Creation: God Gives Us Life

1
Creation God Gives Us Life

• Genesis 1 and 2
• Thursday, February 02, 2017

2
Genesis chapters 1 and 2 tell us of Gods intent
to enter into a covenantal relationship
(communion) with man.

1. Genesis 1 and 2 uses poetic language to describe
   Gods purpose in creation.
2. While using poetic language, the account of
   Genesis is rooted in history.

3
2. Chapter 1 of Genesis describes the purpose
for creation.

• God creates the heavens and the earth, but He
  does so in an incomplete manner. This
  incompleteness is shown in that the earth is
• Formless it has no shape.
• Void (wasteland) it has no life (v. 2).

4
Chapter 1 of Genesis describes the purpose for
creation.

• The first three days of creation address the
  problem of formlessness, creating realms.
• On the first day, God creates time,
• On the second day, God creates space.
• On the third day, God creates life.

5
2. Chapter 1 of Genesis describes the purpose
for creation.

• The second three days of creation address the
  problem of void. These are the rulers over the
  realms.
• On the fourth day, God creates the sun, moon and
  the stars to rule the realm of time (v. 14-19).
• On the fifth day, God creates birds and fish to
  rule space, that is, land and sea (v. 20-23).

6
2. Chapter 1 of Genesis describes the purpose
for creation.

• The second three days of creation address the
  problem of void. These are the rulers over the
  realms.
• On the sixth day, God creates living creatures
  and man, to rule over life (v. 24-26).

7
2. Chapter 1 of Genesis describes the purpose
for creation.

• God singles out male and female as the high point
  of His creation, creating them in His image and
  likeness, calling them
• To be fruitful and multiply.
• To fill and subdue the earth.

8
2. Chapter 1 of Genesis describes the purpose
for creation.

• God singles out male and female as the high point
  of His creation, creating them in His image and
  likeness, calling them
• To have seed bearing plants as their food.
• God found his creation to be very good.

9
2. Chapter 1 of Genesis describes the purpose
for creation.

1. God rested on the seventh day, instituting the
   Sabbath and calling us to rest and worship
   (21-3).

10
Chapter 2 of Genesis describes the purpose of man.

1. God forms man from the material substance of the
   earth (v. 7).

11
Chapter 2 of Genesis describes the purpose of man.

• God placed the man in a garden Eden. Eden
• Was a sanctuary in which man dwelt with God on
  earth.
• Had the tree of life and the tree of knowledge of
  good and evil (v. 9).

12
Chapter 2 of Genesis describes the purpose of man.

• God placed the man in a garden Eden. Eden
• Was plentiful with water, a source of life, and a
  key element in the garden (v. 10).

13
Chapter 2 of Genesis describes the purpose of man.

• God commanded the man to
• Cultivate and take care of the garden (v. 15).
• Not eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and
  evil.

14
Chapter 2 of Genesis describes the purpose of man.

• Mans solitude is not good (v. 18), so God solves
  this by making a partner for him.
• None of the animals were a suitable partner for
  man.
• Only woman, formed from Adams rib, was a
  suitable partner.

15
Chapter 2 of Genesis describes the purpose of man.

• Mans solitude is not good (v. 18), so God solves
  this by making a partner for him.
• God called the man and woman to a one-flesh union
  (v. 24). They were naked, but not ashamed.

16
4. In summary, we have seen in Genesis 1 and 2
that

1. God creates the world for us as a place to work
   with and worship God.
2. God has created out of nothing and everything God
   created was good. 
3. Man and woman are created to be in union with
   each other.

17
4. In summary, we have seen in Genesis 1 and 2
that

• God established a covenant in Creation to mark
  His relationship with humanity. The
  characteristics of Gods covenant with Adam are
• Mediator (the person as the representative of
  Gods covenant) Adam.
• Form (the size of the covenant) Marriage.
• Sign (the action or symbol of the covenant)
  Sabbath.

18
Gods Covenants Throughout Salvation History
From Dr. Scott Hahn, A Father Who Keeps His
Promises
Adam
Covenant Mediator
Covenant Role
1. Husband
Covenant Form
2. Marriage
Covenant Sign
3. Sabbath
19
(No Transcript)
20
For Discussion

• Man works because God works work is one way in
  which we bear the image and likeness of God.
  What difference can that truth make in the work
  that keeps you busy each day?
• Beauty in the Garden of Eden was a testimony to
  the goodness of God in His Creation. How does
  beauty in nature help you to know God?
•  
• To be fully human, as God designed us, we must
  freely choose to do good, not evil. Have you
  ever wished God had given us less freedom? Why?