God Created the Universe Gen 1:1-6, 8, 10, 12-15, 19-20, 22-23, 25 SS Lesson for 09/02/2007

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1 God Created the Universe Gen 1:1-6, 8, 10, 12-15, 19-20, 22-23, 25 SS Lesson for 09/02/2007 Devotional Scripture: Ps 8:1-9 OUTLINE INTRODUCTION OVERVIEW AND APPROACH TO LESSON LESSON INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND From the NIV Standard Lesson Commentary From the Bible Expositor and Illuminator MAJOR THEME ANALYSIS GOD'S ROLE IN CREATION (1:1-2) God was before the Beginning Definition of Beginning From Strong's Hebrew Dictionary From Vine's Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words From Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament God was before all things (Col 1:17) God, the Trinity, "was" already existing before the beginning (John 1:1) God brought forth wisdom from eternity (Prov 8:22-23) Grace was given by God "before" the beginning of time (2 Tim 1:9) God promised eternal life "before" the beginning of time (Titus 1:2) God Created all things Definition of Create From Strong's Hebrew Dictionary From Vine's Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words God founded the world and all that's in it (Ps 89:11) All things are from God and through God (Rom 11:35-36) God even created the invisible things and powers that rule (Col 1:16) God was in Control before the formation of the universe God was the One who marked off the boundaries of the universe (Isa 40:12-14) God created just by the Word of His mouth (Ps 33:6) Just as God told Job, He laid the earth's foundations (Job 38:4-5) The original state of earth (from the NIV Standard Lesson Commentary) GOD PREPARED THE EARTH FOR HIS PEOPLE (GEN 1:3-6, 8, 10, 12-13) Light for people Light for guidance (Ps 78:14) Light that dispels darkness (Ps 112:4) Light that is sweet and pleasing (Eccl 11:7) Light that will one day will not be from the sun but from God alone (Rev 22:5) Light of God's presence (Ps 89:15) Land for people Land that bounds the waters (Jer 5:22) Land that produces food (Isa 30:23) Land that is to be cultivated (Gen 3:23) Land that belongs to God (Ps 24:1) Plants for people Plants that are pleasing to see and for food (Gen 2:9) Plants that produces fruit that can be used for offerings to God (Deut 26:2) Plants that yield crops (Ezek 34:27) Furnishing a New World (from the NIV Standard Lesson Commentary) The intricacies of water (from the NIV Standard Lesson Commentary) Heavenly Bodies (from the NIV Standard Lesson Commentary) God Created the Universe Page 1 of 12 SS Lesson for 09/02/2007

2 GOD ORDAINED TIMES AND SEASONS (GEN 1:14-15, 19) Time A time for everything (Eccl 3:1-8) Time to gain wisdom (Ps 90:12) Time not to worry about (Matt 6:34) Time that is different for man versus God (2 Peter 3:8) Season of days Daily provisions by God (Luke 11:3) Days and nights that are owned by God (Ps 74:16) Days that are made by God (Ps 118:24) Special days that should be sacred (Rom 14:5-6) Daily renewal by God (2 Cor 4:16) GOD CREATED ANIMAL LIFE (GEN 1:20, 22-23, 25) God created creatures for every area (Water, Sky and Land) Even the animals know that God created them (Job 12:7-10) Animals can teach me a lot about dependency on God (Job 35:10-11) God owns all creatures (Ps 50:10-12) God created variety of every animal Each animal had it's own kind (Gen 7:14) All creatures have a body as determined by God (1 Cor 15:37-39) God made creatures both large and small (Ps 104:24-25) CONCLUSION AND OTHER THOUGHTS CONCLUDING THOUGHTS FROM THE NIV STANDARD LESSON COMMENTARY CONCLUDING THOUGHTS FROM THE BIBLE EXPOSITOR AND ILLUMINATOR PRACTICAL POINTS FROM THE BIBLE EXPOSITOR AND ILLUMINATOR HEART OF THE LESSON FROM THE BIBLE EXPOSITOR AND ILLUMINATOR God's sovereignty in creation (Gen. 1:1-2) God's creation of light (Gen. 1:3-5) God's creation of the firmament and dry land (Gen. 1:6, 8, 10) God's creation of plants (Gen. 1:12-15, 19-20) God's creation of living creatures (Gen. 1:22-23, 25) God Created the Universe Page 2 of 12 SS Lesson for 09/02/2007

3 Introduction Overview and Approach to Lesson The concept of the outline of the lesson came from the Bible Expositor and Illuminator. The lesson examines Creation. The study's aim is to learn that God is always active in the work of creation. The study's application is to praise and glorify God for His magnificent creation. Lesson Introduction and Background From the NIV Standard Lesson Commentary The apostle Paul said, Since the creation of the world God s invisible qualities his eternal power and divine nature have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse (Romans 1:20). Although the fingerprints of God are all over his creation, some will choose not to acknowledge him. We have a choice to make today. That choice is the same one that every human before us has faced: Will we acknowledge the existence of our creator or not? The book of Genesis is a book of origins. As we read Genesis, several questions come to mind: Does this book provide reliable scientific data? Should believing Christians engage in scientific research and debate? Is there any room in the public classroom for the story of creation that Genesis provides? Many people today (even some Christians) would answer no to all three questions. Others have long been engaged