><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> (Genesis) CHAPTER 1-2 ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Directing Questions -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 1) What truths stand out regarding a)the character of the whole creation b) the character of man and his relation to God? 2) 'And God said' is found ten times. Cf Ps 33:6,9; Heb 11:3 What does this suggest concerning the mode of creation? What further light is provided by Jn 1:1-3 Col 1:15-17? 3) Why did God make men 'male and female'? What pattern for marriage is here divinely ordained? Cf Matt19:3-6 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Comments from (Genesis) Chapter 1-2 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -------------------------------------------- * Blenda Chao -------------------------------------------- 1,2) The creation occured in parts, with different parts on each day. It is not to say that God could not do it all at once, for He is omnipotent. However, He chose to do it in parts - with ORDER and purpose, showing the careful order in His creation. When considering the evolutionary argument about similarity in structure of animals, I say that God is orderly and designed it that way. He didn't give a haphazard, different structure to everything, but a common pattern. Man was formed in the image of God, and was given dominion over animals. God's method of creating was by speaking, by command. Although I believe God will forgive divorce, it was certainly not His plan for man and wife to be separated. When "choosing" a marriage partner, (IMO=in my opinion), one ought to question, "can I live with this person for the rest of my life and consider myself as one with them?" -------------------------------------------- * James Chao -------------------------------------------- Genesis 1 and 2 Creation The beginning of the world, 1:1-25 The beginning of the human race, 1:26- 2:25 The second chapter presupposes the first, and the differences are complementary and supplementary, not contradictory. Genesis 1: God the Creator; Elohim; God as powerful; Creation of the universe; Climaxes with man; The six days of creation. Genesis 2: God the covenant-keeper; Yahweh; God as personal; Creation of man; Climaxes with marriage; The sixth day of creation. [Nelson's Bible Maps & Charts] Hebrews 11:3 "Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear." Psalm 33:9 "For He spake, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast." In these two chapters, we read about God, His creation, man and woman inclusive. God is Spirit, Gen. 1:2; John 4:24. Man, Adam, a living soul. The name means "Red" or "soil," it implies blood or earthy origin. The flesh subjects decomposition. However, the soul will not change. This is an important factor of salvation. The mortal body will be changed to immortal, "the second Adam" for eternity. God created woman out of man and they become one flesh, 2:24, to illustrate unity in marriage. -------------------------------------------- * Alvin Chao -------------------------------------------- 1) The creation is such a miraculous thing. To think that Almighty God just spoke and things HAPPENED, were created, this is truly awesome. It is incomprehensible to me. Every time I stare at a beatiful mountain range at sunset, or go hiking along wooded trails, I get a sense of the awesomeness of His creation. It is an ordered affair, God choosing to do certain things on a certain day. We then look at our existence in the midst of this creation and see that God put us in charge of it, it was His intention that we enjoy His creation. 2) Heb 11:3 By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible. This portion suggests that creation was made by the invisible, the word of God and is made up of things we cannot see. 3) God made men male and female because he first created man and then created a suitable helper for him. God intended man and woman to join together in a complementary relationship called marriage. It was his intention that men and women join with one another to establish a one time partnership with each other to sustain the human race through procreation, and to help one another. Praise God for his desire to create us in His image. May we rejoice daily in His marvelous and wonderful creation. ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> (Genesis) CHAPTER 3 ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Directing Questions -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 1) What does Genesis 3 teach about a) Satan's methods b) the first false steps which lead to sin in act c) the results of sin? 2) What simple positive principles of action, if acted on, would have given Adam and Eve victory over temptation? 