Genesis 1:1-1:25

Key Verse 1:1

"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth."

Memorize v. 1. What does "In the beginning" refer to? (Ps 90:2; 102:25-27) What did God do? Why is the word "created" significant? Why is it important for us to know that God created all things? (Isa 44:24)

Before the mountains were born  or you brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.(Ps90:2)

In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth,  and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you remain;they will all wear out like a garment.Like clothing you will change themand they will be discarded. But you remain the same, and your years will never end.(Ps 102:25-27)

“This is what the Lord says—  your Redeemer, who formed you in the womb:I am the Lord,  the Maker of all things, who stretches out the heavens,  who spreads out the earth by myself,(Isa 44:24)

Read v. 2. What was the state of things before God spoke? What was the Spirit of God doing? (Ps 104:30)

When you send your Spirit,   they are created,  and you renew the face of the ground(Ps 104:30)

How many times do you find the phrases "and God said...and it was so"? How did God create the world?(Heb 11:3). What does this suggest about God? About his word? (Ps 33:6-9; Jn 1:1-3, Gen.17:1)

By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.(Heb 11:3)

By the word of the Lord the heavens were made,   their starry host by the breath of his mouth.⁷ He gathers the waters of the sea into jars^[a]; he puts the deep into storehouses. Let all the earth fear the Lord;  let all the people of the world revere him. For he spoke, and it came to be;he commanded, and it stood firm.(Ps 33:6-9)

When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to himand said, “I am God Almighty^[a]; walk before me faithfully and be blameless.(Gen 17:1)

Read vs. 3-31 and draw a diagram showing what was created each day. In the 6 days of creation, is there any external or internal order? What can we learn here?

Find the verses in which the phrase 'according to their kinds' is repeated. What are the things that were created according to their kinds? What can we learn about God?

Find the verses in which the phrase 'And God saw that it was good' is repeated. What does this expression teach us about the purpose of God's creation?

Genesis 1:1-1:25

Key Verse 1:1

"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth."

1. Memorize v. 1. What does "In the beginning" refer to? (Ps 90:2; 102:25-27) What did God do? Why is the word "created" significant? Why is it important for us to know that God created all things? (Isa 44:24)

Before the mountains were born  or you brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.(Ps90:2)

In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth,  and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. Like clothing you will change them and they will be discarded. But you remain the same, and your years will never end.(Ps 102:25-27)

“This is what the Lord says—  your Redeemer, who formed you in the womb:I am the Lord,  the Maker of all things, who stretches out the heavens,  who spreads out the earth by myself,(Isa 44:24)

• In the beginning: the starting point of the time and space, the starting point of the universe and history.

-Before the beginning of time there was none but God who inhabits in eternity. God exists from everlasting to everlasting.

Before the mountains were born  or you brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.(Ps90:2)

In the Beginning was the Word. (John 1:1)

In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth,  and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. Like clothing you will change them and they will be discarded. But you remain the same, and your years will never end.(Ps 102:25-27)

-God remains forever. God remains the same.

• The heavens and the earth:

1. The heavens: In Hebrew, "Shamayim" meaning, first the visible universe (the space) and second, the invisible heavens where the celestial bodies abide.

2. The earth: In Hebrew, "Erets", meaning "the whole earth" as opposed to a part, or "the earth" as opposed to heaven. So it refers to the earth we live on.

So the heavens and the earth refer to both the universe and the earth, both spiritual world and physical world.

• Created: In Hebrew, there are two words, which have the meaning of making.

1. Bara: It is to make something from nothing. This word is used only with God. (v1,21,27)

2. Asah: It is to make something from other resources. (v16, 25,26)

3. Yachal : It is to form a new thing for certain purpose from other resources(2:7.9)

• It shows that God is the One who created everything from nothing. Through and for Him everything was created from nothing, and now we use what God created as resources.

• Verse 1 is very important.

First, it is the major premise of the Bible. The Bible was written based on Gen.1:1. So unless we accept Gen.1:1, we cannot know or understand the rest parts of the Bible.

Second, God who created the heavens and the earth is the Creator. Knowing God as the Creator is so important. There are many religions and gods in the world. But God whom we believe is the Creator 1 Cor. 8:5,6.

