(Genesis 1; Genesis 2) Blog Mar. 27 – Apr. 2, 2022
What does it mean to be created in God’s image?
Prepared by Richard A. Marin: Present Truth PO Box 700, Fallbrook CA 92088-0700 USA
INTRODUCTION: This quarter we will delve into the book of Genesis. In its 50 chapters Moses gives more than 2000 years of history from creation to the death of Joseph in Egypt. Understanding the beginnings of this earth will help us prepare for its end.
1. When was “the beginning” that Moses records in the first verse of Genesis? The “beginning” mentioned in Genesis 1:1 is the beginning of the creation of this earth & not the beginning of the universe, nor of God (Gen. 1:1; Job 38:1-7; Prov. 8:22-23).
2. In Genesis 1:1, to whom does the word “God” refer? In the first verse of Genesis the word “God” (Elohim) refers to the three persons of the Deity (Father, Son, & Holy Spirit) for it is plural, the Spirit is mentioned in verse 2, & David lists all three in Psalms (Word, Breath, Lord) (Gen. 1:1-3; Psa. 33:6; John 1:1-3).
3. Which part of creation stands out as not being created or made by God? Of the Light that appeared on the first day of creation the record does not state that God made it (Gen. 1:4, 7, 21, 25, 27, 31).
4. Who was that Light that was the light of this world? The Light of this world is Jesus who worked with the Father & Holy Spirit in the creation of this earth (Gen. 1:3-4; John 1:1-5; 8:12; 2 Cor. 4:6).
5. How do we know that there were no parts of creation that didn’t function perfectly or lacked beauty? God declared “very good” everything that he had made, meaning that it functioned perfectly & was beautiful: there was no form of death nor evolving into better life forms there (Gen. 1:31).
6. What four basic elements of life are mentioned in the first verse of the Bible? Genesis 1:1 mentions time (beginning), space (heaven), energy (created), & matter (earth) (Gen. 1:1).
Humanity
7. What distinguished the creation of humanity from all other life forms? As the peak of creation man alone was created in God’s image having personality; was given dominion over other creatures; was given the responsibility of naming the other creature; & only with man was a covenant of accountability made (Gen. 1:26-28; 2:16-17, 19).
8. What does it mean to be created in God’s image? To be created in God’s image means to have interpersonal fellowship like the Godhead, to have dominion over creation, to be like God in bodily form, & to have the ability to think (conceive) & to do (produce) (Gen. 1:26-28).
9. By what means did God make Adam and his posterity accountable to himself? Humanity became accountable to God by means of the covenant of life which essentially said: “Obey & live” (Gen. 2:16-17).
10. If out of all creation only mankind has personality and accountability toward God does that mean that other life forms may be mistreated or neglected? Certainly not. To Adam & Eve were given the responsibility to keep & dress the garden & to oversee every living creature (Gen. 1:26-28; 2:15).
11. What elements were brought together to make a living soul? God made a living soul out of formed dust & his own breath (Gen. 2:7).
12. Besides life, food, and occupation what special gift did God give to humanity? God gave the Sabbath rest to humanity for it was given the day after Adam & Eve were created (Gen 2:1-3; Mark 2:27).
13. Considering the method God used to create our solar system, the earth, & all its plant and animal life without pre-existing matter, what powerful aspect of God should we continually remember and reverence? The power of God’s word (Psa. 33:6-9; Luke 4:32; Heb. 1:3)
14. What obvious difference is there between the creation story in Genesis 1 and that story in Genesis 2? In Genesis 1 God is outside & above his creation, the omnipotent, omniscient Creator. In Genesis 2 God is right down in the middle of his creation as a hands-on Creator & Communicator (Gen. 1 & 2; Isa. 57:15).
15. How do we know that each day of creation week was just a 24-hour day like we have now? The days of creation were 24-hour days for they each had only one evening & morning, the word used for day (yom) is the same as that used over 1000 times elsewhere in the Old Testament, the 7th day was the last of a weekly cycle that has continued up to the giving of the Ten Commandments & until today, & by faith we believe the Bible record (Gen. 1:5; 7:11; Ex. 20:8; Est. 1:10; Heb. 11:3).
16. What principal reason is given throughout the Bible as to why we should worship God? The principal reason to worship God is that he is our Creator & the Sabbath is to be a continual reminder of that fact (Psa. 95:6; Rom. 1:25; Rev. 14:7).
17. If the Sabbath is a sign of God’s finished creation, is its observance the way we are to worship God? Those who worship God must worship him in spirit & in truth, meaning that they must not only observe the sign (the truth) but also have the spirit of rest in Christ. One without the other falls short of God’s ideal (Ex. 31:16-17; John 4:23).
18. How do the two Edenic institutions (Sabbath & marriage) demonstrate the existence of God’s Law in Eden? Marriage pictures love for our fellow men & the Sabbath pictures love for God: the two commandments that make up God’s Law (Gen. 2:1-3, 24; Matt. 22:37-39).