Genesis
Lesson 2Genesis 1:1-2
We continue our study of Genesis with a look at Chapter 1 and the very beginnings of all of creation. We will consider what it must have been like at the very beginning of creation and truly see God as the God of all creation. We’ll look at Christ’s role and the role of the Holy Spirit, as God’s plan for mankind begins to take shape as He creates the heavens and the earth.
Let’s first read Genesis 1:1-2, and then consider the following:
- Summarize what the "Gap Theory" says about these first two verses in Genesis.
- What does the term "uniformitarianism" refer to?
- According to scripture, when did death enter the world? See Romans 5:12 and 1 Corinthians 15:21.
- In Genesis 1:1-2, we read that the earth was "without form and void". What is another word that we could use for void? What does it mean to say that the earth was "void"?
- We can observe from both creation itself and from scripture, that God is a God of order and not chaos. Consider for a moment that you are getting ready to create something, e.g., a painting, a piece of pottery, or something like a house. First, you would plan out how you would accomplish this, just as God planned creation. What then would be the very next step that you would take before actually creating or building your project? What would you need to do next, once you had the plan? How does this next step compare with Genesis 1:1-2?
- In Genesis 1:2, we read, "Darkness was upon the face of the deep". Some will interpret this to mean that since God is light, this reference to darkness equates Satan’s presence or influence over creation to "darkness7quot;, and that God himself would not have a creation with darkness over the face of the deep. What does scripture say about darkness and God? See Isaiah 45:7.
- What activating power would God use to set creation in motion? See Isaiah 55:11, John 1:1-5, and Colossians 1:15-17.
- The elements now exist as a result of Genesis 1:1-2. God’s Word through Christ will cause creation. What will energize it? (See Genesis 1:2.) And what happens when it does? (See Genesis 1:3.)
In our next lesson, we will explore the point in time that light enters creation. What an awesome thing it is to consider all that was happening during the very beginning of God’s creative work! The creation of the elements and the energizing of these elements, as God’s plan for mankind begins. Light will enter creation as His Holy Spirit brings energy and life to creation through Christ and God’s spoken word.
Isaiah 55:11 tells us "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". In our next lesson, we will see His Word in action.
Thanks for studying with us.
Yours in Christ,
Wes
[2010]