Wk. 3: Purpose

Week Three

What is the Gospel of Peace? Genesis

Week Three: Purpose

Contents of this week’s study:

Day One: Creation Days One and Two

Day Two: Creation Days Three Through Five

Day Three: Creation Day Six

Day Four: The Creation of the First Shabbat [Sabbath]

Day Five: Man and Woman to Rule Together

Day Six: Why the Reiteration?

Day One: Creation Days One and Two "In the Beginning"

You've been working hard, learning and stretching to consider things you may not have encountered before. I'm adding the following short video as a little treat. Copy and paste the link below into your browser for an old yet interesting video from Pastor Carl Gallups.

Link – Youtube Video- PNN News and Ministry Network- "The Amazing First Verse of the Bible: Genesis 1:1":

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZV0hUldrYp4

Note: our study today is divided into six smallish portions.

Part A-God:

Genesis 1:1A tells us “In the beginning ---God…”.

The Hebrew word for Genesis is Bereshit which, just like the word Genesis, means "beginning".

Genesis 1:1 reveals to us that before creation began --- God was. The use of the word "beginning" in this verse, however, is a reminder of more than the fact that there was a beginning to all the "matter" (substance) we see around us; including mankind.

Although "Bereshit" [Genesis] means beginning or at the start; it can also mean "preeminence" like a title of reverence. God is the first and foremost. He was in the beginning. At the time when everything was being created, God already was; and God already ruled --- preeminently.

God was here before anything else was. He has always been, and everything that was made, was made by Him. God owns everything; including, like it or not, you and me.

Part B - Yeshua:

*[Jesus = Yeshua (shortened version of Yehoshua) is His Hebrew name and the name I prefer to use as I am learning more about His Hebrew identity and ministry; I will typically use the name Yeshua from now on. Yeshua is also called the “Living Word of God” or “The Word”

Although Jewish scholars (as well as some other groups) have, typically, not understood it (we’ll discuss why as we move along), the church has traditionally held the belief that Yeshua is one part of God. In this theology God is typically described as "the Trinity” i.e. the one God in three persons: --- 1) God the Father. 2) God the Son: Yeshua. 3) God the Holy Spirit: Ruach HaKodesh in Hebrew.

1 John 5:7-8 (NKJV)

7 For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one. 8 And there are three that bear witness on earth: the Spirit, the water, and the blood; and these three agree as one.

Note: In most known manuscripts, the scripture above only includes verse 8; "and there are three that bear witness on earth: the Spirit, the water and the blood; and these three agree as one".

*I'm not sure whether verse 7 was there originally and removed from some manuscripts (possibly for nefarious reasons?), or whether it was added to some manuscripts as a clarification for Greek readers; or if it was added to bolster someone's false teachings (my jury is still out until reliable evidence becomes available).

Whether verse seven is part of the original manuscript or whatever the reason for the addition/subtraction; we still see the illusion to three "being one”, or agreeing, in verse 8 (above) and throughout the entirety of the scriptures. We will encounter many opportunities to discuss this issue further as we continue on our journey.

Yeshua was part of the creative process.

John 1:1-3 (NKJV)

1 In the beginning was the Word *[title for Yeshua], and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.

Q) Who is verse 3 of John 1 (above) saying made everything?

X___________________________________________________.

Part C – The Ruach –

“Spirit”; “Breath of God”: God as a whole is beyond our comprehension, but the Ruach Hakodesh [Holy Spirit] is the most mysterious part of God. The Spirit, like the Father, is not visible, yet we are always in the presence of All Mighty God because His Ruach is in our midst.

Please see my short study on the Ruach Hakodesh in the topics cache on the home page.

Part D – The symphony of creation:

Genesis 1:1-6 (NKJV)

"1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. 3 Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. 4 And God saw the light, that it was good; and God divided the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light Day, and the darkness He called Night. So, the evening and the morning were the first day. 6 Then God said, “Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.”

Have you ever attended the symphony and watched the conductor, baton in hand, standing in front of the orchestra and wondered if his job was really necessary?

Some people may assume an orchestra could play without a conductor, but the timing, nuanced interpretation, character, structure and unity necessary to create the elevated atmosphere, as music has the potential to do, would all definitely-suffer.

These are all vital elements that a good conductor adds to the performance of a large group of musicians. Without the orchestration of a well-skilled conductor the music could easily become incoherent.

