#7 God Blessed The Seventh Day Genesis 2

Thus the heavens and the earth, and all the host of them, are finished. And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made. Genesis 2:1-3 NKJV

So we see here that on the seventh day God rested, and established the calendar week for men. This would be what we refer to as Saturday, and what has also been a point of much needless contention between those claiming to believe in Christ. It is funny, if not sad, that whatever God does for our good or as part of and leading up to a message, we take and reconstruct into our own legalist ideals. We miss the message as we look for ascetic, religious practices as if to be more holy or acceptable. This is what the Bible says about the Sabbath:

First under Mosaic Law: "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates. For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.

Exodus 20: 8-11 NKJV

The word Sabbath means to rest or stop working. It interesting to to see that all things in your care, as an Israelite, were given this rest. You could not overwork your servant while you were resting, not even a stranger. 

And He said to them, "The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath. Therefore the Son of Man is also Lord of the Sabbath." Mark 2:27 NKJV

Matthew 12 also gives a very good account of those who would seek to discredit Jesus based upon the Mosaic Law. They do it with little understanding and out of context. Jesus answers them based upon a story of David, who they would be all too familiar with. It is also interesting that Jesus answers them the same as He answers Satan during His temptation in the wilderness - with Scripture.

"Yet I say to you that in this place there is One greater than the temple. But if you had known what this means,'I desire mercy and not sacrifice,' you would not have condemned the guiltless. For the Son of Man is Lord even on the Sabbath." Matthew 12: 6-8

Is that not enough? Do you still prefer the way of the Pharisee?

So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ. Colossians 2:16 & 17

One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind. He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it. He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he who does not eat, to the Lord he does not eat, and gives God thanks. For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself. For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord's. Roman 14: 5-9

Everything is the Lord's: everyday, every act and everybody belonging to the body of Christ, so quit judging what day others worship on as if they are less enlightened than you, because its quite the other way around. I love you no matter what day you go to Church, but I want to be and should be a Christian everyday.

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#6.5 Herbs + fruit = Food

And God said, "See, I have given you every herb that yields seed which is on the face of all the earth, and every tree whose fruit yields seed; to you it shall be for food. Also, to every beast of the earth, to every bird of the air, and to everything that creeps on the earth, in which there is life, I have given every green herb for food"; and it was so. Then God saw everything that He made, and indeed it was good. So the evening and the morning were the sixth day. Genesis 1:29 - 31

Apparently our ancestors were vegan. I myself am a meat eater and herbs and fruit play a great supporting role in the food I prepare, but I do eat meat. If a person chooses not to eat meat, I don't believe they can do so thinking that it is from a Biblical view unless they chose to read only this passage of scripture. It is not evil to eat animals, but there should, I feel always, be a respect and reverence for the act of taking the life of another living thing to acquire your own sustenance. I think it safe to say that, not just man, but all of creation at this time was provided for in the same manner.  

To those that would still insist that vegetarianism is a higher calling, or that their diet somehow puts them on a higher plane: it is no way a Biblical view. At the same time, from what we have read in the first chapter of Genesis, men were created on the last day after all else had been made and God saw it was good. He gives man dominion over the earth and the animals, so with that is also the responsibility and conservation of our planet. Maybe we should care a little more about the natural world and the reverse role we have taken since that time when God saw that it was good.

Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrine of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their conscience seared with a hot iron, forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. for every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused if it is received received with thanksgiving; for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. 1Timothy 4:1-5

I am starting to see that whenever I eat, or whatever activity I am involved in at the time, there is a chance to remember our history. Giving thanks at our meals is also a time of reflection, and we will see in books following this that the culinary was used often to convey such, like at the Passover. Something dies so that other things live.

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#6 "Creeping Things"

Then God said, "Let the earth bring forth the living creature according to its kind: cattle and creeping thing and beast of the earth, each according to its kind"; and it was so. And God made the beast of the earth according to its kind, cattle according to its kind, and everything that creeps on the earth according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. -Genesis 1:24&25 NKJV

This finishes the animal kingdom each according to its kind. The word cattle here was probably chosen in general reference to four legged mammals, and other large creatures. Beast is separated from cattle though, possibly a separate reference to dinosaurs and or those animals that would now be our large predators.

Then God said, "Let us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth." So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Then God blessed them, and God said to them, "be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth."

"Let us", "Our image", "Our likeness"; we see a plural reference to the Deity known as God. The word  "Trinity", itself is not used in the Bible, as any good Jehovah's witness will point out to you, but I stand in strong disagreement with them as to the doctrine itself. It is derived from the whole counsel of God, Alpha to Omega. 

When he had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. And suddenly a voice came from heaven saying, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."

