The Book of Beginnings - Part 3

"In the beginning, God..."

This is, again, the opening phrase of the Bible.  Although in English translations, the words "God" or "Lord" are used throughout the Old and New Testaments, there are more Hebrew and Greek names used for God in the original texts.  For example, the Hebrew word for God in this verse is "Elohim."  This is the name we have for God from Genesis 1:1 until Genesis 6:5, when we see the first occurrence of YHWH (Yahweh or Jehovah); later in Genesis 14:18 we see the name "El" ("Mighty") introduced.  

It seems to me that God reveals more and more of Himself through His names as we go through scripture/His story (history).  We get to know Him better with each new name.  Here are a few more (not all):

• El Shaddai (Lord God Almighty)
• El Elyon (The Most High God)
• Adonai (Lord, Master)
• Yahweh (Lord, Jehovah)
• Jehovah Nissi (The Lord My Banner)
• Jehovah-Raah (The Lord My Shepherd)
• Jehovah Rapha (The Lord That Heals)
• Jehovah Shammah (The Lord Is There)
• Jehovah Tsidkenu (The Lord Our Righteousness)
• Jehovah Mekoddishkem (The Lord Who Sanctifies You)
• El Olam (The Everlasting God)
• Elohim (God)
• Qanna (Jealous)
• Jehovah Jireh (The Lord Will Provide)
• Jehovah Shalom (The Lord Is Peace)
• Jehovah Sabaoth (The Lord of Hosts)

I love the exclusive use of Elohim in the opening chapters of Genesis because, in my opinion, that word seems to exude the idea of the Trinity.  The word "trinity" does not appear in scripture, but the idea (three-in-unity) certainly does.  Elohim is a plural noun, paired with plural pronouns like "we" and "us" (i.e., "Let us make man in our image...").  Though "the Lord our God is ONE God" (Deuteronomy 6:4), He has a plural existence as the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

We see the introduction of each part of the Trinity operating separately, but in unity, in the first 3 verses of Genesis:

Genesis 1:1 - God, the Father - created the Heavens and the earth
Genesis 1:2 - God, The Holy Spirit - moves across the face of the waters, 
Genesis 1:3 - God, the Son (see John 1:1-14; Jesus is the Word, but also the Light)

In the end, the Holy Spirit gives me the faith to believe in the Son who is the only way to the Father (Galatians 5:22-23, John 14:6).  

The Book of Beginnings - Part 2

"And God said, 'Let there be light,' and there was light."  Genesis 1:3

I count ten times in the first chapter of Genesis that God said something and then something happened.  That is the way He made light, Heaven, Earth, grass, trees, fruit, the sun, the moon and stars, living creatures of every kind to fill the air, the land and the sea.  And finally, He created man in His own image.  Just by saying, and it was so.

Psalm 33:6-9 says, "By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.  He gathers the waters of the sea together as a heap:  He lays up the depth in storehouses.  Let all the earth fear the LORD:  let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him. For He spoke, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast."

God's power is amazing.  I have yet to look in the refrigerator and say, "Let there be dinner" and have dinner appear!  Yet, God made the whole universe by His spoken Word.

In John 1:1-3, we find out that Jesus is that Word:

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by Him; and without Him was not any thing made that was made.

Selah (think about that).

The Book of Beginnings - Part One

I'd like to start a series here, going through the book of Genesis, spouting out things I have learned over many years.  This certainly won't be a complete analysis, because what I know is probably pitiful compared to what can be known about this book!  Some parts may be very brief and others more extensive.  I would also love to hear your insights and thoughts about verses as we go.  But, let's begin at the beginning and see how it goes!

GENESIS

First of all, the book of Genesis was most likely written by Moses, although the first few chapters may have been handed down by previous generations (maybe even beginning with Adam's notes) until they reached his hands for editing.  Genesis is part of both Jewish and Christian holy scripture.


The word "genesis" is defined as "the origin or coming into being of something."  This book is all about origins:  the origin of the universe, man, sin, redemption, nations, government, marriage, and much more.

In Genesis 1:1, we see that God created, and thereby transcends time, space and matter -- the three dimensions of our universe, all in one fell swoop.

In the beginning, GOD created the heavens and the earth.

Time:  In the beginning.         Space:  the heavens        Matter:  the earth

He was already there, in the beginning, so BEFORE the beginning, if you will.  Before there was time, space or matter, there was God.


And that is just the beginning!