Genesis 1

Genesis 1:1-31

Genesis 1:1-31 Part I. The History of the Human Race as a Whole (Genesis 1-11) Let us recall in this connection that these chapters are a background for the introduction of God’ s method, purpose, and dealing with the chosen race, the children of Israel. I. The Relation of God to the World (Genesis 1:1-31) We are not interested, in our present study, in the question as to how this record came, whether it was directly revealed to Moses by God, or came to the hands of Moses by way of tradition. The inspiration of the Scriptures vouches for the accuracy of the record, whether that record came by direct revelation, or is recorded from previously existing material. In our study of Genesis, we are assuming the inspiration of the Scriptures. This chapter gives the account of the construction, or preparation of the earth as a dwelling place for the human race. How wonderful are these preparations! The second day’ s creation did not take place until the first day had all been prepared for it, and so with each succeeding day. The animals were not made until the vegetation had been prepared for them. Man was not made until everything was in preparation for his appearance. Notice each day’ s preparation for what followed, and then remember that all this was for man.

If the future be as momentous in its reality as the past was in its preparation, then we may ask, What is man? What kind of a being is he that God should make such wonderful preparations as this for him? The psalmist says: “ What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels” (literally, a little less than God). I am not a creature of blind mechanical forces. I am the child of my heavenly Father.

What a beautiful world this must have been! It is said that the creation was good “ to look upon.” God made everything beautiful in its season. We are told that Christ has gone into the heavens to prepare mansions for us. How beautiful those mansions must be! It is not our purpose to set forth the relation between these early chapters of Genesis and the results of geology. It may be sufficient for us to say that the more clearly defined and conclusively stated the results of science are, the nearer they come to the truth of this chapter. Professor Dana of Yale is quoted as saying that not one definitely ascertained fact of science is contrary to Scripture. It is impossible to account for the harmony between true science and Genesis 1:1-31 except on the theory of divine inspiration, so free is the Genesis account from conflict with science. The God of the Word and the world is one and the same. All seeming difficult and impossible things in this chapter are made clear when we remember that God the Almighty is the actor in the scene. It may be for this very reason that the name of God occurs as many as forty-six times in the account of creation (Genesis 1:1-31; Genesis 2:1-3). Genesis is a book for the man of God and faith. There are questions here that neither science nor reason can answer; questions that can receive a full and complete answer only when understood by that higher reason-faith. It is interesting to note the distinction the writer of Genesis makes between the words “ create” and “ make.” The word “ create” means to bring a thing into existence out of nothing, the introduction of a new thing-as distinguished from the word “ made,” which refers to the making of a new thing out of existing material. “ Create” is used in a unique sense three times in this chapter: In Genesis 1:1-31, dealing with the creation of the original heavens and earth; in Genesis 1:21, in describing the creation of animals, in contrast with plant life; and in Genesis 1:27, in describing the creation of man, as contrasted with the beasts of the field. It is remarkable to note in this connection that scientists are not able to find the missing link between plant and animal life, and between animal and man. The question may be asked whether there is any such thing as a missing link in this case, and whether the use of this word at these two strategic places does not indicate that God inaugurated a new order of things which cannot be accounted for by evolutionary processes. Genesis is a book dealing with foundation facts primarily. Only such questions as concern the facts with which a man finds himself surrounded are dealt with: How did this world come into being? What is man? How did sin find its entrance into the human race! What provision is made for sin’ s disaster? One cannot consider these matters without again asking himself the question, If the future be as momentous in results as the past was in preparation, is it not exceedingly important that we manifest some interest in participating in the blessed results? The creation of man is the crowning act of this chapter. He is described as being “ created in the image and likeness of God” (Genesis 1:26-27). “ Image” means the shadow or outline of a figure, while “ likeness” denotes the resemblance of that shadow to the figure. These two words are practically synonymous. We may express the language as follows: “ Let us make man in our image to be our likeness.” That man was made in the “ image” and “ likeness” of God is fundamental in all God’ s dealings with man (cf. Genesis 9:6; 1 Corinthians 11:7; Ephesians 4:21-24; Colossians 3:10; James 3:9). What is the meaning of the term “ image and likeness?” Are we to understand that God has parts and passions as a man, and that these terms designate physical likeness? Deuteronomy 4:15 contradicts such a physical view of God: “ Take ye therefore good heed unto yourselves; for ye saw no manner of similitude on the day that the Lord spake unto you in Horeb out of the midst of the fire.” Nor does Psalms 17:15 denote physical likeness to God, for the Revised Version makes the verse read: “ I shall be satisfied when I awake with beholding thy form.” It is fair, however, to believe that erectness of posture, intelligence of countenance, and a quick glancing eye characterized the first man. The terms “ image and likeness” are interpreted in Bible language as referring to moral, intellectual, and spiritual qualities: “ knowledge, righteousness, and holiness of truth” (Ephesians 4:23-24; Colossians 3:10). Probably dominion, authority over the rest of God’ s creation is involved in “ image and likeness” (1 Corinthians 11:7).