Genesis 1 Notes - HEAR, O EARTH

> [!title|noicon] **Genesis 1 Notes** > [[Genesis 2 FSI|Next>]] >[[Genesis 1|Verse list view]] > **PREFACE NOTE TO THE BIBLE** > > This Book is about a Person -- **Jesus Christ**. > > Theme: Jesus Christ and Him crucified, His shed blood. ([Lk 24:27](Luke%2024.md#^27), [44](Luke%2024.md#^44); [Jn 1:45](John%201.md#^45), [5:39](John%205.md#^39), [46](John%205.md#^46), [12:21](John%2012.md#^21)) Jesus Christ, the glory of God. > > “We would see Jesus.” ([Jn 12:21](John%2012.md#^21)) > > God’s wrath was appeased in the death of Christ. > > Important verses about the Word of God to ponder: [Ps 119:9](Psalm%20119.md#^9), [11](Psalm%20119.md#^11), [18](Psalm%20119.md#^18), [105](Psalm%20119.md#^105); (see [Jn 14:23](John%2014.md#^23)); [Is 34:16](2%20Chronicles%2034.md#^16); [2 Ti 2:15](2%20Timothy%202.md#^15); [Ja 1:22](James%201.md#^22) > > God authored the Bible: [2 Sa 23:2](2%20Samuel%2023.md#^2); [2 Thes 2:13](1%20Thessalonians%202.md#^13); [2 Ti 3:16](2%20Timothy%203.md#^16); [2 Pe 1:20](2%20Peter%201.md#^20) - [21](2%20Peter%201.md#^21) > > > > The Old Testament anticipates the Gospel of grace but does not complete it. It: > > 1. Reminds us we’re sinners and in need of salvation. > 2. Tells us there’s a Messiah coming who would provide salvation. God set up figures, types and shadows pointing to the characters of this Messiah. But that’s not sufficient because of the dead spiritual condition of humanity. > 3. Tells us about creation, where sin came from, who Abraham, David, (etc.) are. The NT quotes many OT verses. > > So in the Bible we find our most tremendous spiritual need for salvation as well as how God has provided that salvation for His people. > > The Word must be accompanied by the power of the Spirit. > > > > **3 main principles for Bible study**: > > 4. Look for Christ in all Scripture ([Lk 24:27](Luke%2024.md#^27)) by... > 5. Comparing Scriptures ([1 Cor 2:13](1%20Corinthians%202.md#^13)) > 6. Apply what’s learned (that is, obey God - [Job 28:28](Job%2028.md#^28); [2 Ti 3:16](2%20Timothy%203.md#^16) - [17](2%20Timothy%203.md#^17)) ^Bible-preface > Genesis 1 Intro Note > > Genesis Chapter 1 relates to the [6 days of creation](Creation%20Days.md) in both historical and spiritual terms. ^gen1-intro > [Genesis 1:1](Genesis%201.md#^1) note > > The word *Genesis* itself means “beginning.” God is from before the beginning of this creation, He is eternal, He is the ever-Present One. All of these attributes apply to Christ -- He was from the beginning ([Jn 1:1](John%201.md#^1)), He is Creator ([Jn 1:3](John%201.md#^3); [Col 1:16](Colossians%201.md#^16)). So we know that Christ Himself is God. > > 'God' is translated from the word *Elohim* in the original language, a *plural* word to denote the Trinity. In [verse 26](Genesis%201.md#^26) God declares "Let *us* make man in *our* image, after *our* likeness." (See also [Gen 3.22](Genesis%203.md#^22); [Mat 28:19](Matthew%2028.md#^19); [2 Cor 13:14](2%20Corinthians%2013.md#^14); [1 Jn 5.7](1%20John%205.md#^7), [8](1%20John%205.md#^8)). > > In [Gen 2.4](Genesis%202.md#^4) God reverses the word order from this verse where He speaks of making *the earth and heavens* (whereas here He speaks of creating the