in the pursuit of creation science, an approach that sees Genesis as a certain guide to the origins of the universe and life itself. Creation science, however, has difficulty gaining a wide hearing in the mainline scientific community. Creation science is dismissed as being tied too closely to what is viewed as a pre-modern, superstitious, unscientific worldview. Recently, a variation of creation science has gained notice: the theory of Intelligent Design. This effort is supported by scientists having solid academic credentials. Michael J. Behe, a leading proponent of Intelligent Design, has pointed out that many scientific investigations lead to the observation of irreducible complexity in natural phenomena. Behe claims that the physical characteristics of living organisms are too complex to be explained by mindless processes such as natural selection and mutation thus the necessity of a designer. There is no conflict between the foundational assumptions of the theory of Intelligent Design and the book of Genesis. Intelligent Design demands that we understand a master intellect behind the order of the universe, a designer or creator. This is clearly taught in Genesis. Yet the theory of Intelligent Design by itself is unable to understand God as more than a master artisan, a superior being who turns out an amazing series of inventions from his workshop. The theory of Intelligent Design cannot lead us fully to the God of the Bible, who not only made us but also continues to have a personal relationship with his creatures. For the fullest understanding of who God is and how we can relate to him, we must turn to the Bible. Genesis in not merely the first book in the Bible, it stands as the first book in a five-book section of the Old Testament we call the Pentateuch or the Books of Moses (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy). This collection was finished long before the end of the Old Testament period; it was already in use during the times of the kingdoms of Israel and Judah, centuries before Christ. The overall purpose of the Pentateuch is to tell the story of the origins of the nation of Israel. With this purpose in view, we can understand that Genesis serves as an introduction to the great events of nation-birthing found in Exodus. Genesis provides us with the place to start: the beginning, with God s creation of the heaven and the earth. What better place to start could there be? Included in this account is the creation of the first man and woman. They are the ancestors of all people, not just the nation of Israel. The tragedy of Genesis is that humanity rebelled against its creator. Sin flourished. Later, the story focuses on Abraham, father of the nation of Israel, because God planned to use one of his descendants (Jesus) to redeem humanity from the bondage of sin. And so we begin the greatest story ever told. It is the drama of human origins and humanity s eventual deliverance from its self-caused alienation from the creator of the universe. The stage could be no bigger, the stakes no higher. Where did God come from? You will not find the answer in Genesis. God is uncreated, separate and apart from any created thing. The existence of an uncreated creator is the reason there can be anything instead of nothing. The universe is not self-explanatory. It exists because God upholds it by his powerful word (see Hebrews 1:3). God Created the Universe Page 3 of 12 SS Lesson for 09/02/2007

4 From the Bible Expositor and Illuminator As you are probably aware, evolution is the theory that all life forms developed from the very simple into the more complex, a process taking millions of years. While the proponents of evolution frequently assert that this theory is a fact, it has never been proved nor can it be! Others, called theistic evolutionists, claim that God used evolution to bring about life on our planet. A great many evolutionists, however, are atheists. Evolution, they say, leaves no place for belief in a Creator. In contrast to the mechanistic theory of evolution is the simple but profound account of Creation found in Genesis, the book of beginnings. Genesis should not be thought of primarily as a book of science, for it never claims to be that. It is nevertheless an accurate account of the beginnings of the universe and of life on earth. Interestingly, a growing number of scientists today do not believe that the world is millions of years old. In addition, the intelligent design theory is being proposed by some, suggesting that the world is too complex to have evolved over time by random chance. This week we begin our lesson series with a focus on God's people. We see how God created a universe for His people and then took steps to help them multiply. We see how God preserves His people and thus is active in His creation even today. Our focus this week in particular is on the issue of how God created the universe with a divine purpose in mind to place His people in it. Today much debate is raging over the issue of creation. Some of our government authorities are still discussing whether we should teach our children about the theory of evolution solely or add to our school textbooks the idea of what has been termed intelligent design. Since it is God's Word, we believe that the Bible is the truth that came from Him. It is