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Genesis 1-4: God: Creator, Governor, and Preserver (Part I)

Creator.
Genesis 1: The first chapter of Genesis reads like a love story of sorts or like a wonderful little children’s book. It shows a loving God who carefully prepares an environment for his newborn creatures just as a mother bird carefully lines her nest in anticipation of the advent of her little ones. Let us read this story (to view it in picture book format click HERE): [1]

 It was the first day and God the Father made a wonderful room for His creation and it was good. On day one, He made in this room, light and He made the darkness; He made the day and He made the night.

And then it was morning. So God the Father, on the second day, made another wonderful room for His creation.  On day two, He made this room, separating the waters. He made the sky and then it was evening.

And then it was morning. So God the Father, on the third day, made another wonderful room for His creation.  On day three, He made this room, gathering the waters. He formed the land, and placed trees and vegetation upon the land and then it was evening.

And then it was morning. And God had finished making His rooms so He now gave life to His creation and He placed them each in their own room that was especially made for them.  God the Father, on the fourth day created the stars, and the moon, and the sun and He placed them in the room that He had lovingly prepared for them – the room of light and of darkness and then it was evening.

And then it was morning. God the Father, on the fifth day created the sea creatures, and every bird, and winged creature and He placed them in the room that He had lovingly prepared for them – the room of the separated waters and of the sky and then it was evening.

And then it was morning. God the Father, on the sixth day created the land creatures, and every animal that walks upon the ground, and God created humankind in His own image and He placed them in the room that He had lovingly prepared for them – the room in which He had gathered the waters, made the land, and planted the vegetation and then it was evening.

And then it was morning. God the father, on the seventh day, He rested from His work. The rooms were finished. Creation was finished and it was good. God blessed the day, making it holy and then He rested. That is Genesis 1 (cf. also Psalm 33:6, Psalm 93; Isaiah 45:12; John 1:1-3; Colossians 1:15-17; Hebrews 11:3).[2]

            Genesis 2 is thought by some to be a separate creation account.[3] At the very least, it expounds upon this creation story a little more, specifically relating to the role and responsibilities of humanity.[4] Picture this with me if you will. God has made for His children this wonderful garden to take care of and to watch grow. He has made them this beautiful land out of nothing.

Do you know what this reminds me of? Hank (a gentleman who is a member of our congregation, maybe with some help of some others, I don’t know) made this beautiful little garden by the Sunday entrance to the corps here. You can see it again in the summertime. He and Ray and others faithfully tend to it each year as it grows into a great blessing for all who come here during growing season. It always amazes me that this wonderful garden now blooms in season where there once was nothing. Hank created it out of an area of concrete and gravel – basically out of nothing and Hank and Ray on summer days take great pleasure in tending to it by even doing simple things such as Ray ensuring the water is just the right temperature for watering the plants. This reminds me – like a real life parable or object lesson - of God’s creation.

 Even more than flowers from concrete and gravel, God brought forth life from nothing. Let us reflect today on the miracle and blessings of God the Creator
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[1] To see this in picture book form click here:  http://www.sheepspeak.com/Room_for_Creation_Web_Ramsay.pdf  For more story books by Michael Ramsay (and other writings) click here: http://www.sheepspeak.com./Michael_Ramsays_opinion.htm
[2] Cf. The Salvation Army, Salvation Story: Salvationist Handbook of Doctrine, (The Salvation Army: London: 1998), pp. 27-28.
[3] Cf. Derek Kidner, Genesis: An Introduction and Commentary. Downers Grove, Il.: InterVarsity Press, 1967 (Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries 1), S. 58
[4] Captain Michael Ramsay, Reading Report on Charles Darwin, "Recapitulation and Conclusion" [The Origin of the Species, Akron, Ohio: Werner, 1872), chapter 15, pp. 267-306]. Presented to William and Catherine Booth College (February, 2009). Available on-line: http://www.sheepspeak.com/Michael_Ramsay_History_TSA.htm#Darwin
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