Design Established at Creation

Introduction

This will be a series focusing on Creation and Human’s Design in Creation. We will start with Genesis since it is the origin of the Creation story. Over the next 4 weeks we will look in Psalms, Proverbs, Psalms, and John.

Before we see Human’s Design in God’s Creation, there is an interesting intro to Creation. Let’s briefly look at the 6 days and refresh our memory and possibly see something new.

INTRO TO CREATION

Genesis 1:1–2 (ESV)

1 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.

Hold on to the phrase “In the Beginning.” God used the Biblical authors to repeat this phrase and remind us of God’s Design for Humans.

Two realms were created: heaven & earth. The Bible says the earth was “without form and void.” Another way to understand this is the earth realm was chaotic and unlivable; unordered and uninhabited. We see the Spirit of God change that.

DAY 1

Genesis 1:3–5 (ESV)

3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. 4 And God saw that the light was good. And God separated the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.

Notice this light was the establishment of time!

Why was “light” created on Day 1? Where is the light coming from? There is nothing to light up except these chaotic waters. ——We will strategically make our way through 4 other passages and in the last week we take a look at this.

Important for today, notice that the creation of light was good!

DAY 2

Genesis 1:6–8 (ESV)

6 And God said, “Let there be an expanse in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters.” 7 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. 8 And God called the expanse Heaven. And there was evening and there was morning, the second day.

These chaotic water that are now lit up, have been separated. We have the water below and now a water dome over the earth.

DAY 3

Genesis 1:9–13 (ESV)

9 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. 10 God called the dry land Earth, and the waters that were gathered together he called Seas. And God saw that it was good. 11 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. 12 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. 13 And there was evening and there was morning, the third day.

Next the dry land separates from the waters and it is filled with different plants

Fruit bearing trees ACCORDING TO THEIR KIND

Plants bearing ACCORDING TO THEIR KIND

Again, we read trees bearing fruit ACCORDING TO THEIR KIND

God saw that it was good

DAY 4

Genesis 1:14–19 (ESV)

14 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, 15 and let them be lights in the expanse of the heavens to give light upon the earth.” And it was so. 16 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. 17 And God set them in the expanse of the heavens to give light on the earth, 18 to rule over the day and over the night, and to separate the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good. 19 And there was evening and there was morning, the fourth day.

We saw the heaven realm created, now it is filled with planets & stars that will be instruments to know signs & seasons & time.

This is filling Day 1 & complimenting it.

God saw that it was good.

DAY 5

Genesis 1:20–23 (ESV)

20 And God said, “Let the waters swarm with swarms of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the expanse of the heavens.” 21 So God created the great sea creatures and every living creature that moves, with which the waters swarm, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. 22 And God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.” 23 And there was evening and there was morning, the fifth day.

Day 5 is populating the water realm. We have the skies (water in sky) being populated with birds and the waters being populated with sea creatures. All of them according to their own kind.

Again, we read the living creatures above and below were with their kind.

Here is a new statement: be fruitful and multiply and fill the waters and earth.

God saw that it was good.

DAY 6

Genesis 1:24–31 (ESV)

24 And God said, “Let the earth bring forth living creatures according to their kinds—livestock and creeping things and beasts of the earth according to their kinds.” And it was so. 25 And God made the beasts of the earth according to their kinds and the livestock according to their kinds, and everything that creeps on the ground according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. 26 Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” 27 So God created man in his own image,

in the image of God he created him;

male and female he created them.

28 And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” 29 And God said, “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food. 30 And to every beast of the earth and to every bird of the heavens and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food.” And it was so. 31 And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.

Day 6 is populating the earth realm. We have the land being populated with livestock, creeping things, and beasts. All of them according to their own kind.

Here is the climax of Creation — the creation of Humans created in the likeness of God, the image of God.

Here is a new statement: male and female He created them. Then humans are told to be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth. Not only fill it but lead and rule all of creation with God

Other days were labeled good, but day 6 is labeled very good (good, good)

DAY 7

Genesis 2:1–3 (ESV)

1 Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them.

