THE PLACE for US-III—Genesis 1:1-10
Attention/Need:
Mankind without God, is plagued by...
Loneliness(Relationships—personal, business)
Hopelessness(Purpose; Direction; Meaning; Joy; etc.
Insecurities-Losses(Job; Financial; Health—threat of cancer, disease, catastrophic illness; Weather; Stability; Family—relationships, abuse—physical, mental, substance; Marriage etc.)
Fears(Brought on by the above, OCD-Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Paranoias- ‘out to get me;’ Trepidations-fear of ‘what might happen’)
We desperately need 1)A place of belonging, 2)Relationships of various types—Marriage to work, Friends to befriend & be befriended, Fellowship to encourage & to receive encouragement, Boss to appreciate & work done well, Neighbors to neighborly & vice versa....
The beginnings of the heavens & the earth were handed down in God’s word.
Man must be aware the scenario that surrounds the founding of his world.
How can we find our place in the world??
The foundational means of finding our place in the world.
(“world”—used in the most inclusive sense)
Previously weeks uncovered that The place for us is found in the...
1—INTENTION of God(:1)
2—CARE of God(:2)
Day 1:
3—LIGHT of God(:3)
4—TIME of God(:4-5)
Day 2:
5—SPACIAL LIMITS of God(:6-10)
A. HEIGHT(:6-8)—FIRMAMENT / EXPANSE
Day 3:
B. WIDTH(:9-10)—WATERS & EARTH
Today, we will discover that...
6—The place for us is found in the...
FLORA / Plants of God(:11-13)
Explanation:(:11-13)Herbs & Trees
:11—“Then God said, “Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb that yields seed, & the fruit tree that yields fruit according to its kind, whose seed is in itself, on the earth”; & it was so.”
God caused the dry earth to sprout vegetation consisting of grasses, seed bearing plants & “fruit” trees. He created them by “kind” & created those “kinds” to remain those same “kinds.” Thus each ‘kind’ has a particular fruit that remains true to its “kind.” Thus though new species can arise, they will always arise within the limits of their own “kind.” The earth brought forth these plants at God’s express command.
“Then God said, “Let the earth bring forth grass,”
The earth is empowered with the ability to “bring forth” plants.
“Bring forth/Sprout/Produce”—avd daw-shaw’—Verb Hifil imperfect third feminine singular jussive—To sprout, shoot, grow green—1b) (Hiphil) To cause to sprout, cause to shoot forth. Strong—To sprout:-- Bring forth, spring.
“Grass/Vegetation”—avd deh’-sheh—Grass, new grass, green herb, vegetation, young. Strong—A sprout; by analogy, Grass:-- (tender) Grass, green, (tender)herb.
“The herb that yields seed,”
“Herb/Plants”—bse ` eh’seb—Herb, herbage, grass, green plants. Strong—from an unused root meaning to glisten (or be green); Grass (or any tender shoot):-- Grass, herb.
“Yields”—erz zaw-rah’—To sow, scatter seed. Strong—a primitive root; to sow; figuratively, To disseminate, plant, fructify:-- Bear, conceive seed, set with sow(-er), yield.
“Seed”—erz zeh’-rah—Seed, sowing, offspring. Strong—Seed; figuratively, Fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity:-- X carnally, Child, fruitful, seed(-time), sowing-time.
“And the fruit tree that yields fruit according to its kind, whose seed is in itself, on the earth”
“Fruit”—yrp per-ee’—N. mas.—Fruit—1a) Fruit, produce (of the ground), 1b) Fruit, offspring, children, progeny (of the womb), 1c) Fruit (of actions) (fig.). Strong—Fruit (literally or figuratively):-- Bough, ([first-]) fruit([-ful]), Reward.
“Tree”—Ue `ets— Tree, wood, timber, stock, plank, stalk, stick, gallows. Strong—A tree (from its firmness); hence, Wood (plural sticks):-- + Carpenter, gallows, helve, + pine, plank, staff, stalk, stick, stock, timber, tree, wood.