"For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as indeed there are many "gods" and many "lords"). yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live."

Third, God is the Almighty - God's name in Hebrew in Genesis 1 is "Elohim" meaning a God of power. God created everything from nothing by his almighty power. Nothing is impossible with God.

Fourth, when we know God as the Creator, we can establish a right relationship with God. He is the Creator, and we are creatures

1. We must thank God who created us because He is the cause of our existence, and the cause of everything that are there in the universe.

2. We must know, `Why he created us' and live according to his creation purpose. Here, as God's creatures, we find two obligations. One is to struggle hard to know why he created us. The other is to struggle hard to live according to it. It is sin not to make proper struggle to know God's purpose upon our lives.

2. Read v. 2. What was the state of things before God spoke? What was the Spirit of God doing? (Ps 104:30)

When you send your Spirit,   they are created, and you renew the face of the ground(Ps 104:30)

• It was a heavy mass, which everything including water, gas and land and everything were mixed together.

1. There was nothing in it desirable to be seen, for it was without form and empty. It was shapeless, it was useless, it was without inhabitants, without ornaments, the shadow or rough draught of things to come, and not the image of the things.

2. Darkness was there. Even though there was anything, nothing could be seen because there was no light. God did not create darkness, but it was only the want of light.

3. Of the deep: This expression shows the unlimited potential of this mass. But also it shows its complete chaotic status.

d) It was the embryo of God's creation.

• The Spirit of God was hovering over the waters: The Spirit of God formed the harmonious and beautiful world out of chaos. The Holy Spirit changes chaos into cosmos.

Likewise, when there is no work of the Holy Spirit in man, man's inner life is chaotic, formless, empty and dark. The earth in verse 2 is describing man's life without the work of the Holy Spirit very well. Without the work of the Holy Spirit, one is formless, dark, and empty.

Formlessness: No life frame. They do not have any standard of their moral and their life. They do not know what to do and what not to do. So they mess up their lives with shameful and dirty sins. Their lives are formless.

Empty: no meaning, no content. They find no fulfillment in their hearts no matter what they do. No satisfaction.

Darkness: They do not have clear life direction or purpose. They do not know where they came from and where they are going.

3. How many times do you find the phrases "and God said...and it was so"? How did God create the world?(Heb 11:3). What does this suggest about God? About his word? (Ps 33:6-9; Jn 1:1-3, Gen.17:1)

By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.(Heb 11:3)

By the word of the Lord the heavens were made,   their starry host by the breath of his mouth.⁷ He gathers the waters of the sea into jars^[a]; he puts the deep into storehouses. Let all the earth fear the Lord;  let all the people of the world revere him. For he spoke, and it came to be;he commanded, and it stood firm.(Ps 33:6-9)

When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to himand said, “I am God Almighty^[a]; walk before me faithfully and be blameless.(Gen 17:1)

• “God said”: 3,6,9,11,14,20,24,26,28,29- 10 times

• “And it was so”: 7,9,15,24,30 5 times

• God created everything with his words. When he said, it was done. When he said, "Let there be light", then there was light.

1. God said – God is God of word, God is a person who speaks.

2. God’s word has power of creation. (Det 32:46,47, Is 55:11, Jer 23:28,29)

⁴⁶ he said to them, “Take to heart all the words I have solemnly declared to you this day, so that you may commandyour children to obey carefully all the words of this law. ⁴⁷ They are not just idle words for you—they are your life. By them you will live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to possess.” (Det 32:46,47,)

so is my word that goes out from my mouth:    It will not return to me empty,but will accomplish what I desire    and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. (Is 55:11)

²⁸ Let the prophet who has a dream recount the dream, but let the one who has my word speak it faithfully. For what has straw to do with grain?” declares the Lord. ²⁹ “Is not my word like fire,” declares the Lord, “and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces? ( Jer 23:28,29)

– God’s word is not empty, the words are fulfilled absolutely.

- When we believe and obey God’s word, we can experience God’s almighty power.

- We can have hope in the word of God. God can change anyone even someone live in chaos and darkness.

- When we look at ourselves, we have too many serious problems, character-flaws, sin problems and weaknesses. We are too weak to change ourselves. So we despair deeply. But the word of God can create something good in us and change us into holy servants of God. The word of God is our hope.

