IS GENESIS HISTORY 3
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IS GENESIS HISTORY 3
IS GENESIS HISTORY 3
INTRODUCTION :-
INTRODUCTION :-
Allow us to begin tonight by making some very important statements
Allow us to begin tonight by making some very important statements
1. The Society of Mankind wants a god ( little g)
1. The Society of Mankind wants a god ( little g)
2. They do not want the GOD of the BIBLE.
2. They do not want the GOD of the BIBLE.
3. They want a GOD made by HUMAN hands.
3. They want a GOD made by HUMAN hands.
4. They want a god Made by Humans hands because then they have control of their god , to make him subject to the cultural shifts in our society.
4. They want a god Made by Humans hands because then they have control of their god , to make him subject to the cultural shifts in our society.
5. This is exactly what is happening in our society today.
5. This is exactly what is happening in our society today.
6. Having a Human god swayed by the cultural vibes of depraved human mind.
6. Having a Human god swayed by the cultural vibes of depraved human mind.
7. In the midst of our daily Grind wee will notice that God always Calls and Challenges us concerning our service for Him
7. In the midst of our daily Grind wee will notice that God always Calls and Challenges us concerning our service for Him
8. Joshua 24 : 15
8. Joshua 24 : 15
15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.
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The First Seven Days
The First Seven Days
The Doctrine of Creation
The Doctrine of Creation
“To me, six day creation is totally compatible with what a designer would expect.” — Stuart Burgess
“To me, six day creation is totally compatible with what a designer would expect.” — Stuart Burgess
Genesis 1
1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
3 And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.
4 And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness.
5 And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day.
6 And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.
7 And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so.
8 And God called the firmament Heaven. And the evening and the morning were the second day.
9 And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so.
10 And God called the dry land Earth; and the gathering together of the waters called he Seas: and God saw that it was good.
11 And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so.
12 And the earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind: and God saw that it was good.
13 And the evening and the morning were the third day.
14 And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years:
15 And let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth: and it was so.
16 And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also.
17 And God set them in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth,
18 And to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness: and God saw that it was good.
19 And the evening and the morning were the fourth day.
20 And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, and fowl that may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven.
21 And God created great whales, and every living creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and every winged fowl after his 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 fowl multiply in the earth.
23 And the evening and the morning were the fifth day.
24 And God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his kind: and it was so.
25 And God made the beast of the earth after his kind, and cattle after their kind, and every thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind: and God saw that it was good.
26 And 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 fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.
29 And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.
30 And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is life, I have given every green herb for meat: and it was so.
31 And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.
Ask Questions
Ask Questions
1. When you look at Genesis chapter 1, what are some of the things you notice about it as a record of events?
1. When you look at Genesis chapter 1, what are some of the things you notice about it as a record of events?
2. How many different time indicators are there?
2. How many different time indicators are there?
The Doctrine of Creation
The Doctrine of Creation
The creation of the heavens and the earth is recorded in the first chapter of Genesis. Throughout the rest of the Bible, the authors refer back to creation as the beginning of everything, including time.
The creation of the heavens and the earth is recorded in the first chapter of Genesis. Throughout the rest of the Bible, the authors refer back to creation as the beginning of everything, including time.
What is the doctrine of creation?
What is the doctrine of creation?
The doctrine of creation refers to God’s act of creating the heavens and the earth out of nothing, then forming everything that exists in the span of six days.
The doctrine of creation refers to God’s act of creating the heavens and the earth out of nothing, then forming everything that exists in the span of six days.
The doctrine of creation reveals some important aspects about God.
The doctrine of creation reveals some important aspects about God.
1. First, we see that God is transcendent.
1. First, we see that God is transcendent.
This means He is outside time and space, and far beyond us. And yet, at the same time, we see that God is immanent.
This means He is outside time and space, and far beyond us. And yet, at the same time, we see that God is immanent.
This means He is also involved with His creation shaping it, designing it, and engaging it.
This means He is also involved with His creation shaping it, designing it, and engaging it.
We see Him talking to man and woman on a personal level.
We see Him talking to man and woman on a personal level.
2. The doctrine of creation includes the absolute power or omnipotence of God.
2. The doctrine of creation includes the absolute power or omnipotence of God.
His ability to create simply by speaking things into existence is an act of unlimited power.
His ability to create simply by speaking things into existence is an act of unlimited power.
3. God also has complete freedom in creating;
3. God also has complete freedom in creating;
no one required Him to create the world the way He created it, when He created it, or in the order He created it.
no one required Him to create the world the way He created it, when He created it, or in the order He created it.
