Genesis 1:1-2:6
Introduction to Genesis
Genesis is the first book in the Hebrew Scriptures and the first of 5 books of the Law of God given to His Servant Moses and called the Torah. The name ‘Genesis’ is said to come from the Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures meaning ‘origin, source, creation’. The Hebrew title (Bereshit) comes from the first three words of the Book, ‘In the beginning’. As this title suggests, the Book of Genesis reveals to us that Almighty God is the Creator of all things. Specifically it teaches us that God created everything in six days, by the power of His word, that all things were created perfect, how Creation fell through sin, how God plans to redeem Creation from its fallen state and the beginnings of His redemptive plan. This would through His Son the Messiah, Yeshua the Lord who would come through God’s chosen people Israel to bring us His people salvation, the Jew first and also to the Gentiles. It has been said by respected Bible Teachers that if you can believe the first chapter of Genesis, then believing the rest of the Bible should not pose a problem. Such a well of truth and light – may the Holy Spirit draw for us that which is able to make us wise in and through Lord Yeshua as we run the race of The Faith.
Reading: Genesis 1:1-2:7 & Psalm 33:6-9
Q.1 Note Genesis 1:1 – ‘In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.’ What Scriptures in the New Testament speak in a similar way? What does this reveal to us about God?
Q.2 Consider the words, ‘Then God said at Genesis 1:3. What happened when God spoke? What does this teach us about God’s word? Find three Scriptures which speak to your heart about the power of the word of God.
Q.3 Consider Genesis 1:3-28 again. What was the order of creation on which days were they created (i.e. 1st day, 2nd day etc)? What are your thoughts on this?
Q.4 Does the Bible speak elsewhere about a six day creation? What do you think about the fact that the six day creation is restated where it is?
Q.5 Mankind – God’s special creation: Read Genesis 1:26-29. Note carefully verses 26 and 27 – do you see the significance of these verses and what is or are these?
Q.6. Note Genesis 1:31 again. What did God say about His creation? When you consider God’s creation today, is there any hope? Did your answer correspond with Romans 8:18-25?
Q.7 Read Genesis 2:1-3 again. As we know, God later commanded His chosen people, the Jewish Nation, concerning the seventh day to be a Sabbath – a day set apart for rest from ordinary labour/work, for worship of God and rest to the body (see e.g. Exodus 31:12-17). This however foreshadowed that which would find its substance in and through Lord Yeshua (Colossians 2:17). Keeping the idea of ‘rest’ as spoken of in the Genesis passage, can you find any passages in the New Testament which speak of the rest Spirit-born believers have in our Yeshua?
‘Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him;’
(Psalm 37)
Points to Note
Q.1 Note Genesis 1:1 – ‘In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.’ What Scriptures in the New Testament speak in a similar way? What does this reveal to us about God?
Consider John 1:1-3; also note Genesis 1:2 – The Spirit of God; also note Genesis 1:26; 3:22 As we go through Genesis, we see how God appeared on Earth long before He did so in the Person of Yeshua, Yeshua.
‘God’: although discussions are not going focused on ‘the original Hebrew and Greek’ ( because I’m not a Hebrew and Greek Scholar and that is not the purposes of our time together) there are some words which without looking up the original language, we will miss much that can be of real benefit to us. This is one of those words. The Hebrew word used is ‘Elohim’ which is used elsewhere in Scripture to convey plurality. For further understanding of the significance of this verse a really helpful article written by Tony Pearce (Senior Elder at the Bridge Christian Fellowship and Director of Light for the Last Days ministry) called ‘Three or One or Three in One?’ at https://messiahfactor.com/author/tony-pearce/. In short, Tony’s article discusses the idea of one God revealed in Three Persons, namely the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Verse 26 speaks of ‘Us’ and ‘Our’ concerning the image according to which man was made and then verse 27 reverts back to the singular in reference to God – it does not say ‘So God created man in their image…’ it says ‘His’ image. This speaks of the mystery of God – that though there is One God, in Him is an ‘Us’.
Q.2 Consider the words, ‘Then God said at Genesis 1:3. What happened when God spoke? What does this teach us about God’s word? Find three Scriptures which speak to your heart about the power of the word of God.
Consider Scripture references – Hebrews 4:12; Isaiah 55:10-11; Jeremiah 23:29
Q.3 Consider Genesis 1:3-28 again. What was the order of creation on which days were they created (i.e. 1st day, 2nd day etc)? What are your thoughts on this? What does the passage tell us about God’s Creation.
