Only the beginning, only just the start… Creation Creation of man The Fall The Flood The Tower of Babel Genesis 1-11 The story of the lives of four men Genesis 12-50

The purpose of the Bible To explain God’s attempt to establish His kingdom on earth.

Genesis – the Purpose To explain Israel’s beginning and purpose in the establishment of God’s rule on earth.

Genesis – The Structure Genesis is divided by markers in different sections, each highlighted by a certain Hebrew word.

Genesis – The Structure This word can be translated with the phrase, “What became of…”

Genesis – The Outline I.Early Events (1:1-11:26) A. Creation of the Heavens and the Earth (1:1-2:3) B. What became of the heavens and the earth (2:4-4:26) 1. The creation of the man and the woman (2:4-25) 2. The fall of the man and the woman (Ch. 3) 3. The fall spreads: the account of Cain and Abel (4: The fall continues to spread throughout civilization (4:17-26)

Genesis – The Outline I.Early Events (1:1-11:26) A. Creation of the Heavens and the Earth (1:1-2:3) B. What became of the heavens and the earth (2:4-4:26) C. What became of Adam (5:1-6:8) 1. The genealogy of Adam to Noah (Ch. 5) 2. The corruption of mankind (6:1-8)

Genesis – The Outline I.Early Events (1:1-11:26) A. Creation of the Heavens and the Earth (1:1-2:3) B. What became of the heavens and the earth (2:4-4:26) C. What became of Adam (5:1-6:8) D. What became of Noah (6:9-9:29) 1. The judgment of mankind by the flood (6:9-8:22) 2. The covenant to Noah about life and nature (9:1-17) 3. The shamelessness of Ham, the curse upon Canaan (9:18-29)

dosed

Genesis 1 – Three key elements - #1

Genesis 1:1-2 – Reading it right The “beginning” is the beginning of creation.

Genesis 1:1 – Reading it right There is more than one legitimate way to read this chapter.

Genesis 1:1 – Reading it right - #1 The traditional approach sees this as the initial creation of the universe in general, and the earth in particular.

Genesis 1:1 – Reading it right - #2 Another view sees v. 1 as a summary title.

Genesis 1:2 – Reading it right - #2 Verse 2 talks about the chaos on the earth.

Genesis 1:3f. – Reading it right - #2 Verse 3 begins a description of God setting the chaos on the earth right.

Genesis 1:1-2 – Reading it right - #2 In this view, or variations of it, a “gap” is often seen after the initial creation.

Genesis 1:1-2 – Reading it right - #2 Since Satan has already become Lucifer in Ch. 3 and since the world is a “mess”, the chapter opens with God getting the world ready for us after an angelic battle.

Genesis 1:1-2 – Reading it right - #2 If the latter view is accurate, as some Jewish and Christian students of the Word believe, it is possible the earth is older than humanity.

Genesis 1 – Reading it right Either view normally understands that: 1)God created the universe out of nothing 2)God set about to prepare the earth for humanity’s habitation

Genesis 1 – God What is being taught is that God is the sovereign Creator of the universe and specifically, the earth.

Genesis 1 – God He is the one who has created what others worship as god.

Genesis 1 – The basis for the Law Since He is the Lord, He is to be obeyed above all other so-called gods.

Genesis 1 – The basis for the Law Since He made man as His image (not “in”), it is silly to make an image of Him!

Genesis 1 – The basis for the Law Since we are the image of God, we should do as He does, as in resting.

Genesis 1:3f. God brings the world out of chaos God turns darkness to light God transforms cursing to blessing, evil to good God makes what is unlivable a home for us Man, later in the book, does the opposite

Genesis 1:3f. Each of the first six days involves… Decree Creation Evaluation and Time notation

Genesis 1:3f. Notice that each is presented as a 24 hour day. “Evening and morning…”

Day 1 (1:3-5) The separation of darkness and light “Darkness and light” consistently represent good and evil in OT writings.

Day 1 (1:3-5) The separation of darkness and light God brought darkness on the Egyptians while Israel enjoyed light in their homes Light led them through the wilderness The Minora reminded them of the truth that God was their Light.

Day 1 (1:3-5) The separation of darkness and light Only God can bring light into our lives and we have to decide whether or not to obey His word.

Day 2 (1:6-8) The separation of the firmament It appears that, prior to this, there had been a dense, moist environment.

Day 3 (1:9-13) Land and Vegetation God establishes the boundaries of the earth and cycles for vegetation.

Day 4 (1:14-19) The light-bearers The sun, moon, and stars, were created by God, not to be followed for direction nor worshipped.

