Genesis
Foundation Book of the Bible
God's Rest and Man's Creation
Estrategia pedagógica
The focus of this lesson is on the completion of God’s creative actions in the creation of man. Of special note in this lesson is the concept of rest and God’s intimate actions in the creation of man.
Resultados del aprendizaje de los estudiantes
- Know: Understand how Genesis builds faith as an inspired work of God.
- Feel: Develop an awareness of the role Genesis plays in God’s overall plan for man.
- Do: Use the information gained from Genesis to strengthen faith.
Cuerpo de la lección
Preguntas de discusión
A continuación se sugieren preguntas para utilizar durante la parte de debate guiado de la lección. También se sugieren respuestas a las preguntas para ayudar a los alumnos a comprender los distintos conceptos. Se proporcionan para ayudar al debate y no se consideran respuestas "correctas o incorrectas".
The use of the word rested in this passage signifies completion of actions and to refrain from further actions related to creation. God completed His creative work as He planned. The object of His creation was to prepare an environment for man to live and thrive. Once this was completed, God refrained from further creative acts. All was completed.
God sanctified the seventh day meaning He set it aside as special and sacred. Later, in Exodus 20:8, He commands Israel to set aside the sabbath as a day of rest. They were to use that day, not only to refrain from labor, but to also meditate on God and all He had done for Israel.
Genesis 1:1 is the introduction to God's creative acts. Genesis 2:4 serves as a transitional summary laying the foundation for details concerning the creation of man.
Note: The expression, "in the day" does not mean all were created in one day. Rather it is used as a general time period. Some use a similar expression, "In the day" or "In my day". Genesis 1 continues to give the details of the six days of creation.
Before man was created there was no vegetation or rain. A mist and subterranean rivers provided water. It serves as a transition from pre-man and sin to God's creation of man. It is a wide-angle view rather than a detailed view.
God formed man from the earth and breathed life into him.
How was man formed (Genesis 1:26)?
Man was made in the image of God. Although matter from which man was made was of the earth, the likeness of God (God's nature, character, spiritual elements, etc) were from God.
What is different between breathing life into man and the creation of animals?
Animals were created already conscious, but man was brought into consciousness by God's breath. God spoke animals into creation, but we see a special action with man. God "forms" man then by breathing life into Him, He imparts His own self into man. This shows the intimate relationship and special position of man. Note: Animals were not created in the image of God, only man was created in this way. Therefore, the evolutionist's view of man evolving form lower forms of life is not possible. Animals do not possess the same spiritual and moral characteristics as man.
This detail of man's creation shows the love that God has for man. Man's sin (rebellion) against God destroyed that special relationship. He set in motion a way for the relationship to be restored through Jesus. John 1:1-3 states that Jesus (The Word) was involved in the creation events. In God's plan to redeem man we see that through Jesus, man once again receives life (Romans 6:3-5).