You may never have applied this insight to the opening verses of scripture and the first acts of creation, but I assure you, creation was directed by an awesome conductor.

The conductor of the symphony of the universe dictated the timing, the nuance, the character, the structure; and He formulated everything to work in unity.

God chose what His creation looked like and what each of His created beings purpose would be; but, how do we know that His design was truly “good”?

Note: If you haven’t yet (after today's study), take a few minutes to begin the study of “God’s Character and Nature” located in the “Topics Cache” on the home page. Once you have started your list of details on God’s nature and character, spend a few minutes meditating on the insight you have listed so far.

*God created this world with obvious precision, so how could we possibly believe God created everything in the state it is in now with sickness, death, suffering, and destruction?

You may be asking, what was God's creation like in the beginning, and what went wrong that spun mankind and the world into this, seeming --- alternate universe where we dwell today.

Gaining a better idea of what God's creation was really like in the beginning and what went wrong will take some time, but let’s begin by adding our own conclusion to the definition of several of the words in today's scripture. We’ll have the opportunity to use our conclusions in a short exercise at the end of today’s study, so it is important to consider the way the author used these words before we move on.

Note: Hebrew words have deep and layered interpretations, and slight adaptations, such as changing one letter or vowel marking can alter the meaning. Translators have chosen (for us) what they believe the words mean when applied to each individual scripture, and guess what---in time, they are often proven wrong! In doing this activity, we are, likewise, not going to be right 100% of the time, however, we must start interacting with and getting comfortable handling the word of God.

Please understand, I am not advocating mis-handling anything that belongs to God. We approach scripture reverently---sincerely seeking better understanding, but it is imperative that we are connected; studying and meditating on God’s word even though we will get some things wrong.

Our understanding of theology is supposed to be progressive in nature, constantly being re-forged and deepened by what we are learning at any given time and in any given portion of God’s word.

Just remember, we are to apply God’s word to our theology --- not our theology to God’s word. God is definitely capable of dealing with our misconceptions. If we remain humble He will steer and develop our understanding as we grow consistently closer to Him.

Part E:

From the Strong's:

Your conclusion may be from a translation of the Bible; one of the words in the Strong's definition or your own word. Simply write your conclusion on the line (if you're printing) or in your journal, and willingly accept that your conclusion can, and possibly will, change in time.

"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void;"

Void 922H bôhûw, bo’-hoo; (from an unused root word meaning, to be empty); a vacuity, i.e. (superficially-) an undistinguishable ruin: --- emptiness, void.

X___________________________________________________.

"and darkness was on the face of the deep."

Darkness 2822H chôshek, kho-shek’; from 2821H; the dark; hence, (literally), darkness, (figuratively), misery, destruction, death, ignorance, sorrow, wickedness: --- dark (-ness), night, obscurity. 2821H châshak, khaw-shak’; (primary root word) to be dark (as withholding light); (transitively) to darken: --- be black, be (make) dark, darken, cause darkness, be dim, hide.

X___________________________________________________.

Deep 8415H tehôwm, the-home’; (usually feminine) an abyss (as a surging mass of water), especially the deep (the main sea or the subterranean water supply); --- deep (place), depth. 1949 H hûwm, hoom; (primary root word), to make an uproar, or agitate greatly: --- destroy, move, make a noise, put, ring again.

X___________________________________________________.

"And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters."

Hovering (moved in KJV) 7363H râchaph, raw-khaf’; (a primary root word); to brood; (by implication) to be relaxed: --- flutter, move, shake.

X___________________________________________________.

"Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good; and God divided the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness He called Night."

Light 216H `ôwr, ore; (from 215H); illumination, or (concrete)- liminary (in every sense, including lightening, happiness, etc.): --- bright, clear, + day, light (-ning), morning, sun. 215H `ôwr, ore; (a primary root word); to be (cause, make) luminous (literally and metaphorically): --- x break of day, glorious, kindle, (be, en-, give, show) light (-en, -ened), set on fire, shine.

X___________________________________________________.

"Then God said, 'let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.

Firmament 7549H râqȋya, raw-kee’-ah, (from 7554); (properly), an expanse, i.e. the firmament or (apparently) visible arch of the sky: --- firmament. 7554H râqa’, raw-kah’; (primary root word) to pound the earth (as a sign of passion); (by analogy) to expand (by hammering); (by implication) to overlay (with thin sheets of metal): --- beat, make broad, spread abroad (forth, over, out, into plates), stamp, stretch.

