September 18, 2007

Bible Study:

Genesis Chapter 1

The God of Precision, Process, and Performance

 

To receive the greatest possible blessing from this Bible study, please take a moment to read the passage.

 

�            Prayer:

            Creator God, teach us to reverence Your precision, Your process, and Your performance in all that has been accomplished in our lives and in Your universe. In Jesus blessed name, amen.

 

�            Introduction:

          Unlike many three-year olds, Malachi makes precise markings on paper with any writing instrument. His small hands target a spot and make intricate circles and lines, then move cautiously to another area on the page. His drawings don’t always resemble anything in particular, but in the mind of this young artist, it is a wondrous picture. As his skills develop, eyes, trees, and cars have emerged from the chaos, but seldom does Malachi just scribble aimlessly across the page. His intensions are obvious and the markings deliberate.

            No matter what scientists conclude about the origin of the universe, any intelligent individual can see the obviously deliberate markings of our Creator. Nothing happened by chance, by an explosion, or by another coincidental means. The first chapter of Genesis introduces us to the Creator God and portrays His precision, process, and performance.   

         

�            The Lesson:

 

            Sculptors begin with a blob of clay or slap of marble, artists with a blank canvas, and writers or composers with an empty page; and we say they start from scratch. However in actuality, it is impossible for any human to start with nothing and create something. The basic substance is already at hand and the inspiration has already been experienced. Only God has the capability to create something from absolute nothing.

            Genesis states: In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and Spirit of God was hovering over the waters (Vs. 1-2 NIV). From nothing, God created all things that are seen, and began the PROCESS of creation.

            Process seems to take too long for many of us. We prefer instant over the meticulous, time-consuming, ordeal of process. But God is the God of process. He pays attention to the physical and spiritual development of our characters and carefully works on every detail.

            Verse 3 tells us that God separated the light from the darkness and called it a day. Wait, He didn’t  create the sun, moon, and stars until the fourth day. Where did the light come from on the first day?

            In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God . . . Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men (John 1:1, 3, & 4 NIV).

            The city (the New Jerusalem) does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light , and the Lamb (Jesus) is its lamp (Revelation 21:23 NIV).

There are many other references pertaining to Jesus Christ as the Light of the world. But Genesis 1:3 is our first picture of Jesus as that Light. As far as the sun, moon, and stars go, different translations state verse 14 differently, but the King James Version says, and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years. Consider the signs of Christ—the Bethlehem star, as well as the signs of His second advent. Cool, huh?

            As we read the day-by-day account of the creation, we discover another picture of God—the picture of       PRECISION. With each day, the objects of His creativity became more intricate and elaborate. Scientists agree that the human body is the most complex organism on the earth. But even the placement of the earth and of all the heavenly bodies is totally amazing to the intellectual mind. The same force that causes an object to fall to the ground controls the orbits of the solar system. If the earth were in another position in the galaxy, just an inch this way or that, it could not sustain life. God’s precision in all creation is remarkably clear.

            The third picture, we view in chapter one is that of PERFORMANCE. God spoke and it was so. Or should I say is so. God never changes and His spoken word is still omnipotent. Reread John chapter 1:1, 3, and 4. The Word was with God. He created all things and without Him nothing was created. In Him is life. The Word is Jesus Christ. He is God. He is all-powerful. 

           

�            Conclusion and Challenge:

            While many commentators view the first chapter of Genesis as a resource of understanding the beginning of humanity, we discovered it reveals more about God than man, as does the entire Bible.

            In review, we found that God is self-existent, life, creative, orderly, and sovereign and all things reflect His glory. We, also, saw that Light overpowers darkness and order overrides chaos in God’s realm. With His blessing upon humanity in verse 28, God established hierarchy from the beginning of creation, which will remain throughout eternity. Animals are not our equal. We are dominant, superior in every aspect to all other creatures. However, God gave us the responsibility to care for this earth and all the living creatures He placed here.

            As we remember our responsibilities as caretakers of this beautiful planet, let’s praise God for His precision, process, and performance.