THE SIX DAYS OF CREATION

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GENESIS 1

Lesson #04

THE SIX DAYS OF CREATION

• Memory verse: Gen 1:31
• Background:
  • There are 3 Hebrew words used in Gen 1 and 2 that are translated into English as “create“.
  • “bara” = create something out of nothing (Gen 1:1,21)
  • “asah” = made out of already existing material (Gen 1:7)
  • “yatzar” = molded as a potter forms clay (Gen 2:7)
• Read Gen 1:1-25 Creation of the Physical Universe
  • “in the beginning God created…” (1)
    • The Bible does not try to prove that there is a God. The Bible assumes that man already knows that God exists.
    • Creating something out of nothing; It is a word only used for God because it is only God who can create something out of nothing.
  • “…created the heaven and the earth” (1)
    • God first made the universe, the galaxy, and the earth, with fire at its center. (Deu 32:22)
    • The Hebrew language had no such word for “universe”, therefore it specifies heaven and earth.
  • “the earth was without form and void” (2)
    • The Hebrew indicates that it became without form and desolate. The word “void” means = to lie wasted, in confusion, vain, a wilderness.
    • We already discussed the gap theory as an explanation of this wording. (see lesson #3)
  • “the spirit of God moved…” (2)
    • The Hebrew word rachaph is translated in English as “moved”.
    • It means = brood or hover. It has the picture of a life giving power like a bird watching over her chicks in the nest.
  • What references do we see to individual members of the trinity in Gen 1:1-25?
    • There is a reference to God the Father in vs. 1
      • God = Elohim
      • The Hebrew word “Elohim” is a generic term for God used by many religions to refer to any God.
      • It is a plural word that uses a singular verb only when it relates to the creator God. In other words, there is an implication of three Gods in one.
      • When the word is used for heathen gods, it is used with a plural verb.
    • There is a reference to the Holy Spirit in vs. 2.
    • There are references to God the Father speaking creation into existence in vss. 3-25.
      • Read Joh 1:1-4,14 to see Jesus’ role in creation.
        • Jesus Christ is “the word of God”. This is His eternal name.
        • Read Col 1:12-17
      • These verses tell us that all things were created by Him and for Him. It also says that He holds all things together (consist). Science calls it “gravity”, but in reality it is Jesus Christ.
  • The six days of creation
    • Day 1 (3-5)
      • The earth (1-2)
        • The interpretation depends on your belief whether Gen 1:1 is part of the first day or if it is a pre-creation world according to the gap theory.
        • The earth is granite created and organized into an inorganic crystalline rock structure.
        • Vast amounts of liquid water are unique to planet earth. (2)
      • Light (3-4)
        • The Hebrew word for light is owr which means = cosmic light energy.
        • This is not sunlight which was created on day four.
        • Cosmic light is particles of high energy that originate in outer space (like x-rays) most of which are reflected away from the earth by the earth’s atmosphere.
        • “the evening and the morning…” (5)
        • Jews reckon a day from sundown to sundown so the evening occurs first. This determination of a day began with God.
    • Day 2 (6-8)
      • The firmament (6)
      • The Hebrew word “firmament” means = atmosphere.
        • This is the creation of the atmosphere and the elevation of vast amounts of water lifted up from the surface of the earth into the hot upper atmosphere and beyond. Perhaps the water extended into near-space in order to sustain a strong greenhouse effect over the earth. (Perhaps even an ice canopy)
        • “God made the firmament…” (7)
        • The word for “made” in Hebrew is asah which means = to fashion something out of something else that already exists.
    • Day 3 (9-13)
      • The separation of the seas and the land.
      • The land was not created here but appeared as the waters sought their own level.
      • The creation of plant life:
        • Herb yielding seed
        • Fruit trees with fruit
    • Day 4 (14-19)
      • “let there be lights…” (14)
      • The word for “lights” in Hebrew is maowr which means = light holders.
        • The sun, the moon, the stars, and the planets created directly and individually, each with its own specific structure and chemical processes.
        • Their creation did not occur on the 4^th day. They were put into position and began to display their light on the 4^th day.
        • It is the sun and moon in conjunction with the earth’s rotation that enables us to divide time into seasons and days.
    • Day 5 (20-23)
      • The creation of the fish, the fowl, and all sea creatures.