“Yields”(See :7-”Made”)—hse aw-saw’—Verb Qal participle masculine singular absolute—To do, fashion, accomplish, make—To do, work, make, produce.
“Kind”—Nym miyn— Kind, sometimes a species (usually of animals). ‘Groups of living organisms belong in the same created "kind" if they have descended from the same ancestral gene pool. This does not preclude new species because this represents a partitioning of the original gene pool. Information is lost or conserved not gained. A new species could arise when a population is isolated & inbreeding occurs. By this definition a new species is not a new "kind" but a further partitioning of an existing "kind".’ Strong—from an unused root meaning to portion out; A sort, i.e. Species:-- Kind.
“And it was so.”
What God said & says, occurred & occurs.
:12—“And the earth brought forth grass, the herb that yields seed according to its kind, & the tree that yields fruit, whose seed is in itself according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.”
God spoke self perpetuating grasses, green herbs & trees—all according to their “kinds.” These sprang from the earth at God’s bidding.
God recognized & accepted that what He had done was “good” just as He had regarding the creation of Light(:4) & Earth & Seas(:10).
These major groups of plants hold a capacity for self-perpetuation & variation within their “kinds.” The “kinds” do not cross boundaries but remain true to their kind & yet—as observed today—incorporate & perpetuate great variation.
“And God saw that it was good.”
Thus these newly created plants were in every sense complete for their intention.
:13—“So the evening & the morning were the third day.”
Thus the creation of Seas, Dry Land, & various forms of Plant Life were completed on the Third Day.
Argumentation:
Gen. 1:29-3—“And God said, “See, I have given you every herb that yields seed which is on the face of all the earth, & every tree whose fruit yields seed; to you it shall be for food. Also, to every beast of the earth, to every bird of the air, & to everything that creeps on the earth, in which there is life, I have given every green herb for food”; & it was so.”
The original intent of God’s FLORA is it provide all the sustenance for the created beings which would follow. He transfers His direct sustenance to the FLORA’s indirect sustenance.
Ps. 104:14-15—“He causes the grass to grow for the cattle, And vegetation for the service of man, That he may bring forth food from the earth, And wine that makes glad the heart of man, Oil to make his face shine, And bread which strengthens man’s heart.”
Plants are the source of many substances we use—Food source(bodies function properly), Taste source(spices), Healing source(drugs, poultices, solutions—many/most undiscovered), Sensual(smell, scent), Building materials(woods), Heating materials(wood, coal(plant by-product)),
Ps 107:31-43—“Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness, And for His wonderful works to the children of men! Let them exalt Him also in the assembly of the people, And praise Him in the company of the elders. He turns rivers into a wilderness, And the watersprings into dry ground; A fruitful land into barrenness, For the wickedness of those who dwell in it. He turns a wilderness into pools of water, And dry land into watersprings. There He makes the hungry dwell, That they may establish a city for a dwelling place, And sow fields & plant vineyards, That they may yield a fruitful harvest. He also blesses them, & they multiply greatly; And He does not let their cattle decrease. When they are diminished & brought low Through oppression, affliction & sorrow, He pours contempt on princes, And causes them to wander in the wilderness where there is no way; Yet He sets the poor on high, far from affliction, And makes their families like a flock. The righteous see it & rejoice, And all iniquity stops its mouth. Whoever is wise will observe these things, And they will understand the lovingkindness of the LORD.”
FLORA has a direct effect upon our Weather—Shade & Wind breaks from trees(shady bottom near creek vs. open field), Coolness of grasses(vs. pavement), etc.
FLORA also produces Oxygen which is a substance needed to maintain life—for even a couple minutes.
Creation of FLORA is a necessary step in the preparation of the world for habitation by Us, People, Humans, God’s people.
*God will not have us live in a barren world. That is never His intention.