2 And God finished on the seventh day for his work that he had done,

and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done.

3 So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy,

because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation.

The seventh day is God’s ideal vision for everything. God lives with His human partners to rule over creation. This is the goal of creation. The seventh day is so significant God has placed the #7 all throughout creation.

7 days of creation

7 announcements of creation being good

7 Hebrew words in the opening verse

2x 7 Hebrew words in verse 2

2:2 the statements about the 7th day have 3 lines of 7 words

Now we are going to shortly settle in Genesis 2:18-24 which is an expanded view on Day 6 with the creation of humans.

Genesis 2:18–24 (ESV)

18 Then the Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.” 19 Now out of the ground the Lord God had formed every beast of the field and every bird of the heavens and brought them to the man to see what he would call them. And whatever the man called every living creature, that was its name. 20 The man gave names to all livestock and to the birds of the heavens and to every beast of the field. But for Adam there was not found a helper fit for him. 21 So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and while he slept took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. 22 And the rib that the Lord God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man. 23 Then the man said, “This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.” 24 Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.

LETS PRAY TOGETHER

——————————————————————————————-

Humans were designed a Supernatural Way (from God/by God)

Humans were designed a Specific Way (unique from the rest of creation)

Humans were designed a Superior Way (made in the image of God)

Humans were designed a Significant Way (designed to rule over creation)

Humans were designed a Sexy(strategic) Way (multiply & fill the earth)

⬆︎(ADULTS EARS ONLY IN RIGHT SETTING)

As we take this expanded view into creation, we find that humans were strategically designed. Let’s look at the process of God’s designing.

What is NOT GOOD

Explain “Not Good” (lo tov)

God created man in this beautiful garden. Man was in relation with God. Man was in relation to the rest of creation. But man had nothing like him. Nothing to compliment him.

Isolation is not the divine norm for human beings; community is the creation of God.

K. A. Mathews, Genesis 1-11:26, vol. 1A, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1996), 213.

From the beginning of time, man was not designed to be alone. But why say “not good” rather than “bad.” In Hebrew to say something is bad (ra) you are saying its evil. In this case, it was not evil for man to be alone. It was “not good” We observed earlier that before God stated creation being “good” it was in disorder and unlivable. Adam being alone was no order and unlivable.

God is going to teach some lessons as He walks us through Human’s Design.

Verse 18 states that it is “Not Good” for man to be alone.

Then verses 19-20 shares how every animal comes to Adam and receive their name. All of these animals come by Adam and leave… none being fit for him. BECAUSE…

Humans were designed a Supernatural Way (from God/by God)

Humans were designed a Specific Way (unique from the rest of creation)

Humans were designed a Superior Way (made in the image of God)

Humans were designed a Significant Way (designed to rule over creation)

Humans were designed a Sexy(strategic) Way (multiply & fill the earth)

⬆︎(ADULTS EARS ONLY IN RIGHT SETTING)

If we look back at verse 18, we find what Adam needs. Let’s look at “What is NOW GOOD”

What is NOW GOOD

Explain “Helper” (EZER)

In english, Helper is a word that covers a wide range of conversation, circumstances, and situations. What kind of helper does Adam need? Why does Adam need help? Lets answer these two questions!

Why does Adam need help? His life is not good. His life has no order. Purposeless!

What kind of help does Adam need?

This is not assistance or a chore to do together. This word HELP has a much deeper meaning!

A better understanding of this word would be deliver or protect. God is going to make/bring deliverance for the one who not good and in disorder.

Exodus 18:4 ESV

4 and the name of the other, Eliezer (for he said, “The God of my father was my help, and delivered me from the sword of Pharaoh”).

Deuteronomy 33:7 ESV

7 And this he said of Judah: “Hear, O Lord, the voice of Judah, and bring him in to his people. With your hands contend for him, and be a help against his adversaries.”

Deuteronomy 33:26–27 ESV

26 “There is none like God, O Jeshurun, who rides through the heavens to your help, through the skies in his majesty. 27 The eternal God is your dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms. And he thrust out the enemy before you and said, ‘Destroy.’

