The Creator's wisdom and power are to be admired as much in an ant as in an elephant. The Gospels
(1,2) The creation of light. 9 Then Abram set out and continued toward the Negev. God, however, did not put forth his Word until he proceeded to originate light; because in the act of distinguishing his wisdom begins to be conspicuous. To nothing are we more prone than to tie down the power of God to those instruments the agency of which he employs. (6-13) God forms the sun, moon, and stars. Minor Prophets
It may even hence be inferred, that the offspring of animals was included. But far otherwise must we think concerning the Word of God, namely, that he is the Wisdom dwelling in God, and without which God could never be; the effect of which, however, became The appearance of God to Abraham, accompanied by two angels, is one of the most remarkable theophanies in the whole Bible. 'And it was so." What hast thou done? THE CREATION STORY Scholars generally agree that the creation story in Genesis is divided into two accounts from two sources. how speedily we might be overwhelmed by the bursting of the clouds, unless the cataracts of heaven were closed by the hand of God. "And God saw everything". GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudgesRuth1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesEzraNehemiahEstherJobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSong of SongsIsaiahJeremiahLamentationsEzekielDanielHoseaJoelAmosObadiahJonahMicahNahumHabakkukZephaniahHaggaiZechariahMalachiMatthewMarkLukeJohnActsRomans1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians1 Timothy2 TimothyTitusPhilemonHebrewsJames1 Peter2 Peter1 John2 John3 JohnJudeRevelation, Select an Ending Point
Although Moses did not intend here to prescribe a rule which it would be criminal to violate; yet (as we have now said) he accommodated his discourse to the received custom. Gen 1:28. Whence the inference is drawn, that the three Persons of the Godhead are here noted; but since, as a proof of so great a matter, it appears to me to have little solidity, will not insist upon the word; but rather caution readers to beware of violent glosses of this, kind. And truly a longer inquiry into a matter open and manifest is superfluous. For it is not lawful for us to dispute whether that ought to be approved or not which God has already approved; but it rather becomes us to acquiesce without controversy. God then, it is said, created whales (balaenas) and other fishes, not that the beginning of their creation is to be reckoned from the moment in which they receive their form; but Genesis 27 This chapter tells us a strange story of deceit, human intrigue, greed, indulgence, hatred and a complete lack of faith in God. The earth was emptiness, but by a word spoken, it became full of God's riches, and his they are still. But whence has a dead element life? And the common distinction is, that image exists in the substance, likeness in the accidents of anything. And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the LORD. The sun an moon supply us with light: And, according to our notions we so include this power to give light in them, that if they were taken away from the world, it would seem impossible for any light to remain. Truly there are many things in this corrupted nature which may induce contempt; but if you rightly weigh all circumstances, man is, among other creatures a certain preeminent specimen of Divine wisdom, justice, and goodness, so that he is deservedly called by the ancients "mikrokosmos", "a world in miniature." For neither was it naturally fit to produce anything, nor had it a germinating principle from any other source, till the mouth of the Lord was opened. "And let them have dominion." Pauline Epistles
Passwords should have at least 6 characters. We do not: our light does not shine before God, as his lights shine before us. "He And here, at the beginning of the sacred volume, we read of that Divine Spirit, whose work upon the heart of man is so often mentioned in other parts of the Bible. Here lies the difference; Moses wrote in a popular style things which without instruction, all ordinary persons, endued with common sense, are able to understand; but astronomers investigate with great labour whatever the sagacity of the human mind can comprehend. Man had already been created with this condition, that he should subject the earth to himself; but now, at length, he is put in possession of his right, when he hears what has been given to him by the Lord: and this Moses expresses still more fully in the next verse, when he introduces God as granting to him the herbs and the fruits. Should any one take the exception, that he was merely studying brevity; I answer, that where he twice uses the word image, he makes no mention of the likeness. "And God blessed them." The Gospels
