GOD IN GENESIS: CREATOR

MUCH OF THE HEBREW BIBLE IS WRITTEN AS A POLEMIC AGAINST COMPETING WORLDVIEWS. A POLEMIC IS “AN AGGRESSIVE ATTACK ON OR REFUTATION OF THE OPINIONS OR PRINCIPLES OF ANOTHER.”

ALL OF CREATION BELONGS TO GOD AND IS DESIGNED FOR GOD!

CREATION IS BIGGER THAN THE EARTH. THE EARTH IS ONE REALM OF CREATION – THE HEAVENS ARE ANOTHER. THE DIFFERENCE IS NOT ONE OF GEOGRAPHY BUT OF TYPE.

THIS HEAVENLY REALM IS AN ORDERED, INTENTIONAL, RELATIONAL AND FUNCTIONAL EVNIRONMENT.

Genesis 1:26–27 ESV

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.

Job 38:4–7 ESV

4 “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding. 5 Who determined its measurements—surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it? 6 On what were its bases sunk, or who laid its cornerstone, 7 when the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy?

SONS OF GOD = BENE ELOHIM

ELOHIM IS TRANSLATED GOD.

ELOHIM SIMPLY MEANS ONE WHO DWELLS OR BELONGS TO THE REALM OF THE HEAVENS.

GOD IN THE BIBLE IS THE ELOHIM OF ELOHIM!!!

Psalm 82:1 ESV

1 God has taken his place in the divine council; in the midst of the gods he holds judgment:

WE ARE USED TO THINKING OF GOD AS A SET OF ATTRIBUTES OR ACTIONS.

ELOHIM IS A TERM THAT REFERS TO THE REALM OF THE HEAVENS.

IT IS USED OF GOD, DIVINE COUNCIL MEMBERS, GODS OF THE NATIONS, EVEN THE HUMAN DEAD.

Psalm 89:5–7 ESV

5 Let the heavens praise your wonders, O Lord, your faithfulness in the assembly of the holy ones! 6 For who in the skies can be compared to the Lord? Who among the heavenly beings is like the Lord, 7 a God greatly to be feared in the council of the holy ones, and awesome above all who are around him?

THIS SUPERNATURAL VIEW OF THE CREATION (HEAVENS/EARTH) IS NOT ONLY A GENESIS OR OT THING - ITS A BIBLE THING.

IT IS CENTRAL TO THE STORY LINE OF SCRIPTURE AND TO THE BIRTH, LIFE, DEATH AND RESURRECTION OF JESUS.

WE'RE ALL FAMILIAR WITH PAUS STATEMENT IN EPH 6 AND I'M GOING TO GET THERE BUT LET'S LOOK AT EPHESIANS AS A WHOLE.

Ephesians 1:15–21 ESV

15 For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, 16 I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, 18 having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might 20 that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.

Ephesians 3:7–10 ESV

7 Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God’s grace, which was given me by the working of his power. 8 To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9 and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things, 10 so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.

MYSTERY HIDDEN. HIDDEN FROM WHO??? THE POWERS

1 Corinthians 2:6–8 ESV

6 Yet among the mature we do impart wisdom, although it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to pass away. 7 But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glory. 8 None of the rulers of this age understood this, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

Ephesians 6:10–18 ESV

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,

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