God creates the Heavens and the Earth – from Nothing. You and I can’t imagine Nothing. For us, there has always been Something. Scientists claim they’ve figured out how to make Something out of Nothing. However, they need a lot of special equipment to get it done.
[callout]God doesn’t need any special equipment.
He just says, “Let there be.” And there is![/callout]
For instance, He says, “Let there be light.”
And suddenly there is … both light and darkness.
That is, Day and Night. Day One. He’s pleased with His work.
On Day Two, His “Let there be” separates Sky from Water.
So far, so good. That’s how He sees it.
On Day Three, He really gets busy with Land and Seas, and Plants and Trees.
All come into being at the sound of His voice. And He sees again that it’s all good.
Day Four brings Sun, Moon, and Stars. So far, still good.
He’s setting the stage for Romance now, don’t you think?
Day Five comes with Sea Creatures and Winged Birds. All good, of course.
But this time, the Lord gives a blessing and instructions to what He has created.
God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and increase in number
and fill the water in the seas,
and let the birds increase on the earth.”
(Genesis 1:22)
On Day Six He creates Land Animals. Of course, He saves His Best for last.
He creates Man and Woman in His Image – to rule over the Fish and the Birds,
the Animals and the Creepy Crawlers.
And He gives them Plenty to eat.
God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number;
fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky
and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”
(Genesis 1:28)
Are you beginning to see a pattern when God creates?
The Lord blesses us, commands fruitfulness, and expects us to increase.
Plus, He gives man dominion over Creation. All of Creation!
This is where the Story gets really good. I love the way the Lord shows us more detail about just how He creates Adam. He tells us man is formed from the dust of the ground, and that God Himself breathes into Adam the Breath of Life.
Then He sets the man down – smack in the middle of Eden – with enjoyable and fruitful work to do (pun intended). Adam is now the Resident Gardener with amazing freedom. He can eat anything he wants … except the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil.
That sounds easy enough, yes?
I’m sure Adam thought so, too.
Now we get to the really good part.
Well, it’s actually the no-so-good part.
That is, what is not-so-good at that point
– compared to everything else,
which is good – is that Adam is alone.
[callout]Adam needs his own Someone.[/callout]
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
- What assumptions might we make about men based on the Story of Creation?
- How is the Biblical account relevant to where we are today as a society?
- What might it mean for you and the one you love?