3) What is the significance of Gn 3:15? =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Comments from (Genesis) Chapter 3 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -------------------------------------------- * Blenda Chao -------------------------------------------- 1,2,3) Satan uses temptation as a trap. The three aspects of temptation here: the fruit was good for food, pleasing to the eye, and desirable for gaining wisdom (NIV study Bible). It seems attractive and good, but always results in bad when Satan is involved. By rationalizing, Eve started off wrong. She should not have even considered the serpent's words since God had commanded them not to eat the fruit. The results of their sin were curses and "the fall of man". They were banished from the Garden of Eden and had to work the ground. The Bible teaches us to PRAY so that we won't fall into temptation (Mt 26:41, Mk14:38, Lk 22:40). Remember Joseph and Potiphar's wife? Joseph just ran away and left his cloak in her hand, eliminating any chance of sinning. It is important to remember that God ALWAYS provides a way out of temptation, 1 Cor 10:13, "...And God is faithful; He will NOT LET YOU BE TEMPTED BEYOND WHAT YOU CAN BEAR. BUT WHEN YOU ARE TEMPTED, HE WILL ALSO PROVIDE A WAY OUT SO THAT YOU CAN STAND UP UNDER IT." In v 15, the relationship symbolized is that between God and Satan. Christ is the one crushing the serpent's head. -------------------------------------------- * James Chao -------------------------------------------- Genesis 3 Man Sinned Eve means "life giving". Through woman not only earthly life was given but also the eternal life was given through Mary. We usually remember Mary is the mother of Jesus. Very seldom do we make the connection that Eve is the foremother of Mary. 3:20 - " And Adam called his wife's name Eve; because she was the mother of all living." At the time when man had no sin and felt no shame to be naked. After the man sinned and he felt naked and shameful. To cover his sin with an earthly apron, fig leaves, 3:7, is unacceptable to God. The price of sin is death and it requires a divine sacrifice to redeem our sin. The concept is beyond my comprehension, I only accept it as it is because I believe that Bible is the Word of God. In 3:21, God dressed them with coats of skins, signifying the divine sacrifice of Jesus, prior sending them out of the Garden of Eden, the Garden of Delight. It would be their choice, by then, whether or not they want to keep the robe of righteousness on, while they walk on this earth later. Because Sin is a Choice, 3:6-7 The tree was good for food, lust of the flesh; It was pleasant to the eyes, lust of eyes; And it could make one wise, pride of life. After man sinned, he was driven out of the Garden to prevent him to live in immorality forever, if he eats again the fruits of the tree of live. Again, Salvation is also a Choice, Revelation 22:1-2 "And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations." -------------------------------------------- * Alvin Chao -------------------------------------------- 1) Satan is a wily foe. He attacks from all senses, this increases his likelihood for success. We often are bombarded by advertising in a combination of media. Commercials try to appeal to all of our senses. They use visually stimulating things, music to lure our hearing, and invoke images of smell and taste. Satan employed all of these marketing strategies when tempting Eve. He appealed to her sense of taste and smell (fruit was good), sight (pleasing to the eye), and used yet another marketing tactic: transference(You will be like someone else if you use this product - be like God)[make one wise]. His marketing plan was successful, but it was only through several attempts that his pitch worked. We must be wary of Satan's many forms of attack and keep guard of all of our senses lest we be won over by one of Satan's many forms of attack. Most sin is first seen by the eyes, then thought of in the mind, then finally becomes an action. If we cut off these initial steps of sight and thought, then we make it difficult for Satan to succeed in his tempting us to sin. The result of sin is death(Rom 6:23- the wages of sin in death) 2) Adam and Eve should have sought flight the moment Satan came near. Instead of leaving the situation and bailing out of the sinking ship, Eve listened to the music of the orchestra and went down with the ship. Upon first recognition of temptation, we need to physically remove ourselves from the temptation, whether it be by closing our eyes, leaving a place, or getting away from something or someone. 3) Genesis 3:15 is the beginning of the promise of God for a way for man to restore fellowship with Him. It is the first birth announcement of Christ our Saviour and King. The One who is able to redeem us from our sins and who is given authority over all heaven and earth. Praise God for providing us a way when we were unable. Just as he provided skins of animals to cover the sin of nakedness of Adam and Eve, so he provided the way for them and all of us to cover our sins both original and personal. ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> (Genesis) CHAPTER 4-5 ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Directing Questions -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 1) Trace in chp 4 the growth of sin, and the evidence of its power and its effects. 