The first account is Genesis 1:1â2:4a (or 2:3âscholars disagree whether 2:4a belongs to the first or the second It is the soul of man that especially bears God's image. deemed it enough to declare what we all may plainly perceive, that the moon is a dispenser of light to us. Biblical Commentary Genesis 21:1-21 . (14-19) Animals created. The reiterated mention of the image of God is not a vain repetition. A question here arises out of the word created. Usernames should only contain letters, numbers, dots, dashes, or underscores. Pentateuch
God creates heaven and earth. A major theme in the stories of Genesis 12-50 is how God overcomes obstacles in order to keep these promises." For it will follow, both that the Son is begotten by himself, and that the Spirit is not of the Father, but of himself. There he built an altar to the Lord and called on the name of the Lord. ? Yet, that he often keeps his hand as if closed is to be imputed to our sins. God summons no foreign counsellor; hence we infer that he finds within himself something distinct; as, in truth, his eternal wisdom and power reside within him. Wherefore the Apostles rightly prove the Deity of Christ from hence, that since he is the Word of God, all things have been created by him. Pentateuch
What indeed does Moses assert to be signified by them, except things belonging to the order of nature? For he has joined the man to his wife, that they might produce a divine, that is, a legitimate seed. Recognizing the value of consistent reflection upon the Word of God in order to refocus one's mind and heart upon Christ and His Gospel of peace, we provide several reading plans designed to cover the entire Bible in a year. Insects, which are more numerous than the birds and beasts, and as curious, seem to have been part of this day's work. Get beautiful Bible art delivered to your inbox. If we have, through grace, an interest in Him who is the Fountain, we may rejoice in him when the streams of temporal mercies are dried up. Whichever interpretation be chosen, it makes no difference in the sense, for he simply understands the day to have been made up of two parts. GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudgesRuth1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesEzraNehemiahEstherJobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSong of SongsIsaiahJeremiahLamentationsEzekielDanielHoseaJoelAmosObadiahJonahMicahNahumHabakkukZephaniahHaggaiZechariahMalachiMatthewMarkLukeJohnActsRomans1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians1 Timothy2 TimothyTitusPhilemonHebrewsJames1 Peter2 Peter1 John2 John3 JohnJudeRevelation, Select an Ending Point
recites many powers of the Godhead, yet always recalls us to the Father, and his Word, and spirit, as we shall shortly see. And it is certain that the world had been begun by the same efficacy of the Word by which it was completed. till the terrestrial waters were gathered into their proper place, which was done on the next day, and therefore it is there twice repeated. Genesis 1:1-10 - NIV: In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. For the purpose of correcting this fault, he calls that pair, consisting of man and woman, which God in the beginning had joined together, one man, in order that every one might learn to be content with his own wife. "The first day". The lights of heaven are made to serve him; they do it faithfully, and shine in their season without fail. Pauline Epistles
earth was so marred by the deluge, that we retain scarcely a moderate portion of the original benediction. He permits us to perceive the efficacy which he infuses into them, so far as he uses their instrumentality; but because we are wont to regard as part of their nature properties which they derive elsewhere, it was necessary that the vigour which they now seem to impart to the earth should be manifest before they were created. His affections were all regular, and he had no bad appetites or passions. But here the question is respecting that glory of God which peculiarly shines forth in human nature, where the mind, the will, and all the senses, represent the Divine order. Lastly men were clothed in skins; therefore it was lawful for them to kill animals. We slightingly pass over the infinite glory of God, which here shines forth; whence arises this but from our excessive dullness in considering his greatness? Genesis 1:11 Parallel Verses [â See commentary â] Genesis 1:11, NIV: "Then God said, 'Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds. Genesis 27 - Commentary by Rev. Moses describes the special use of this expanse, to divide the waters from the waters from which word arises a great difficulty. Wherefore, as the Jews foolishly condemn all the reckonings of other people, as if God had sanctioned this alone; so again are they equally foolish who contend that this modest reckoning, which Moses approves, is preposterous. Gen 1:22. Pauline Epistles