heaven and the earth). > > [God is Eternal](God%20is%20Eternal.md) | [Trinity](Trinity.md) | [Christ is the Word / Creator](Christ%20is%20the%20Word,%20Creator,%20Savior%20and%20Lord.md) ^gen1-1 > [Genesis 1:2](Genesis%201.md#^2) note > > "And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness *was upon* the face of the deep." -- In [Jeremiah 4.22](Jeremiah%204.md#^22) - [23](Jeremiah%204.md#^23), God illustrates the dark, sinful condition of Israel through the language of being without form, void, and having no light. > > So in [Genesis 1.2](Genesis%201.md#^2) the terms *without form, void and darkness upon the face of the deep* represent the spiritually dark and chaotic situation of the world in its sinful state. It is the condition of souls without God in need of the new creation in salvation ([2 Cor 5.17](2%20Corinthians%205.md#^17), [Gal 6.15](Galatians%206.md#^15)). And just as God *spoke light* into this dark creation in [verse 3](Genesis%201.md#^3), so we need to have the Light of the Gospel of Christ spoken into our darkened hearts ([2 Cor 4:6](2%20Corinthians%204.md#^6); [Jn 8:12](John%208.md#^12), [9:5](John%209.md#^5)). > > "And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters." -- It is by God's Spirit that salvation comes to those who are saved ([Jn 3:8](John%203.md#^8)). > > So the Gospel/spiritual picture here is that God’s Spirit moves upon the face of the deep waters (the nations under the wrath of God) to save His elect, to speak and to bring them *light* as seen in the next verse, [Gen 1.3](Genesis%201.md#^3) (in comparison with [2 Cor 4.6](2%20Corinthians%204.md#^6)). > > ^gen1-2 > [Genesis 1:3](Genesis%201.md#^3) note > > 1\. Again, this is a picture of salvation. As God *spoke* light out of the darkness, so He *speaks* the light of the Gospel into this dark world, into our hearts, through His Word, the Bible ([2 Cor 4:6](2%20Corinthians%204.md#^6); [Ro 10:17](Romans%2010.md#^17)). The Gospel light goes forth into all the nations (the dark waters of v2) -- [Lk 1:78](Luke%201.md#^78) - [79](Luke%201.md#^79); [Jn 1:5](John%201.md#^5)) > > And this *Word* of Light spoken is indeed Christ Himself, the Savior, the Creator ([Jn 1:1](John%201.md#^1), [3](John%201.md#^3); [Col 1:16](Colossians%201.md#^16); [2 Cor 4:6](2%20Corinthians%204.md#^6); [Jn 8:12](John%208.md#^12), [9:5](John%209.md#^5)). > > 2\. What God says (speaks) absolutely comes to pass ([Isa 55:11](Isaiah%2055.md#^11), [Eze 12:28](Ezekiel%2012.md#^28)). > > So God *spoke*, “‘Let there be light:’ and there was light.” Compare with each day of creation where God *spoke, and it was so*: [Gen 1:7](Genesis%201.md#^7), [9](Genesis%201.md#^9), [11](Genesis%201.md#^11), [15](Genesis%201.md#^15), [24](Genesis%201.md#^24) and [30](Genesis%201.md#^30). This is the infinite and sovereign creation power of His Word. See also [Ps 33:6](Psalm%2033.md#^6), [148:5](Psalm%20148.md#^5); [Heb 11:3](Hebrews%2011.md#^3); [2 Pe 3:5](2%20Peter%203.md#^5). > > For additional insight on verses 2-3, see [Let There Be Light](Let%20There%20Be%20Light.md). ^gen1-3 > [Genesis 1:4](Genesis%201.md#^4) note > > 4a: The Light represents Christ ([Jn 8:12](John%208.md#^12); [Jn 9:5](John%209.md#^5)), and HE alone is Good. He