Heb.4:12. “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joint and marrow; it judge the thoughts and attitude of the heart.”

• We have to remain in the word of God and preach the word in season and out of season

 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. (John 15:7)

Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. ( 2Ti 4:2)

4. Read vs. 3-31 and draw a diagram showing what was created each day. In the 6 days of creation, is there any external or internal order? What can we learn here?

• 1st day: light <---------- 4th: sun, moon and stars

2nd day: sky, and the waters <- 5th: birds and fish

3rd day: land, vegetation <------ 6th: animals and man

• The external order

1. 1,2,3 days are environment to exist for 4,5,6. God created an environment first. Environment is so essential. This shows the importance of environment.

2. From general to specific.

• The internal order (spiritual order): Gen 1:26-28, 2:15-17

All things exist and move around according to the order that God set up. Man should live according to his order. When creatures leave the order, they can be destroyed.

God commands man and man rules over everything on earth, in the air and in the water.

-Night/ day – darkness exist first and night.

-Day : 24 hrs.

-Volt – atmosphere : Protect earth, living creatures can survive due to the atmosphere.

-Water : water on the surface of earth / water in the atmosphere.

-God called each nature and gave names – God’ ownership and Lordship, God is owner of all creatures, God put meaning into each creature. God knows our name personally.

• Lights in the sky, Sun, Moon: Stars show the change of universe, Sun and Moon show time change and distinguish day and night. But they are just creatures, not objects of worship.

• teem with living creatures : “sharatz’ numerous, abundant

• God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the water in the seas, and let the birds increase on the earth.”(1:21)

• Blessing : Be fruitful and increase in number

• Blessing comes from God, God is the source and origin of blessing, God bless us with abundant blessing.

• The fact God created everything with carefully thought out plan.

• It assures us that we are in God's plan. We are here out of God's creation plan not of our parents' plan or of our own plan. It gives us confidence of what's going on. We sometimes do not know why things are happening around us. But one thing is sure that nothing happens by accident to those who are in God's plan.

5. Find the verses in which the phrase 'according to their kinds' is repeated. What are the things that were created according to their kinds? What can we learn about God?

• V11, V12, V21, V24, V25 (5 times)

• Vegetation, Trees, Water teems, Birds, Wild animals.

-Kind ‘remino’- God created living beings according to their kinds. Species didn’t come from one simple or low level kind. Evolution theory is false.

-God is the God of variety. We need to accept God who created each of us and other things differently. It's not easy to accept this difference. But, this is possible only when we accept God's Sovereignty.

6. Find the verses in which the phrase 'And God saw that it was good' is repeated. What does this expression teach us about the purpose of God's creation?

• V4, V10, V12, V18, V21, V25, V31 (7 Times)

• Good – ‘tove’ in Hebrew – it means great(Ps 11:2) awesome(Job 37:14), perfect(Dt 32:4), beautiful(Levi 3:11)

• All creature are good, great, perfect, awesome and beautiful.

• It also means that All creatures were created as God intended. God was satisfied and pleased with his creation.

May the glory of the Lord endure forever; may the Lord rejoice in his works—(Ps 104:31)

• Here, we learn four things.

First, God created things to reveal his glory.

In order to manifest Himself, He created everything perfectly and powerfully. In this way, each of His creatures revealed His almighty power, His eternal wisdom, and His glory. So he was very pleased with them. So he said, "It is very good."

Psalm 19:1 The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

Second, my life purpose is to please God.

What should I do during my life-time on earth? I must struggle hard to please God. I must strive to reveal the glory, power and wisdom of God in my life. For this purpose, we were made, sent and now are here. As the heaven proclaims the glory of its Creator, we must reveal God's glory.

Third, Everything is good before God. each man is the masterpiece of God's power and wisdom.

So each person is very great, perfect and glorious in God's eyes. In each person, God's glory, God's wisdom and God's power is packed fully. So when God sees him, He says, "Wow! Very good! Wonderful! Beautiful!" There cannot be inferiority complex in God-knowing people, who know Genesis chapter 1. No fatalism or defeatism in God's masterpiece.

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.(Ps 139:14)