X___________________________________________________.

Part F:

Now, let's see if we can ascertain the standards and level of care our creator applied to His beloved creation; remember, God found the creation "very good!"

*Note: If you want to compare how different translators have interpreted these scriptures, I recommend using one of the many sites where you can access different versions of the Bible such as Bible Gateway, etc.

You can typically use the Bible sites for free, but I recommend giving occasionally if possible --- even if you can only give a small amount.

Each day of creation was an epoch event, so I am titling each section of this exercise Epoch One, Epoch Two, etc.

Fill in the missing words (scripture is added under each section).

Again, you may choose to use: a word from the Strong’s definition (above), your own conclusion from the above exercise or a word used in another Bible translation; or other fitting word --- if it helps clarify what is being said for you.

Epoch One Events:

1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

2 The earth was without form and

_________; and _______________ was on

the face of the _________. And the

Spirit of God was _______________ over

the face of the water[s].

2 The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.

3 Then God said, “Let there be

____________”, and there was light.

3 Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light.

4 And God saw the light, that it was good; and God divided the light from the darkness.

5 God called the light day, and the darkness He called night. So, the evening and the morning were the first day.

Epoch Two Events:

6 Then God said, “Let there be a

___________________ in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters”.

6 Then God said, “Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.”

7 Thus God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament; and it was so. 8 And God called the firmament Heaven. So the evening and the morning were the second day.

Journaling:

1)Define who, exactly, you believe was the "Conductor" during creation. 2)Do you believe the methodical nature of God's creative process could indicate that He was creating with precision and concern to ensure the well being of His creation?

Day Two: Creation Days Three – Five “It Was So, and God Saw It Was Good”

Epoch Three Events:

Genesis 1:9-25 (NKJV)

9 Then God said, “Let the waters under the heavens be gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear”; and it was so. 10 And God called the dry land Earth, and the gathering together of the waters He called Seas. And God saw that it was good. 11 Then God said, “Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb that yields seed, and the fruit tree that yields fruit according to its kind, whose seed is in itself, on the earth”; and it was so. 12 And the earth brought forth grass, the herb that yields seed according to its kind, and the tree that yields fruit, whose seed is in itself according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. 13 So the evening and the morning were the third day.

1) In vs. 9 God caused the dry land to appear. Many creation scientists and scholars believe the wording in this verse indicates that, originally, one single landmass appeared from beneath the sea. It would also seem that before God caused this change that all the earth was covered deeply with water.

Can you think of another time in scripture when the earth was covered with water? Read Genesis 7:17-20 for more information.

X___________________________________________________.

2) God created His creations according to their ____________.

3) In your journal list the three "kinds" God created on day three.

Epoch Four Events:

Genesis 1:14-19 (NKJV)

14 Then God said, “Let there be lights in the firmament of the heavens to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs and seasons, and for days and years; 15 and let them be for lights in the firmament of the heavens to give light on the earth”; and it was so. 16 Then God made two great lights: the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night. He made the stars also. 17 God set them in the firmament of the heavens to give light on the earth, 18 and to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good. 19 So the evening and the morning were the fourth day.

From the Strong's:

Signs 226H ‘ôwth, ōth; a signal (literally or figuratively), as a flag, beacon, monument, omen, prodigy, evidence, etc.: --- mark, miracle, (en-) sign, token.

X___________________________________________________.

Seasons 4150H mȏw ȇd…an appointment, i.e. a fixed time or season; specifically, a festival; conventionally a year; by implication an assembly (as convened for a definite purpose); by extension, the place of meeting; also, a signal (as appointed beforehand): --- appointed (sign, time), (place of solemn) assembly, congregation, (set, solemn) feast, (appointed, due) season, solemn (-ity), synagogue, (set) time, appointed.

X___________________________________________________.

Note: This word refers to God’s Holy Days [Moedim] which are commanded and described in the Torah; i.e. Pasach [Passover]; Chag Hamotzi [Unleavened Bread]; Yom Habikkurim [First Fruits]; Shavuot [Pentacost]; Yom Teru’ah [Rosh Hashanah]; Yom Kippur [Day of Atonement]; Sukkot [Tabernacles] We'll be learning more about God's appointed times as we progress through our studies..

