The Maker Dared to Create

In class today we read Genesis 1-3 and I was presented with the three questions based on the context "what is the character of God portrayed in this document?", "what is the process through which he create, and what does that process suggest about the divine nature?", and "how is man formed, and what does the forming of man suggest about the Hebrew understanding of human nature?". Today I will attempt to answer these three Questions. I will also be answering a bonus question, so be sure to keep reading if you are interested.

The character of God at this point of time is reflected through his creation, just as a painting reflects the painter. In the first chapter, God made all of creation, and that shows that he is a very creative God. He put every star that you see in the sky just for you to enjoy at night. Talk about over doing it a little bit. This shows that God is not only creative, but has set the example for us that we should do every task to the best of our abilities as he did.

Next is the process through which he made everything. The process he used was to go from General to specific. First he made light and dark, and then he made the sun, then moon, then each and every star. He made sea and air, then he filled it with all sorts of life. He made ground, and then made plants and animals. Now that he has made everything, he now must make the most specific of all, man. With man, he did not merely speak us into existence, but hand crafted us. So he makes a body, and then fills it with each thing in which it needs.

Many people have ideas on how man was created, but none are as true and honest as this. After God created everything else he said, "Let us make man in our own image,..."(1:26b). He then went down to the earth and shaped it into the body of the first man. And when he finished, He breathed his breath of life into the nostrils of Adam. This form suggests that when Hebrews came later on that they believed that they were formed in God's likeness, and that they were set apart from the rest of creation.

The bonus question is "How would I characterize the Hebrew worldview based on Genesis 1-3.

This seems similar to the last question, but is more about all of creation. With their creator in mind, the Hebrew overview would be that they learn everything from their Creator and study what they can about the world in which God put them in.

I have done my best to answer all four of these questions, and now have hit the end of this post. I hope to make more posts in the near future.

-Daran