Introduction: Evolutionists and assorted “Old Earth” advocates like
to point out that the Bible is not a science book. It is not about
biology, chemistry, physics or genetics. I think we can agree on
this. So, the question is, “What is the Bible about?” I suggest it
is about God and man and their relationship. Consider how the plain
language of Genesis 1 impacts the relationship between God and
humans. If God truly spoke the universe into existence, and the
major sections of the project were each completed in twenty-four
hours, what were God’s options? Could God say “undo,” “redo,” or
“reset?” The answer is, “of course,” and that speaks volumes about
God’s deliberate decision to stick with His erring creation. What a
God of love! Let’s jump back into our study of the Creation week!
- Sky Lights
- Read Genesis 1:14-15. What is the purpose of the stars?
(Our big star, the sun, lights the earth during the day.) - What other purpose do the stars serve? (They are a
clock. They “mark seasons and days and years.”) - We previously studied that God created light on the
first day, and recounted an “evening and morning”
time period. How could this be without the sun, moon
and other stars and planets? (What if we start with
different assumptions? What if we say that God
created a 24 hour time sequence at the beginning,
and then set the sun and planets to mark His time
sequence. This is just like a clock. It doesn’t
create time, it just reflects time.) - Read Genesis 1:16-19. We know that the moon is not like
the sun, it does not have any light of its own. Why is it
correct to call the moon a “lessor light?” Does this
give support to evolutionists who say that the Bible
cannot be trusted to give us scientifically correct
statements? (If you asked for a light, and someone gave
you a mirror, would you be angry? In some cases having a
mirror is a good as having an original light source. Our
moon is a source of light, just like a mirror. It is the
lessor light because it reflects the light of the sun.) - Water and Air Animals
- Read Genesis 1:20-23. There is a whole section of the law
devoted to something called “statutory construction.”
The issue for lawyers and judges is, “What does this
statute mean?” The first question to be asked is, “Is
the language plain on its face?” If it is, you go no
further. Only if the language has some ambiguity do you
look at its legislative history and other factors to
figure out what it really means. Let’s apply that
process here. Is the language about sea animals plain
about whether they evolved from simple organisms? (It
says God created “the great creatures of the sea.” This
plainly refers to large, complex animals.) - How many of the birds did God create? (Every one.)
- How many new species of birds do we see today?
(During my life-time I know that some types of birds
have become extinct. We are not expanding in types,
we are contracting. Or, if this is not true, there
are no popular reports of the expansion.) - Evolution has life moving from the sea to the land
and sky. What does the plain language of the Bible
say about the emergence of sea and sky animals?
(They were all created in a twenty-four hour
period.) - Look again at Genesis 1:20. A natural question is whether
God started the animals like He started humans – few in
number with the expectation that they would increase in
number. What does the Bible say about that issue? (It
says “let the water teem.” Teem means to be filled or
abound with something. At the same time Genesis 1:22
speaks of a growth in number.) - Land Animals
- Read Genesis 1:24-25, Genesis 2:19-20. What detail does
this add about the creation of the animals? (Like humans,
He formed them out of the ground.) - Why did God allow Adam to name the animals?
- Notice that Genesis 2:20 tells us that in this
naming process, no suitable helper was found for
Adam. Who was looking? (Adam.) - Did God already know that no suitable helper
existed? - Why do you think God included Adam in the
search? (This whole naming and search sequence
shows that God wants to partner with us. God
let Adam name the animals. God had Adam
looking for a partner, so Adam would share
God’s view of the need for a special one. God
wants us to be co-laborers with Him.) - Do you think Adam wanted a “suitable partner?”
Does an only child want a sibling? - What is the message of evolution about the
relationship between God and humans? (We are hardly
co-laborers with God. We were running so that we
would not get eaten!) - Humans
- Read Genesis 1:26-27. Would this be a difficult decision
for you, if you were God? - Imagine the wonderful park and wildlife preserve
that you have created. You could come and relax and
enjoy the wonders of nature any time you wanted!
Creating humans would only bring trouble. - What is the plain language describing the quality of
our existence upon our creation? (We were created in
God’s image to be rulers. We were not running away
from animals trying to avoid becoming lunch.) - Why does God mention that He made both males and
females? (It gives both importance. It makes both
distinctive. It shows that both sexes are made in
God’s image.) - Read Genesis 1:28. What is the God-given task for humans?
(To multiply, subdue and rule. Again, the plain language
shows a reproduction system in place. Evolving is not
part of the replication of humans.) - Read Genesis 2:21-24. This is different than the record
of the rest of creation. Why? (Read Genesis 2:24. God
created a special relationship between men and women so
that they could become one in marriage.) - Sabbath
- Read Genesis 2:1. Was anything left to do after the sixth
day? Was some part of creation still undone, and needed
tweaking? (No. The plain language of the Biblical account
does not allow for the evolutionary theory.) - Read Genesis 2:2-3. Let’s look at this with new eyes. I
have a recliner that I have owned for many years. It is
the place that I like best to rest when I’m not sleeping.
Is my recliner holy? - Why, logically, would a day of rest be holy?
- One answer is that God “blessed,” Saturday. But, I’m
still wondering why would He do that? (The only
logical thing is that God was celebrating and
commemorating His Creation. It was set apart.) - When I celebrate something, I normally do not rest,
I play. If God could speak the universe into
existence, it is hard to believe that He needed a
rest. Is it possible that the Sabbath is also part
of the creation? Just as God created light and
animals, so He created rest and celebration? - Let’s look at the “big picture” aspect of this. If God is
locked in combat with Satan over the loyalty of humans,
would God know about this future problem at the time of
creation? (Yes. The Bible is filled with stories and
prophecies that show God’s foreknowledge, His
omniscience.) - If God’s primary claim to authority is His status as
Creator, would He take steps in advance to impress
that claim upon humans? (Again, logically yes.) - When do you engage in most of your thinking? When
you are busying working or resting? If someone asks
you to solve a difficult math problem when you are
walking, will you stop and think? (Yes, we do more
thinking when we are resting.) - Does this series of questions improve your
understanding of the Sabbath? (God wanted to create
a time each week when His co-laborers could rest and
reflect upon their Creator God. The Sabbath was to
stand as the weekly memorial and celebration of our
Creator God! - How successful has Satan been in undermining
creation and the Sabbath? - Friend, if you have let your Sabbath rest, reflection and
celebration slip, will you determine right now to correct
that in the future? Will you clearly declare your
allegiance to the God of Creation? - Next week: Creation, a Biblical Theme.
