Genesis is the record and the history of the beginning of the
universe and mankind. A historical narrative is based on facts and
not fiction. Genesis is not a poem, a myth or a metaphor. It has
stood the test of time despite all the theories and worldviews that
try to discredit its actuality and truth. All its competitors and
debaters have come and gone. But the authentic Genesis account still
stands firm and undefiled throughout time.
Genesis is the first book of the Torah. The
Torah is the first five books of the Bible. It is the Law of God. As
a legal document, it contains three covenants that God had made with
three men, namely Adam, Noah and Abraham. They are commonly known
as:
- Adamic Covenant (Genesis 1:28)
- Noahic Covenant (Genesis 9:1-17)
- Abrahamic Covenant (Genesis 12:1-3)
As a legal document, Genesis is not
poetic in nature like the Psalms, Proverbs and Ecclesiastes. As the
Torah and the Bible begin with Genesis, Genesis is the very
foundation for the Torah and all the books of the Bible. As the
foundation for all the laws and ways of God, Genesis cannot be
shaken by any winds of doctrines and teachings that are based on the
cunning craftiness of men, full of their deceitful schemes. Genesis
is factual as it accounts for the creation of heavens and earth, and
the beginning of mankind.
As a historical narrative, Genesis is
the simplest form of Biblical literature for interpretation and
understanding. Being straightforward, it narrates the description
and commentary of actual historical events in the Bible. Like all
other books in the Bible, Genesis is the authoritative Word of God.
It should be accepted or rejected on its own terms.
In Genesis 1, God described a sequence of
events that occurred one after another throughout the seven days of
creation. Each occurrence happened, following the previous one, in a
chronological real time sequence.
Throughout history, there are
constantly relentless attacks aiming at the creation account found
in Genesis chapters one and two. These arguments are founded upon
humanistic ideals that seek to dethrone God and enthrone man by
undermining the authority and infallibility of the Word of God.
Below are some of the frequently asked
questions (FAQs) about the creation:
| Questions |
Answers |
| If the sun and stars are created on the fourth
day (Genesis 1:14-19), what is the light on the first day
(Genesis 1:3-5)? |
The light on the first day was the LORD
Himself! He is our everlasting Light.
"The sun shall no
longer be your light by day, nor for brightness shall the
moon give light to you; but the LORD will be to you an
everlasting light, and your God your glory. Your sun shall
no longer go down, nor shall your moon withdraw itself; for
the LORD will be your everlasting light, and the days of
your mourning shall be ended. (Isaiah 60:19-20)
There shall be no
night there: They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the
Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and
ever. (Revelation 22:5)
The Lord never desires
us to substitute anyone or anything or any light for Him.
That is the first commandment.
|
| Why does God
give us two separate chapters for the same creation account? |
Genesis 1 is
chronological, revealing the sequential events of the
creation week.
Genesis 2 is topical, with special
emphasis for mankind and his environment.
In the Gospel of Mark, the life of
Jesus was arranged in a chronological order. But in the
Gospel of Matthew, His life account was arranged in a
topical manner about His ministry.
|
| Does this
mean that there were two separate writers, one for Genesis 1
and another for Genesis 2? |
Different
styles and different formats do not equate to different
writers. If I can do both country and classical music, it
does not mean that I am two separate persons. If I can write
in different styles such as poetry and prose, I remain the
same person.
There was only one Moses who wrote the
whole book of Genesis. In Genesis 1, he gave us the Big
Picture. He covered all the seven days of creation. He
recorded that God created everything.
In Genesis 2, Moses did not mention
about the skies, oceans, the fishes, the sun, moon and
stars. He focused on God's creation of the human race. He
gave us great details such as God's provisions of a special
garden to be man’s first home, and a suitable helpmate for
man’s companionship, marriage and procreation.
|
| Why is the
Creator called God (Elohim) in Genesis 1, and the LORD God
(Yahweh) in Genesis 2? |
Genesis 1
records that God is the Creator of the entire universe and
all forms of life. To refer Him as Elohim rightfully exalts
God as the Mighty Creator. It also denotes His immeasurable
power and Lordship.