4. Finally, the doctrine of creation is directly related to the doctrine of revelation.
4. Finally, the doctrine of creation is directly related to the doctrine of revelation.
God designed the world so that He could be perceived in it.
God designed the world so that He could be perceived in it.
He created people who could perceive both General and Special Revelation.
He created people who could perceive both General and Special Revelation.
Then He spoke to them directly so that they would know who He is and what He has done, ultimately leading to worship.
Then He spoke to them directly so that they would know who He is and what He has done, ultimately leading to worship.
What do other authors in the Bible say about creation?
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God created the universe out of nothing by the power of His word; this reveals His transcendent power. Nevertheless, He created everything for men and women to be able to walk with Him and know Him; this reveals His immanent presence.
Read Hebrews 11:1-8, 13-16
Read Hebrews 11:1-8, 13-16
1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
2 For by it the elders obtained a good report.
3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.
4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.
5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.
6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.
8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.
13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
14 For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.
15 And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.
16 But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.
Why is faith important to understanding creation?
Why is faith important to understanding creation?
Faith is trusting that God’s word is powerful, and that what He has told us is accurate.
Faith is trusting that God’s word is powerful, and that what He has told us is accurate.
How is a faith based on accepting the reality of God’s actions in history different from blind faith?
How is a faith based on accepting the reality of God’s actions in history different from blind faith?
The power of faith does not come from inside a person, but from the dependability and power of the person being trusted.
The power of faith does not come from inside a person, but from the dependability and power of the person being trusted.
Blind faith often refers to an irrational trust of someone who cannot do what is expected of them.
Blind faith often refers to an irrational trust of someone who cannot do what is expected of them.
The author of Hebrews, however, presents a long list of people who trusted God would do what He said He would do, and were vindicated for it.
The author of Hebrews, however, presents a long list of people who trusted God would do what He said He would do, and were vindicated for it.
Some people have said that God created the universe out of pre-existing materials.
Some people have said that God created the universe out of pre-existing materials.
Does this passage speak to that question?
Does this passage speak to that question?
The author tells us that God made the world just using His words, bringing everything into existence from nothing. During the time the author of Hebrews was writing, there were different ideas about creation, including the idea that the gods made the world out of things that already existed. He is therefore speaking directly against this idea in this passage.
The author tells us that God made the world just using His words, bringing everything into existence from nothing. During the time the author of Hebrews was writing, there were different ideas about creation, including the idea that the gods made the world out of things that already existed. He is therefore speaking directly against this idea in this passage.
What do these verses tell us about the relationship between faith and God’s power?
What do these verses tell us about the relationship between faith and God’s power?
Anyone who can create everything out of nothing has absolute power. He can therefore be absolutely trusted.
Why does the author mention all these different men from the first chapters of Genesis? Would it make any difference to the author’s argument if the people and events he is listing were not real?
Why does the author mention all these different men from the first chapters of Genesis? Would it make any difference to the author’s argument if the people and events he is listing were not real?
These men are examples of people staying faithful to God and His word in extremely difficult circumstances. If they did not actually live and do what the author says they did, it would make an enormous difference. The author wants his readers to know that if God related this way in the past to people who had faith in Him, He will do the same in the present.
These men are examples of people staying faithful to God and His word in extremely difficult circumstances. If they did not actually live and do what the author says they did, it would make an enormous difference. The author wants his readers to know that if God related this way in the past to people who had faith in Him, He will do the same in the present.
Why does the doctrine of creation always need to rely on the miraculous acts of God?
Why does the doctrine of creation always need to rely on the miraculous acts of God?
Creation is something far beyond our experience and comprehension. As Dr. Burgess explains, even the things we take for granted are much more complex than we realize. Furthermore, God’s act of creating was a way of revealing Himself. Whenever God reveals Himself, there is some miraculous aspect to it beyond our comprehension. This is why Paul compares receiving the knowledge of Christ to God’s first act of creation:
(2 Corinthians 4:6)
6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
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God created everything in six normal days to provide a structure of time for man to live by. In other words, time was made for man, not man for time.
Read Exodus 20:8-11
8 Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.
9 Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work:
10 But the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates:
11 For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.
This is the fourth commandment God gave Moses on Mt. Sinai. Why is this an important verse for understanding the duration of time in which creation happened?
This is the fourth commandment God gave Moses on Mt. Sinai. Why is this an important verse for understanding the duration of time in which creation happened?
God is revealing to the Israelites that His command about work and rest for a normal week is patterned on His own schedule of work and rest during the first seven days of creation.
God is revealing to the Israelites that His command about work and rest for a normal week is patterned on His own schedule of work and rest during the first seven days of creation.
If God is all-powerful, He could have created the world and rested in any amount of time. Why does He make a connection between the creation week and seven days?
