The Creation

Text: Genesis 1:1 – 2:4a

Study Questions:

Read the story. Don’t rush. Take time to familiarize yourselves with the text. Share your first impressions. What do you find particularly interesting/ noteworthy? What questions do you have regarding the text?
Note repetitions of words and phrases in the text. Do you notice any patterns? How is the story structured? Why is it structured in this way? Which parts of the text are emphasized by the structure? What does this intentional design of the text reveal about God?
Read verse 1 slowly several times. Remember that these are the first words of the Bible, the first words of the great story told from Genesis to Revelation. Why did the author begin the story like this? What important insights are contained in these ten words (seven in Hebrew)? In what ways is this verse foundational for the entire Bible? For the worldview that is presented in this book?
Note the verbs that are associated with God in this story. What do they tell you about him? What is he like? Why does he create things in this particular order? In what ways are his actions on each day part of all creative processes in this world and in your daily life?
Read verses 26-28. What do these verses reveal about what it means to be human? What aspects does the image of God entail? What kind of a life is envisioned here? How does this apply to us today?
Read verses 29-30. What is the significance of God giving food? Why does he give this particular food? How do these verses prepare the reader for the next story?
Think about the themes of creation and salvation. How are they related? Where do you find the theme of salvation in this story? Where do you find Jesus?

Infos about the text

Keywords and -phrases

God (35x)
Be/exist (27x)
Earth (21x)
All/every (17x)
Day (14x)
Heavens (12x)
Waters (11x)
Light/lights (11x)
according to its/their kind (10x)
And God said (10x)
Firmament (9x)

Good (7x)
And God saw (7x)
Birds (7x)
Create (6x)
And there was evening and there was morning (6x)
And it was so (6x)
Seed (6x)
Divide (5x)
And God called/named(3x)
And God made (3x)

Structure

Introduction: Earth and heavens created (1:1-2)

A Day 1 – light, darkness; day, night

B Day 2 – Waters, Firmament/heavens

C Day 3 – Earth, trees, plants, seed

A’ Day 4 – light, darkness; day, night

B’ Day 5 – Waters, Firmament/heavens

C’ Day 6 – Earth, trees, plants, seed

X Day 7

Conclusion: Heavens and earth created (2:4a)

Context

Genesis 2:4b – 3:24

Thematic connections:

Creation
Creation of plants/trees, animals and humans

Terminological connections:

God, humans, day, animals, trees, eat, speak, call/name, all/every, good

Intertextual Connections (Selection)

After the flood (Genesis 8:6 – 9:17)

Connections: 7 days (Gen 8:10), dry land appears out of the waters (Gen 8:13-14), humans and animals (Gen 8:15-19), blessing, be fruitful, commandment regarding food (Gen 9:1ff.)

At the reed sea (Exodus 14)

Connections: light in the darkness (Exod 14:20), waters divided (Exod 14:21), dry ground appears (Exod 14:21-22)

Building of the tabernacle (Exodus 25 – 40)

Connections: 7 divine speeches in Exod 25-31, work finished (Exod 39:32; 40:33), looking at the work (Exod 39:43)

Jesus in the text (Selection)

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him not even one thing came into being that has come into being. In Him was life, and the life was the Light of mankind. And the Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not grasp it. (John 1:1-5)

Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; the one who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.” (John 8:12)

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation: for by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones, or dominions, or rulers, or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. (Col 1:15-17)

God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom He also made the world.(Heb 1:1-2)

Application

God’s powerful Word (Jesus) is able to recreate us, make us fruitful and lead us into his rest.