Day 4 (1:14-19) The light-bearers It appears that, following the initial creation, there may have been a progressive element to the development of the universe.

Day 5 (1:20-23) Creatures of the sea and air We are not sure what is meant by “great creatures”, but they were not meant to be worshipped for their “greatness”; God is to be worshipped for the majesty of His creation.

Day 6 (1:24-29) Land creatures and mankind In this climactic chapter of creation, land creatures and man are made.

Day 6 (1:24-29) Land creatures and mankind People are made “as” or “in essence as” God. This is only true of humans.

Day 6 (1:24-29) Land creatures and mankind Human beings are set apart as special by the image of God.

Day 6 (1:24-29) Land creatures and mankind Only humans share God’s nature.

Day 6 (1:27-28) Humanity’s destiny The purpose of the creation of human beings was for them to rule the earth as God’s co-regents.

Day 6 (1:27-28) Humanity’s destiny We were to represent God by ruling over the earth. Psalm 8; 110

Day 6 (1:27-28) Humanity’s destiny While our failures limit our ability to rule, Christ regained that for us and we can again fully realize God’s purposes through Him. Heb. 2:5f.

Genesis 1:3f. Revisited Each of the first six days involves… Decree Creation Evaluation and Time notation

Genesis 2:1-3 The Seventh Day is different. There is no time notation. It should have lasted forever.

Genesis 2:1-3 Now, the book picks up “What became of the heavens and the earth”.

Genesis 2:1-3 Now, the book discusses the interjection of man.

Subject In the beginning (the Genesis record) The new beginning (the Revelation record) Day - 1 Creation The world was without form and void, and it was dark Genesis 1:2 He makes all things new Revelation 21:5 Day - 1 Light He created it Genesis 1:3 He is the light Revelation 21:23 Day - 1 Darkness He divided night and day, end of 1st day Genesis 1:5 There is no darkness in the city Revelation 21:25 Revelation 22:5 Day - 2 Water He divided the firmament on the 2nd day of creation and then created the seas. Genesis 1:7-10 There is no sea. Revelation 21:1 Day - 3 Vegetation Grass, herbs, seed, fruit trees were the 3rd day of creation. Genesis 1:11-13 The tree of life giving its fruit and leaves for the healing of the nations. Revelation 22:2

Subject In the beginning (the Genesis record) The new beginning (the Revelation record) Day – 4 Heavenly Bodies The stars, moon, and sun for seasons were the 4th day of creation. Genesis 1:14-19 There is no sun or moon. The fruit from the tree of life is the indicator of time by months. Revelation 21:23 Revelation 22:5 Revelation 22:2 Day - 5 Fish and Fowl Fill the air and sea, the 5th day of creation. Genesis 1:20-23 No record is presented Day - 6 Living Creatures, Man and Food Created man to have dominion over the fish, fowl, and every thing with life that moves upon the earth, the 6th day of creation. Genesis 1:27-31 Man’s role is to serve God and to be identified with him. Revelation 22:3-4 Copyright (c) 2001, 2005, 2008, J.E. Huntley. All rights reserved. last edited August 2013

Spiritual state Testing, with the existence of potential sin within the Genesis creation and the presence of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Genesis 2:9 He that over comes shall inherit all things, and those written in the Lamb’s book of life will enter into the new city. Revelation 21:7 Revelation 21:27 Rivers One flowed from Eden, and part into four rivers; Pison, Gihon, Hiddekel, and the Euphrates. Genesis 2:10-14 A pure river of life, clear as crystal, flows from the throne of God, through the city, and past the tree of life. Revelation 22:1-2 Man’s purpose Man was put in Eden to dress and keep it, and to be fruitful and multiply, to subdue and have dominion over the earth. Genesis 2:15 Genesis 1:28 His servants shall serve him. Revelation 22:3 And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him:

Physical presence of God Not 100%. The Lord was not present during the testing and fall of Adam and Eve. Genesis 3: % of the time. The tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them. Revelation 21:3 Curse God cursed the serpent, the woman, and the man Genesis 3:14-19 No more tears, death, sorrow, crying, pain, or curse. Revelation 21:4 Revelation 22:3 Access to the tree of life and river of life Man first had free access to the tree of life, until he sinned and was denied access. This prevented man from living in a sinful condition for eternity. Instead, we look forward to the promises made by Jesus concerning renewed fellowship with him, our new bodies, and a new creation. Genesis 3:21-24 Blessed are they that do his commandments that they may have the right to the tree of life. Revelation 22:12-14 Revelation 22:16-17