Lesson #2: Creation and the Worship of God
Genesis 1:1-2:3
C.) CREATION LESSONS ON GOD
Our understanding of God, the world, and man largely comes through the Genesis creation account. We are not saying there are no other teachings, but when we consider the overall picture, Genesis 1:1-2:3 is invaluable for our clear understanding. We will look at six lessons we learn about God: God's Name, God's Word, God's Thoughts, God's Power, God's Goodness, God's Wisdom.
1) God's Name
Although nothing is directly said of God, we gain an immense understanding through what He did and said. The word 'God' is used 34 times alone in Genesis 1:1-2:3.
Some suggest this plural Hebrew word 'Elohim' is used to indicate the Trinity (plurality in unity). Others suggest it is a plural of majesty. The shortened form 'el' is often seen at the end of names such as Joel. No one seriously suggests that one should translate Elohim as gods because every time it takes a singular verb form.
Only starting in 2:4 is God's name, 'LORD' (Yahweh), used when it speaks of personal relationship and fellowship.
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2) God's Word
God is separate from nature. God is not creation. He abides in creation as much as His purpose and design and provision are given to it. God existed before the universe. The universe was something He created. The creation, however, did come from God's Word. God spoke, and it came into being.
The phrase 'Then God said, Let ...' occurs eight times; the phrase 'God said' occurs ten times. We see a whole series of commands from God creating matter, time, order and changes.
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Ge 1:3 Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. Ge 1:6 Then God said, “Let there be an expanse in the midst of the waters...” Ge 1:9 Then God said, “Let the waters below the heavens be gathered into one place...” Ge 1:11 Then God said, “Let the earth sprout vegetation...” Ge 1:14 Then God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens...” Ge 1:20 Then God said, “Let the waters teem with swarms of living creatures...” Ge 1:24 Then God said, “Let the earth bring forth living creatures after their kind...” Ge 1:26 Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image...” Ge 1:28 And God blessed them; and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply...”
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3) God's Thoughts
Five times we see the phrase 'God called.' God was defining things for us. Once He calls something in its descriptive way, man is obligated to use this understanding to think and define those objects.
Ge 1:5 And God called the light day
Ge 1:5 And the darkness He called night.
Ge 1:8 And God called the expanse heaven.
Ge 1:10 And God called the dry land earth, and the gathering of the waters He called seas.
4) God's Power
Nothing awes us so much as God's ability to do what He says. Two words stand out: created (barah) and made ('asah).
Ge 1:1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
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Ge 1:7 And God made the expanse...
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5) God's Goodness
Seven times the phrase, 'God saw that it was good' is used. If what a person produces characterizes his inner self, then we can truly say that God is good.
6) God's Wisdom
God was perfectly satisfied with the whole of creation. God used the seventh day to rest. The thought of taking a day off once everything is done is beyond our comprehension.
Never rush about completing singular projects while missing the beautiful completeness of what has been done. Never rush about life so that we do not pause. Never operate as a cog in a machine, for we were designed to reflect, enjoy, and worship. We must dare not move through a series of seven days without resting for one, for then we violate God's pattern and insist on the priority of the things we do over God's.
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The Genesis Index
Genesis Introduction: Introduction | Outline | Chronologies |