The Point of Genesis 1 - The Torah Series

The Point of Genesis 1 - The Torah Series

This Bible teaching, presented as part of a Torah series, delves into the profound meaning of the first chapter of Genesis. The speaker emphasizes that to truly understand Genesis 1, we must move beyond our modern Western perspectives and attempt to grasp how an ancient Israelite audience would have understood this foundational text. Our current understanding is often shaped by modern science and imagery, such as satellite photos of the globe, which were entirely foreign to the original author and readers.

The very first verse, "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth," is commonly visualized through a modern lens, picturing a globe in space. However, the Hebrew words used, "eretz" and "shemayim," more simply translate to "land" and "sky". The speaker suggests that an ancient Israelite would have imagined God creating what they could readily observe: the ground beneath them and the sky above. The first word, "reshit" (often with the prefix "b" as "bereshit"), meaning "in the beginning," is also significant. It is a vague term regarding time, akin to "way back when," and is even used for "firstfruits." This implies that the author's primary concern was not to pinpoint a specific moment in cosmic history.

Moving to verse 2, we encounter the phrase "the earth was formless and empty", described by the Hebrew words "Tohu Vavohu". This is not necessarily a picture of a jellified globe, but rather a description of a barren, uninhabitable wasteland and a deep, dark water. The speaker draws a parallel to the uninhabitable deserts to the east and the vast Mediterranean Sea to the west of ancient Israel. The point is that this initial state was one where humans could not survive, but where God's Spirit was present, hovering over the waters.

The subsequent days of creation in Genesis 1 are not primarily about bringing things into existence from nothing ("bara" often emphasizes giving function over mere creation). Instead, God is taking this formless and empty state and bringing order and function to it. For instance, light is called into being on day one, and then the sun, moon, and stars are formed on day four. This seeming discrepancy can be understood through the ancient Near Eastern concept of God as the ultimate source of all light and life. As Psalm 36:9 states, "For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light." This theological understanding precedes scientific explanations and is even echoed in Revelation 22:5, describing the New Jerusalem where God will be the light.

Similarly, the creation of the "expanse" (rakia) on day two, separating the waters above from the waters below, should be understood in the context of the ancient Israelite worldview. The rakia is identified as the sky (shemayim). The waters above likely refer to the clouds, a brilliant and intuitive way for an ancient people to understand the source of rain. Attempts to impose modern scientific ideas, like a literal ice canopy surrounding the earth, are not supported by the biblical text itself and contradict other scriptures like Psalm 148, which praises the "waters above the sky" as an enduring part of creation.

The creation narrative follows a pattern where God establishes domains and then fills them. Day one sees the separation of light and darkness, and day four brings the sun, moon, and stars to rule these domains. Day two involves the separation of waters, and day five populates these waters and the sky with fish and birds. Day three sees the gathering of waters and the appearance of dry land, followed by vegetation, and day six brings land animals and humans to inhabit the land and consume the vegetation.

The speaker highlights that the climax of Genesis 1 is the creation of humanity in God's image. Everything created before serves as a place and provision for humankind. God's purpose in creating was to have a relationship with humans. He takes a chaotic, uninhabitable space and transforms it so that humanity can dwell in it and be in communion with Him. This desire for relationship is the central theme of Genesis 1.

The narrative concludes with God giving humans dominion over creation and providing them with seed-bearing plants and fruit for food, while giving green plants to the animals. This distinction underscores human responsibility for the care of creation. The speaker notes the literary genius of the author in structuring the creation account in this way, emphasizing God's intentionality in creating a habitable world for His image bearers.

The consequences of humanity's choices are seen in Genesis 3, where sin leads to a curse on both humanity and creation. This is reflected in Jeremiah 4:23, which describes the land returning to a state of "without form and void (Tohu Vavohu)" due to Israel's unfaithfulness. However, the prophets, particularly Isaiah, speak of a future new creation, a new heavens and a new earth, where God's pursuit of humanity continues.

The New Testament writers, like John in his Gospel, understand the work of Yeshua (Jesus) as the beginning of this new creation. John 1:1-5 echoes the language of Genesis 1, presenting Jesus as the Word through whom all things were made and the light that overcomes darkness. Paul also speaks of this new creation in 2 Corinthians 5:17: "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." For Paul, this new creation is not just a future hope but a present reality for those in Christ, a departure from the "Tohu Vavohu" of a life separated from God.

Ultimately, the point of Genesis 1, according to this teaching by Matthew Vander Els, is to introduce us to a God who is actively pursuing a loving relationship with humanity. The creation of the cosmos and the earth was all for this purpose: to establish a place where God and humanity could dwell together. This foundational truth underpins the entire biblical narrative and finds its fulfillment in Yeshua.

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Application for Everyday Life:

• Seek to understand the Bible in its original context: Recognize that the Bible was written to people in a different time and culture. Avoid imposing modern assumptions onto ancient texts.
• Recognize God as the ultimate source of all life and light: Understand that God's power and sovereignty extend beyond scientific explanations.
• Appreciate God's intentionality in creation: See the created world as a testament to God's desire to have a relationship with humanity.
• Embrace our role as God's image bearers: Understand that we are called to reflect God's love, justice, and rule in the world.
• Acknowledge the consequences of sin: Recognize that our choices impact not only ourselves but also the world around us.
• Find hope in the new creation through Yeshua: Understand that through faith in Jesus, we can experience a new life, leaving behind the chaos of separation from God and entering into His order and love.
• Engage with Scripture thoughtfully and prayerfully: Take time to study the Bible and seek God's wisdom and character within its pages.
• Live in light of God's love and pursuit: Respond to God's initiative by seeking a deeper relationship with Him and sharing His love with others.

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