Days (no definition in Strong’s)

X___________________________________________________.

Years 8141H shȃneh (in plurals only), shaw-neh’; … a year (as a revolution of time): --- + whole age, xlong, + old, year (x -ly). From 8138 H shȃnȃh, shaw-nah’; primary root word, to fold i.e. duplicate (literally or figuratively); by implication to transmute (transitively or interjectionally): --- do (speak, strike) again, alter, double, (be given to) change, disguise, (be) diverse, pervert, prefer, repeat, return, do the second time.

X___________________________________________________.

Q) In vs. 14-15 what did God say the lights He created were for? You can use another word [Strong's definitions below] if it's more meaningful for you.

1.___________________________________________________.

2.___________________________________________________.

3.___________________________________________________.

4.___________________________________________________.

In vs. 16-17 God creates a great light to "rule" the day and a lesser light to "rule" the night; wait, what were the lights God created in vs. 14-15 ---which were seemingly created for the same purposes?

*The word "then" in vs. 16 is added into this translation. I suggest it should not be there.

Look at how the (CJB) translates these verses.

14 God said, “Let there be lights in the dome of the sky to divide the day from the night; let them be for signs, seasons, days and years; 15 and let them be for lights in the dome of the sky to give light to the earth”; and that is how it was.

16 God made the two great lights — the larger light to rule the day and the smaller light to rule the night — and the stars.

Without the word "then" in the beginning of vs. 16 we see this as a repeat of information. Scholars understand that when a detail is repeated God is trying to draw our attention to the information provided.

*Note that the Complete Jewish Bible also adds a word into this sentence; in this case the added word is "the". Do you see how in both cases, the addition of one little word can cause clarity or confusion?

Note in your journal which added word you think brings clarity or confusion in vs. 16.

Epoch Five Events:

Genesis 1:20-23 (NKJV)

20 Then God said, “Let the waters abound with an abundance of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the face of the firmament of the heavens.” 21 So God created great sea creatures and every living thing that moves, with which the waters abounded, according to their kind, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. 22 And God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.” 23 So the evening and the morning were the fifth day.

Q) In vs. 22 God gives the creatures in the sea and in the air a blessing by making a statement. This is the first of many times God will use this "blessing".

Complete God's statement:

"Be___________________________________________________."

Q) Do you see this as more of a simple blessing or a command?

X___________________________________________________.

Write your answers to the following questions:

1) When God makes His “Let there be” statements in vs. 3, 6, 9, 11, 14, 15, 20, 24, do you think this would have been a passive moment for God, or was He actively speaking His creation into being --- exactly, perfectly, according to His perfect nature?

X___________________________________________________.

2) When the author of Genesis says; “It was so” at the end of vs. 7, 9, 11, 15, 24; do you think he meant:

A, creation happened “exactly” as God commanded.

B, creation happened “pretty much as God hoped it would".

X___________________________________________________.

3) When the author says, “God saw that it was good” in vs. 10, 12, 18, 21, 25; do you think he meant:

A, God was "pretty happy" with the result of the creative process.

B, God had created everything to function and co-exist perfectly. God was “perfectly happy” with everything He had created.

X___________________________________________________.

Patterns and Style:

Think about how the author weaves this section of scripture with these three statements over and over: “God said ‘let there be’”; “It was so”; “God saw that it was good”.

Q) Do you think Moses' use of this repetitive pattern was meant to be stylistic and merely help the flow from one verse to the next, or was it intended to constantly remind the reader of who it was that was creating and the nature of His creative power and character?

X___________________________________________________.

Notice that God ordered the days beginning at evening. Jewish people still observe this order. The Biblical day begins at sundown on one day and ends at the next sundown.

Journaling:

As we noted before, one of the meanings of the word bereshit [Genesis] is; “beginning”. The second half of Genesis 1:1 tells us what marked the beginning, however, the use of the word bereshit in this verse serves likewise to remind us that there will also be an end. That means one-day our time in this age of man's rule will run out. The trumpet will sound and Yeshua will be enthroned in the judgment seat.

Journal your answer to the following question:

Are you ready to stand before the God of creation to give account of what you did with the talents (opportunities for doing God's will and doing good) which He has given you?

