Creation, Maybe We Got It Wrong

Do you believe in the accuracy of Genesis One? In the beginning God created the Heavens and the earth." God revealed to Moses how the earth was formed. Lots of Study Bibles call this the "Creation Account" or the "Creation Story." But what if that is not really the point? What if God had something else in mind and the purpose of  Genesis Chapter One has a different focus entirely?

From my early days as a believer I was confronted with the question of creation and the authenticity of Genesis Chapter One. Way back when I was in high school the topic found its way into our biology class. Our teacher's main focus was on the theory of evolution. We spent weeks reviewing the logic and science of Darwin's postulation. She gave about ten minutes to the religious theory that this was an act of God. Most of us believed in God and that He had something to do with the stuff that allowed for evolution, however, the science and reason for an evolutionary process seemed overwhelming. That the creation account received ten minutes is more than most public schools would allow today. As time passed and I came to accept the truth of Jesus, Messiah, as my Savior and Lord I was introduced to other avenues of the creation story. Books by Henry Morris and Duane Gish found their way into my library and a few "Creation Research" conferences gave the Bible's account greater authenticity and authority. There was scientific evidence for a young earth and evolution became more of an act of faith than recognizing an intelligent designer. Obviously Genesis One was there to tell us of have God created the earth and the universe around us. You know, the creation story.

But what if that is not really the point. It is "a" point, but what is "the" primary point and purpose for this message from Moses? To understand my point you must put on your "way-back" sandals and travel back to somewhere around Exodus 19. Israel, God's people, have spent somewhere in the neighborhood of 400 years in Egypt, most of it as slaves to various Pharaohs. One of their jobs was to build. They built memorials to Pharaoh, cities, walls and many temples to honor the Egyptian gods and goddesses. No formal worship of their God. Elohim or Yahweh were known and practiced, however, all the worship celebrations surrounded the Egyptian deities. The Lord God takes on the main gods and goddesses of Egypt when He sends the plagues that would eventually free His people. Ra was the sun god so God took away the sun, Nut was the goddess of the sky which would rain fire and hail. Osiris was the goddess of vegetation, which was eaten by the locust. Hapi the god of the Nile's origin, the Nile is turned to blood. Horus is the protector of Pharaoh, not very effective. There is Anubis, the God of the dead, yet even Pharaoh's son dies. Isis the goddess of life and healing and Hathor, the goddess of  love and music. All proven to be impotent against the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. A visual lesson put on display for all of the children of Israel to see. Even in the end the mighty Ra and Horus, the god assigned to protect Pharaoh, are helpless while Pharaoh and his armies are drowned in the sea.

Now God's people are a strong nation of free people rather than slaves. They have not been free for a long time. They honestly have no idea how to function as a nation. God in His mercy and grace takes them to Mount Sinai and gives Moses the instructions and directions they need to properly worship and serve Him and the necessary guidelines to live together as His people. The first thing God tells them is that He is the maker of heaven and earth. Not Atam the Egyptian god of creation, not Ra or Isis or Nut or any of the gods and goddesses whose temples they built and whose festivals surrounded them. Perhaps, Genesis one is more about the Creator than the creation. Perhaps it is a beginning point for a new nation of God's people. He, Yahweh, is the maker of heaven and earth and all that is in them. He made the sun, not Ra, He brought vegetation, not Osiris. It is a significant claim. It goes in opposition of all they had been immersed in for generation after generation. This truth is not impressed upon Israel alone.

Here are a few examples. Genesis 14:22, “But Abram said to the king of Sodom, “I have raised my hand to the LORD, God Most High, the Possessor of heaven and earth” Joshua 2:11, Rahab is speaking, “And as soon as we heard these things, our hearts melted; neither did there remain any more courage in anyone because of you, for the LORD your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath.” 2 Kings 19:15, “Then Hezekiah prayed before the LORD, and said: “O LORD God of Israel, the One who dwells between the cherubim, You are God, You alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth.” 2 Chronicles 2:12, Hiram also said: Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, who made heaven and earth, for He has given King David a wise son.“ Jonah 1:9, So he said to them, “I am a Hebrew; and I fear the LORD, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the dry land.” (emphasis mine) Even the pagan nations recognized this truth about the God of Israel, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob,is the God of creation. With all the gods and goddesses that all the nations honored, the events of Egypt forever brand Him as the Maker of heaven and earth. 