is the very Essence of all that is good and righteous. And God sees HIM on our behalf, He is our Goodness and Righteousness ([2 Cor 5:21](2%20Corinthians%205.md#^21)). > > 4b: God dividing the light from the darkness portrays the division between the redeemed and the unsaved, or good and evil, etc. ([Mt 25:32](Matthew%2025.md#^32)-[33](Matthew%2025.md#^33); [Lk 16:26](Luke%2016.md#^26); [2 Cor 6:14](2%20Corinthians%206.md#^14)*, [1 Pe 2:9](1%20Peter%202.md#^9)) ^gen1-4 > [Genesis 1:5](Genesis%201.md#^5) note > > Light/Day are a picture of Christ ([Mal 4:2](Malachi%204.md#^2), [Lk 1:78](Luke%201.md#^78), [Rev 22:16](Revelation%2022.md#^16)) and the kingdom of Christ, those who are saved. Darkness/Night are a picture of the kingdom of Satan, those who are unsaved ([1 Thes 5:5](1%20Thessalonians%205.md#^5)). > > An *evening-morning* is specifically a 24-hr period ([Lev 24:2](Leviticus%2024.md#^2) - [3](Leviticus%2024.md#^3)). God uses this same phrase for each day of creation ([Gen 1:5](Genesis%201.md#^5), [8](Genesis%201.md#^8), [13](Genesis%201.md#^13), [19](Genesis%201.md#^19), [23](Genesis%201.md#^23) and [31](Genesis%201.md#^31)). As creation occurred in 6 days and God rested the 7th, so we still have 7 days in the week today. The pattern was set from the beginning. ^gen1-5 > [Genesis 1:6](Genesis%201.md#^6) note > > This is now the second day. The firmament (Heaven - [v8](Genesis%201.md#^8)) is spiritually where Christ shines as the Sun ([Mal 4:2](Malachi%204.md#^2)) and the believers as stars ([Dan 12:3](Daniel%2012.md#^3)). Ultimately the believers reflect Christ’s light ([Jn 8:12](John%208.md#^12)). > > The [waters](Water(s).md) represent the Gospel on the one hand, or the nations under the wrath of God, depending on the context. Similar to [v4](Genesis%201.md#^4) where God divided the light from the darkness, the divided waters here represent salvation for the elect and judgment for the unsaved, as pictured by the Israelites and the Egyptians at the Red Sea ([Ex 14:21](Exodus%2014.md#^21), [22](Exodus%2014.md#^22), [23](Exodus%2014.md#^23); [26](Exodus%2014.md#^26), [27](Exodus%2014.md#^27), [28](Exodus%2014.md#^28), [Neh 9:11](Nehemiah%209.md#^11)), and Noah's family as opposed to those outside the ark during the flood ([1 Pe 3:20](1%20Peter%203.md#^20); [2 Pe 3:5](2%20Peter%203.md#^5) - [6](2%20Peter%203.md#^6)). ^gen1-6 > [Genesis 1:7](Genesis%201.md#^7) note > > *"...and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament"* -- See [verse 6 note](Genesis%201%20Notes.md#^gen1-6). > > *“and it was so”* -- as God had *said* ([in v6](Genesis%201.md#^6)). As mentioned in the note to verse 3, what God says (speaks) absolutely comes to pass ([Isa 55:11](Isaiah%2055.md#^11), [Eze 12:28](Ezekiel%2012.md#^28)). > > So God *spoke, and it was so*. Compare each day of creation where God *spoke, and it was so*: [Gen 1:3](Genesis%201.md#^3), [7](Genesis%201.md#^7), [9](Genesis%201.md#^9), [11](Genesis%201.md#^11), [15](Genesis%201.md#^15), [24](Genesis%201.md#^24) and [30](Genesis%201.md#^30). This is the infinite and sovereign creation power of His Word. See also [Ps 33:6](Psalm%2033.md#^6), [148:5](Psalm%20148.md#^5); [Heb 11:3](Hebrews%2011.md#^3); [2 Pe 3:5](2%20Peter%203.md#^5). > > ^gen1-7 > [Genesis 1:8](Genesis%201.md#^8) note > > So this firmament in verses 6-7 is the heavens or Heaven. And as we saw in [verse 5](Genesis%201.md#^5), an *evening-morning* is specifically a 24-hr period ([Lev 24:2](Leviticus%2024.md#^2) - [3](Leviticus%2024.md#^3)). God uses this same phrase for each day of creation ([Gen 1:5](Genesis%201.md#^5), [8](Genesis%201.md#^8), [13](Genesis%201.md#^13), [19](Genesis%201.md#^19), [23](Genesis%201.md#^23) and [31](Genesis%201.md#^31)). As creation occurred in 6 days and God rested the 7th, so we still have 7 days in the week today. The pattern was set from the beginning. ^gen1-8 > [Genesis 1:9](Genesis%201.md#^9) note > > See the [note to v6](Genesis%201%20Notes.md#^gen1-6) regarding the spiritual types of the waters. The waters being gathered together to one place here are the waters *under the heaven* (or, firmament [v8](Genesis%201.md#^8)), which were previously divided from the waters *above the firmament* in [verse 7](Genesis%201.md#^7). So these are the earthly waters that are being gathered to one place. This was long before the continental division, of course. > > The *dry land* points to a thirsty, desert wilderness, a land or place with no (or in need of) water (the Gospel - [Jn 4:14](John%204.md#^14)) and vegetation. Spiritually, this represents the world that is in need of God's spiritual blessing, or those under the wrath of God, depending on the context: [Ps 42:2](Psalm%2042.md#^2), [63:1](Psalm%2063.md#^1), [68:6](Psalm%2068.md#^6); [Is 55:1](Isaiah%2055.md#^1); [Jer 51:36](Jeremiah%2051.md#^36), [43](Jeremiah%2051.md#^43); [Eze 19:12](Ezekiel%2019.md#^12), [13](Ezekiel%2019.md#^13), [14](Ezekiel%2019.md#^14) > > Those in need of the [Water of the Gospel](Water(s).md). > > *“and it was so”* -- as God had *said*. As mentioned in the notes to verses 3 and 7, what God says (speaks) absolutely comes to pass ([Isa 55:11](Isaiah%2055.md#^11), [Eze 12:28](Ezekiel%2012.md#^28)). > > So God *spoke, and it was so*. Compare each day of creation where God *spoke, and it was so*: [Gen 1:3](Genesis%201.md#^3), [7](Genesis%201.md#^7), [9](Genesis%201.md#^9), [11](Genesis%201.md#^11), [15](Genesis%201.md#^15), [24](Genesis%201.md#^24) and [30](Genesis%201.md#^30). This is the infinite and sovereign creation power of His Word. See also [Ps 33:6](Psalm%2033.md#^6), [148:5](Psalm%20148.md#^5); [Heb 11:3](Hebrews%2011.md#^3); [2 Pe 3:5](2%20Peter%203.md#^5). ^gen1-9 > [Genesis 1:10](Genesis%201.md#^10) note > > See [v9 note](Genesis%201%20Notes.md#^gen1-9) in reference to the *dry land*, and [v6 note](Genesis%201%20Notes.md#^gen1-6) for the *waters*. > > Here, the Earth is associated with the phrase *dry (and thirsty) land*. It is the place where the Gospel waters go forth to bear spiritual seed, vegetation, fruit, etc. ([v11](Genesis%201.md#^11)). And the Seas in this case represent the nations that are under the wrath of God. Of course, prior to the Fall of humanity in the Garden of Eden, God's creation was nevertheless very good. > > *“and God saw that it was good”* -- God Himself is very good ([Ps 143:10](Psalm%20143.md#^10); [Mk 10:18](Mark%2010.md#^18); [3 Jn 1:11](3%20John%201.md#^11)), perfectly righteous, and so was His creation (God repeatedly emphasizes the perfect condition of His creation in [verses 10](Genesis%201.md#^10), [12](Genesis%201.md#^12), [18](Genesis%201.md#^18), [21](Genesis%201.md#^21), [25](Genesis%201.md#^25), [31](Genesis%201.md#^31)). ^gen1-10 > [Genesis 1:11](Genesis%201.md#^11) note > > See [Gen 1:29](Genesis%201.md#^29) > > The earth (the dry land) in this verse again represents where the Gospel (seed) is sown ([Mt 13:38](Matthew%2013.md#^38)), yielding grass, herbs, seed, trees and fruit, all manner of vegetation where LIFE springs up. The vegetation thus represents salvation. > > So the grass, herbs, seed, trees and fruit represent the believers: > > - grass - [Pr 19:12](Proverbs%2019.md#^12) > - herb/seed - [Mt 13:31](Matthew%2013.md#^31) - [32](Matthew%2013.md#^32), [38](Matthew%2013.md#^38) > - tree - [Ps 1:3](Psalm%201.md#^3); [Isa 61:3](Isaiah%2061.md#^3); [Mt 7:17](Matthew%207.md#^17) > - fruit - [Mt 13:3](Matthew%2013.md#^3), [8](Matthew%2013.md#^8); [Gal 5:22](Galatians%205.md#^22) > > See also [Isa 60:21](Isaiah%2060.md#^21); [1 Cor 3:6](1%20Corinthians%203.md#^6), [7](1%20Corinthians%203.md#^7), [9](1%20Corinthians%203.md#^9) > > However, in other contexts these represent unbelievers under judgment: > > - grass/herb - [Ps 37:1](Psalm%2037.md#^1), [2](Psalm%2037.md#^2), [92:7](Psalm%2092.md#^7) (among many); [2 Ki 19:26](2%20Kings%2019.md#^26) > - seed - [Ps 37:28b](Psalm%2037.md#^28) > - tree/fruit - [Mt 7:17b](Matthew%207.md#^17); [Rev 18:14](Revelation%2018.md#^14) > > *“and it was so”* -- as God had *said*. As mentioned in the notes to verses 3, 7 and 9, what God says (speaks) absolutely comes to pass ([Isa 55:11](Isaiah%2055.md#^11), [Eze 12:28](Ezekiel%2012.md#^28)). > > So God *spoke, and it was so*. Compare each day of creation where God *spoke, and it was so*: [Gen 1:3](Genesis%201.md#^3), [7](Genesis%201.md#^7), [9](Genesis%201.md#^9), [11](Genesis%201.md#^11), [15](Genesis%201.md#^15), [24](Genesis%201.md#^24) and [30](Genesis%201.md#^30). This is the infinite and sovereign creation power of His Word. See also [Ps 33:6](Psalm%2033.md#^6), [148:5](Psalm%20148.md#^5); [Heb 11:3](Hebrews%2011.md#^3); [2 Pe 3:5](2%20Peter%203.md#^5). ^gen1-11 > [Genesis 1:12](Genesis%201.md#^12) note > > See the [note to v11](Genesis%201%20Notes.md#^gen1-11) to set up the spiritual picture here. We see again here in verse 12 that all came to pass according to God’s *Word* spoken in verse 11. This verse completes the picture of the Gospel (the Word of God, the Good News) and salvation from verse 11 -- God *speaks* and it brings LIFE. > > *“and God saw that it was good”* -- God Himself is very good ([Ps 143:10](Psalm%20143.md#^10); [Mk 10:18](Mark%2010.md#^18); [3 Jn 1:11](3%20John%201.md#^11)), perfectly righteous, and so was His creation (God repeatedly emphasizes the perfect condition of His creation in [verses 10](Genesis%201.md#^10), [12](Genesis%201.md#^12), [18](Genesis%201.md#^18), [21](Genesis%201.md#^21), [25](Genesis%201.md#^25), [31](Genesis%201.md#^31)). ^gen1-12 > [Genesis 1:26](Genesis%201.md#^26) note > > The [Trinity](Trinity.md) is seen in this verse: Let *us* make man in *our* image, after *our* likeness. ^gen1-26 Tags: #Old_Testament #Genesis #Salvation_picture