Day Three: Creation Day Six “In His Image and Likeness”

Well my friends, we have arrived at the final day of creation. This is the moment when we see God’s own “likeness” in the “image” He gave to mankind. But first, there was still a creative act God worked before He created mankind.

Epoch Six Events:

Genesis 1:24-25 (CJB)

24 God said, “Let the earth bring forth each kind of living creature — each kind of livestock, crawling animal and wild beast”; and that is how it was. 25 God made each kind of wild beast, each kind of livestock and every kind of animal that crawls along the ground; and God saw that it was good.

As we noted before, God created the animals in types or “kinds”.

In the Strong's:

Kinds 4327H mîyn, meen; to portion out; a sort, i.e. species: --- kind” (types?).

X___________________________________________________.

*God created His creatures very carefully and purposefully. He made a cattle kind, a bird kind, a reptile kind, etc. Today, there are people around the world who tell themselves that they are "like god". Though they are merely manipulating the God-created building blocks; these people delude themselves to believe they are capable of creating.

Ultimately, they are working frantically to disprove God's existence and to prove the theory of evolution by manipulating nature, the animals and even people by such blatant means as changing our DNA and artificially cross breeding kinds.

This is a crime against God and His creation, but what is really interesting to me is that the more man tries to disprove the Bible or God, whether scientifically, archaeologically, etc.; the more the scriptures are proven accurate and the more the evidence for God’s presence becomes clear.

Although it is very frustrating for those of us who love God and His handiwork to know this blatant disrespect is affecting all God’s creation; I assure you that God is still in control. He will; in the fullness of time, rout these people and their evil intentions -- to perform His purpose and prove He alone is God.

We do, however, have a place in stopping evil people from carrying out their offensive plans; because we are God's "representatives" on earth. We just have to make sure we take action with the same rightness and self-control we have seen in God's creative process.

Whatever it means that we were “created in the image of the Creator” is a very important issue to God.

Genesis 1:26-31 (CJB)

26 Then God said, “Let us make humankind in our image, in the likeness of ourselves; and let them rule over the fish in the sea, the birds in the air, the animals, and over all the earth, and over every crawling creature that crawls on the earth.”

27 So God created humankind in his own image; in the image of God he created him: male and female he created them. 28 God blessed them: God said to them, “Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea, the birds in the air and every living creature that crawls on the earth.”

29 Then God said, “Here! Throughout the whole earth I am giving you as food every seed-bearing plant and every tree with seed-bearing fruit. 30 And to every wild animal, bird in the air and creature crawling on the earth, in which there is a living soul, I am giving as food every kind of green plant.” And that is how it was.

31 God saw everything that he had made, and indeed it was very good. So there was evening, and there was morning, a sixth day.

The first thing you may have noticed is that in creating the animals the author has continued to weave our verses with the three statements we have noted; 1, God said “Let it be”, 2, It was so, and 3, “God saw that it was good”, however, with the creation of mankind, there is an interesting twist. Instead of saying “let it be”; God does something unique. God now says, “Let Us make”.

As He created all the matter and life, God merely spoke what He was creating into existence, and so it was; however, as we read His creation of mankind, it seems, perhaps, that God is proposing something a little different. We should also highlight the difference in God's "Be fruitful..." blessing. When He gives it to mankind (vs. 28) God adds "subdue and rule".

So, what does it mean that we were made in the “image” of God?

Q)Is it because we have a body – soul and spirit which represents the assumed threefold nature of God? Could be.

Q) Is God speaking of His “likeness” as His very breath that He would breath into the nostrils of the first human? Possibly.

*There do seem to be some tangible similarities which God bestowed upon mankind, but let’s see if we can unearth another possible answer.

Genesis 1:26 (NKJV)

26 Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”

*The above seems to say that the “likeness” God was proposing is “dominion”. So, God created mankind in His image and likeness --- to have dominion, but what does that mean?

In the Strong's:

Dominion 7287H râdâh, raw-daw’; to tread down, i.e. to subjugate; (specifically) to crumble off: --- (come to, make to) have dominion, prevail against, reign, (bear, make to) rule (-r, over) take.

X___________________________________________________.

Image 6754H tselem, tseh’-lem; to shade; a phantom, i.e. (figuratively) illusion, resemblance; hence, a representative figure, especially an idol: --- image, vain shew.

X___________________________________________________.