very clear about this matter. It very simply states without discussion or apology that God created the universe and all that is contained therein in six days. Today it is important for the people who have called on Jesus' name to stand up for Him. He wants believers to uphold what He has shown them in His Word and to unashamedly proclaim the truth about His activity of creation and in creation both then and today. Our lesson this week opens up this relevant topic for discussion and seeks God's revelation about it through His Word. Have you ever sat down and wondered how this whole big universe ever came into existence? As you look up at the sky on a starry night, have you ever wondered who put all this in place? If you are truly honest with yourself, you cannot deny that there is a Creator, who made everything with such precision and care. The fact that the earth is just a bit over 92 million miles from the sun means that the earth's temperature is conducive to supporting life. If we were closer, all life would be burned up. If we were farther, it would be too cold to support the life we see on earth. That is how precise our God is in the work of His creation. Major Theme Analysis (Scriptural Text from the New King James Version; cross-references from the NIV) God's Role in Creation (1:1-2) 1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. God was before the Beginning Definition of Beginning From Strong's Hebrew Dictionary 7225 re'shiyth (ray-sheeth'); from the same as 7218; the first, in place, time, order or rank (specifically, a firstfruit): KJV-- beginning, chief (-est), first (-fruits, part, time), principal thing. From Vine's Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words Beginning..." This word can represent a point of departure, as it does in <Gen. 1:1> (the first occurrence): "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth." Estimatively, this word can mean the "first" or "choicest": "The first of the first fruits of thy land thou God Created the Universe Page 4 of 12 SS Lesson for 09/02/2007

5 shalt bring into the house of the Lord thy God" <Exod. 23:19>. (from Vine's Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words) (Copyright (C) 1985, Thomas Nelson Publishers) From Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament ["In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth."]-- 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. (from Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament) God was before all things (Col 1:17) He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. God, the Trinity, "was" already existing before the beginning (John 1:1) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. God brought forth wisdom from eternity (Prov 8:22-23) 22 "The LORD brought me forth as the first of his works, before his deeds of old; 23 I was appointed from eternity, from the beginning, before the world began. Grace was given by God "before" the beginning of time (2 Tim 1:9) who has saved us and called us to a holy life-- not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, God promised eternal life "before" the beginning of time (Titus 1:2) a faith and knowledge resting on the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time, God Created all things Definition of Create From Strong's Hebrew Dictionary 1254 bara' (baw-raw'); a primitive root; (absolutely) to create; (qualified) to cut down (a wood), select, feed (as formative processes): -choose, create (creator), cut down, dispatch, do, make (fat). (From Strong's Hebrew Dictionary) From Vine's Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words Bara' ^1254^, "to create, make." This verb is of profound theological significance, since it has only God as its subject. Only God can "create" in the sense implied by bara'. The verb expresses creation out of nothing, an idea seen clearly in passages having to do with creation on a cosmic scale: "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth" <Gen. 1:1>; (from Vine's Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words) (Copyright (C) 1985, Thomas Nelson Publishers) God founded the world and all that's in it (Ps 89:11) The heavens are yours, and yours also the earth; you founded the world and all that is in it. All things are from God and through God (Rom 11:35-36) 35 "Who has ever given to God, that God should repay him?" 36 For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen. God Created the Universe Page 5 of 12 SS Lesson for 09/02/2007

6 God even created the invisible things and powers that rule (Col 1:16) For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. God was in Control before the formation of the universe God was the One who marked off the boundaries of the universe (Isa 40:12-14) 12 Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, or with the breadth of his hand marked off the heavens? Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket, or weighed the mountains on the scales and the hills in a balance? 13 Who has understood the mind of the LORD, or instructed him as his counselor? 14 Whom did the LORD consult to enlighten him, and who taught him the right way? Who was it that taught him knowledge or showed him the path of understanding? God created just by the Word of His mouth (Ps 33:6) By the word of the LORD were the heavens made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth. Just as God told Job, He laid the earth's foundations (Job 38:4-5) 4 "Where were you when I laid the earth's foundation? Tell me, if you understand. 