We here the Father's voice from heaven, the Spirit we see in the form of a dove landing on Jesus, and we here the voice of God from heaven telling us that this is His Son.

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 were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. -John3:1-5

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"+Grace to You"

Great sermon and you can also choose audio.

http://www.gty.org/resources/sermons/90-211/the-how-why-and-when-of-creation-part-1

John MacArthur has been a very persistent student and careful teacher of the Word for many years. There are very few men that I would recommend so highly, and my opinion of him has grown from disgust to deep appreciation over the years. Do yourself a huge favor and visit Grace To You.

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#5 "The 5th day"

Then God said, "Let the waters abound with an abundance of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the face of the firmament of the heavens." So God created great sea creatures and every living thing that moves, with which the waters abounded, according to their kind, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. And God blessed them, saying, "Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth." So the evening and the morning were the fifth day. Genesis 1: 20 - 23 NKJV

I have enjoyed the wonders of the fifth day for a long time; they are a big part of some of my earliest and fondest memories. It is interesting that again we see here the phrases "according to their kind", and "according to its kind." This again stands in the face of evolution so that it makes it impossible for one to balance on the fence between a Biblical view of creation and that of that of macro evolution. It would be speculation on my part, but not so much as you might think to look forward from this verse to  now as a prophetic warning. Dear Christian do not be confused for some will come teaching that it is more intellectual to think you evolved. If you take evolution as it is preached all over the world and tv as a science then you miss it all together. Peel back the layers, in the end it is not much different then those systems of theology that worshipped nature, the sun or a man. It combines elements of all these things and it is sad to see so many "Christians" declare that it is real but of course God had to be there to start the party. So now you have the hybrid, intellectual Christian, who does not want to be cast out the world or its system, followed by mocking jeers about the myth that he believes. So he, being the ultimate apologists, decides to be a "Discovery Channel Christian." Its the best of both worlds, right, like being the Christian that does not hold to any Doctrines or make waves. Sounds suspect to me.

Another interesting word here is "great"which would seem to reference size: "Look now at the behemoth, which I made along with you; he eats grass like an ox. See now; his strength is in his hips, and his power is in his stomach muscles. He moves his tail like a cedar; the sinew of his thighs are tightly knit. His bones are like beams of bronze, his ribs like bars of iron. - Job 40: 15 -18

"Can you draw out Leviathan with a hook, Or snare his tongue with a line that you lower?" -Job41:1

"Can you fill his skin with harpoons, or his head with fishing spears? Lay your hand on him; remember the battle - Never do it again! Indeed any hope of overcoming him is false; shall one not be overwhelmed at the sight of him? No one is so fierce that he would dare stir him up. Who then is able to stand against me?" - Job 41: 7-10. 

God declaring himself mightier than the dinosaur to Job. Kind of like telling someone, "I am" sent you. 

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#4 "Fourth Day"

Then God said, "Let there be lights in the firmament of the heavens to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs and seasons, and for days and years; and let them be for lights in the firmament of the heavens to give light on the earth"; and it was so. Then God made two great lights: the  greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night. He made the stars also. God set them in the firmament of the heavens to give light on the earth, and to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good. So the evening and the morning were the fourth day. Genesis 1:14-19

It is interesting to see throughout history the sun, the moon and the stars have all been worshiped, yet here we are given an account of them as being created for a purpose. God is light; the scriptures tell us and so here we see in verse three that there was also light, but just like the waters and the land there is now a separation and a purpose attributed the sun and the moon. One to rule the night and the other the day. In verse 14 we see that they are for signs and seasons and days and years. If you are familiar with the New Testament story of the birth of Christ, God uses a star in the sky over Bethlehem to signal the birth of His Son, our Messiah. It all seems to follow a certain order and design. It will be interesting to see if this design carries all the way through the Bible.

These lights will also be used as signs in conjunction with God's judgment: "And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth: Blood and fire and pillars of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, And the moon into blood, Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord. And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the name of the Lord Shall be saved." Joel 2: 30-32

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#3 "Day Three"

And God said, "Let the water under the sky be gathered to one place, and let the dry ground appear." And it was so. God called the dry ground "land," and the gathered waters he called "seas." And God saw that it was good.

Then God said, "Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds." And it was so. The land produced vegetation: plants bearing seed according to their kinds and trees bearing fruits with seed in it according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good And there was evening, and there was morning - the third day.

Genesis 1: 9-13 NIV

At this point, I get a feel that the Word of God is powerful, to the point of creation. 

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through Him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made." - John 1:1-3

We have now had mention of the Spirit of God "hovering over the waters" and the Word of God. In the book of John we see Christ in reference to his eternal existence, which does not deviate from his own claims. 