If God is all-powerful, He could have created the world and rested in any amount of time. Why does He make a connection between the creation week and seven days?
God chose to create and rest in seven normal days to provide us the model for our weekly cycle.
God chose to create and rest in seven normal days to provide us the model for our weekly cycle.
He even created mornings and evenings on the days before there was a sun and moon to show that these are essential structures for measuring time which He built into the creation.
He even created mornings and evenings on the days before there was a sun and moon to show that these are essential structures for measuring time which He built into the creation.
After all, it would seem no less strange to an Israelite than it does to us to have a source of light, and mornings and evenings, without the sun.
After all, it would seem no less strange to an Israelite than it does to us to have a source of light, and mornings and evenings, without the sun.
Yet God chose to create this way for a purpose: He is the ultimate source of light for the world.
Yet God chose to create this way for a purpose: He is the ultimate source of light for the world.
God reveals the basic connection between our weekly cycle and the creation week in the fourth commandment.
God reveals the basic connection between our weekly cycle and the creation week in the fourth commandment.
How was God providing us a pattern of work and rest in our own lives?
How was God providing us a pattern of work and rest in our own lives?
Why is this an important pattern for us to follow?
Why is this an important pattern for us to follow?
Just as God designed the eye to see light, and the body to digest food, He designed our ability to work and rest to fit into specific cycles that are good for us.
Just as God designed the eye to see light, and the body to digest food, He designed our ability to work and rest to fit into specific cycles that are good for us.
If we do not pursue work and rest throughout the week, then we will be unhealthy; if we work seven days and do not rest, we will also be unhealthy.
If we do not pursue work and rest throughout the week, then we will be unhealthy; if we work seven days and do not rest, we will also be unhealthy.
During the French Revolution, the government attempted to change the week to 10 days; it was an utter failure and they had to return to a normal seven day cycle of work and rest.
During the French Revolution, the government attempted to change the week to 10 days; it was an utter failure and they had to return to a normal seven day cycle of work and rest.
It is interesting to note that most major divisions of time are based on astronomical cycles (the day, the month, and the year), but the seven-day week is not based on anything we can observe.
It is interesting to note that most major divisions of time are based on astronomical cycles (the day, the month, and the year), but the seven-day week is not based on anything we can observe.
Instead, the week goes back to the very first week of creation.
Instead, the week goes back to the very first week of creation.
We therefore have a constant reminder that God structured the creation of the entire universe on a pattern designed for our well-being: six days of work and one of rest.
We therefore have a constant reminder that God structured the creation of the entire universe on a pattern designed for our well-being: six days of work and one of rest.
Read Mark 2:27-28
Read Mark 2:27-28
27 And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath:
28 Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.
What does this tell us about the purpose of the days of the week?
What does this tell us about the purpose of the days of the week?
The days of the week were designed for us. God created those time cycles and worked within them to provide us a chronological structure for our lives.
The days of the week were designed for us. God created those time cycles and worked within them to provide us a chronological structure for our lives.
What point in time is Jesus referring back to when He says “The Sabbath was made for man?”
What point in time is Jesus referring back to when He says “The Sabbath was made for man?”
Jesus is referring back to the seventh day of the creation week in Genesis 2:2-3. Moses tells us that “God blessed the seventh day and made it holy.”
Jesus is referring back to the seventh day of the creation week in Genesis 2:2-3. Moses tells us that “God blessed the seventh day and made it holy.”
2 And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.
3 And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.
What does Moses mean when he says in Psalm 90:2-4:
What does Moses mean when he says in Psalm 90:2-4:
2 Before the mountains were brought forth, Or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, Even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.
3 Thou turnest man to destruction; And sayest, Return, ye children of men.
4 For a thousand years in thy sight Are but as yesterday when it is past, And as a watch in the night.
Sometimes people talk about “God’s time” as being a long age, but that is inaccurate: God is not bound by time.
Sometimes people talk about “God’s time” as being a long age, but that is inaccurate: God is not bound by time.
In other words, to man a thousand years is always a thousand years and a day is always a day, but to God, who stands outside of time, they are the same.
In other words, to man a thousand years is always a thousand years and a day is always a day, but to God, who stands outside of time, they are the same.
This means that when normal time indicators are given in the Bible, they are intended to communicate the timescale we all experience.
This means that when normal time indicators are given in the Bible, they are intended to communicate the timescale we all experience.
God made time for man to live within; it is something uniquely designed for us. Although God and angelic beings live outside of time, they can interact within time.
God made time for man to live within; it is something uniquely designed for us. Although God and angelic beings live outside of time, they can interact within time.
