The Creation
Table of Contents / Overview
- The Creation
- The Six Creation Days
- Creation of Man
- Man, In the Image of God
- Man's Destiny in Creation
- Creation of Woman
- The First Marriage and its Status
- Conclusion
- Questions
THE CREATION
God exists and has revealed His nature and purpose in the Bible, His Word. We have learned this from the first two lessons. Apart from this revelation we could know very little of God and nothing of His plan; we could not know how He began to put this plan into effect nor what is the end in view. Many theories have been put forward to explain how life in its many forms began on this earth. We can ignore all such theories for God Himself has told us how everything began. The Bible opens with the words, "In the beginning God created" and the account which follows tells us all we need to know about the origin of life.
Though it is a simple record it is not unscientific. The heaven and the earth were probably created long before life as we know it. This is allowed for in the Genesis record, which tells us that when God began to create life the earth was waste and void (see Genesis 1 v 1-2 R.V). That was nearly 6,000 years ago. Whether there had been life on earth before we do not know. There may well have been. The Bible is not concerned with this: it reveals God's plan for this present order and is not concerned with any other, the Lesson which follows directs us to the Bible record of Creation.
THE CREATION
In the beginning God created all things
- READ
- Genesis 1 v 1
- Hebrews 11 v 3
The reason for creation is described in
- READ
- Isaiah 45 v 18
- Rev. 4 v 11
The work of the Creator at the beginning was not seen by man. The Genesis record is God's revelation of how things began and how they were made.
- READ
- Genesis ch. 1
- Hebrews 11 v 3
The doctrine that God made all things is taught in many parts of the Bible.
- Books of Moses
- READ
- Exodus 20 v 11
- The Psalms
- READ
- Psalm 33 v 6
- Psalm 90 v 2
- Psalm 102 v 25
- Books of the Prophets
- READ
- Isaiah 42 v 5
- Jeremiah 10 v 12
- Amos 4 v 13
- The New Testament
- READ
- Acts 17 v 24
- Acts 14 v 15
- Rev. 10 v 6
THE SIX CREATION DAYS
MAKE A LIST OF THE WORK OF THE FIRST SIX DAYS AND NOTE THE ORDER OF THE CREATION.
- READ
- Genesis ch.1
Note That each new day begins with "God said". Everything came from God.
- READ
- Genesis 1 vs 3, 6, 9, 11, 14, 20, 24
Note: the "evening and the morning were first/second/third etc. day".
- READ
- Genesis 1 vs 5. 8, 13, 19, 23, 31
The Hebrew "day" began at sunset and ended at the next sunset. The Hebrew day was divided into "evening", which began at sunset and ended at sunrise, and "morning" began at sunrise and ended at sunset.
CREATION OF MAN
Man was formed out of the dust of the ground.
- READ
- Genesis 2 v 7
When God breathed into man's nostrils the breath of life, he became a living soul or creature. Therefore man is entirely dependent upon God for his life. If God withdraws the breath or spirit of life from man he becomes a dead creature.
- READ
- Job 34 v 14-15
- Psalm 146 v 4
- Isaiah 2 v 22
THERE ARE MANY TEXTS IN THE OLD AND NEW TESTAMENTS WHICH TEACH THIS. (MAKE A LIST OF AS MANY AS YOU CAN FIND).
The English word "soul" is used in the Old Testament for both man and animals.
- READ
- Genesis 1 v 20, 24, 30
In these verses the original Hebrew word NEPHESH is translated by the English word "creature". Sometimes the same word is translated "soul", other times it is translated "creature".
- READ
- Genesis 2 v 7
- Genesis 9 v 12, 15, 16
A creature or soul becomes alive when God breathes into it the breath of life.
- READ
- Genesis 2 v 7
A creature or soul becomes lifeless when God takes away its breath.
- READ
- Psalm 104 v 29
These texts teach that the soul is not something which can exist independently from man or animal. The soul is the man, the soul is the animal, for both man and animals are living souls or living creatures.
MAN, IN THE IMAGE OF GOD
Only man was made in God's image or likeness.
- READ
- Genesis 1 v 26-28
It was man who was crowned with honour and glory above all the creation.
- READ
- Psalm 8 v 5
MAN'S DESTINY IN CREATION
God made man to rule over the earth and over the entire animal creation.
- READ
- Genesis 1 v 26
- Psalm 8 v 1-8
Because man was made in the image of God, he had a special responsibility to God. It was this bond between God and man which lifted man above the rest of the creation.
Note: But man sinned (this will be dealt with in detail in the next lesson) and because of sin he became alienated from his Creator and was no longer in a position to fulfil God's purpose in His creation. Only a sinless man could do this and the writer to the Hebrews in the New Testament tells us who this is.
- READ
- Hebrews 2 v 6-10
You will also note that this is a quotation from Psalm 8 - COMPARE THEM. The New Testament tells us of the true image of God.
- READ :
- 11 Cor. 4 v 4 ;
- Colos. 1 v 15 ;
- Hebrews 1 v 3
OUTSIDE THIS TEACHING WE CANNOT FIND THE MEANING OF LIFE OR THE REASON FOR THE CREATION.
CREATION OF WOMAN
Adam, the first man, was alone. He was superior to the animal creation. They were not suitable for companionship.
- READ
- Genesis 2 v 20
Eve, the first woman, was created by God out of Adam, the first man.
- READ
- Genesis 2 v 21-23
THE FIRST MARRIAGE AND ITS STATUS
Adam became joined with Eve his wife. They became one flesh.
- READ
- Genesis 2 v 24
- Matt 19 v 4-5
- Mark 10 v 6-9
Since God created one woman for Adam as his wife, this was seen as the ideal for the marriage state, which should never be broken.
- READ
- Matt 19 v 6
The ideal of one husband and one wife was taught in the New Testament as the Christian standard for the marriage union.
- READ
- I Tim. 3 v 2 & 12
CONCLUSION
Our Responsibility God is not only the great Designer and Creator of the Universe: He is also the One who alone sustains and controls life on the earth. He is controlling it in such a way that His plan will be fulfilled. "As truly as I live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the Lord". This purpose will be realised when man reflects to the full the glory of God, being made completely in His image, mentally, morally and physically. Meanwhile, God calls upon men and women to glorify Him by obeying His will. The apostle Paul spoke of God, the great Creator: "God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that He is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands, neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed anything, seeing he giveth to all life and breath and all things; and hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth". Then he clearly states what God required of those He created; "That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after Him and find Him, though He be not far from every one of us: for in Him we live and move, and have our being". A little later he says that God now commandeth all men everywhere to repent".This is the duty of men and women, to listen to God's word, to obey His will, and to try to honour Him in all their ways. This is the purpose for which we were created.
QUESTIONS
Using references where possible to support your reply answer the following :
- List the events of the first six days of Creation.
- Quote FOUR references which tell of man's dependence on God (for his breath).
- Why did God create man?
- How was Eve created?
- The Bible commences with the words "In the beginning God created ... " Explain what you understand by this statement.
- "And man became a living soul". (Genesis 2 v 7). Explain what you understand by this statement.