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#02 "Waters and Waters"

And God said, "let there be an expanse between the waters to separate water from water. " So God made the expanse and separated the water under the expanse from the water above it. And it was so. God called the expanse "sky." And there was evening, and there was morning - the second day.

Genesis 1:6-8 NIV

I have to say, that as a young man, hearing people talk of the canopy theory put me off a little. Reading Gen. 1:6-7, however, it seems to give that very account to which some now refer to as the Canopy Theory. I don't agree with the template sort of science or theology that tries to make everything fit within it's borders even when the borders are already starting to bulge and collapse. This was always my issue with evolution, as one writer refers to it as "Tootsie Roll Theology", or "whatever it is I think I see becomes a missing link to me."

To just simply read it in a book of this age, like the Bible though, it seems to be a clear and simple interpretation of what is written in a very simple and straight forward manner. The Bible was not written as a book of science, but as a believer and one living in a modern age where we feel that we are somehow smarter than God or too evolved for a creator, it is interesting to see these references. The canopy would explain things that our highly complex and evolved minds can't seem to wrap around, like the age to which men were reported to live back then. The canopy would quite possibly protect earth from the suns more harmful radiation. In such an environment you would have a green house effect, producing an oxygen rich environment capable of supporting large plants and creatures. I do lean towards the canopy theory, but I am just a simple minded Christian.

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#1.5 "The Light"

And God said, "let there be light," and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. God called the light "day" and the darkness he called "night." And there was evening, and there was morning - the first day.

Theories abound about the ultimate meaning behind what's seems like a literal and simple explanation of creation. I have heard some speak of a creation then recreation that occurs between Gen. 1:1 and 1:2.  This would represent the time of the fall of Lucifer and the other angels that were kicked out of heaven. 

I have also heard claims that the days mentioned in this chapter are not literal days, but rather each day represents indefinite lengths of time. Some of the men I have heard speak of this, I believe, are trying to make God's word more appealing, especially to those in this day and age who believe in Macro evolution. There are some major issues with this, one being that you would have to go elsewhere in scripture and pull verses out of context to defend this. The other is that Scripture declares God to be a God of order. If God is the designer then he knows intimately every facet and requirement of his creatures. The fact that he creates plants and animals on separate days does not allow for a long period of time to transpire between. You could say that it works based upon a different pre fall system that did not require bugs to carry pollen or the sun for photosynthesis, but you would also be adding and speculating way beyond what's there. 

I believe that it was six literal days, and as far as the Gap theory, I am not certain. 

The Gap theory, again, would appeal to those who struggle from the constant bombardment of the doctrines of evolution. I am a huge fan of Discovery Channel and Animal planet but it would seem the media has forgotten that evolution is more like a hypothesis that has been called a theory but taught as law. When you make fun of those who have faith, remember that evolution has actually cornered the market on the sort of faith required to believe the impossible. Faith is hard thing for people though; I believe that true faith is a gift of God's grace (and that not of yourselves, for it is the gift of God) as well. 

So now we have the first day, and we have light, and an idea that God spoke this into existence. This is more feasible to me that an explained eternal God designed the things I now see. There are no unicorns or dragons, merely a Creator and the Word, who's Spirit hovered over the waters. The Big Bang Theory has a priori, at it's beginning, a spec, a granule, a piece of very dense dust that must have also been eternal. This is the God of evolution. That is much more difficult for me than even the Gap Theory; it stands in complete defiance of logic, but it is widely taught. I suppose I will stop here; let me know what you're thinking. You do not have to agree with me to write here.

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#01 "In the Beginning"

As a Christian, I believe that Genesis is a divinely inspired account of the events that took place before the time of Moses. It is the first book of the Pentateuch, and widely believed to have been written by Moses. I would like to start this study blog here - in the beginning. I would like to start here and continue throughout the Bible, utilizing all of scripture to analyze each verse. This is what the old timers that feared God would refer to as taking the Whole Counsel of God. 

There seems to be too much temptation in Christianity and elsewhere these days to apply our own meaning to God's word based upon our wants at the time. I think when you refer to something as "God's word" there should be little more respect and reverence in its handling. When I turn on the television now, I don't see this reverence but rather men concerned more with numbers and therefore tickling peoples ears. You can find any number of different churches and pastors that will agree with you, or say what you want to hear. But what power does he hold and who has given him the right to change or alter the message? If you believe this pseudo Christian message then did you really believe in Jesus Christ or a false Christ? The Bible is not a book of spells; listen carefully for this and know that you are on the wrong channel or sitting in the wrong pew.

Well, enough of that,

Genesis 1: 1-2 NIV

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.