At some point, however, God takes man out of time to be with Him. This is what we see in Genesis 5:
At some point, however, God takes man out of time to be with Him. This is what we see in Genesis 5:
“When Enoch had lived 65 years, he fathered Methuselah. Enoch walked with God after he fathered Methuselah 300 years and had other sons and daughters. Thus all the days of Enoch were 365 years. Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him.”
“When Enoch had lived 65 years, he fathered Methuselah. Enoch walked with God after he fathered Methuselah 300 years and had other sons and daughters. Thus all the days of Enoch were 365 years. Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him.”
Why is time so important in Scripture?
Why is time so important in Scripture?
Because God reveals Himself to man in time. This is the very strong connection between the doctrine of creation and the doctrine of revelation.
Because God reveals Himself to man in time. This is the very strong connection between the doctrine of creation and the doctrine of revelation.
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God’s original creation was “very good” and operated on a different set of relationships than we currently experience.
In His goodness,God provided Adam and Eve everything they would need to know and worship Him.
Read Genesis 1:28-2:4
28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.
29 And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.
30 And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is life, I have given every green herb for meat: and it was so.
31 And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.
1 Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them.
2 And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.
3 And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.
4 These are the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that the Lord God made the earth and the heavens,
What do these verses tell us about the nature and purpose of God’s original creation?
What do these verses tell us about the nature and purpose of God’s original creation?
God’s original creation was very good. It was created not only for our benefit and use, but for the benefit of living creatures.
God’s original creation was very good. It was created not only for our benefit and use, but for the benefit of living creatures.
If, in the original creation, mankind and animals were only to eat plants, what does that point to?
If, in the original creation, mankind and animals were only to eat plants, what does that point to?
It points to a world very different from ours, one without carnivory and animal death.
It points to a world very different from ours, one without carnivory and animal death.
As Dr. Kurt Wise points out in Is Genesis History?, this is somehow a world without natural evil.
As Dr. Kurt Wise points out in Is Genesis History?, this is somehow a world without natural evil.
We cannot understand from a physical perspective how this could have been because we are on the other side of the Fall of mankind (something we will discuss in another lesson).
We cannot understand from a physical perspective how this could have been because we are on the other side of the Fall of mankind (something we will discuss in another lesson).
Nevertheless, we are given a hint of this unfallen world—and a hint of the new heavens and new earth that we look forward to—when God tells the prophet Isaiah:
Nevertheless, we are given a hint of this unfallen world—and a hint of the new heavens and new earth that we look forward to—when God tells the prophet Isaiah:
(Isaiah 11:6-9)
(Isaiah 11:6-9)
6 The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, And the leopard shall lie down with the kid; And the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; And a little child shall lead them.
7 And the cow and the bear shall feed; Their young ones shall lie down together: And the lion shall eat straw like the ox.
8 And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, And the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice’ den.
9 They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: For the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, As the waters cover the sea.
Was the seventh day also a normal day?
Was the seventh day also a normal day?
Yes, the seventh day was also a normal day. This is in line with Moses’ comments in Exodus 20 and Jesus’ comments in Mark 2.
Yes, the seventh day was also a normal day. This is in line with Moses’ comments in Exodus 20 and Jesus’ comments in Mark 2.
The idea of God’s rest, however, is associated with the heavenly rest that believers have in store for them.
The idea of God’s rest, however, is associated with the heavenly rest that believers have in store for them.
This is what the author of Hebrews is referring to in chapter 4.
This is what the author of Hebrews is referring to in chapter 4.
Some have suggested that the seventh day is different from the other days in terms of duration, but there is nothing anywhere in the Bible to suggest that.
Some have suggested that the seventh day is different from the other days in terms of duration, but there is nothing anywhere in the Bible to suggest that.
Rather, the seventh day is a normal day set apart because God made it special.
Rather, the seventh day is a normal day set apart because God made it special.
Closing Thoughts
Closing Thoughts
If God were not so interested in time, He would not have talked about it so much in His word.
If God were not so interested in time, He would not have talked about it so much in His word.
The fact that He has, however, should make us take note of what He says about it and what our response to it should be.
The fact that He has, however, should make us take note of what He says about it and what our response to it should be.
There is no better way to end a discussion of time than with the prayer of Moses to God:
There is no better way to end a discussion of time than with the prayer of Moses to God:
(Psalm 90:9-11)
(Psalm 90:9-11)
9 For all our days are passed away in thy wrath: We spend our years as a tale that is told.
10 The days of our years are threescore years and ten; And if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, Yet is their strength labour and sorrow; For it is soon cut off, and we fly away.
11 Who knoweth the power of thine anger? Even according to thy fear, so is thy wrath.
Purifoy, Thomas. Is Genesis History? Bible Study Book (p. 31). Kindle Edition.