Sermon Tone Analysis

*BSF GENESIS-LESSON 2-NOTES - EVENTS PRECEDING THE SIX WORKDAYS OF GOD*

Genesis 1 might be said to be divided into three main sections:

I:   Verse I describes the beginning of the universe.

II:  Verse 2 describes earth's condition before the work of six "days."

III: Verses 3-31 describe the creative events which occupied six periods called "days."

These three divisions of Genesis I are rounded off with the opening section of chapter 2 (Genesis 2:1-3) which records the /completion of creation/ and God's rest of satisfaction in it.

\\ *I.

CREATION OF THE UNIVERSE INCLUDING EARTH - **GENESIS 1:1*

\\    The book of Genesis opens with the majestic statement that God began time with the creation of the universe, including this earth, our solar system, and all the stars.

There is no record of how long it may have taken to create the heavens.

Man's years are but a moment of time to the eter­nal God.

According to the latest findings of astronomers, our galaxy contains approximately 300,000,000,000,000 stars.

Outside our galaxy, which is bounded by the Milky Way, there are about 500,000,000,000,000 other galaxies.

Think of the intellect and power of God who created all this, who also created the minute snowflakes, each of which is of a different design.

Yet, the Lord says His children are more precious to Him than all these worlds; in fact, the very hairs of our head are numbered.

Our earth is like a drop of water in the ocean compared to the universe or as a speck of dust in a sunbeam, yet God Almighty has ordained this earth to have the central place of importance, for it is designed by Him to be man's abode, the training place for the church, the body of Christ.

It is the sphere which was the scene of the incarnation of the Son of God.

Earth is central to man, and the Bible is the story of the original dignity of man, his fall, and God's restoration of him.

Therefore, after this majestic statement regarding the creation of the universe (the heavens), the remaining part of this chapter deals solely with the creation of man's immediate environment–namely, earth.

The rest of Genesis 1 presents the universe, the solar system, etc., only /in its direct relationship to earth and in particular/ /to the human race./

*II.

EARTH'S CONDITION BEFORE THE SIX  "DAYS" BEGIN - **GENESIS 1:2*

\\    After the first verse of Genesis, the narrative greatly narrows in its scope from the infinite space created for the entire universe of "the heavens" including earth.

We now find our view constricted to just one tiny planet but of infinite importance to us–namely, our own earth.

Genesis 1:2a describes the condition of this planet which was present before God inaugurated His creative activities, which are divided into six periods of time called "days" (Genesis 1:3-31).

/"Now the/ /earth was formless and empty/, /darkness was over/ /the surface of the deep."/

/ /

*A.

Two Explanations regarding **Genesis 1:2*

\\ Many explanations have been given regarding this phrase.

Because of God's infinite wisdom and power, we might logically expect that the God who said, "/Let there be light/;” and there was light, was certainly able to create the earth in a moment of time.

However, this may or may not be how it happened.

The amount of time God took in His creative processes is still unknown.

Also, the progressive stages by which He accom­plished that work are but dimly seen.

*1.

**Genesis 1:2** and the "Gap Theory"*

Some Bible students believe that Genesis 1:1 describes a finished, perfect earth set in the universe.

They, therefore, theorize that some cataclysm might have occurred between the original creation recorded in Genesis 1:1 and the condition of the earth described in the beginning of verse 2, namely, that of formlessness–empti­ness and darkness.

They believe that this theory of a catastrophe between the creation of the earth described in Genesis 1:1 and its state in verse 2 finds confirmation in the words of *Isaiah 45:18**: *"For this is what the Lord says–he who created the heavens, . . .

who fashioned and made the earth, he founded it; he did not create it to be empty (a waste-/tohu/), but formed it to be inhabited. . .

."

Also, the Hebrew words translated /"formless and empty/" are only used in two other Bible passages which both describe in /prophetic/ /language an earthshaking catastrophe sent in/ /judgment.

/These passages are *Isaiah 34:11** *and *Jeremiah 4:23-26*.

\\ Proponents of this hypothesis, called "the gap theory" or the "restitution theory," sug­gest that Genesis 1:2a describes a condition which resulted from a cataclysmic judgment of a pre­-Adamic race, perhaps involving the fall of the Devil and his angels (elsewhere spoken of in Scrip­ture).

This might account for the mysterious place the Bible gives to the Devil's limited but power­ful sway for evil over the earth as recorded in such passages as *Matthew 4:5**, 8-9; 12:26**; **Luke 4:6**; 10: 18**; **John 12:31**; 14:30; 16:11**; **Ephesians 2:2**;* and particularly *I **John 5:19**.

* 

Bible students who hold this "gap theory" of judgment on a pre-Adamic earth believe, therefore, that this earth was originally created perfect, but only "became formless and empty" lying in darkness as a result of a terrible judgment.

In that case, the work of God's Spirit recorded in /the second half/ /of Genesis I:2 /would be a work of restoration (following catastrophe) as would also God's suc­ceeding work of the six "days " of Genesis 1:3-31.

When did Satan fall?

Does his title of "prince of this world," as used by Jesus, date back to pre-Adamic days?

There are no proof texts con­cerning this.

However, some Bible scholars believe that before man was created, in prehistoric ages, Satan was an archangel to whom God gave almost unlimited power.

The passages of *lsaiah 14:12-14 *and *Ezekiel 28:12-19*, which describe the king of Tyre, far surpass a mere human explanation and describe prophetically and symbolically the fall of Satan by pride and of the angels which followed him.

(See also *I Timothy 3:6-7* and *II Peter 2:4*.)