The words of Genesis 1:1 are precise and concise beyond mere human composition. They account for everything evolution cannot explain. Evolutionary philosopher Herbert Spencer, one of Darwin’s earliest and most enthusiastic advocates, outlined five “ultimate scientific ideas”: time, force, action, space, and matter.25 These are categories that (according to Spencer) comprise everything that is susceptible to scientific examination. That simple taxonomy, Spencer believed, encompasses all that truly exists in the universe. Everything that can be known or observed by science fits into one of those categories, Spencer claimed, and nothing can be truly said to “exist” outside of them. - Article adapted from a JMac lecture, Master's College.

In the beginning - Time

God - Force

Created - Action

The heavens - Space

The earth - Matter

In the beginning God - The infinite, eternal, creates the finite; He brings about the place we live in, time and space. 

1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was with God in the beginning. 3Through Him all things were made, and without Him nothing was made that has been made.… John 1: 1-3

Formless and empty - There was space and matter at the beginning and over the next few days God will transform this into a planet teaming with life.

The Spirit of God was hovering over the waters - In the word Elohim we find all three persons of the Trinity involved in the Creation.

15The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16For in Him all things were created, things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities. All things were created through Him and for Him. 17He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.… Colossians 1: 15-17

1On many past occasions and in many different ways, God spoke to our fathers through the prophets. 2But in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, and through whom He made the universe. 3The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His nature, upholding all things by His powerful word. After He had provided purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.… Hebrews 1: 1-3

…25But this is to fulfill what is written in their Law: ‘They hated Me without reason.’ 26When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father— the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father— He will testify about Me. 27And you also must testify, because you have been with Me from the beginning.… John 15: 25-27

In the Beginning from John

John 1 Part 2

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"Testimony Continued"

Over the years following my profession of faith I began to develop a very judgmental and defensive outlook on life. I assessed my walk with Jesus based on my intellect and the inconsistencies I saw in others. Sadly, I cared more about them conceding to me in an argument then for their salvation. There was zeal, some knowledge and desire, but I lacked faith, hope, and love even though I spoke frequently about these things. I was proud, arrogant and shamefully self involved, almost to the point of a hermit at times. There was anger and malice always building up in my heart yet most people thought me humble, quiet and laid back.

When I was 14 years old I had a seizure for the first time on Halloween day, and then another one the following summer as I was boarding a plane for Scotland. Because of this I missed a trip to Glasgow and became fully enraged at God. I only had seizures every once in a while when extremely stressed and combined with other things like lack of sleep or food, but to me it was more than I should have to bare. After all, I believed weakness to be ok in others but it wasn't for me.

While I was attending community college I made friends with some Pentecostals who prayed for me and declared me well during a healing service. My study of God's word rapidly diminished and I declared those who preach doctrine as hypocrites and dividers. My emotions and my experiences filled in the void left by the removal of study and reason. Being proud like I am, I of course felt the need to appear more spiritual than others, so I spoke in tongues and thought it quite real because of the emotional high I would get, much like when singing or fasting for long periods of time. For a time this was enough for me, but then I had another seizure and grew very resentful again. This time I opted for a more "concrete" sort of escapism. I experimented with drugs, eastern philosophy, sexual approval, gnosis, asceticism and tried to disprove God's word. Finally, even after all the disappointment and evils that come with this lifestyle, I just declared myself righteous and enlightened and had the attitude that nothing really mattered. 

When I was 28 years old I started reading Sproul and Lutzer, and God used these men, along with my mom, god mother and John MacArthur to help me realize that God only owed me justice. I realized I was a sinner, who didn't have God on some legal loop hole because I had walked forward at church when I a kid. I realized that Jesus Christ was the only Way and that the call was a call to self denial. Since that time He has continued to work in my life, show me the importance of His Word, fellowship with other believers, evangelism, my testimony at work and home. The Holy Spirit has guided me toward evangelism in my home, giving me a hunger for the Word and a desire to share with my wife and kids. My desire is that my family will all come to see that there is nothing in this world that compares to God, nothing of enough value here to trade for a relationship with Him. I want our honor to be that God was glorified.

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"Personal Testimony"

My testimony is not that I had never heard of God and so lived as one without Him; it is rather that I heard a great deal about God even from my earliest recollections. My mother brought us up in church and the stories of Jesus stirred me even then to the point that I wished to walk forward and make my profession of faith in Him. I understood at the time that I was a sinner according to Romans 3:23 and that Christ had come to pay for my sins. In Matthew 9:12 and 13, I learned that God did not come to save the righteous, but those he knew were sick and needed a physician. So I believed that to some degree I was also sick and in need of God's grace. This was only the beginning though. It was not until many years later that I began to see how sick I was.

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