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FEATURE
GENESIS 1–2
Key themes: God as creator; the
goodness of creation; relationships
between God, humans and the
earth; the dominion and subduing of
creation; working and protecting the
land; Sabbath-keeping; how to care for
the earth.
The opening statement in Genesis 1,
that God (Elohim) created the heavens
and the earth, is fundamental. It
means that our universe is God’s
handiwork and he is the origin of
everything. Therefore all things,
including the Earth, belong to him.
What does he think of it? The word
‘good’ (Tov ) is mentioned seven
times in Genesis 1. This is the perfect
number in Hebrew thinking. Platonic
influences on the Christian faith have
at times framed a worldview where
the material world is seen as ‘not good’
and inferior to the spiritual realm.
This can lead to escapist forms of faith
and to careless use of the earth and its
resources. In Genesis we see creation
from God’s perspective.
Creation is essentially about
relationship: God brings our wonderful
universe into being for each part to
relate with others and with him. There
is a joy and exuberance about these
early verses of Genesis, and God’s love
for his creation is very evident.
All humans are created in God’s image.
This was an astonishing statement for
the time. Sometimes kings were seen
as divine image bearers, but ordinary
people were not, and slaves and
women were property. It indicates that
God has a special role for all humans.
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The word ‘dominion’ (1:26, 28, ESV)
is controversial. The Hebrew word
radah means to rule over. Later in