An examination of the first chapter of Genesis- the six days of creation

1. Lessons from Genesis 1 Laindon Bible Class 12th & 19th January 2011 Part 1

2. Looking for lessons Parallels, patterns and allegories Types and shadows Symbols Echoes Guidance and commands Truths and principles Examples Genesis 1 2

3. Multiple patterns Genesis 1 3

4. God’s purpose “For God is not the author of confusion[a state of disorder], but of peace[a state of harmony], as in all churches [ecclesias]of the saints.” 1 Corinthians 14:28 Genesis 1 4

5. Theme: God as the creator Genesis 1 gives us an account of physical creation by God through His Elohim (ek or ex – out of him see Romans 11:34-36) Why does He give it us? So that we might understand his purpose What is his purpose? To fill the earth with His glory (Numbers 14:21) Is physical creation an end in itself? No, God’s complete work is a spiritual creation Genesis 1 5

6. God’s creative work Genesis 1 6 Spiritual Creation –through Christ Kingdom of God Physical Creation Spiritual Creation -in us

7. Our plan for this study Genesis 1 7 Physical Creation Physical Creation Spiritual Creation –through Christ Spiritual Creation -in us Genesis 1 Genesis 1 Throughout Scripture Gospel of John

8. Structure of Genesis 1 Genesis 1 8

9. Genesis 1 Genesis 1 9

10. Recurring phrases “And God said…” 10x “…let there be…” 9x “…and it was so” 6x “God saw that it was good” 6x “…and the evening and the morning were…” 6x Genesis 1 10

11. Shape & sequence of creation Genesis 1 11 Ecclesiastes 3:11 “he hath set the world [eternity]in their heart” Fills or populates Increasing complexity Context or framework

12. Physical v spiritual creation(through Christ) Genesis 1 12

13. Keyword comparison – Genesis 1 v John’s Gospel Genesis 1 13 Source: John A Pople

14. Introduction (Genesis 1:1-2) “In the beginning God…” (cf John 1:1) “…the earth was without form and void” (Hebrew: tohuw – nothingness, empty space, wasteland ; bohuw – void, waste, emptiness) Compare with Jeremiah 4:23-26 concerning Israel Contrast with God’s declared purpose in Isaiah 45:18 “…the spirit of God moved…” Genesis 1 14

15. Day 1 – Light John 1:1-3:21 Seeing the light (John 1:4-9; 3:19-21) Calling the disciples to light (1:39) Darkness symbolizes both evil and lack of knowledge or understanding Christ brings the light of God’s word to believers (Ephesians 5:8-14) The significance of the second son (1 Corinthians 15:22) Genesis 1 15

16. Day 2 – Waters aboveJohn 3:22-5:47 Recurring theme of water and baptism John the Baptist describes the separation of Jesus (John 3:26-31) The separation of waters, the Samaritan woman (John 4:10-14) The crippled man by the pool of Bethesda (John 5:2-15) Genesis 1 16

17. Day 3 – Bread from Heaven John 6 Jesus the lamb (1:29,35-6) and the coming Passover (2:13, 6:4 & 11:55) The feeding of the 5,000 (6:10-11) Jesus, the bread from heaven (6:32,51) Gathering of fragments (6:12-13) The necessity and reward of eating (6:51) Genesis 1 17

18. Day 4 – The Ruling LightJohn 7:1-13:38 The authority of Jesus (7:14-34 “My doctrine is not mine but his that sent me”) The authority of the light, which brings to judgement (8:12-59 “I am the light of the world”) The parable of the shepherd and his sheep (10:1-18 “I am the gate for the sheep”) Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem (12:12-50 “Now is the judgement of this world”) Genesis 1 18

19. Day 5 – Waters beneathJohn 14:1-19:42 The waters left beneath equate to the death state The creatures mentioned include the great whale (tanniyn– relates to the serpent and leviathan see Isaiah 27:1) The disciples are left leaderless and in denial (14:30-31; 18:27) The temporary ascendancy of the serpent (16:16; 18:12; 19:14-15, 30) Genesis 1 19

20. Day 6 – The New ManJohn 20:1-21:25 Man, with authority over all creation (cf Jesus – 1 Corinthians 15:24-28) Jesus the keyholder (Isaiah 22:22 & Revelation 3:7 and 1:18 cf also 20:19 & 20:26) Jesus dines with his disciples foreshadowing the marriage supper of the lamb (21:12-14 & Revelation 19:7-9) Genesis 1 20

21. Colossians 1:12-17 12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: 13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: 14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: 15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature [spiritual creation]: 16 For by [through]him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by [through]him, and for him: 17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. Genesis 1 21

22. Lessons from Genesis 1 Laindon Bible Class 12th & 19th January 2011 To be continued next week (God willing)