Genesis 1 has many levels of understanding, with only the most limited imparting mythical attributes. A myth reading comes with misunderstanding or disbelief. This series delves into aspects that Sunday school never taught me.
Today’s topic is easy. Worship the Creator only.
The writer begins with his creed, “In the beginning God created heaven and earth” (NIV). He speaks plainly about a beginning but not of time. The Hebrew cosmology did not speculate on how God made things or how long it took. They simply said all things originate from one source, God. This statement acts as a title to define the rest of the text. It boldly states that worshiping the Creator is the only logical choice.
Then, the writer organized creation into six days and described each set as good. To him, God enjoyed the experience of creation.
Readers generally miss the extreme audacity of Genesis 1. It blatantly mocks the worship of every nature god. All creation is subject to the Creator’s authority and majesty. In essence, Genesis 1 says, “One God created everything. No others need apply.”
Day 1 – No other gods needed for light and darkness.
Day 2 – No other gods needed for sky and water.
Day 3 – No other gods needed for earth and plants.
Day 4 – No other gods needed for astral bodies.
Day 5 – No other gods needed for aquatic animals or birds.
Day 6 – No other gods needed for land animals or man.
In Genesis 2:1 and 2:4, the seventh day begins and ends with restatements of the original creed.
On that day, God steps back (resting) to watch creation unfold. He blesses the seventh day, as he had blessed the various parts of creation. He waited for the appropriate time to start the next important event, the moment God’s image would learn to act like God.
To be continued:
One Response
I've read Jo's writing on this before. But I get new insight EVERY time. Thanks, Jo.