*The only way your world can remain barren is for you to personally remove God from your world & with it, His created life—Spiritually(false gods), Emotionally(false loves), Physically(false contact), Mentally(false information)...
Illustration:
A small ‘pet’/Place it in a container/Try to make its new place as near ‘home’ as possible— a home away from home/We provide the terrain & Plants are important/Plastic ones are not quite the same/Something is missing/Barrenness must be removed/FLORA
Application:
?Have you discovered your place in the FLORA of God?
?Has your place in God’s design been found?
7—The place for us is found in the...
SEASONS of God(:14-19)
Explanation/Illustration:(:14-19) Heavenly bodies
:14—“Then God said, “Let there be lights in the firmament of the heavens to divide the day from the night; & let them be for signs & seasons, & for days & years;”
God spoke “lights” into the “firmament/expanse” of the heavens, i.e., the firmament that separated the waters on the earth from those above the earth. These lights were placed “in the firmament of the heavens.”
*This means that the “firmament” includes more than just the earth’s atmosphere. It also contains that which is visible from the earth. So the “firmament” would then minimally encompass what we recognize as the universe including its stars & planets as visible(unaided?) from the earth.
“Let there be lights in the firmament of the heavens to divide the day from the night;
The lights have 3 purposes—1)Separating Day from Night(Giving light “on the earth”, 2)Marking seasons, & 3) Marking the passage of time.
These lights in the heavens are such reliably set bodies that “day” & “night” remain consistently & readily distinguishable in cycles.
?How are these “lights”(plural) different from the “light”(singular) in :4-5? There is no direct explanation given in Scripture.
However, the new “holy Jerusalem” which is on the “new earth” & within the “new heaven” is described as having “no need of the sun or of the moon,” seeing as the “glory of God” is the source of its illumination, via the Lamb. Rev. 21:23. In fact, in that day there will exist no cycle of day & night as night will be done away with(Rev. 21:25).
Rev. 21:22-25 & 22:4-5—[Of the New Jerusalem]—“But I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God Almighty & the Lamb are its temple. The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it. The Lamb is its light. And the nations of those who are saved shall walk in its light, & the kings of the earth bring their glory & honor into it. “Its gates shall not be shut at all by day (there shall be no night there).””.....“They shall see His face, & His name shall be on their foreheads. There shall be no night there: They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever & ever.”
“Lights”—rwam ma’owr —Light, luminary. Strong—properly, A luminous body or luminary, i.e. (abstractly) Light (as an element): figuratively, Brightness, i.e. cheerfulness; specifically, a chandelier:-- bright, light.
“& let them be for signs & seasons,”
Plants(Flora), Animals & Mankind for that matter will operate in cycles determined by the “Lights” God creates. The way our earth tilts, rotates & wobbles in relation to the “Lights” effects our seasons. They are “signs” by which these plants & mankind plan & prepare their days.
As the passage of time is perceived, earth’s future inhabitants(plants, animals & particularly mankind) can & are to mark the particulars of that passage by the lights in the firmament.
*Thus the lights are so reliable as to allow man & natural ‘unreasoning’ beings to distinguish signs, seasons, days & years.
“Signs”—twa ’owth— Sign, signal—1a) A distinguishing mark, 1b) Banner, 1c) Remembrance, 1d) Miraculous sign, 1e) Omen, 1f) Warning; 2) Token, ensign, standard, miracle, proof.
“Seasons”—dewm mow`ed—Appointed place, appointed time, meeting. Strong—properly, An appointment, i.e. A fixed time or season; specifically, A festival; conventionally A year; by implication, An assembly (as convened for a definite purpose); technically The congregation; by extension, The place of meeting; also a Signal (as appointed beforehand):-- Appointed (sign, time), (place of, solemn) assembly, congregation, (set, solemn) feast, (appointed, due) season, solemn(-ity), synogogue, (set) time (appointed).