2) Abel died and Cain lived. But what had Abel that Cain had not? Cf 1Jn3:12;Heb 11:4 3) Try to picture to yourself the life of Enoch as described in Gn 5:21-24. What new light does Heb 11:5,6 throw upon it? =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Comments from (Genesis) Chapter 4-5 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -------------------------------------------- * Blenda Chao -------------------------------------------- 1,2,3) The consequences of sin were long lasting, as seen in God's giving Cain a mark. Although Cain lived and Abel died, Abel was commended as a righteous man because of his faith (Heb 11:4). The life of Enoch is amazing. The phrase "Enoch walked with God" speaks volumes, and implies a special relationship and obedience. We should strive to walk with God, to be in step with His work and His Holy Spirit. My "resolution" for 1999 is to try to be more sensitive to His Holy Spirit each day, which means cutting out too much TV or noisy activities. Enoch seemed to have what I call a "quiet life", not meaning dull or solitary at all, but listening for God's voice and direction. -------------------------------------------- * James Chao -------------------------------------------- Genesis 4 Cain, Abel and Seth Verse 4:1 indicates that Adam experienced Eve, his wife, conceived and gave birth to the first child on the earth. His name is Cain, it means "produced." She said, "I have gotten a child with the help of the Lord." This is also the first experience of child-birth and none of them having the knowledge about baby delivery. Eve must have cried out loudly for help from the Lord. In the mean time Eve experienced the child birth pain as the Lord's charge onto her. In Chapter 3, we realized that the first sin of human being was disobedience. Now, sins of jealousy, hostility, lying (verse 9) and murdering are introduced into the world. All these behaviors are the attributes of Satan. When worshipping time came, Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the ground, verse 3; it is the produce offering of his work. And, in the mean time, Abel delivered his firstlings of his flock and their fat portion; it is a sacrifice offering. One symbolized 'good work of human hands' and the other reflected the acceptance of the salvation. Verse 10 indicates that the Lord would also hear a dead-man's prayer - "---. The voice of your brother's blood is crying to Me from the ground." Don't you worry about injustice, the Lord made it even for Cain, after his death, and He would make it even for each one of His child. Genesis 4:16-22 mentioned of early civilization: Herdsmen - "And Adah gave birth to Jabal; he was the father of those who dwell in tents and have livestock." 4:20; Musicians - "And his brother's name was Jubal; he was the father of all those who play the lyre and pipe." 4:21; Artificers and manufacturers - "---Tubal-cain, the forger of all implements of bronze and iron; ---" 4:22; Builders - "And Cain -----; and he built a city, and called the name of the city Enoch, after the name of his son." 4:17. Genesis 5 Descendants of Adam before the Flood Scientific research suggest that the reason people lived with longevity, prior to the flood, is because of less ultra-violet radiance in growth process. Environmental changes brought about by the flood caused rapidly declined of life span from 900 some years to about 120 years during the post-flood stage. Enoch Walked with God; 5:23 Enoch was the first recorded preacher who preached on the coming judgement. Jude 14-15: "And about these also Enoch, in the seventh generation from Adam, prophesied, saying, "Behold, the Lord came with many thousands of His holy ones., [15] to execute judgment upon all, and to convict all the ungodly of all their ungodly deeds which they have done in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him." It shows the fairness and just of God. He sent messager to the world before the flood for judgment and punishment. -------------------------------------------- * Alvin Chao -------------------------------------------- 1) Sin in its basest form is rebellion against God. That was the root of man's sin, and still is to this day. When we sin, we are in direct rebellion against God's will. Sin has great power, even to effect the lives of those 2 or 3 generations onward. In Chp4 we see the perpetuation of sin, and get insight into its character. Sin can have mastery over us only if we allow it to. God said that there was no temptation beyond which we could not bear, so that means that we can always master sin if we choose to. Too often we choose the easy way out of falling under the mastery of sin. 2) Abel had faith and righteousness before God. Cain's offering was made out of necessity it seems, rather than true faith and a hunger for righteousness. He viewed God as a dictator, not a loving Father. 