Creation & Genesis, Part 2
Genesis 1:6-19 (ESV)
And God said, “Let there be an expanse in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters.” And God made the expanse and separated the waters that were under the expanse from the waters that were above the expanse. And it was so. And God called the expanse Heaven. And there was evening and there was morning, the second day. And God said, “Let the waters under the heavens be gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear.” And it was so. God called the dry land Earth, and the waters that were gathered together he called Seas. And God saw that it was good. And God said, “Let the earth sprout vegetation, plants yielding seed, and fruit trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind, on the earth.” And it was so. The earth brought forth vegetation, plants yielding seed according to their own kinds, and trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. And there was evening and there was morning, the third day. And God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night. And let them be for signs and for seasons, and for days and years, and let them be lights in the expanse of the heavens to give light upon the earth.” And it was so. And God made the two great lights—the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night—and the stars. And God set them in the expanse of the heavens to give light on the earth, to rule over the day and over the night, and to separate the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good. And there was evening and there was morning, the fourth day.
Purpose of creation account
- Identifies the Creator and sets him apart from all other gods.
- Explains the true origin of the world.
- Ties God’s past work with his future work.
Creation account notes
Periods of creation – 24 hour periods?
• Yom can mean period of time, but most often translated as a 24 hour day.
• Each period concludes with “and there was evening and morning.”
“Separated the waters from waters”
• 37.5 billion gallons of water in the atmosphere in the vapor phase.
• The entire planet depends on the hydrological cycle for life.
• Accurate knowledge before the advent of science.
“Called [it] Earth”
• Can be translated land.
• Conjures the promised blessing of land to Israel.
• Typology for the promised blessing of eternal rest in God’s presence.
Plants before sun?
• A 24 hour creation period means plants could have survived without sun.
• Light existed before plants.
• God’s power to sustain light without a source can surely sustain plant life.
The heavenly bodies
• Created to be “for signs, seasons, and for days and years…lights upon the earth.”
• God has certainly used, and will use, heavenly bodies as signs.
“for signs”
• Sign of God’s glory – Psalm 19:1
• Sign of God’s strength – Psalm 68:34
• Sign of God’s covenant and blessing of the earth through Jesus – Genesis 22:17
• Sign of the Day of the Lord – Joel 2
“for seasons”
• “Seasons” can be translated “appointed times”
• Brings the 7 Jewish Feast days to mind
• Feasts seem to be a map of God ordained events throughout time
Conclusion
- Nothing has been created without purpose.
- The Creator has a master plan for the creation.
Application
- Take courage!
- The Creator and Designer of the universe who created with purpose has created you with purpose.
- Who can stand against us as we do His will?
- Be obedient and tell the world about Him!!