Doc Notes Gleanings from Genesis Lesson 2 part 1

Gleanings from Genesis Lesson 2 part 1

Dear Gentle Reader,

Last time we saw that the dominant idea of the Book of Genesis is the sovereignty of God. We noted that the Book falls in two main parts the first part we have four outstanding events: The creation, The Fall, The flood, the Babel dispersion. The second part we have four outstanding persons Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph. Now let us briefly review the four super events of part one.

The Creation

First we go back to Chapters 1 & 2 to that transcendent initial event The Creation. In the opening verse of the book we read In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. (Gen 1:1) Heaven and earth have not existed from all eternity, but had a beginning; nor did they arise by emanation from an absolute substance, but were created by God. This sentence, which stands at the head of the records of revelation, is not a mere heading, nor a summary of the history of the creation, but a declaration of the primeval act of God, by which the universe was called into being.

This is not a human theory it is a Divine “testimony” In Psalm 93:5 we read “Thy testimonies are very sure: holiness becometh thine house, O LORD, for ever”. (Psa 93:5) the Word of God testifies concerning truths which are above the unaided intelligence of man, and beyond the farthest reach of human investigation. Genesis 1:1 is the first such “testimony” There is a difference between a theory and a “testimony” or “witness” A theory deals the interpretation of facts. A witness deals with the facts themselves. It is vital to realize that this opening verse of Scripture is not merely the first postulate of a human philosophy, but the first testimony of a Divine revelation. It is the first great truth which god would man to know. [hence while not the oldest book written, Job is much older, Genesis because of what God wants known comes first] Man could not know this great truth apart from Divine revelation. We accept it as such, believing with the psalmist that “ . . . the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. (Psa 19:7).

We should also notice that this testimony from our Creator stands sublime in its simplicy. There is no definition of God, no description of creation, and no declaration of date. Positive and complete in itself, it leaves room for all subsequent development in Scripture and all discovery by Science. It is axiomatic. As geometry is built upon certain axiomatic truths, so the one foundation axiom of the Bible is laid down in its first sentence.

Many today profess disbelief in miracles, accept this first sentence of Scripture and there will be little difficulty in accepting all the miracles that follow; for the less are included in the greater. Note also in this first basal pronouncement of Scripture there is a denial of all the principal false philosophies which men have propounded.

“ In the beginning God” - that denies Atheism with its doctrine of no God.

“In the beginning God” - that denies Polytheism * with its doctrine of many gods.

“In the beginning God created” - that denies Fatalism with its doctrine of chance.

“In the beginning God created” - that denies Evolution with its doctrine of infinite becoming.

“God created the heaven and the earth” - that denies Pantheism which makes God and the universe identical.

“God created the heaven and the earth” - that denies Materialism which asserts the eternity of matter.

This first “testimony” of Jehovah is not only a declaration of Divine truth , but a repudiation of human error. In closing this first verse we might point out several other things which will put you one up on most ministers. Verse one in Aramaic reads this way “God created the heavens and the earth in the very beginning” Aramaic is considered the “authentic” Scripture language by the Eastern Orthodox Church.

In the Hebrew Genesis is called Bereshith “in (the) beginning” . Genesis is Greek = generation, creation.

The Law on the number 7 which appears throughout the entire Bible first occurs in Genesis 1:1 and in Hebrew this first verse has 7 letters. The 7 words contain 28 letters (4x7). The first object “the heavens” has 7 letters and the second object “the earth has seven letters. The only other verse in the Pentateuch which has 7 words of 28 letters is Exodus 20: 5:1, which begins the ten Commandments. The Law of seven may also be recognized in Physics, Astronomy, Geology, Colour, Music, Botany and Medicine. It links heaven and earth, and testifies to the Divine inspiration of the Scriptures.

Could any one of the greatest scientists either ancient or modern, make in 7 words a statement of corresponding grandeur with that of the first verse of the Bible and exhibit in its structure the same mysterious force and beauty of this mystic number?

* Note: I am aware that some more advanced students will point out that The word God in our English translation is Singular while in the Hebrew the word with that we translate as God Elohim is in the plural. Our brother Rabbi Del and his lovely partner have covered this issue in a previous post. So I will not cover that issue here. Elohim occurs 2.700 times. Its first occurrence connects it with creation, and give it its essential meaning as the Creator. It indicates His relation to mankind as His creatures (see 2 Chron. 18:31, where it stands in contrast with Jehovah as indicating covenant relationship). 'Elohim is God the Son, the living "WORD" with creature form to create (John 1:1. Col. 1:15-17. Rev. 3:14); and later, with human form to redeem (John 1:14). "Begotten of His Father before all worlds; born of His mother, in the world." In this creature form He appeared to the Patriarchs, a form not temporarily assumed. 'Elohim is indicated "God".

Rather than make you wait any longer (for me to finish on verse two quite interesting) here is verse one for your study pleasure or head scratching which ever come first. Enjoy while I work on putting verse two in some semblance of order for you to begin to understand. If I have not pointed it out before this will not be a verse by verse examination of the Bible (I won’t live that long) but an over view with stops along the way (we’ll call them “rest stops” ) to examine particular points of reference with which you may at a later time want to refer. Also you might want to download these studies for future reference.

Cheers,

Denis