3) Heb 11:5,6 5 By faith Enoch was taken up so that he would not see death; AND HE WAS NOT FOUND BECAUSE GOD TOOK HIM UP; for he obtained the witness that before his being taken up he was pleasing to God. 6 And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him. Enoch must have been in total alignment with God's will. His relationship with God must have been one of praying continually and seeking first the things of God's kingdom rather than the things of this earth. It is amazing to realize that Enoch is descended from Cain. From one that was in rebellion to God came one who walked so closely with the Lord that the Lord took him off this earth rather than let him face death. May we seek to grow ever closer to God as Enoch did and to walk in obedience to His will daily. ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> (Genesis) CHAPTER 6 ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Directing Questions -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 1) What do we learn here concerning a) the fallen condition of human nature? b) God's attitude to sin c) the provision of a way of salvation? Cf Mt 24:37- 39;1Peter 3:20;2Peter2:5 2) 'Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord' What were his characteristics? Cf Heb 11:7 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Comments from (Genesis) Chapter 6 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -------------------------------------------- * Blenda Chao -------------------------------------------- 1,2) The wickedness of men increased so much that God was GRIEVED that He had made man on the earth, and His heart was FILLED WITH PAIN (v6)...BUT Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord (v8)...he walked with God (v9). Just like Enoch, Noah walked with God. This is all the more inspiration for us to be obedient to the Lord, to put off the sinful nature and clothe ourselves with Christ. It will please the Father's heart, rather than grieve Him when He sees us sin. The story of Noah symbolizes salvation and baptism (NIV study Bible). -------------------------------------------- * James Chao -------------------------------------------- Genesis Chapter 6 Noah's Ark The dimensions of the Ark are 450'(L) x 75' (W) x 45' (H) = 1,518,750 cf. The capacity would be 1,518,750 x 62.4 lb/cf = 94,770,000 lbs = 47,385 Tons, less the weight of the walls and beams. Noah had to be a good engineer to design the Ark with air circulation. Here is the first covenant the Lord made with man, Noah, to save eight souls and animals, 6:18. The ark reveals both the judgment and mercy of God. The ark is an illustration of Christ, who preserves us from His judgment through His grace. There are a lot of research and arguments about the Ark and the "sons of God", 6:2. The "sons of God" are thought to have been either fallen angels to which there may be reference in II Peter 2:4 and Jude 6, or leaders in Sethite families who intermarried with godless descendants of Cain. These abnormal marriages, whatever they were, filled the earth with corruption and violence. Jesus regarded the Flood as a Historical Fact, and likened the time of His Coming Again to the days of Noah, Matthew 24:37-39. -------------------------------------------- * Alvin Chao -------------------------------------------- 1/2) Sin continued to grow here in chp6. We see it having grown to a level that it grieved God that He had even created man in the first place, and He set out to wipe out man from the face of the earth. God hates sin and cannot tolerate it, plain and simple, no exceptions. Here in the case of Noah as in the Salvation we receive from Christ, God was the one who provided the way, He had the plan, He was the Way. The only thing man had to do was have faith and to carry through on that genuine faith by demonstrating it through acting on that faith(creating the ark). Had Noah only believed that the Ark would be provided and that the Flood was coming, he would still have been killed along with the rest of sinful men, but he acted on his faith and put it into action by building the ark. This is the only response to salvation, living a life that demonstrates the faith and belief we have in God's word. God's word can save, but only if we believe it and the plan of salvation contained therein. We must not only believe it, but put that belief into action. This is not to say we are saved by works, but the works we do are a demonstration of the belief and faith we have. It is like the symptoms to a disease, if we only exhibit the symptons of the disease of sin, then how can we be healthy, but if rather we are only sometimes sick, we consider ourselves healthy. We must each one strive to maintain our health spiritually on a daily basis. This means taking preventative measures to insure our spiritual health and to insure that we don't "catch a cold" spiritually. By surrounding ourselves with healthy people(church fellowship) and taking vitamins(reading the Word), and going for regular visits to our doctor(communication in a quiet time with God), we will be affecting a healthy spiritual life and putting in check the disease of sin. May we accept the cure(Jesus Christ) and take the necessary steps to prevent a recurrence of the disease of sin.