Order Purpose in A Chaotic World Gen 1

Order & Purpose in A Chaotic World Gen 1: 1 -2: 3 26 April 2020

1: 1 -2: 3 – an overture / prologue to the whole book of Genesis: 2: 4 -4: 26 – History of heaven & earth 5: 1 -6: 8 – Family History of Adam 6: 9 -9: 29 – Family History of Noah 10: 1 -11: 9 – Family History of Noah’s sons 11: 10 -26 – Family History of Shem 11: 27 -25: 11 – Family History of Terah 25: 12 -18 – Family History of Ishmael 25: 19 -35: 29 – Family History of Isaac 36: 1 -37: 1 – Family History of Esau 37: 2 -50: 26 – Family History of Jacob

ESSENTIAL UNDERSTANDING OF THE STRUCTURE OF WHOLE BOOK OF GENESIS § Repetition of Words / Phrases is Part of the Message § Always look for patterns and structure when reading the Bible – patterns & structures convey important messages

1: 1 -2: 3 – an overture / prologue to the whole book of Genesis: – the word in NIV is “account” – it shows the clear structure / division of the whole book of Genesis 2: 4 -4: 26 – History of heaven & earth 5: 1 -6: 8 – Family History of Adam 6: 9 -9: 29 – Family History of Noah 10: 1 -11: 9 – Family History of Noah’s sons 11: 10 -26 – Family History of Shem 11: 27 -25: 11 – Family History of Terah 25: 12 -18 – Family History of Ishmael 25: 19 -35: 29 – Family History of Isaac 36: 1 -37: 1 – Family History of Esau 37: 2 -50: 26 – Family History of Jacob

GENESIS IS MORE ABOUT GOD THAN ABOUT SEQUENCE OF THE CREATION STRUCTURE OF GEN 1: 1 -2: 3 1: 1 -13 Day 1 to 3 of creation 1: 14 -31 Day 4 to 6 of creation 2: 1 -3 Day of Rest Set Apart

Basic observations about relationship between God & Creation – THE MAJESTIC CREATION POWER OF GOD • “God said” – vv. 3, 6, 9, 14, 20, 24, 26 • “The 1 st / 2 nd day …. ” – vv. 5, 8, 13, 19, 23, 31 • “God saw that it was good” – 3 rd day / 4 th / 5 th / 6 th day

• “God called” – vv. 5, 8, 10 • “God blessed” – vv. 22, 28 • God acted – v. 3, 7, 16 He is initiator – the one who creates & sustains the world and all that’s in it

Observations about the Literary Style in 1: 2 -5 – THE SOVEREIGN TRANSFORMING POWER OF GOD OVER EVIL & CONFUSION 1: 2 – “the earth was formless & empty and darkness was over the surface of the deep” “tuhu va buhu” • “the Spirit of God hovers over the water” God has the power to bring order into chaos – He transforms / He rules / He’s sovereign

God said “let there be light” “God called the light ‘day’, and the darkness He called ‘night’” -- SYMBOLISM OF DARKNESS & CHAOS • There’s now order in the world instead of just darkness – because of God’s creation and transforming power – darkness was transformed into something useful God prevails over evil

6 Days of Creation Day 1 & 4 Day 2 & 5 Day 3 & 6 Rev 21: 1 – “then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the 1 st heaven and the 1 st earth had passed away, and ‘there was no longer any sea. ”

1: 21 – “God created the great creatures of the sea” -- serpents – carriers or messengers of “evil” • even the messengers of evil are created by God Day 3 & 6 “God saw that it was good” God waged battle with evil – and evil has been subdued by Him

• God has subdued the forces of darkness, chaos and evil – as the image of God and with the help of the Holy Spirit – we will win with Him • God is sovereign – He rules over evil – even the agents of evil – – He’s the only one worthy of our praise and worship • For us humans as agents of God on the earth – in our rule and management of the earth – we can be assured that even in the deepest frustrations and despair – God is there and He has subdued all evil