Man, the Pinnacle of Creation

As I continue my quest through the Scriptures, I would like to apologize in advance for skipping sections, although I hope never to take God’s Word out of context. I would like to strongly encourage you, my readers, to correct me if you see error, or ask if I have passed across a topic you would like me to address. This is as much for you as it is for me.

I would like to focus now on Genesis 1:26-27. It is important to note firstly, that Genesis 1 (read it!) is the overview chapter regarding creation, and chapter 2 goes back to look into the minutia involved in the creation of man. So, let’s start with these verses.

Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over ever creeping thing that 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.

- Genesis 1:26-27 (ESV)

The first thing that I think needs to be pointed out is the plurality of God’s words here. This is one of the early indications of God’s plural, and yet singular nature. While the Scripture has not revealed the meaning of this yet, later revelation will give us more glimpses into the triune nature of God. (As a side note, it is interesting to point out that one of the Hebrew names for deity, Elohim, is the plural form of the word, which singularly is El)

What does it mean to be made “in the image of God”? I like John MacArthur’s description of this. Speaking of Adam, he said, “Man is is a living being capable of embodying God’s communicable attributes. In his rational life, he was like God in that he could reason and had intellect, will, and emotion. In the moral sense, he (Adam) was like God because he was good and sinless.”

I also think that part of what it means to be made in His image is our authoritative position over nature, as described in the above passage. Our responsibility to have dominion over the earth is a reflection of God having control over all things in existence.

This passage gives us a glimpse into paradise, the world as God originally created it. As we read these chapters, it is very important that we let this section of Scripture sink into our souls. That should impact our lives daily. The fact that we are created special, above all other creation, and in the Father’s image, should bring us to our knees in thanksgiving. Likewise, it should change how we view and treat other people, for they do bear God’s image – even though it is incredibly marred by sin.

Finally, as we see the progressive nature of Scripture unfold, we need to keep these images of paradise in mind. The entire canon of Scripture starts here, and ends here. The journey in between should not lose sight of that.

The Beginning – A Very Good Place to Start

I have recently been spending time reading through Genesis. I think a strong knowledge of the Tanakh (the Old Testament) is essential if we are to correctly interpret the books that make up the “New Testament”. All of the Gospels, Epistles, history and Eschatological books in the New Testament were written by Jewish authors, and many of them to or from a Jewish context. Understanding this fact, and embracing it, is crucial for how we read those books.

So, while I continue to read and digest the writings of Paul (I’m currently reading and studying Paul’s letter to the Romans), I have simultaneously started reading through the Torah (or the first five books in the Bible -- the books of Moses). This, naturally, brings me to Genesis, or Bereshith.

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.

– Genesis 1:1-2 (ESV)

Here in the opening lines of Scripture is our first encounter with earth, and with it’s Creator. Beyond that, I would like to point out the word “Spirit” used in the above passage of Scripture. It is the Hebrew word ruach. This word generally has three meanings, either wind, breath, or spirit. While this is such a rich section of Scripture, I merely wanted to point out two things from the opening passages (although I’m certain I will have much more to say about this chapter).

The second thing I would like to point out is God’s act of separating the water.

And God said, “Let there be an expanse in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters.” And God made the expanse and separated the waters that were under the expanse from the waters that were above the expanse. And it was so. And God called the expanse Heaven. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.

- Genesis 1:6-8 (ESV)

And again in the next passage, we see the act of God separating the waters, both an act of creating and revealing.

And God said, “Let the waters under the heavens be gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear.” And it was so. God called the dry land Earth, and the waters that were gathered together he called Seas. And God saw that it was good.

- Genesis 1:9-10 (ESV)

While we by no means should be taking these verses out of their context, I am only posting these ones for the sake of space and time. I would strongly encourage you to read the entire chapter on your own.

The entire concept of water is incredibly important in both Judaism (mikveh), and Christianity (baptism). While pointing out similarities and differences between these two practices are way off topic (I’m sure I will get there someday), I am merely using them as an example.

The purpose of this post is to point out two of the major factors which are evident in Scripture when God is in the process of creating something. His Spirit, or ruach, is present, along with this theme of “separating the waters”. This is something that we will see over and over again at the major hinge points in Scripture, and I thought it was an important way to start this journey.

(Also, I will post Hebrew words in italics, at least the first time they are used)

Welcome!

Well, I decided to embark on a new blogging adventure. My goal is to make this blog a place exclusively for discussion (even some healthy debate!), and study of God’s Word, the Jewish people, the land of Israel, and everything in between. I am currently finishing a year in the Bible and Israel program, a one year certificate program from Philadelphia Biblical University. In this program, I have spent the last year studying the Scriptures and the land of Israel (hence the name). I would like to be able to materialize some of the knowledge God has blessed me with in writing. I hope that as I continue the never ending journey of learning about my Savior, and sharing Him with others, my experience put into writing will be a blessing to those who read.

The goal of this blog is simple: edification. Whether that comes through my posts, a discussion that follows, or your own study of the Scriptures, I hope that this will be a small blessing in your life.

God Bless,

Zak