Genesis 2 gives us the details about
God's creation of the human race. It reveals His personal
name – Yahweh because He is a personal God. This name of God
exalts His holiness, and His personal involvement with man.
It denotes His boundless provision and love.
|
| Which came first - the heavens or the earth?
Genesis 1:1 said that God created the heavens and the earth,
and Genesis 2:4 said that God created the earth and the
heavens.
Genesis 1:1 (NKJ)
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
|
In Genesis 1, the focus is on God's creation of
the overall universe and all forms of life.
In Genesis 2, the
focus is on God's personal involvement and relationship with
man who lived on earth.
Both cases were
presented by Moses as he wrote in Genesis 2:4, "This is the
history of the heavens and the earth when they were created,
in the day that the LORD God made the earth and the
heavens.." Notice the switch of emphasis and not just the
order.
|
|
Is man created before or
after the creation of vegetation? Genesis 1 states that man
is created after the trees. But Genesis 2:5-9 seems to
indicate otherwise.
Genesis
2:5-9
(NKJ)
5 before any plant of the
field was in the earth and before any herb of the field had
grown. For the LORD God had not caused it to rain on the
earth, and there was no man to till the ground; 6 but a mist
went up from the earth and watered the whole face of the
ground. 7 And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the
ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life;
and man became a living being. 8 The LORD God planted a
garden eastward in Eden, and there He put the man whom He
had formed. 9 And out of the ground the LORD God made every
tree grow that is pleasant to the sight and good for food.
The tree of life was also in the midst of the garden, and
the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
|
Genesis 1 records the original creation of the
botanical world. It describes all the vegetation in general,
especially with special emphasis on the seeds and their
power to reproduce.
In Genesis 2:5-9, the
emphasis is upon the reason why plant cultivation had not
commenced. Why? Simply because the LORD God had not caused
it to rain on the earth, and there was no man to till the
ground. But a mist went up from the earth and watered the
whole face of the ground.
Genesis 2 also
discusses a specific kind of vegetation that requires human
cultivation. Words such as "plant," "till," "watered" and
"grow" are not used in Genesis 1 but in Genesis 2. Why?
Simply because these words denote the fruit of human labor.
God wants man to be His co-laborer working in the Garden of
Eden.. It was in this lovely garden where God and man walk
and talk, live and work, enjoying sweet fellowship and
communion with one another.
In 1
Corinthians 3:6-7, Paul said, "I planted, Apollos watered,
but God gave the increase. So then neither he who plants is
anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the
increase." This is co-working with God.
Logically, how
can vegetation be created after man? If it is so, there will
be no food for man for a few days.
|
|
Was man created before or
after the creation of animals?
Genesis 1 records that
the animals are created before man. But Genesis 2:19 seems
to say otherwise.
Genesis 2:19 (NIV)
Now the LORD God had formed out of the ground all the beasts
of the field and all the birds of the air. He brought them
to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the
man called each living creature, that was its name.
|
Genesis 2:19 says nothing about the relative
sequence whereby God created Adam and the animals. It merely
states two straightforward facts:
- God had formed
the animals, and
- God brought them
to Adam to be named.
Note the past
participle tense used in NIV.
If the animals were
created after Adam, the sequence should then be: Adam >
Animals > Eve.
|
|
Why does Genesis 1:27 say that God
created man in His own image, and Genesis 2:7 say that God
formed man from the dust of the ground? |
The body of
man is made from the dust of the ground. But the spirit of
man is not made. It is from the Breath of God. The body of
man is like the shell of the oyster. But the spirit of man
is like the pearl inside. The spirit of man is therefore
more precious. Man, having the Holy Spirit of God within,
bears the image of the living God. |