Exponents of the above "gap theory" believe that in past ages Satan was given control of this earth when it was different from its present form.

When Satan and the angels who followed him sinned, not only they were involved, but earth also was involved in their judgment.

According to this view, the earth "became" without form and void (Genesis 1:2a) as a result of a judgment for perhaps thousands or millions of years.

Therefore, they maintain that *Genesis 1:2-31* records not the original creation but God's work of restitution after judgment.

Some Bible students welcomed the gap theory as a convenient way to explain the geological ages with the multitude of fossils found in the sedimentary rock.

The difficulty is that fossils indicate death; and, according to Scripture (*Romans **5:12**; **1 Corinthians **15:21*), death came into the world as an aftermath of the sin of Adam and Eve.

Some professors of geology, such as Freiherr von Huene, Professor of Paleontology in the University of Tubingen, Germany, have adopted this "reconstruction theory."

He writes, "When God created heaven and earth in the beginning, everything took place without disturb­ance, in harmony and holiness and God commit­ted this earth to Satan to administer.

Through Satan's rebellion, he and also his whole kingdom came under God's judgment.

Satan wanted to be like God.  Envy and pride were his sins....

In the gap between verses 1 and 2 of Genesis 1 belongs the fall of Satan with all the powers that followed him" /(Weg and Werk Gotteo in Natur und Bibel./

/Biblishche Erdrterungen eines Paldontologen,/ /Marburg// 1937/).

This same belief is shared by such men as the German theologian Dr. Haasbeck of our day, as well as famous names such as Hengstenberg and Franz Delitzch of Germany from former years.

Some Catholic scholars such as Cardinal Wiseman and the philosopher Friedrich von Schlegel also hold this viewpoint.

Dr.

Arthur C. Custance, in his book /Without Form/ /and Void, /has taken a strong position in favor of the gap theory.

However, Dr. Weston W Fields, in his book /Unformed and Unfilled, /has by careful research and sound exegetical study refuted the gap theory.

'Today fewer and fewer scholars hold the gap theory.

* *

*2.

Literal, successive days viewpoint*

Many of today's biblical scholars of equal standing feel that the word "became" is a dubious rendering of the Hebrew word /hayetha/ used in this passage.

They hold the view that, whereas Genesis 1:1 is a comprehensive statement which records that in the beginning God created the heavens and the

 earth, by contrast Genesis 1:2-31 is simply a record of progressive sequence whereby earth was made a suitable environment for man, ending with his own creation.

According to this viewpoint, the phrase "was formless and empty" /(tohu wa bohu)/ simply describes the first stage in the creation of the earth.

Possibly it was in a gaseous (fluid) condition.

All was dark and covered with water–the "deep."

Conservative scholars of today holding this view include Merrill Unger, Th.D., Ph.D., /Unger's Bible Handbook, /page 37, and Dr. Henry Morris, /The Genesis Record, /page 49.

Such diversity among scholars of equal standing who accept the authority of the Bible proves that we need to be humble and cautious before forming our own conclusion and to avoid divisive self-confident dogmatism which obscures the intent and message of the passage, the creative power of the Godhead.

\\ * *

*B.

The Moving of the Spirit of God before the* *Six Days Begin - **Genesis 1:2**b*

\\ Whatever the explanation of the first part of this verse, Genesis 1:2b records that the "Spirit of God

\\ was hovering over the waters" before God's first command, "Let there be light," sounded forth.

This word "hovering" has a rich Hebrew meaning of "brooding or cherishing."

We are reminded of the Holy Spirit at work upon the unconverted soul as He quickens us to respond and to receive the light of God's Word when God's recreative work begins in us.

(Compare *John 3:5**; **Ephesians 2:1**; and **I Thess.

1:5-6**.)*

\\ * *

*Application*

\\ As you have read the Bible and these notes and have looked up the corresponding New Testa­ment passages, do you recognize the "moving of the Holy Spirit" upon your heart?

To what recreative work within your soul will you now yield?

When you yield, He creates life and light within you and the power to fulfill God's purpose in your present situation.

\\ * *

*III.

INTRODUCING THE SIX WORKDAYS OF GOD*

*A.

No Dates for the Creation of the Universe* *or Mankind*

\\ As mentioned in former lessons, there are no exact dates set in Genesis in regard to the crea­tion of our earth, living organisms and finally man.

However, some editions of the Bible, par­ticularly in the King James Version, still carry calculated chronology of the seventeenth century Irish Archbishop, James Ussher, who utilized the Old Testament genealogies to set the date of crea­tion as 4004 B.C.! Indeed, Ussher's contemporary, Dr. John Lightfoot, Vice Chancellor of Cambridge University, England, went so far as to believe he could make such accurate calculations from the Old Testament that he estimated the week of creation to be from October 18-24 in the year 4004 B.C. with the creation of Adam taking place on Friday of that week.

Because these dates still remain in some Bibles, non-Christian scholars such as Bertrand Russell erroneously supposed that Bible believers still hold to those dates.

They need not.

One view allows for the possibility of gaps in the genealogical records and also that references to sons of patriarchs could mean descendants.

Any date for the antiquity of man is an inference from Scripture on this point, but there is no fact which would require millions of years.

Unfortunately, certain Bible-believing Christians have adopted extreme, negative, and unworthy attitudes toward all scientific discoveries which seem to contradict their own /interpretation /of particular Bible statements.

Therefore, many laymen have erroneously con­cluded that they must choose between believing the Genesis account of creation and geological findings of today.