Lesson 2
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THE central lesson of Genesis one is so clear that even a little child can understand it. "God made everything, and God made me." The chapter does not tell us who God is, nor does it try to prove the existence of God; rather, it assumes His existence. It stresses the true relationship of God, man, and the universe. It is God Who created man, and it is God Who created the universe. It is highly significant that the very first chapter of the Bible teaches such a clear-cut, robust theism. This central teaching of the chapter is clear, but when we examine the details of the chapter, we encounter difficulty. In this lesson it will be our purpose to consider the chapter in detail.
Verse One. In the Beginning. Let the student compare this phrase with the first verse of John's Gospel. These words do not mean that there was a time when God was not. God has existed from all eternity, but man and the universe have not always so existed. God created them out of nothing. The word "beginning" simply refers to the time when God began to create.
God. In the Hebrew language, in which the Old Testament was probably originally written, this word God is a plural noun, "Gods." It is pronounced Elohim in the Hebrew. But in nearly every place where it refers to the one true God, it is treated as a singular noun. Thus, in this first verse, it is treated as though it were a singular noun. The word "created" 'is singular, and we might render the whole verse in English thus: "In the beginning GODS (He) created the heavens and the earth." We may ask why the word GODS is plural instead of singular. Various reasons have been suggested. Some unbelieving scholars say that here are found the remains of an original polytheism.
This opinion, however, is without foundation in fact. We are probably not far wrong if we say that the word is simply a plural of majesty, which helps to indicate the majesty of God and His almighty power in creation. It is possible that there is an indication of the Trinity to be found in the word, but this we cannot assert dogmatically.
The word ELOHIM occurs more than 2,500 times in the Old Testament, and more than 200 times in the book of Genesis alone. What its original meaning was and what its correct etymology is, we cannot say definitely. However, we do know that it expresses the majesty, fulness, and richness of God's power, and is the appropriate word to be used in this chapter.
Created. The use of this word is interesting. It is a rare, exceptional word, and the form of the verb which occurs here is only used in speaking of the activity of God. The material which God used to create is never stated. In verse one the word is used of the primal creation, in verse twenty-seven of the creation of man.
The Heavens and the Earth. This phrase simply means "the universe." Here, in this first verse of Genesis one, we find the true relationship between God and the universe. Each one is distinct, but both have not always existed together. It is God Who is the Creator of the Universe.
Let us examine the relationship between verse one and verses two and three.
I. The traditional view of the Christian Church (and, as we believe, the correct one), is that verse one is entirely independent of the remainder of the chapter. It is a summary of this chapter. It is a COMPREHENSIVE statement, and is followed by a detailed statement of creation in the rest of the chapter. That this is the Old Testament method of narrative will be made clear from the following examples. Let the student compare:
I Kings 18:30. "And he repaired the altar of the Lord that was broken down." This is a general COMPREHENSIVE statement. The detailed account of the repairing is contained in the following verses, I Kings 18:31-35. As the student can easily see, verse 30 is a general summary of the repairing of the altar, and is independent of the verses which follow.
Genesis 18:1 [???]. Here, verse 18 is a general COMPREHENSIVE summary, whereas the verses which follow relate the account in detail.
EXODUS 40:16. Here again, verse sixteen is an independent general summary, whereas the verses which follow relate the account of the building of the tabernacle in detail.
These examples might be multiplied, but enough has been given to show the student that this is a common Hebrew method of narration. Thus, Genesis one, verse one, is a general comprehensive summary of creation, independent of what follows; whereas the remainder of the chapter relates the creation of the heavens and the earth in detail.
Now let us note this point. The general account (verse one) and the detailed account are connected by the word "and." If the student will refer again to the above given references, he will see that in each case the general account and the detailed account are connected by the word "and." Thus, for example, in I Kings 18:30, the general account (verse thirty) is connected to the detailed account (I Kings 18:31-35) by the word "and." Let the student thoroughly understand this subject before proceeding farther.
II. A second view of the relationship of these verses, and one which we believe to be quite erroneous, is prevalent today. This theory teaches that between verses one and two a catastrophe or cataclysm took place, perhaps through the agency of Satan or of the fallen angels. In favor of this opinion the following verses are usually cited: Isaiah 24:1; 45:18; and Jeremiah 4:23-26. The advocates of this theory feel that it allows ample time between verse one and two to account for all the geologic ages. However, we feel that the view is untenable, for:
a. If such a great catastrophe had really occurred, it is extremely unlikely that the Bible would pass over it in silence, when so much space is devoted to a lesser catastrophe, the Flood; cf. Genesis 6:9—8:22.
b. This view, which is called the RESTITUTION theory, teaches that the catastrophe was probably brought about by the agency of Satan or the angels.
However, Genesis one is characterized by the fact that it mentions no HIGHER CREATED beings than man. This theory runs counter to the remainder of the chapter.
c. This theory really wrests the verses of Isaiah and Jeremiah from their context. That they do not refer to the earth which was ruined is clear from Jeremiah 4:26-27. Note here the mention of cities and the activity of the Lord.
d. This theory does violence to the Hebrew language. We have Been how these verses are connected, but this theory does violence to their proper relationship.
c. The restitution theory would make Genesis one. to be the account of a recreation, rather than, as it appears to be, the account of creation.
III. There is another view of the relationship of these verses which has appeared in various forms in some of the recent translations of the Old Testament, There are variations in this view, but generally speaking, it would translate these verses as follows: "When God began to create the heavens and the earth, then the earth was without form," etc. The student should beware of such translations, for they imply that God and the universe have existed side by side eternally.
This is thoroughly contrary to the whole teaching of the Bible. Such a translation is grammatically possible, but it is completely out of harmony with the remainder of Scripture, and therefore is to be avoided. Probably the reason why such a translation is so popular with modern men is because it does away with the strong emphasis upon God as Creator which this chapter contains. We believe that the traditional view of the Church regarding these opening verses of Genesis is the true and correct one, and we earnestly beseech the student prayerfully to master it.
EXERCISES
Are the details of chapter one as easy to understand as the great, central teaching of the chapter?
Does chapter one tell Who God is, or does it try to prove His existence?
What do you think the phrase "in the beginning" means?
Write all that you .know about the word for GOD that is used in Genesis 1:1.
Write all that you can about the word "created" which appears in Genesis 1:1,
What does the phrase "the heavens and the earth" mean?
What is the traditional Christian view of the relationship of verses one to verses two and three?
Support this view by reference to at least one other Bible passage.
What is the Restitution theory?
What other translation of these verses has been suggested? Why is this translation dangerous?
OPTIONAL EXERCISES
Commit to memory Psalm 100.
Study carefully and commit to memory question number five of the Shorter Catechism, or question number twenty-five of the Heidelberg Catechism.
HYMNS FOR STUDY
No. 448: "O Bless Our God With One Accord."
No. 445: "All Glory Be To God On High."