Note: There are many opinions on what exactly this means, but we’re going to focus on the idea near the end of the definition;

“a representative figure, ”.

Likeness 1823H demûwth, dem-ooth’; resemblance; (concrete)- model, shape: (advanced)- like: --- fashion, like (-ness, as), manner, similitude.

X___________________________________________________.

Note the words ”manner” and “similitude” at the end of the definition of “likeness”. If we were created in God’s likeness, is this likeness or “similitude” alluding to a responsibility, a duty?

Q) Could it be that God was proposing to set up a system of government on the earth where mankind would serve as a representative of God; living and moving among God’s creation to rule over and care for it with the same care and precision which we have seen that God, Himself, applied to His creative process?

X___________________________________________________.

Journaling:

Write briefly in your journal or on note paper, how you would finish the following sentence.

God created mankind to:

If you don’t agree with the conclusions we’re drawing from these scriptures, be sure to explain your differences in your journal!

Day Four: Creation Day Seven - Shabbat [Sabbath]

It is still a topic of interest and much debate in the church; “are we supposed to be keeping God’s weekly holy day?" After all, He has made it a clear command from the beginning.

If we are still supposed to be keeping God’s Shabbat, does it matter what day we observe, how we observe, what our motives are; and if these things are important, when and how did they get changed to what the church practices today?

The issue of Shabbat is also a hot topic in scripture, so we’ll be revisiting and building upon this issue as we continue on our Gospel journey.

Epoch Seven Events:

The Initiation of Shabbat

Genesis 2:1-3 (TLV)

1 So the heavens and the earth were completed along with their entire array. 2 God completed — on the seventh day — His work that He made, and He ceased — on the seventh day — from all His work that He made. 3 Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, for on it He ceased from all His work that God created for the purpose of preparing.

Fill in the missing words and parts of words in this paraphrase from our scripture above:

God comp____________ all His work on the ____________ day, and He

cea_________ His work and God ble___________ the ________________

day and sancti____________ it.

In the Strong’s:

Note: the words interpreted “completed” and “ceased” in our scripture are the same Hebrew word.

Ceased (finished in the KJV) 3615H kâlâh, kaw-law´; (PR); to end, whether intrinsically- (to cease, be finished, perish) or transitively- (to complete, prepare, consume): --- accomplish, cease, consume (away), determine, destroy (utterly)…

X___________________________________________________.

Blessed1288H bârak, baw-rak’; to kneel, by implication - to bless God (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); also (by euphemism) to curse (God or the king as treason)): --- x abundantly, x all together, x at all, blaspheme, bless, congratulate, curse, x greatly, x indeed, kneel (down), praise, salute, x still, thank.

X___________________________________________________.

Sanctified 6942H qâdâsh, kaw-dash; (Primary Root Word [PR]): to be (causatively= make, pronounce or observe as)clean (ceremonially or morally): --- appoint, bid, consecrate, dedicate, defile, hallow, (be, keep) holy…

X___________________________________________________.

This word is the (PR) of Kadōsh; which is 6918H in the Strong’s and means "holy" or - set apart for a particular purpose.

Exodus 20:8-11 (CJB)

8 “Remember the day, Shabbat, to set it apart for God. 9 You have six days to labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a Shabbat for Adonai your God. On it, you are not to do any kind of work — not you, your son or your daughter, not your male or female slave, not your livestock, and not the foreigner staying with you inside the gates to your property. 11 For in six days, Adonai made heaven and earth, the sea and everything in them; but on the seventh day he rested. This is why Adonai blessed the day, Shabbat, and separated it for himself.

Q: Who or what does verse eight say we are to separate the Shabbat day for?

X___________________________________________________.

In the Strong’s:

Shabbat 7676H shabbâth, shab-bawth´; … from 7673H shaw-bath; (PR); to repose, i.e. desist from exertion; used in many implications… (causatively, figuratively or specifically): --- (cause to, let, make to) cease… leave, put away (down), (make to) rest …

X___________________________________________________.

Scripture mentions Shabbat some 172 times. This is a major issue to God and, therefore, should be of major importance to us. Some may wonder exactly how you "keep Shabbat"; I have a Shabbat page in the topics Cache. If you are ready, that information may be helpful for you. I’m also adding several video links on the Shabbat page (from various speakers) to provide more discussion on this subject.

