The “Generations” Of Creation - Page - 3 –
The “Generations” Of Creation - Page - 3 –
The “Generations” Of Creation - Page - 3 –
Introduction:
We are dividing our studies in the first twelve chapters of Genesis according to the occurrence of the word “generations.” The usage of this word highlights our human ancestry, but it also loosely marks the various dispensations or the historical ages recorded and identified in Genesis 1-12. Let us consider then these lessons dealing with Historical Beginnings and Human Begettings.
gen·er·a·tion (jµn”…-r³“sh…n) n. 1. All of the offspring that are at the same stage of descent from a common ancestor: Mother and daughters represent two generations. 2. Biology. A form or stage in the life cycle of an organism. 3. The average interval of time between the birth of parents and the birth of their offspring. 4.a. A group of individuals born and living about the same time. b. A group of generally contemporaneous individuals regarded as having common cultural or social characteristics and attitudes: “They're the television generation” (Roger Enrico). 5.a. A period of sequential technological development and innovation. b. A class of objects derived from a preceding class: a new generation of computers. 6. The act or process of generating; origination, production, or procreation. --gen·er·a“tion·al adj.
(Genesis 2:4)
These are the generations of the heavens and of the earth
when they were created, in the day that
the LORD God made the earth and the heavens.
Little Jacob, known for his tall tales, told a teacher one morning how he had caught 8,000 fish over the weekend. Determined to teach him a lesson, the teacher topped his tale by saying a 1,200-pound bear had torn the top off of her car that morning and was reaching in to grab her, when a two pound dog attacked the bear and killed it. “Yes,” little Jacob nodded, “that was my dog. He's killed four bears so far this week, and that one makes the fifth.”
As much as the Bible's account of creation might sound like some tall tale, especially to an unbeliever, it is anything but that. In fact, one mathematician estimated that the chances of Moses coming up with this story on his own or by accident was one chance in 31 sextillion (31 followed by 21 zeros).
This record is, in truth, the product of Divine Revelation. This Revelation of Creation must be received and understood by faith. (Hebrews 11:3) Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. As time after time, “God said” (Gen. 1:3,6,9,11,14,20,24,26), it is revealed that His word formed our world! There are six days recorded in the Creation chronology of Genesis 1. Let’s summarize the creative events under three headings. First:
1. The Creation Of The Habitat
Genesis 1:1-19
A. Out Of Darkness vs. 2-5
Darkness was upon the face of the deep
1. The Declaration Of Light Let there be light: and there was light
2. The Division Of Light God divided the light from the darkness
Cf. Genesis 1:14-19
3. The Designation Of Light God called the light Day...
B. Out Of Disorder vs. 2,6-10
The earth was without form
without form – [Hebrew tohuw] from an unused root meaning to lie waste; a desolation (of surface), i.e. desert; figuratively a worthless thing; in vain. Rendered elsewhere as “confusion, empty place, nothing, (thing of) nought, vain, vanity, waste, wilderness.”
“When we consider the earth without form and void, methinks it is like the valley full of dead and dry bones (Ezekiel 37:9). Can these live? Can this confused mass of matter be formed into a beautiful world? Yes, if a spirit of life from God enter into it.” (Matthew Henry)
Like a mother hen moves over her young in the nest, so the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters (Genesis 1:2).
(Deuteronomy 32:11) As an eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young, spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them, beareth them on her wings:
The word “fluttereth” in Deuteronomy 32:11 is the same word as the word “moved” in Genesis 1:2.
(Revelation 4:11) Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.
1. Global Structure Is Established vs. 6-8
2. Ground Structure Is Established vs. 9-10
C. Out Of Deadness vs. 2,11-13
The earth was ... void
void – [Hebrew bohuw] from an unused root meaning to be empty; a vacuity, an undistinguishable ruin. Rendered elsewhere as “emptiness.”
1. Basic Plant Life Comes Forth grass
2. Bountiful Plant Life Comes Forth the herb, the fruit tree
2. The Creation Of The Herds
Genesis 1:20-25
A. Aquatic Herds – The Fish vs. 20-22
1. The Underwater Mammals whales
whales – [Hebrew tanniyn] (Ezek. 29 : 3) a marine or land monster, i.e. sea-serpent or jackal. Rendered elsewhere as “dragon, sea-monster, and serpent.”
2. The Underwater Myriads
every living creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly
B. Aerial Herds – The Fowl vs. 20-22
1. The Meaning Of Fowl winged fowl
fowl – [Hebrew 'owph] a bird (as covered with feathers, or rather as covering with wings), often used collectively. Rendered elsewhere as “bird, that flieth, flying.”
2. The Multiplication Of Fowl
(Genesis 1:22) And God blessed them, saying, Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let fowl multiply in the earth.
C. Agrarian Herds – The Flocks vs. 24-25
1. Cattle (Domesticated Animals)
2. Creeping Things (Possibly Reptiles & Insects)
3. Creatures Beasts (Wild Animals)
Scientists have classified millions of different species of animals including more than 800,000 different kinds of insects, 30,000 kinds of fish, 9,000 kinds of birds, 6,000 kinds of reptiles, 3,000 kinds of amphibians, and 5,000 kinds of mammals. (John Phillips)
GOD MADE THEM ALL!
3. The Creation Of The Human
Genesis 1:26 – 2:25
A. Making Man – A Limited Summary 1:26-27,28-31
1. Formed In Perfection in our image
2. Formed In Power let them have dominion
3. Formed In A Pair created He them
B. Making Man – A Living Soul 2:7
1. Consider The Source
God formed man ... and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life;
2. Consider The Sentience a living soul
“This language of Scripture does not suggest that man bore physical resemblance to God. Rather, he was made like God in spiritual powers. To him were given the powers to think and feel, to communicate with others, to discern and discriminate, and, to a certain extent, to determine his own character.” (The Wycliffe Bible Commentary)
In this regard, man was made distinctively different from the beasts of the field.
3. Consider The Savior
(1 Corinthians 15:45) And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.
While Adam possessed a life force within him, the last Adam – Christ – possessed the force of life within him. Adam was a living being – Christ was a life-giving being!
C. Making Man – A Loving Spouse 2:18-25
1. The Prompting Of This Divinely Established Relationship
(Genesis 2:18) And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.
2. The Principles Of This Divinely Established Relationship
(Genesis 2:24) Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.
Leaving & Cleaving
3. The Purity Of This Divinely Established Relationship
(Genesis 2:25) And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.
Conclusion:
When Charles Simeon, the great evangelical scholar from Cambridge was on his deathbed, his biographer relates that at one point, “he looked around with one of his bright smiles and asked, ‘What do you think especially gives me comfort at this time? The creation! Did Jehovah create the world or did I? I think He did; now if He made the world, He can sufficiently take care of me!’”
The “Generations” Of Creation - Page - 3 –