which describes the creation, is given.
-A key verse is verse seven. The LORD God formed man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being. This describes the spiritual nature of man that truly makes him alive and in effect an eternal being. God created living souls in mankind.
-God placed the man He had formed in the Garden of Eden, which is toward the east from the center, which is considered Israel and eventually Jerusalem (Ezekiel 5:5). Out of this garden’s ground grew every kind of tree that is pleasing to the sight and is good for food. The tree of life (cross reference Revelation 2:7; 22:2, 14, 19) is also planted in this garden along with the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Now a river flowed out of the Garden of Eden to water it and from there it divided into four rivers: the Pishon, the Gihon, the Tigris, and the Euphrates.
-God put restrictions on man in the garden. He could eat freely from any tree accept for the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. This covenant God made with mankind was conditional. If man kept his end of the deal he would live forever in union with God, but if he broke God’s command he would surely die in that day (separation from God would occur and death would be the result).
-Then the LORD God said that is was not good for man to be alone, and He determined to make a suitable helper for him. Out of the ground the LORD God formed every animal and Adam (man) named every creature, but there was not a helper suitable for him found among the animals. Therefore, the LORD God caused Adam to fall into a deep sleep and He took out one of his ribs and fashioned a woman as a helper for the man. They were joined together in union and Adam was very pleased with what the LORD God gave him.
-For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh. This is the creation of the institution of marriage where a man leaves his family and the woman is given away by her family to create a new family. This has far reaching implications for us today as to the proper manner God created for the institution of the family.
-The man and his wife were unclothed, naked, and felt no shame. Sin was not present in the world and there was no sin nature.
Verse to Memorize: Genesis 2:7
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