Link - Youtube video - Unlearn the Lies - Should Christians Keep the Sabbath or Sunday?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3RX9lZjaWI0

Journaling:

Write your beliefs about Shabbat up to this time and talk about if and how this study has changed or solidified your beliefs.

Day Five: Man and Woman to Rule Together in God’s Image

In vs. 27 of chapter one, the author of Bereshit [Genesis] tells us that God created both man and woman in His own image.

Genesis 1:27 (NKJV)

27 So God created man [adam means mankind] in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.

It is commonly understood among Jewish scholars that Adam (= humankind) was created as male and female [Adam and Eve] in one body.

Let the ramifications of this revelation sink in for a moment. If you sometimes struggle to attain “oneness” with your spouse; think about what it might have been like for Adam and Eve in one body. Luckily, it seems they didn’t stay that way for long.

God separated woman (half of the person and certain characteristics [wasn’t just a rib]) so the man and woman could serve God as “like” and complimentary partners.

Man and woman were meant to rule (have dominion) hand in hand --- as one representative figure of God upon the earth.

Genesis 1:28 (NKJV)

28 Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”

The church has long taught that God created Adam in God’s image, and then He created woman in the image of the man. This theology is called the “headship doctrine" and is derived, in large part, from the writings of Paul including 1 Corinthians 11.

Many scholars are now re-evaluating Paul’s writings and applying his education, context, what we know of his ministry and the culture of ancient Israel for clarification. The new insights uncovered by this re-evaluation has shed new light on Paul's beliefs on the roll of women in the kingdom.

If Adam and Eve were initially created as one being we must reconsider the “headship” doctrine, and woman must be acknowledged as an equal --- although distinct part of God’s command to rule in His likeness.

Q) Does our author tell us that God gave Adam authority (dominion) over everything including Eve [Havah in Hebrew], or do we find that God gave “dominion” over all His creation to both?

Write who our “scripture” says God told to be fruitful and multiply and have “dominion”.

X ___________________________________________________.

The Important Choice to Remain Single:

For those of my brothers and sisters who are single, I hope you take the following to heart.

The Apostle Paul [Rav Sha’ul] made it clear that, although man and woman were created to function and serve as one; we each do have all the necessary elements to represent God just as completely within ourselves.

*I want every unmarried believer to know --- you are not less because you are not married. On the contrary, Rav Sha’ul said that we serve God more fully committed if we remain single.

1 Corinthians 7:29-35 (CJB)

29 What I am saying, brothers, is that there is not much time left: from now on a man with a wife should live as if he had none — 30 and those who are sad should live as if they weren’t, those who are happy as if they weren’t, 31 and those who deal in worldly affairs as if not engrossed in them — because the present scheme of things in this world won’t last much longer. 32 What I want is for you to be free of concern. An unmarried man concerns himself with the Lord’s affairs, 33 with how to please the Lord; but the married man concerns himself with the world’s affairs, with how to please his wife; 34 and he finds himself split. Likewise, the woman who is no longer married or the girl who has never been married concerns herself with the Lord’s affairs, with how to be holy both physically and spiritually; but the married woman concerns herself with the world’s affairs, with how to please her husband. 35 I am telling you this for your own benefit, not to put restrictions on you — I am simply concerned that you live in a proper manner and serve the Lord with undivided devotion.

*Important!

1) Sha’ul is not telling married couples to separate so they can be more devoted to God. Married couples must learn to function as one unit and agree together to put ministry before their own desires; though not before each others needs, of course.

2) Though a husband and wife are, clearly, to be attentive to the others needs and feelings; couples (if both are believers) in this final age need to be especially careful not to get “too” caught-up in the world’s definition of love and romance --- seeking satisfaction in the self-obsessed way the world does. Instead, believing couples are to work together to devote much of their focus to loving God and bringing the fullness of His Kingdom in this world. Of course; this means bringing God’s Kingdom principles and standards in your marriage too.

3) It is my opinion that God does still call people to be married --- to serve Him as “one – flesh” in life and ministry.

~Fill in the blanks with the missing words from our scripture (as usual, the scripture is re-posted below). A few word definitions -from the Strong’s- are added below to assist you.

~The blessing God gave Adam and Eve in vs. 28:

28 Then God _________________ them, and God ___________ to them,

“Be __________________ and __________________; fill the earth

and _________________ it; have ____________________ over the fish

of the sea, ___________ the birds of the air, and over _______________ living thing that moves on the earth.”