God set time in motion in His creation but God Himself is outside of time
Each created perfect: God saw it was good.
Each created with the ability to reproduce after their own kind – fully formed, in the perfect state to be what they were created to be.
There is no room for the popular ideas from the world concerning evolution since Almighty God Himself has revealed that He created all things in six days.
Creation speaks of the glory of God – see e.g. Psalm 19:1-6; Psalm 102:25-27; Psalm 136:4-9
Highlights that God is a God of order, not confusion
Q.4 Does the Bible speak elsewhere about a six day creation?
Yes. 4th Commandment (see Exodus 20:11, read vs 8-11; Exodus 31:17)
What do you think about the fact that the six day creation is restated where it is?
Few people are unfamiliar with the term ‘the Ten Commandments’ although few are able to recount what these are! However most – but obviously not all – would agree that there is really nothing wrong with the Ten Commandments if they were perfectly honest. At least, no one could reasonably argue that there is anything offensive or wrong with them. Right there, almost slap bang in the middle of what most reasonable men would accept as good and true, is the statement – God’s own statement – that He, Almighty God created the world in 6 days. Do you believe the Creation account in Genesis? Considering that God can do anything – how big are our current concerns to God? Think about your current concerns and the littleness of your own natural power of resources. Then consider Jeremiah 32:26-27. In the beginning Almighty God created all things and He still upholds all things by His mighty power.
Q.5 Mankind – God’s special creation: Read Genesis 1:26-29.
Note carefully verses 26 and 27 – do you see the significance of these verses and what is or are these?
Man – people – are precious to God, for He created us in His image. Despite the staggering depths of depravity and wickedness to which man has fallen and the ever-increasing capacity for sin, God cares deeply about each one. Nowhere is that more clearly demonstrated than through the Cross of Yeshua, Yeshua. Note John 3:16-17, consider especially verse 17. Consider too Psalm 8:3-6
God made man to be above all other living creatures on earth and have dominion (rule or authority) over them. (v.28), man was made for noble purposes. The high estate in which Adam was placed before The Fall was such that nothing was killed for food – his food was seed bearing herbs and fruit. The animals would have been companions, not food (see Genesis 2:19-20).
Above all, God made man to know Him and have fellowship with Him as we will see in the Genesis 2. The man and the woman, Adam and Eve were to populate the Earth and live in peace and harmony one with another.
Q.6. Note Genesis 1:31 again. What did God say about His creation?
It was good.
When you consider God’s creation today, is there any hope?
Did your answer correspond with Romans 8:18-25.Be encouraged. The word of the Lord is steadfast, certain and true!
Q.7 Read Genesis 2:1-3 again. As we know, God later commanded His chosen people, the Jewish Nation, concerning the seventh day to be a Sabbath – a day set apart for rest from ordinary labour/work for worship of God and rest to the body (see e.g. Exodus 31:12-17). This however foreshadowed that which would find its substance in and through Lord Yeshua The Messiah (Colossians 2:17). Keeping the idea of ‘rest’ as spoken of in the Genesis passage, can you find any passages in the New Testament which speak of the rest Spirit-born believers have in our Lord Yeshua The Messiah?
Consider Matthew 11:28-30 – rest in Lord Yeshua The Messiah Himself; Hebrews 4:3 (3:7-4:11) – the rest of faith.
Our heavenly Father is the only One who can give us rest and it is only in and through the Lord Yeshua The Messiah that He does so, by the workings of His Holy Spirit through His grace and love.
We have seen that Almighty God created all things through Yeshua The Messiah our Lord by the power of His Spirit. He began all things by the power of His word. The Apostle Peter wrote that all things continue to be upheld by His word (2 Peter 3:5-7) until the end comes. God is in full control of all things, of every created thing. There is nothing that has been made or that comes from what has been made that is not under the control of such a mighty God who by His word alone brought all that can been seen in the natural world into existence. After God finished His creation in six days – He rested on the seventh. He has now given us rest in and through His Son whom He has given to the world and holds out His rest to all who will come to Him. For us, His children, who have been washed in the precious sinless blood of our Lord Yeshua The Messiah, when He sacrificially gave Himself for us in dying on the Cross and was raised victoriously on the third day – He is our rest. Always. For all time. Listen to what King David wrote:
‘Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him;’
(Psalm 37)
Amen.
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