Order and Life from Chaos and Void

Intro:

I. Introduction to Genesis

A. Who is the Author of Genesis?

Moses the principle author. Genesis does not name an author, but if we expand the search for an author of the entire Pentateuch, there is much more evidence. The first five books of the Old Testament are presented as a coherent unit. Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.

The Holy Spirit inspired Moses to write what He did. The author is not that important.

Deuteronomy 31:22 NKJV

Therefore Moses wrote this song the same day, and taught it to the children of Israel.

Numbers 33:2 NKJV

2 Now Moses wrote down the starting points of their journeys at the command of the Lord. And these are their journeys according to their starting points:

This is after Moses has died, and Joshua is in charge. God says to Joshua:

Joshua 1:6–7 (NKJV)

6 Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. 7 Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go.

The Israelites referred to a book of Moses.

Ezra 6:18 NKJV

18 They assigned the priests to their divisions and the Levites to their divisions, over the service of God in Jerusalem, as it is written in the Book of Moses.

Jesus spoke about the writings of Moses multiple times.

John 5:46–47 NKJV

46 For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me; for he wrote about Me. 47 But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe My words?”

Luke 24:25–27 NKJV

25 Then He said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory?” 27 And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.

B. What are we hoping to accomplish?

1.Try to read the book while thinking about the environment the happenings were in.

a. This is really a cross-cultural experience.

2. Understand what the text is telling us, what is happening.

3. What can we gain, for, instruction, warning, encouragement, and blessing, in our lives.

4. What is pointing ahead to the Messiah.

5. What is being fulfilled in Jesus Christ.

6. What themes can we trace through the Bible.

C. All scripture is given....

2 Timothy 3:16–17 NKJV

16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

II. The benefits of studying Creation

A. Reminds us of who we are.

Where we are.

Why we are here.

Created in the image of God.

Yet we are created, we did not do this. God did.

Psalm 100:3 NKJV

3 Know that the Lord, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.

B. Reminds us of who God is.

Psalm 135:6–7 NKJV

6 Whatever the Lord pleases He does, In heaven and in earth, In the seas and in all deep places. 7 He causes the vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth; He makes lightning for the rain; He brings the wind out of His treasuries.

C. Destroys Racism

We are of one blood.

Created in the image of God.

Different cultures and people groups but one blood.

Sin has caused problems all kinds of problems.

D. Causes us to worship the Creator

The more we learn the more awed we are.

The human body.

A human life growing and developing from almost nothing.

Read Psalm 19:1-4

E. It is useful for teaching skeptics about the true God.

Read Acts 17:16-31

Paul reasoning with the Jews and with the Gentiles.

F. It is useful in grounding us in the Biblical Story.

III. The 6 days of Creation

Read Genesis 1:1-19

A. God brings order out of void and formlessness.

B. The pre-creation state.

The Hebrew Word to’-hoo.

formlessness, confusion, unreality, emptiness

formlessness (of primeval earth)

nothingness, empty space

that which is empty or unreal (of idols) (fig)

wasteland, wilderness (of solitary places)

place of chaos

vanity

God’s spirit is there.

There was darkness. God introduced light. (Day 1)

God made the atmosphere. (Day 2)

God separated the water from the land. (Day 3)

The Environments days 1-3

The inhabitants days 4-6

God created the Sun, Moon, and stars. (Day 4)

Creatures of water and birds. (Day 5)

Land animals and humans. (Day 6)

Day 7, God rested.

B. Detail of Days

Show Poster of Days.

Day 1 vs. 3-5

Light introduced.

Dividing/ Separating. Darkness is now held back to it’s time.

Sun and Moon are not created yet.

Light/ Dark

Psalm 36:9 “9 For with You is the fountain of life; In Your light we see light.”

Isaiah 60:19 “19 “The sun shall no longer be your light by day, Nor for brightness shall the moon give light to you; But the Lord will be to you an everlasting light, And your God your glory.”

John 8:12 “12 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.””

Matthew 5:14 “14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.”

Day 2 vs. 6-8

Firmament/ Dome - raqia - supporting the waters above.

heavens - skies

Dividing/ separating.

Waters above/ waters below.

We will look at this later in another lesson. God holding back the waters.

Day 3 vs. 9-13

Dry Land

Dividing/ separating.

Pushing back the waters.

The picture of the land being raised up.

All three days are making an environment for life to flourish.

Day 4 vs. 14-19

They divide the day from the night.

God is filling the firmament.

They are for signs and seasons, days and years.

Day 5 vs. 20-23

God filling the waters above and below.

God blessed them.

Be fruitful and multiply.

Day 6 vs. 24-31

God filling the land with animals.

Humans created and appointed to rule.

Humans are the crown of God’s creation.

Conclusion:

May God be honored and glorified!

Read Colossians 1:9-18