Man, when he was made, was to glorify the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. This blessing of God may be regarded as the source from which the human race has flowed. In the beginning, God: Before the beginning, there was an eternal purpose in the heart of God (Ephesians 3:11) to gather together in one all things in Christ (Ephesians 1:10). Because Moses declares that the sun and moon were appointed for signs, they think themselves entitled to elicit from them anything they please. Now, what I have said concerning marriage must be kept in mind; that God intends the human race to be multiplied by generation indeed, but not, as in brute animals, by promiscuous intercourse. The blessing of God is added, that they may of themselves produce offspring. "In the beginning." But confutation is easy: for they are called signs of certain things, not signs to denote whatever is according to our fancy. Gen 1:24. The Gospels
Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament. Certainly he does not give the reins to human passions, but, beginning at holy and chaste marriage, he proceeds to speak of the production of offspring. For Moses here addresses himself to our senses, that the knowledge of the gifts of God which we enjoy may not glide away. It we proper that the light, by means of which the world was to be adorned with such excellent beauty, should be first created; and this also was the commencement of the distinction, [among the creatures.] But it seems futile for God to address fishes and reptiles. Gen 1:16. They who would define the subject briefly, say that in the image are contained those endowments which God has conferred on human nature at large, while they expound likeness to mean gratuitous gifts. The Third Day. "Let the waters.... be gathered together." Oh, the power of the word of God! He calls it a "lesser light" by comparison; because the portion of light which it emits to us is small compared with the infinite splendour of the sun. GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudgesRuth1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesEzraNehemiahEstherJobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSong of SongsIsaiahJeremiahLamentationsEzekielDanielHoseaJoelAmosObadiahJonahMicahNahumHabakkukZephaniahHaggaiZechariahMalachiMatthewMarkLukeJohnActsRomans1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians1 Timothy2 TimothyTitusPhilemonHebrewsJames1 Peter2 Peter1 John2 John3 JohnJudeRevelation, Select a Beginning Point
By this method (as I have before observed) the dishonesty of those men is sufficiently rebuked, who censure Moses for not speaking with greater exactness. GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudgesRuth1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesEzraNehemiahEstherJobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSong of SongsIsaiahJeremiahLamentationsEzekielDanielHoseaJoelAmosObadiahJonahMicahNahumHabakkukZephaniahHaggaiZechariahMalachiMatthewMarkLukeJohnActsRomans1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians1 Timothy2 TimothyTitusPhilemonHebrewsJames1 Peter2 Peter1 John2 John3 JohnJudeRevelation, (Hebrew/Greek Search by English Definition), * 'Number Delimiters' only apply to 'Paragraph Order', Search verses, phrases, and topics (e.g. And God said. --------------------
For this doubt might occur to the mind, how such a disorderly heap could stand; seeing that we now behold the world preserved by government, or order. But Moses ought rather to be listened to as our teacher, who would transport us with admiration of God through the consideration of his works. To expound the term "beginning", of Christ, is altogether frivolous. From what we see of heaven and earth, we learn the power of the great Creator. 'Let the earth,' he says, 'bring forth living creatures.' This, moreover, is the law of sacrificing rightly, not to offer unto God anything except what he has granted to our use. Since however by the Word of God things which were not came suddenly into being, we ought rather to infer the eternity of His essence. Genesis 1:10 10 God called the dry land earth, and the a gathering of the waters He called seas; and God saw that it was good. --------------------
For when Moses afterwards repeats the same things he passes over the likeness, and contents himself with mentioning the image. âRighteous (6:9; Job 1:1). I answer, that what Moses before expressed on a similar occasion is here also to be understood, although he does not repeat it word for word. But Augustine, beyond all others, speculates with excessive refinement, for the purpose of fabricating a Trinity in man. Man was made last of all the creatures: this was both an honour and a favour to him. May the Lord renew it upon our souls by his grace! All of the commentary found here can be purchased, consolidated in hardcopy format as individual softcover books, one for each book of the Torah, or⦠Hence the folly of those is refuted who imagine that unformed matter existed from eternity; and who gather nothing else from the narration of Moses than that the world was furnished with new ornaments, and received a form of 8 And God called the firmament Heaven. Words in boxes are from the Bible. The Whole Bible
