Genesis 1-2 - Creation

Yay! Today we get to start diving into our 9-month journey through the Bible using the words of The Story. Are you read to dive in? Well, let's go divin' in!

What struck me this time as I read through Genesis 1-2 is that the background of the story is based on water. 5 of the 7 days mention at least some form of water (Day 1, 2, 3, 5, 6). In chapter 2, we hear that streams have come up from the ground. Also, we should note that the boundaries of the garden are 4 rivers. You can't get very far in either narrative of creation without running into water.

Why? Because it shows that God is in control and does not want us to be afraid.

Through various sermons I've heard over my years, it is my understanding that ancient Israelites feared the sea because no one knew what lay beyond. Would you fall off the face of the earth? Or would you run into dangerous sea monsters, like the Leviathan described in Job? Or would you run into pirates, such as the most fearsome pirate ever - Dread Pirate Roberts?

Regardless of the danger that existed, the primary issue that would face anyone going out onto the sea is that there is no escape. You are at the mercy of the wind. You are at the mercy of the waves. You are at the mercy of the currents underneath you. You are at the mercy of the weather patterns above you. You are at the mercy of your extremely limited surroundings, consisting of a boat and whatever it could carry.

On the sea, you have no control and this is reflected almost immediately in the narrative of creation:

"Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep" (Genesis 1:2a).

Don't you have that picture of helplessness and being at the mercy of something you cannot control?

Yet, what is the very next sentence?

"And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters" (Genesis 1:2b)

Even in the midst of the tempest, tumult and turmoil, God's Holy Spirit is present and hovering over you with powerful wings! And as a quick side note: where else has the Holy Spirit been present and looking over you as you pass through the waters? Yup, baptism, where you became a child of God!

As God brings peace to your life, notice that he brings the waters under control throughout the remainder of the narratives:
- On the second day, he begins to make the clouds and water vapor which begins the rain cycle.
- On the third day, he concentrates the water and makes land suitable for creatures such as us.
- On the fifth day, he brings the waters further under control as he populates them with sea creatures.
- In the second narrative God continues to tame the waters and gives them a purpose as they "watered the whole surface of the ground" (verse 6).
- And notice the final mention of the various waters in verses 10-14 where the ultimate transformation of the water is complete: the waters have gone from a limitless abyss to boundaries of safety for his most prized creations.

And that is the entire story of both narratives of creation. God can tame the untamable and control the uncontrollable. As he does so, he brings peace and joy so that he can enjoy a relationship with his most prized of creatures... us.

It is our hope and prayer that we allow him to do just that.

Other questions to think about (and that I didn't have time or space to write about):
- How does the text say God created? As humans, what is our primary ability that elevates us above the rest of God's creation? How is that significant?

- What does it mean to be "made in the image of God"?

- We often hear in commentaries, sermons and studies that creation was created 'perfect'. If that's the case, why does our writer (commonly held to be Moses, for those curious) not use the Hebrew word tâmı̂ym, which can be thought of as "without blemish"? And... if it was perfect, why was it "not good for the man to be alone" (Genesis 2:18)? And... if it was perfect, how could God tell Adam that death would result if Adam would not have known what death is?