Genesis 1:28 (NKJV)

From the Strong’s:

Blessed in much of the Tanakh [Old testament] is predominantly 1288H bârak, baw-rak’; to kneel, by implication - to bless God (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); also (by euphemism) to curse (God or the king as treason)): --- x abundantly, x all together, x at all, blaspheme, bless, congratulate, curse, x greatly, x indeed, kneel (down), praise, salute, x still, thank.

X___________________________________________________.

Mandate words:

Fruitful 6509H pârâh, paw-raw´; (PR); to bear fruit (literally or figuratively): --- bear, bring forth (fruit), (be, cause to be, make) fruitful, grow, increase.

X___________________________________________________.

If you still believe the “Be fruitful” command merely indicates a mandate to produce physical offspring, consider the following.

Galatians 5:22,23 (CJB):

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 humility, self-control. Nothing in the Torah stands against such things.

From the Strong's:

Multiply 7235H râbâh, raw-baw´; (PR); to increase (in whatever respect): --- [bring in] abundance (x -antly), … be in authority, bring up, x continue, enlarge, excel, exceeding (-ly), be full of, (be, make) great (-er, -ly, x -ness), grow up, heap, increase, be long, (be, give, have, make, use) many (a time), (any, be, give, give the, have) more (in number), …

X___________________________________________________.

*Again, before we assume this mandate to “multiply” simply means to make a lot of babies, allow me to highlight part of the definition above;

“be in authority”.

*Without a doubt; God wanted Adam and Eve to produce physical offspring. If you still truly believe making babies is what God is stressing so vehemently in the above scriptures, I honor your opinion.

Journaling:

Write what you think the meaning of "be in authority" in the definition of multiply from the Strong's is meant to convey? Also, what are your thoughts about my suggestion of the fruit of the Spirit, Galatians 5:22,23 (above) as one possibility of the fruit God wants us to bear (multiply) in 1 Corinthians 7:29-35 (above).

Day Six: Why the Reiteration?

Genesis 2:1-3 (KJV)

1 Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. 2 And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. 3 And God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.

As we noted previously, most scholars agree that the first five books of the Bible; the “Torah” in Hebrew (“Pentateuch” in Greek); were written by Moses. So, having already laid out the details of the days of creation in chapter One, why does Moses now circle back to reiterate the account here in chapter two?

As we learned previously, the first telling of the creation events, in chapter one, was clearly an overview of the process --- to state God’s authority as the creator and His view of the creation as ‘very good’. In this retelling of our narrative in chapter two, Moses [Moshe] restates the highlights with some necessary detail for clarity and emphasis.

*In my mind, Moses statement in Genesis chapter two, verse four should magnify his reasoning for including the account we’re studying this week.

Genesis 2:4a (CJB)

4a Here is the history of the heavens and the earth when they were created.

*Though some other translations interpret the word “history” in our text as “generations” or “genealogical records”; the theme of this section of our scriptures is actually a further detailing of the title, expected standards and duties of mankind.

*Given the content of Chapter-2, I think a more apt interpretation of vs. 4a would be “Here Begins the Record of When, How and Why God Created the World and Mankind”. As we'll soon see, in the verses of Chapter 2, Moishe gives a brief record of the “standards” God prescribed”.

Moses [Moishe] purposely wrote a historical account of the beginning in an “official document” [i.e. the Torah] so future generations of God’s people could always, through study, ascertain details such as the creative nature of God and the reason for our existence.

Moishe also makes sure it’s clear in verse four that he fully understands that he is responsible for passing a historical account of the creation on to every future generation.
Re-read Genesis 2:4a (above)

Journaling:

In your journal write three details from Ch. 1 which you don’t find in Ch. 2, then, write three details from Ch. 2 that you don’t find in Ch. 1. Describe how the inclusion of one or all of these details change your understanding of God, His creative actions, the importance of mankind in God’s creation and/or details of the creation itself.

Another perspective on the differences between chapters 1 and 2 of Genesis:

~Link – Youtube video – Zachary Bower, New2Torah – “Genesis 1 OR Genesis 2?”:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0JQGv4afOE

Our Week Three Study is Now Complete. Be Strong and Courageous Friends!

Week Three

What is the Gospel of Peace? Genesis

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