Lesson 5
Genesis 1
Introduction
Now that we know what questions we must ask as we journey through Genesis chapters 1 to 11 we are well equipped to arrive at the correct destination. Our first step takes us to the first chapter of Genesis. Here we will discover who God is, what He made and how He made it. It is very important that we notice the repeated words and phrases in Genesis 1, for in doing so we will be able to understand exactly what God intends for us to know.
Key Words
Key words are the tools to understanding Scripture. As we read and study we find that words and phrases are repeated. Naturally, in Genesis 1 the word 'God' (or its synonyms) is repeated many times. That in itself should teach us an important truth - God is the focus point, for it is He who is the Creator.
Key Phrases
An example of a key phrase is "God Said …" This phrase is repeated many times; therefore it must be very significant. Though it is only a small phrase it reveals to us that God spoke things into being. Psalm 33:6 declares, "By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of His mouth." The phrase "God said" means that He commanded certain events to take place.
Action Words
In addition to the word 'said' we find other action words (verbs) that describe what God did in Genesis 1. These include:
1) Created = Everything was created by God. He alone has the power to create it all from nothing. He is an intelligent Being.
2) Made = He made it just right. Everything was made beautiful.
3) Saw = This speaks of His careful attention to detail. Everything was created orderly.
4) Said = When God speaks (commands) something into existence, it happens.
5) Divided = God makes distinctions between created things, i.e. light and darkness, male and female.
6) Called = God makes the choices. He is sovereign in all His deeds.
7) Blessed = This speaks of God's love and grace.
The purpose of these words is so that we can learn about God and what He did in creation. As we consider each of these words they should reveal something more about the God who created all things, but for now here are three examples:
1) "It was good." - Evolution tells us that all life gradually improved and is improving. The Bible declares that God created everything perfect and complete first time. This phrase informs us that, as Creator, God's work cannot be improved upon.
2) "It was so." - Everything that God spoke into being happened just as He commanded. His commands were not fulfilled millions of years later, but at the very moment He spoke.
3) 'After their [or his] kind.' - The word 'kind' refers to 'species'. God created every species of animal life and plant life that we see today at the beginning. No new species have evolved. A dog can only give birth to a dog; an apple tree can only bare apples.
Conclusion
Genesis 1 introduces us to God. It does not seek to prove God exists, for it assumes that only a fool would dismiss the fact that there must be an intelligent Creator of the things we see … "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth his handiwork" (Psalm 19:1) … "The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God" (Psalm 53:1. We cannot fail to see that God as Creator and Maker of all things as we open Genesis 1. This chapter helps us learn something of His character and majesty. We can look up at the night sky and wonder at God's amazing power. We can look at nature around us and praise Him for creating so much for us to enjoy.