“Days”(Thruout but See :14)—Mwy yowm—Day, time, year. Strong—From an unused root meaning to be hot; A day (as the warm hours),whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an associated term), [often used adverb]:-- Age, + always, + chronicles, continually(-ance), daily, ([birth-], each, to) day, (now a, two) days (agone), + elder, X end, + evening, + (for) ever(-lasting, --more), X full, life, as (so) long as (. . live), (even) now, + old, + outlived, + perpetually, presently, + remaineth, X required, season, X since, space, then, (process of) time, + as at other times, + in trouble, weather, (as) when, (a, the, within a) while (that), X whole (+ age), (full) year(-ly), + younger.
“Years”—hnv shaneh (in pl. only), shaw-neh’—Year. Strong—A year (as a revolution of time):-- + whole age, X long, + old, year(X -ly).
:15—“& let them be for lights in the firmament of the heavens to give light on the earth”; & it was so.”
From God’s direct ruling to His indirect determination.
An indulgence—The Lights give light “on” not “to” the earth—not to be worshiped—as many cultures of that day did!
:16—“Then God made two great lights: the greater light to rule the day, & the lesser light to rule the night. He made the stars also.”
Upon declaring the design, God then “made” 2 “great lights,” of which one was greater than the other. The 2 lights have 2 different roles. The purpose of the great lights is to “rule/govern” the day & the night.
The “stars” are also placed in the firmament & assumedly will aid in the same purposes—particularly as in :14— as the great lights....
OR—
Since the “He made” is added for clarity, perhaps the Moon & stars are made to rule the night as well as the moon.
Perhaps the reason the Sun & Moon are unnamed is because these were also the names of pagan deities, of whom Israel would have been very familiar from their Egyptian experience as slaves.
“Made”(See :7, 25, 26, &:11-”Yields”)—hse aw-saw’—Verb Qal Waw Consecutive third masculine singular apocopated.—1)To do, fashion, accomplish, make. Strong—To do or make, in the broadest sense & widest application (as follows):
“Great”—lwdg gadowl—Adj.—Great—In number, intensity, Loud, Older, In importance.
“Rule”—hlvmm mem-shaw-law’—Rule, dominion, realm. Strong—Rule; also (concretely in plural) a realm or a ruler:-- dominion, government, power, to rule.
:17—“God set them in the firmament of the heavens to give light on the earth,”
Light becomes the determiner of the patterns of our lives.
:18—“& to rule over the day & over the night, & to divide the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good.”
Their ability to “rule” only encompasses their ability to provide light & thus seasons. They do not control men’s lives directly(as gods) but only as a consequence of their cyclical behavior.
After having made” the greater & lesser lights(including the stars), God then “set” them in the firmament of the heavens.” He did this so 1)There would be light upon the earth, 2)There would be a precedence regarding the luminaries’ control of the light of day & night, & 3)There would remain a division between “light” & “darkness.”
“And God saw that it was good.”
As with the Light(:4), the Earth & Seas(:10), & plants & trees(:12), God also sees that this work is “good.” Thus these new planetary bodies were in every sense complete for their intention.
:19—“So the evening & the morning were the fourth day.”
Argumentation:
Ps. 74:16-17—“The day is Yours, the night also is Yours; You have prepared the light & the sun. You have set all the borders of the earth; You have made summer & winter.”
Application:
? Have you discovered your place in the SEASONS of God?
?Has your place in God’s design been found?
CONCLUSION:
Visualization:
7 means of finding our place in the world.
Action:
The place for us is found in the...
6—FLORA(Plants) of God(:11-13)
7—SEASONS of God(:14-19)
1—INTENTION of God(:1)
2—CARE of God(:2)
3—LIGHT of God(:3)
4—TIME of God(:4-5)
5—SPACIAL LIMITS of God(:6-10)
A. HEIGHT(:6-8)—FIRMAMENT / EXPANSE
B. WIDTH(:9-10)—WATERS & EARTH
Presented 09/19/2010am to:
Needmore Baptist Church
1620 Mt. Vernon Rd.
Woodleaf, NC 27054