5 Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know! Who stretched a measuring line across it? The original state of earth (from the NIV Standard Lesson Commentary) In Genesis 1:1-2, the future home of humanity is characterized four ways. First, it is formless or unfinished; God has yet to mold it into final state. Second, it is empty; the living creatures that will inhabit it have yet to be created. Third, it is dark; this is not a limiting factor for God (see Psalm 139:12), but the condition must be changed in order for earth to be a suitable habitation for humans. Fourth, it is watery; there is no solid ground to stand upon. This too is a condition that must be modified in order to give human life a chance for survival. The text notes the presence of the Spirit of God. This is not a separate being from God of verse 1. God s ability to be present is not limited by conditions that allow for his presence. This is an indirect affirmation of the doctrine of God s omnipresence (his presence everywhere). While this spiritual presence of God is not referred to as the Holy Spirit, the concept is there in part. Holiness refers to more than moral purity. The Bible also understands being holy as being separate. At this point, God clearly is separate from his creation. The created world is not part of God, and he is not part of the created world. They are distinct. God Prepared the Earth for His People (Gen 1:3-6, 8, 10, 12-13) 3 Then God said, "Let there be light"; and there was light. 4 And God saw the light, that it was good; and God divided the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light Day, and the darkness He called Night. So the evening and the morning were the first day. 6 Then God said, "Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters." 8 And God called the firmament Heaven. So the evening and the morning were the second day. 10 And God called the dry land Earth, and the gathering together of the waters He called Seas. And God saw that it was good. 12 And the earth brought forth grass, the herb that yields seed according to its kind, and the tree that yields fruit, whose seed is in itself according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. 13 So the evening and the morning were the third day. God Created the Universe Page 6 of 12 SS Lesson for 09/02/2007

7 Light for people Light for guidance (Ps 78:14) 14 He guided them with the cloud by day and with light from the fire all night. Light that dispels darkness (Ps 112:4) 4 Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for the gracious and compassionate and righteous man. Light that is sweet and pleasing (Eccl 11:7) 7 Light is sweet, and it pleases the eyes to see the sun. Light that will one day will not be from the sun but from God alone (Rev 22:5) 5 There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever. Light of God's presence (Ps 89:15) 15 Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, O Lord. Land for people Land that bounds the waters (Jer 5:22) 22 Should you not fear me?" declares the Lord. "Should you not tremble in my presence? I made the sand a boundary for the sea, an everlasting barrier it cannot cross. The waves may roll, but they cannot prevail; they may roar, but they cannot cross it. Land that produces food (Isa 30:23) 23 He will also send you rain for the seed you sow in the ground, and the food that comes from the land will be rich and plentiful. In that day your cattle will graze in broad meadows. Land that is to be cultivated (Gen 3:23) 23 therefore the Lord God sent him out from the garden of Eden, to cultivate the ground from which he was taken. Land that belongs to God (Ps 24:1) The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; Plants for people Plants that are pleasing to see and for food (Gen 2:9) 9 Out of the ground the Lord God caused to grow every tree that is pleasing to the sight and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Plants that produces fruit that can be used for offerings to God (Deut 26:2) 2 that you shall take some of the first of all the produce of the ground which you bring in from your land that the Lord your God gives you, and you shall put it in a basket and go to the place where the Lord your God chooses to establish His name. God Created the Universe Page 7 of 12 SS Lesson for 09/02/2007

