From Chaos to Order Gen 1: Day One

Out of the immense universe, God choose this earth for something Special.

From Chaos to Order Genesis 1:2-5 (NET) 2 Now the earth was without shape and empty, and darkness was over the surface of the watery deep, but the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the water. 3 God said, “Let there be light.” And there was light! 4 God saw that the light was good, so God separated the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light “day” and the darkness “night.” There was evening, and there was morning, marking the first day.

I. The Condition of the Earth Genesis 1:2a Now the earth was without shape and empty, and darkness was over the surface of the watery deep,... A.It was without form (תֹּהוּ / tohû) and void (בֹּהוּ / bohû) These words will later be used as conditions following judgement, leading some to teach this in this verse (Gap Theory). B.Darkness covered the face of the deep

II. The Participation of the Spirit. Genesis 1:2a (NET) … but the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the water. –Spirit of God רוּחַ (rûa ḥ ) – wind or Spirit –Moving רָחַף (rā∙ ḥ ǎp ̄ ) means to hover, shake or quiver Jeremiah 23:9 Here is what the Lord says concerning the false prophets: My heart and my mind are deeply disturbed. I tremble all over. I am like a drunk person, like a person who has had too much wine, because of the way the Lord and his holy word are being mistreated. Deuteronomy 32:11 Like an eagle that stirs up its nest, that hovers over its young, so the Lord spread out his wings and took him, he lifted him up on his pinions. Genesis 41:38 So Pharaoh asked his officials, “Can we find a man like Joseph, one in whom the Spirit of God is present?” Exodus 31:3 and I have filled him with the Spirit of God in skill, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all kinds of craftsmanship, 2 Chronicles 24:20 God’s Spirit energized Zechariah son of Jehoiada the priest. He stood up before the people and said to them, “This is what God says: ‘Why are you violating the commands of the Lord? You will not be prosperous! Because you have rejected the Lord, he has rejected you!’”

III. God’s word brings light. Genesis 1:3 God said, “Let there be light.” And there was light! –The Word of God is an active Participant in the Creation –Light without a sun –Light sets the stage for life. John 1:1-3 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was fully God. 2 The Word was with God in the beginning. 3 All things were created by him, and apart from him not one thing was created that has been created. John 1:4-5 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of mankind. 5 And the light shines on in the darkness, but the darkness has not mastered it. Isaiah 60: The sun will no longer supply light for you by day, nor will the moon’s brightness shine on you; the Lord will be your permanent source of light – the splendor of your God will shine upon you. 20 Your sun will no longer set; your moon will not disappear; the Lord will be your permanent source of light; your time of sorrow will be over.

IV. God declares the light good. Genesis 1:4a God saw that the light was good, … –Saw means to “reflect on”, “surveyed”. God makes a judgement. Celebrating his work –Light is the antithesis of darkness –Without light there is only Chaos. –What God sees as conducive to life is good.

V. God separates the light from darkness. Genesis 1:4b …so God separated the light from the darkness. –Separation and distinctiveness critical in Creation (light from darkness, waters above from waters below, day and night, after their kind). Law of nature Jewish Law (clean from the unclean, the holy from the profane, Holy place from the Most Holy place) –There is a preference for the light.

VI. God defines day. Genesis 1:5 God called the light “day” and the darkness “night.” There was evening, and there was morning, marking the first day. –He Called = He named An act of sovereignty to be shared later with man. –Called darkness “Night” – sovereign over darkness –Called light “day” The formula “There was evening… suggests a tweenty-four hour day. The use of “day,” “night,” “morning,” “evening,” “years,” and “seasons.” When the Hebrew word יוֹם (yom) is used with a numerical adjective, it refers to a literal day. The commandment to keep the sabbath clearly favors this interpretation. One is to work for six days and then rest on the seventh, just as God did when he worked at creation.

God Creates us out of Chaos We are all –without form –and void, –living in Darkness. The Spirit of God must move over us, preparing the for: God to declare, “Let there be light.”