Unfortunately, it is a reality Israel would struggle to keep in focus. However, it is the foundation for all that follows Genesis One. He is creator. The details simply put that on display. Genesis One is much more about the Creator than the creation. Israel needed to be reminded of this from the very beginning. Perhaps we need to spend less time defending the creation story and more time worshiping the Lord God, maker of heaven and earth.

The Grace Pandemic

Are you living in the "last days"? As we face the growing pandemic called the, Covid 19 virus, I thought I would add to the social media pandemic concerning the times we live in. We are in an unusual time when we can share our concerns, our hope, our hysteria, our information and misinformation with the tap of a button. We can add a little humor through nifty memes and links to comedy clips about toilet paper. It is, indeed, a time like no other. The reality that this will pass in time is of little consolation for those who suffer the pain and loss brought about by the spreading disease.

I have noticed varying perspectives of those who believe in God and the ministry of His Son, our Savior and Messiah. Some ask the honest question, "Are we entering the Great Tribulation?" others wonder if this is God's judgement on the world or on a specific country, be it China, Italy, or the USA. There are scriptures both of comfort and promised annihilation posted on Facebook and Instagram to add to your angst or your serenity. You can pick and choose whatever scriptures you like and, with the help of the internet, find articles and scholars to support your point of view. I, for one, see this as a display of God's grace. Times of distress can cloud the truth that we have a continually gracious God. God is good, all the time, even in the midst of the spreading Covid 19 virus.

Let me explain. Hardship and even oppression often are evidence of the grace of God. It is never enjoyable and never desired, however, sometimes it is necessary for God's grace to be extended. The Israelites spent around 400 years in slavery where God allowed them to grow as a nation in spite of the animosity of Pharaoh. Why would they be left there? After all they were God's chosen people. In Genesis 15:16, in the midst of the promise to Abraham, God tells him, "But in the fourth generation they shall return here, for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete.” God is going to extend 400 years of grace to the Amorites and all of Canaan while Israel is in slavery. He is even telling Abraham in advance that this is what would be. God adds an additional seven days of grace to Jericho before judgement falls, as do the walls. Grace was extended to Rehab and her family due to their faith and trust in the God of Israel. Could God not as well done the same for a repentant city? He did to Nineveh after Jonah's message. As we move forward to times yet to come we know of the outpouring of judgement and God's just wrath revealed to us in the book of Revelation. Yet even in that, there is always grace and mercy for those who repent. God's just judgement simply draws people to His grace or drives them into further rebellion. However, their choice does not eliminate God's offer of grace.
    
If you are a regular church goer or involved in ministry you can find help to continue your fellowship and ministry even in the midst of limited social contact. I have been impressed with the desire of churches to continue ministry from pod casts, to streaming on Facebook, to audio posts on Blogspot. Efforts are being made to advance the Kingdom. Here are a few of the suggestions I have encountered. Stream on Facebook, set up email prayer chains, set up old fashioned phone chains to keep in touch, call your senior members a couple of times a week to be sure they are okay, activate your youth group into pairs and have them visit the seniors and empty their trash or kitty litter pans. You could have one family from church over for dinner and prayer times. Take your family to a shut in's home and sing a hymn or two to them on their porch and have a word of prayer for them. Have your service broadcast into your parking lot so folks can hear the message and still be isolated. How about having a church wide day of fasting and prayer without the encouragement of the government. Then there are those ancient things called letters and encouragement cards, maybe a birthday or anniversary card with a gift card from a local restaurant so when the ban ends, they can eat out and the restaurant has business now and when they reopen. Most offer gift cards on line. There are a plethora of possibilities that surround us. You can come up with your own list and post it on social media. Who knows what could happen if we put actions to our verbal concern for one another. Come to think of it, I am pretty sure this has been the Lord's desire all along. You know, to love one another, care for one another, encourage one another, and pray for one another.

Perhaps, the Lord has graciously provided us the opportunity to be who we were supposed to be all along. Just think if, after the virus is gone, and it will pass, we continued to stream and call and write and visit and pray for, love, and encourage one another. To check on our seniors and encourage our youth to minister and pray for the previous generations. Maybe our neighbors and communities would see our good works and glorify our Father in heaven. Maybe some outdoor services or parking lot fellowships would put God's love and grace on display. Maybe our intimate family gathering for meals and prayer could spark a revival and God grace would be magnifies and He would be glorified by His people. Perhaps what is happening is an opportunity for God's grace to abound. Perhaps the choice is up to you.