8 Plants that yield crops (Ezek 34:27) 27 The trees of the field will yield their fruit and the ground will yield its crops; the people will be secure in their land. They will know that I am the Lord, when I break the bars of their yoke and rescue them from the hands of those who enslaved them. Furnishing a New World (from the NIV Standard Lesson Commentary) America s space probes to Mars early in this century revealed a barren world. Mars had water on it sometime in the ancient past, although not as much as on the primeval Earth that Genesis describes. Nevertheless, a Florida company called 4Frontiers Corporation has announced plans to establish a hightech human colony on Mars by the year The company plans to begin by developing a replica of the proposed Mars settlement here on Earth and charging admission to tourists (see and Backers say it is necessary to colonize Mars in case disease or a collision with an asteroid should wipe out the human race or if we happen to make Earth uninhabitable through war or pollution. The 4Frontiers plan sounds only slightly like God s activity in preparing the Earth for human habitation. There are significant differences: God s presence was everywhere in his creation; he had a plan that could see beyond the next 20 years; and he had the power to make his plan work regardless of whatever technical difficulties there were to overcome. It is good to remember that we humans are creatures, not the creator. In this light we should frame even our most grandiose plans with appropriate humility. The intricacies of water (from the NIV Standard Lesson Commentary) It is astounding for us to contemplate the perfection and intricacy of God s system! Consider that water can exist in its liquid form only within a very narrow temperature range, namely from 32 to 212 degrees Fahrenheit. This is a tiny slice of the range of temperatures found in our solar system, from the inferno of the sun (27 million degrees Fahrenheit at its core) to the temperature of absolute zero of the outer planets (approaching 459 degrees Fahrenheit). Yet, because of the precise distance that the earth is positioned from the sun as well as various other factors, water is able to remain liquid over most of our planet. There could be no life as we know it without this precious liquid. Modern scientific knowledge does not negate the majesty of these verses, but only makes them more astounding. Heavenly Bodies (from the NIV Standard Lesson Commentary) NASA s Deep Impact space probe of 2005 was made to collide intentionally with the comet Tempel 1. The mission s purpose was to create a cloud of comet debris that could be photographed and analyzed by the mother craft orbiting the comet. The debris cloud gave scientists clues about how the solar system was formed at the time of creation that Genesis tells us about. However, Marina Bai, a Russian astrologer, brought a lawsuit for $300 million against NASA to compensate her for what she called her moral sufferings. Bai claimed that the experiment deformed her horoscope and violated her life and spiritual values. Bai said that the comet was important to her life because her grandfather had wooed her grandmother by showing her the comet. While the astrologer s claims can appropriately be ridiculed as silly, her belief in the power of heavenly bodies to control human destiny is a common one today. Even some Christians have an unwarranted, unholy respect for this pseudo-science. Genesis establishes that God put the heavenly bodies in their places as signs of his power, to give light to his creation, and to establish the seasons by which the earth brings forth our food. Other interpretations go beyond (or against) what Scripture teaches. God Ordained Times and Seasons (Gen 1:14-15, 19) 14 Then God said, "Let there be lights in the firmament of the heavens to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs and seasons, and for days and years; 15 "and let them be for lights in the firmament of the heavens to give light on the earth"; and it was so. 19 So the evening and the morning were the fourth day. God Created the Universe Page 8 of 12 SS Lesson for 09/02/2007

9 Time A time for everything (Eccl 3:1-8) There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: 2 a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, 3 a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, 4 a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, 5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain, 6 a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, 7 a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, 8 a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace. Time to gain wisdom (Ps 90:12) 12 Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. Time not to worry about (Matt 6:34) 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Time that is different for man versus God (2 Peter 3:8) 8 But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. Season of days Daily provisions by God (Luke 11:3) 3 Give us each day our daily bread. Days and nights that are owned by God (Ps 74:16) 16 The day is yours, and yours also the night; you established the sun and moon. Days that are made by God (Ps 118:24) 24 This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Special days that should be sacred (Rom 14:5-6) 5 One man considers one day more sacred than another; another man considers every day alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. 6 He who regards one day as special, does so to the Lord. He who eats meat, eats to the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who abstains, does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God. Daily renewal by God (2 Cor 4:16) 16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. God Created Animal Life (Gen 1:20, 22-23, 25) 20 Then God said, "Let the waters abound with an abundance of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the face of the firmament of the heavens." 22 And God blessed them, saying, "Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth." 23 So the evening and the morning were the fifth day. God Created the Universe Page 9 of 12 SS Lesson for 09/02/2007

