Genesis 1:3–2:4
Find a quiet place, alone and apart from distractions. Be comfortably alert, still and at peace. Say the Lord’s Prayer. Sing or cant the Jesus Prayer. Pray for family, friends, neighbors, and yourself. Slowly and carefully read the passage of Scripture. Also read: Deuteronomy 4:19; Exodus 31:12–17; Psalm 33:6–9; 104:1–9; Philippians 4:2–9; Revelation 21:1–8.
1. Following the two opening verses of Genesis, which serve as an introduction to the creation accounts, we have a majesty and poetic story of how and why God created the universe.
2. “God said” is central and lets us know that God “spoke” the entire universe and all that is into existence. Prior to that there was no material universe at all.
3. All that was created, light, water, the “expanse” between the upper heavens and the waters that covered all the earth, all the starry host, and all manner of living things, and all vegetation, is declared “good” by the Creator. All this on the first five days. And, as hinted at in 2 Peter 3:8, the day (yom in Hebrew) could be of any length of time.
4. The crown of creation however is made in the image of God. All that was created prior was not so made, meaning such could not have a relationship with the Creator. But the man and the woman, spiritually made and endowed, meaning these humans could have a conscious relationship with their Creator, are created on the sixth day.
5. On the 7th day, the Creator God “rested.” Not that God was tired from all the work of creating, but that the creating work was complete.
6. Down through the centuries “resting” is seen as prophetic, pointing to the finished work of Jesus on the cross. We “rest” in the salvation Jesus gives to us through His love and grace which He pours out on us.