of food and of other necessaries of life, now that we are placed in the world. 8 From there he went on toward the hills east of Bethel and pitched his tent, with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east. But how is this image of God upon man defaced! those who so arrogantly assail their Creator, look for the Judge who shall reduce them to nothing. I answer, this is a corruption of the Divine institute; and whereas God produces offspring from this muddy pool, as well as from the pure fountain of marriage, this will tend to their greater destruction. I therefore do not restrict the creation here spoken of to the work of the fifth day, but rather suppose it to refer to that shapeless and confused mass, which was as the fountain of the whole world. Hitherto God has been introduced simply as commanding; now, when he approaches the most excellent of all his works, he enters into consultation. Historical Books
The light which God willed, he approved of. If new-created unto the image of God in holiness, we shall at length enter the "new heavens and new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.". Besides, as men were created to occupy the earth, so we ought certainly to conclude that God has mapped, as with a boundary, that space of earth which would suffice for the Even immediately after the fall of man, it had already begun to bring forth degenerate and noxious fruits, but at the deluge, the change became still greater. --------------------
Here is a different kind of propagation from that in herbs and trees: for there the power of fructifying is in the plants, and that of germinating is in the seed; but here generation takes place. Had he spoken of things generally unknown, the uneducated might have pleaded in excuse that such subjects were beyond their capacity. The work of the second day is to provide an empty space around the circumference of the earth, that heaven and earth may not be mixed together. They think that they have testimony against the Asians, to prove the Deity of the Son and of the Spirit, but in the meantime they involve themselves in the error of Sabellius, because Moses afterwards subjoins that the Elohim had spoken, and that the Spirit of the Elohim rested upon the waters. And, truly, the Lord, although he is the Author of nature, yet by no means has followed nature as his guide in the creation of the world, but has rather chosen to put forth such demonstrations of his power as should constrain us to wonder. The day and the night are the Lord's; let us use both to his honour, by working for him every day, and resting in him every night, meditating in his law both day and night. --------------------
Minor Prophets
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In the fourth day's work, the creation of the sun, moon, and stars is accounted for. I know not whether there is anything solid in the opinion of some who hold that this is said, because the image of God was only shadowed forth in man till he should arrive at his perfection. For the words of God are to this We know that darkness preceded time itself; when God withdrew the light, he closed the day. --------------------
We have already heard that before God had perfected the world it was an undigested mass; he now teaches that the power of the Spirit was necessary in order to sustain it. "Cattle." And the evening and the morning were the second day. end that our minds might the more easily be retained in the meditation of God's works: so now, for the purpose of commending to our attention the dignity of our nature, he, in taking counsel concerning the creation of man, testifies that he is about to undertake something great and wonderful. (Not dependent on Genesis Part 1.) For although sowing and reaping require human art and industry; this, nevertheless, is natural, that the sun, by its nearer approach, warms our earth, that he introduces the vernal season, that he is the cause of summer and autumn. But now, although some obscure lineaments of that image are found remaining in us; yet are they so vitiated and maimed, that they may truly be said to be destroyed. The reason of which is, that this matter was to be the seed of the whole world. Biblical Commentary Genesis 1:1-5 EXEGESIS: GENESIS 1:1â2:4a. Which thing alone is sufficient to confute the blasphemy of Servetus. conservative Christian faith, which includes a firm belief in the inerrancy
