MC Lesson 1.11.26

Genesis 1:1-2

Background of the Text

Mesopotamia in character and background (Gen. 1-38) with Egyptian influence found later (Gen. 39-50).

Are these “things that happened” or “things that were said”? A major question for Genesis.

Focus on “poetic/prose legendary narratives”, though literal history is also represented.

This type of literature would have been more important than literal history for the early forming Hebrew nation.

Etiological or explanatory myths, those which account for some familiar fact of experience by a story of the olden time.

examples: why a man cleaves to his wife, why the serpent crawls on its belly, why women must endure labor pains, ect.

No reason to split vs. 1-2 from 3-5, therefore it is part of the first day.

“Created” and “do or make” are distinct words from each other in the Hebrew

Similar ancient texts

Enuma elish: the god Marduk and his rise to supremacy in the Babylonian pantheon (mythical and polytheistic)

11th Tablet of Gilgamesh (flood narrative)

Atrahasis epic

Nuzi tablets, ancient documents that discuss patriarchal customs in this era

Author

Jews and Christians hold that Moses wrote the Pentateuch

Acts 15:1 “the custom of Moses”

Likely written during the wandering time in the desert.

Atheism (no god), Pantheism (all things are divine) , Polytheism (many gods), monotheism (one god)

About the Text

Affirmed in Ps. 102:25 & Is. 40:21

“In the beginning God”

assumed existence

Similar language found in John 1

“God created”

Elohim is plural, but the verb is singular in reference to the one true God.

plural of majesty

“the heavens and the earth”

“all things” in Isa. 44:24

“Now the Earth”

narrative is placed in a geocentric stance

“formless and void”

earth’s initial condition

formless is also used to describe a wilderness (Deut. 32:10, Job 6:18, Ps. 107:40)

Void only occurs with formless

This is a concept that is expressed by two words

Describing the earth as amorphous and waiting to be filled by God’s creative activity.

The Spirit

Active in creation

Theological Truths from the Text

God has revealed Himself to mankind

He was not brought into the world, but brought the world into existence from Himself.

God creates “from nothing”.

God’s existence outside of time and space is assumed by the author.

Creation is only something that God does

The Spirit maintains creation

Job 33:4, Ps. 104:30

Application for Today

Major Discussion Themes

Theology in Daily Life

Only One Miracle Needed

Culture’s Wrestle with Gen. 1:1-2

Encouragement for the Believer