Deuteronomy 33:29 ESV

29 Happy are you, O Israel! Who is like you, a people saved by the Lord, the shield of your help, and the sword of your triumph! Your enemies shall come fawning to you, and you shall tread upon their backs.”

Hosea 13:9 ESV

9 He destroys you, O Israel, for you are against me, against your helper.

Psalm 20:1–2 ESV

1 May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble! May the name of the God of Jacob protect you! 2 May he send you help from the sanctuary and give you support from Zion!

Psalm 33:18–20 ESV

18 Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love, 19 that he may deliver their soul from death and keep them alive in famine. 20 Our soul waits for the Lord; he is our help and our shield.

Psalm 121:1–2 ESV

1 I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? 2 My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

Psalm 146:5–6 ESV

5 Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord his God, 6 who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, who keeps faith forever;

Explain “Fit for him” (KENEGDO)

KE- (like,as) NEGED- (front of, opposite of)

This specific phrase of words (KENEGDO) is the only time this appears in the Hebrew Bible. What can deliver man from this state of no-order? Someone who is opposite of him, compliments him.

The creation of this helper will form one half of a polarity that will be to man or to human as the south pole is to the North Pole.

-Victor Hamilton

Both need each other for their to be order that is GOOD. As we discovered a few minutes ago, animals do not compliment Adam. What does God do to provide someone that delivers him and compliments him?

It starts with God putting Adam into a deep sleep

Genesis 15:1–5 ESV

1 After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: “Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.” 2 But Abram said, “O Lord God, what will you give me, for I continue childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?” 3 And Abram said, “Behold, you have given me no offspring, and a member of my household will be my heir.” 4 And behold, the word of the Lord came to him: “This man shall not be your heir; your very own son shall be your heir.” 5 And he brought him outside and said, “Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.”

God pulls from Adam’ side. God pulled a rib from Adam and made a Woman and brought her to Adam.

It is not good for the human to be solitary. I will make one who can deliver him from his inability to fulfill the divine commission alone, one who mirrors him.

-Tim Mackie

Listen to what the man said when God brought her:

Genesis 2:23 (ESV)

23 Then the man said, “This at last is bone of my bones

and flesh of my flesh;

she shall be called Woman,

because she was taken out of Man.”

Adam recognizes the equality and purpose in such a short way. We are equally creation and from God. We are both dirt creatures. We each have a role and purpose that establishes each person.

Look at the man! He was helpless in his loneliness. Without the man, women could not be and she would have no purpose. Both need each other to establish purpose and follow God’s command.

What this means for Humans

Humans were designed a Supernatural Way (from God/by God)

Humans were designed a Specific Way (unique from the rest of creation)

Humans were designed a Superior Way (made in the image of God)

Humans were designed a Significant Way (designed to rule over creation)

Humans were designed a Sexy(strategic) Way (multiply & fill the earth)

⬆︎(ADULT’S EARS ONLY IN RIGHT SETTING)

What this means for you — is that each of you will reach a stage in life where you…

Genesis 2:24 ESV

24 Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.

Marriage is the design for humans. Two humans reach a stage of coming out from under your parents and be able to live. Live spiritually. Live maintainably. Live for Christ first. Live for you spouse second.

Marriage is the design for humans. Man & Woman. It becomes dis-order when the Design of God is not followed. My generation and your generation face what seems like a new enemy but has been around since Genesis. But it is people going against God’s Design. How do Christians face such a rebellion?

TRUTH can never compromise

TRUTH must always care

TRUTH can never cease to exist

TRUTH must always be center

Closing

Look to the people to your left…

Look to the people to your right…

Look right here… You and everyone else in the room were created to exist in what is good (TOV) (the beautiful garden of Eden) but humanity found sin (RA) (ate of the tree of knowing good and bad) because we failed to trust God! Now we all carry sin when upon entering the earth at birth.

In response, God wants to work through people where He finds them and bring them back to His design plan.