For the same reason he calls it the abyss and waters, since in that mass of matter nothing was solid or stable, nothing distinct. --------------------
If any one should inquire whether this vacuity did not previously exist, I answer, however true it may be that all parts of the earth were not overflowed by the waters; yet now, for the first time, a separation was ordained, whereas a confused admixture had previously existed. Genesis 4:1-10. Genesis: Overview. Gen 1:1. Here he commemorates that part of dignity with which he decreed to honour man, namely, that he should have authority over all living creatures. Moses makes two great luminaries; but astronomers prove, by conclusive reasons that the star of Saturn, which on account of its great distance, appears the least of all, is greater than the moon. The speaker didnât receive the usual flower phrases of introduction. 30 But that the seas, being gathered together as on heaps, should give place for man, is seemingly preternatural; and therefore Scripture often extols the goodness of God in this particular. 14 Yet John testifies that. Genesis 18 The chapter is clearly divided in two parts: vs.1-15 the visit of the three men in Abraham's tent and vs.16-33 the departure for Sodom and Abraham's intercession. We also know that it was customary with the Hebrews to repeat the same thing in different word,. I will, in the first place, state what (in my judgment) Moses intended. In the meantime, however, the benediction of God so prevails that the earth everywhere lies open that it may have its inhabitants, and that an immense multitude of men may find, in some part of the globe, their home. "Let there be a firmament." John Calvin :: Commentary on Genesis: Chapter 1 â Back to John Calvin's Bio & Resources. - The work of this day was twofold, yet closely connected. He therefore asserts that this mass, however confused it might be, was rendered stable, for the time, by the secret efficacy of the Spirit. At first the waters beneath the heavens, i.e., those upon the surface of the earth, were gathered together, so that the dry (××Ö¼×ּש××, the solid ground) appeared. This command he himself executed. effect: 'Behold, I have prepared food for thee before thou wast formed; acknowledge me, therefore, as thy Father, who have so diligently provided for thee when thou wast not yet created. inquisitive persons abuse this passages to give colour to their frivolous predictions: I call those men Chaldeans and fanatics, who divine everything from the aspects of the stars. this title. An EasyEnglish Bible Version and Commentary (2800 word vocabulary) on the Book of Genesis. Wisdom Literature
of Scripture. In the mind perfect intelligence flourished and reigned, uprightness attended as its companion, and all the senses were prepared and moulded for due obedience to reason; and in the body there was a suitable correspondence with this internal order. Prophets
So he built an altar there to the Lord, who had appeared to him. This also is an illustrious miracle, that the waters by their departure have given a dwelling-place to men. Nor does David rashly recount this among His miracles, that God layeth the beams of his chambers in the waters, (Psalm 104:31;) and he elsewhere calls upon the celestial waters to praise God, (Ps. The Old Testament
In which thing some of the Fathers are deceived who thought that they could defeat the Asians with this weapon that Christ alone is God's, image. Now there are two significations of the Hebrew word which suit the present place; 10 weeks, 10 lessons. And he wasnot merely recording ancient history. This passage (Genesis 18:1-10) has literally become iconic: the fifteenth century Russian icon by Andrey Rublev that depicts the three visitors to Abraham as a type of the Holy Trinity appears as a now-familiar image everywhere from mouse pads to refrigerator magnets. Genesis 11-25 - Part 3 - ⦠A righteous man or woman should be about winning their entire family to Christ and generally will be able to. It is well again to repeat what I have said before, that it is not here philosophically discussed, how great the sun is in the heaven, and how great, or how little, is the moon; but how much light comes to us from them. See God's plan for marriage, His relationship with His people, His judgment of the wicked, and His salvation of the righteous. For Moses simply intends to assert that the world was not perfected at its very commencement, in the manner in which it is now seen, but that it was created an empty chaos of heaven and earth. For Moses relates how beneficent the Lord had been to them, in bestowing on them all things which they could desire, that their ingratitude might have the less excuse. "And God created." Cookie Notice:
10. Historical Books