10 25 And God made the beast of the earth according to its kind, cattle according to its kind, and everything that creeps on the earth according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. God created creatures for every area (Water, Sky and Land) Even the animals know that God created them (Job 12:7-10) 7 "But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds of the air, and they will tell you; 8 or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish of the sea inform you. 9 Which of all these does not know that the hand of the LORD has done this? 10 In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind. Animals can teach me a lot about dependency on God (Job 35:10-11) But no one says, 'Where is God my Maker, who gives songs in the night, 11 who teaches more to us than to the beasts of the earth and makes us wiser than the birds of the air?' God owns all creatures (Ps 50:10-12) 10 for every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills. 11 I know every bird in the mountains, and the creatures of the field are mine. 12 If I were hungry I would not tell you, for the world is mine, and all that is in it. God created variety of every animal Each animal had it's own kind (Gen 7:14) They had with them every wild animal according to its kind, all livestock according to their kinds, every creature that moves along the ground according to its kind and every bird according to its kind, everything with wings. All creatures have a body as determined by God (1 Cor 15:37-39) 37 When you sow, you do not plant the body that will be, but just a seed, perhaps of wheat or of something else. 38 But God gives it a body as he has determined, and to each kind of seed he gives its own body. 39 All flesh is not the same: Men have one kind of flesh, animals have another, birds another and fish another. God made creatures both large and small (Ps 104:24-25) 24 How many are your works, O LORD! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. 25 There is the sea, vast and spacious, teeming with creatures beyond number-- living things both large and small. Conclusion and Other Thoughts Concluding Thoughts from the NIV Standard Lesson Commentary Violin players are taught from the first day of lessons that their violins must be tuned every time they play. The longer the violinist waits to retune, the worse the instrument sounds. After Adam and Eve s disobedience, creation ended up being out of tune because of sin. The one who created our earth and its heavens intends to return and retune it according to his perfect will. Paul teaches that all creation is anticipating the revelation of God s ultimate purpose (see Romans 8:19 23). Paul even says that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time as it waits for its creator (Romans 8:22). The one who created will re-create, and there will be a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness (2 Peter 3:13). What a glorious day that will be! Then sin will be no more, and he will reign for ever and ever (Revelation 11:15). As wonderful as this promise is, however, God Created the Universe Page 10 of 12 SS Lesson for 09/02/2007

11 we do not know when God s re-creation of the universe will be. It could be tomorrow. It could be 10,000 years from now. Until that day, this present universe is what we have. Although it is marred by human sin, it retains the pattern and intention of the master designer. That fact should bring praise to our lips. When science discovers some new intricacy or complexity in nature, we should marvel. When we see the vivid colors of the sunrise on a stately peak, we should stop to ponder the artistry of the maker. When we hear the roar of the ocean, Genesis 1 should come to mind again. When we are high in the mountains on a clear night and see the uncountable stars in all their majesty, we should stand in awe of their creator, for the heavens declare the glory of God (Psalm 19:1). Concluding Thoughts from the Bible Expositor and Illuminator There is much mystery surrounding the Creation account. There is much controversy as well, in both Christian and secular circles. Does Genesis tell of six 24-hour-day periods of creation, or is it an allegory of a creation that took much longer than that? Some believe there were two creations, one in verse 1 and another in verse 2 after some cataclysmic event. Does the Creation account contradict the theory of evolution, which is proposed by modern science? Do the two fit together in some way? All these are good questions, but unfortunately, the Bible does not give us the answer. Any answer we can come up with has to be based on speculation to some degree. Perhaps God did not answer these questions because He wanted us to see the significance of the event instead of worrying over the details. The most important point of the Creation account is the fact that God created us. This particular text is also laden with theological implications that need to be understood as we understand how God has related to man throughout history. Verses 1 and 2 are not part of the first day of Creation, which starts in verse 3. The first two verses of Genesis set the stage or give the framework in which God created everything that exists. There