      • The word “created” in Hebrew is bara, and it is the same word as Gen 1:1, something out of nothing.
    • Day 6 (24-25)
      • The creation of land animals and man:
      • Cattle are specifically mentioned as an example. (24)
      • The frequently used phrase, “after its kind”, indicates that there is no crossover between broad categories of animals.
        • In other words, dogs can’t mate with cats.
        • This is the major Biblical evidence against the evolution of man from lesser animals.
• Was this Moses’ idea of creation or God’s?
  • Moses, who wrote the book of Genesis, was taught the Egyptian idea of creation:
  • The ocean existed always. An egg or flower formed from which was born the sun god who had 4 children making up the atmosphere, the earth, the sky, and fresh water.
  • Because the Egyptian idea of creation is so very different from the Bible is proof that this account of creation in Genesis is inspired by the Holy Spirit.
• Why were things created in the order in which they appear in Gen 1?
  • God created things in this order so that the process of life could sustain itself.
  • God created things in this order so that a perfect environment would be ready for man, who is God’s special creation.
  • Scientific evidence proves a knowledgeable creator:
    • Science has produced a list of 40 specific mathematical specifications that must be perfectly met for there to be life on a planet. For example:
    • The right galaxy
      • Not all galaxies could support life. Only 5% of all galaxies are like our milky way. The other 95% contain life-destroying radiation.
      • The solar system must be positioned in the right part of the spiral and at the right distance from the center of the galaxy.
      • The sun’s location must have narrowly specified characteristics if the planet is to obtain needed fluorine to support life.
      • The density of stars must be perfect so as not to disrupt, by gravitational interaction, the proper orbit of planets.
    • The right sun
      • The sun must be a single star system for there to be life.
      • Only 1/4 of the stars in our galaxy are bachelor stars.
      • The sun must be the right size and right distance from earth to maintain a suitable temperature for life and suitable tide patterns in the oceans.
    • The right planet
      • A planet must have a stable liquid water environment to sustain life.
      • A change in the distance from the sun as small as 2% would rid the planet of all life.
      • A planet must have the right surface gravity and temperature to allow ammonia and methane to escape.
      • The planet’s rotation period cannot be changed more than a few percent to maintain a balance between a livable day and night temperature difference and livable wind velocity.
      • The planet must have a manageable earthquake occurrence to allow the recycling from the oceans of life-essential nutrients.
    • The right moon
      • Our moon is unique because it is so large as to maintain ocean tides and yet do not flood the earth.
      • The size of the moon stabilizes the tilt of our axis.
• What are the chances of finding a life-supporting planet:
  • Fewer than a trillionth of a trillionth of a percent of all stars could possess a planet capable of sustaining advanced life. The observable universe contains less than a trillion galaxies, each averaging a hundred billion stars.
  • Therefore, not even one planet would be expected to possess the right conditions for life. The chances then, are less than one chance in a quintillion of having a life-sustaining planet.
• God’s perfect creation:
  • The number 6 is God’s number representing man. In six days God created this environment for man to live in.
  • The number 7 is God’s perfect number. God rested on the 7^th day because his creation was perfect. In Genesis 1-2, number 7 is his seal on a perfect creation.
    • All things were complete in 7 days.
    • Gen 1:1 has seven Hebrew words in it.
    • Gen 1:2 has fourteen Hebrew words 2×7
    • Seven times the word “good” is used (4,10,12,18,21,25,31).
    • Seven times the word “made” is used (1:7,16,25,26,31, 2:2,3).
    • Seven times the word “heaven” is used (1,8,9,14,15,17,20).
  • Number 10 is the Biblical number of testing.
    • 10 times “let there be” is used (3,6,9,11,14,14,20,24,26,30).
    • Read Psa 104

Homework

Genesis 1:26-31

• Application of Genesis 1:1-25:
  • Find some scriptures that praise God for his creation. Use a concordance if you have one. There are some good ones in Psalms.
  • Spend time this week worshiping God as the creator of all things.
• Preparation for Genesis 1:26-31
  • Read Gen 1:26-31
    • Find the references to the Trinity in this passage.
    • What do you think it means “in our image, after our likeness” (vs. 26 KJV)?
    • What job was man given to do?
    • What differences do you see in Adam’s world from our own world today?
• Memory verse: Gen 1:27