Although the tense here used is the future, all must acknowledge that this is the language of one apparently deliberating. Once more, at the conclusion of the creation, Moses declares that God approved of everything which he had made. Be Basic (Genesis 1-11): Believing the Simple Truth of God's Word (The BE Series Commentary) BE: 2010: Wiersbe, Warren W. Be Obedient (Genesis 12-25): Learning the Secret of Living by Faith (The BE Series Commentary) BE: 2010: Janzen, J. Gerald: Genesis 12-25: Abraham and All the Families of the Earth : ITC: 1993: Gowan, Donald E. "To rule". This impure caviler asserts, that the first beginning of the Word was when God commanded the light to be; as if the cause, truly, were not prior to its effect. This commentary has been through Advanced Checking. John 3:16, Jesus faith love), The Whole Bible
The arrangement was that his wife would let him out after she was insi⦠Moses now, for the first time, introduces God in the act of speaking, as if he had created the mass of heaven and earth without the Word. There are others about whom we know very little, sometimes not even their names, such as Lot's wife, the butler and baker in Egypt, and David's little child who died. Good, for it was all just as the Creator would have it to be. (26-28) Food appointed. Genesis 1:6-8 "Firmament" is translated from the Hebrew raqiya, which is derived from raqa which means "to spread abroad, stamp or stretch. firmament â an expanse - a beating out as a plate of metal: a name given to the atmosphere from its appearing to an observer to be the vault of heaven, supporting the weight of the watery clouds. "Last week we read about the wonderful promises God made to Abram (Gen 12:1-3). In like manner the work of grace in the soul is a new creation: and in a graceless soul, one that is not born again, there is disorder, confusion, and every evil work: it is empty of all good, for it is without God; it is dark, it is darkness itself: this is our condition by nature, till Almighty grace works a change in us. All his works, in all places of his dominion, bless him; and therefore, bless thou the Lord, O my soul. For we are fruitful or barren in respect of offspring, as God imparts his power to some and withholds it from others. General Epistles
And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. Perhaps the most forthright and concise introduction I have ever heard about is the one which Readers Digest tells us occurred at the menâs night meeting of the Philomathic Club. Gen 1:31. which it was before destitute. Let this, then be maintained in the first place, that the world is not eternal but was created by God. Commentary on Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16. General Epistles
Further, he begins the day, according to the custom of his nation, with the evening. It must be remembered, that Moses does not speak with philosophical acuteness on occult mysteries, but relates those things which are everywhere observed, even by the uncultivated, and which are in common use. Yet Moses has not affixed to the work of this day the note that "God saw that it was good:" perhaps because there was no advantage from it Commentary on Genesis 1:1,2 (Read Genesis 1:1,2) The first verse of the Bible gives us a satisfying and useful account of the origin of the earth and the heavens. When they were within a short distance of the drive-in, the husband climbed into the trunk of the car. Oh, what high thoughts should there be in our minds, of that great God whom we worship, and of that great Mediator in whose name we pray! Major Prophets
This indeed was formerly a common fable among heathens, who had received only an obscure report of the creation, and who, according to custom, adulterated the truth of God with strange figments; but for Christian men to labour (as Steuchus does) in maintaining this gross error is absurd and intolerable. The first verse of the Bible gives us a satisfying and useful account of the origin of the earth and the heavens. And we ought not so to understand the words of Moses as if God did not know that his work was good, till it was finished. I shall not be very solicitous about the exposition of these two epithets, "tohu", and "bohu". Modern Bible students have many other ideas. There is an ancient tradition that Moses wasthe author. Since What is the force of this benediction he soon declares. Moses passes onwards to the fourth day, on which the stars were made. He descends to the sixth day, on which the animals were created, and then man. But it may be asked, whether light and darkness succeeded each For since the proverb, 'to mingle heaven and earth,' denotes the extreme of disorder, this distinction ought to be regarded as of great importance. I say, moreover, it is sufficient for the purpose of signifying the same thing, that Moses declares animals were created 'according to their species:' for this distribution carried --------------------
Here God is introduced by Moses as surveying his work, that he might take pleasure in it.