are three major theological implications to these two verses. First, the fact that God created means that everything must be under God's control. This gives order and a sense of security to the universe in that we can know and live in that natural order. Second is the basis of law or morality itself. There is no logical basis for law apart from a Creator. God made all things, so it would have been silly for people in biblical times to have another god, or an idol, in place of the true living God. In the modern world, God is the Authority for establishing law. If there were no God, the only basis would be who the strongest person is. The problem then would become that if the strongest person called evil good and good evil, there would be nothing to stop him. Third, in this passage we can see God as Redeemer. It shows how God brought life and order out of the chaos that existed before the Creation. Just as there was nothing before Creation, so there is nothing in us spiritually before God gives us the light. This was the beginning of God's plan of salvation. He created light and caused it to shine on the earth. He created life and called it good. Sin would mar the perfect creation, but God had a plan to overcome it. He would choose a special people, the Israelites. Then He would send His Messiah. Just as God caused light to shine in the darkness of pre-creation chaos, so He now causes the light to shine in the hearts of those who believe. Practical Points from the Bible Expositor and Illuminator 1. To get the facts about the beginning, start with God, for He alone was there (Gen. 1:1-2) 2. One can trust a God whose decrees always come to be (vs. 3) 3. Everything our good God creates is good when rightly understood and used (vs. 4-6, 8, 10) 4. Only the all-powerful God can create living things that can reproduce (vs ) 5. Only the infinitely wise God knows the best place for all His creation (vs ) 6. Without God's blessing, nothing and no one can flourish (vs , 25) Heart of the Lesson from the Bible Expositor and Illuminator This week's lesson gives us a glimpse of the mighty works of God. We have an opportunity to reflect on who God is and on His awesome power. God is truly omnipotent. Studying this lesson should inspire God's people to praise Him for His wondrous working power. God Created the Universe Page 11 of 12 SS Lesson for 09/02/2007

12 God's sovereignty in creation (Gen. 1:1-2) God is the Creator of the universe. The earth and all of its contents belong to Him (cf. Ps. 24:1). At one time the earth was filled with darkness. It was without shape or form. Our sovereign God, in all His splendor and glory, strategically organized the universe. Everything in the earth was properly put in place by Him. There are many builders and many inventors, but there is only one Creator. "Thou hast created all things" (Rev. 4:11). God is majestic! Many generations have passed, and the universe still exists. Our existence and sustenance are made possible by the mighty works of God. The Lord has the ability to sustain everything that He has created. He is worthy to be praised. God's creation of light (Gen. 1:3-5) As God began the process of creation, darkness covered everything. But that was not to remain so. The powerful spoken words of God caused light to come into existence. Light dispels darkness. Daylight is an important part of the universe. We are able to see because of light. Most people are more comfortable with light than with darkness. Light is associated with joy, while darkness is associated with evil. God masterfully created many things each day for six days. He created light on the first day. God is omnipotent! We should express our gratitude by praising Him for His unlimited power. God's creation of the firmament and dry land (Gen. 1:6, 8, 10) The true and living God created the "firmament" (vs. 6), which God called "Heaven," or sky (vs. 8). The firmament is the expanse in which the sun, moon, and stars were placed. The sun provides a greater light, and the moon and stars provide a lesser light. God also created dry land, which He called "Earth" (Gen. 1:10). The earth had been filled with water and darkness. Dry land came into existence by the mighty creative power of God. Dry land came to contain many forms of life: plants, animals, and humans. God's creation of plants (Gen. 1:12-15, 19-20) God, in His infinite wisdom, caused the earth to grow grass, trees, and other plants. He miraculously made them with the capability to reproduce. All that God created was good. Most would agree that God was mindful of those to come when He so majestically created the various forms of plant life. "Thou are clothed with honour and majesty" (Ps. 104:1). God was very thorough in His creation. He left out nothing that was necessary for His final creation mankind. The earth and sky and the plants and animals allowed humans to live, but the beauty also allowed people to enjoy God's creation. God's creation of living creatures (Gen. 1:22-23, 25) God caused the waters to bring forth an abundance of live creatures. He caused the earth to bring forth living creatures such as cattle, beasts, and creeping things. It is amazing to ponder the abundance of things God created. He is worthy to be praised! God Created the Universe Page 12 of 12 SS Lesson for 09/02/2007