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Today is a little different. We will look at Genesis 1 as a whole. We don’t have time to read all of it here but it wouldn’t take you long on your own. We’re going to hit some highlights. And as we do, ask yourself - can I trust this? Is there enough here to have confidence not just in God, but in what God communicates…

Let’s begin. First, Genesis 1 was written anywhere from 2600 to 3400 years ago. Many would say without question that it was written by Moses, while others disagree. Whoever it was, consider that it was written thousands of years before any modern conventions of science.

Genesis 1 is written in ancient Hebrew - a language with relatively few words - 7000ish - as compared to say English which has 175,000. This means that one Hebrew word is packed with meaning and can be used more flexibly.

Genesis 1 has 31 verses that don’t have the luxury of changing with new discoveries. It is what it is - it says what it says. And the first statement is the boldest of all. In the beginning… the Greeks argued that the universe is eternal, and that view was widely held until the Hubble gave evidence of the Big Bang, the singularity, the…whatever you call it… a beginning. Genesis 1 beat the Hubble to it.

Now consider the claims of Genesis 1 that shockingly correspond to modern earth science. First, the early earth was chaotic but soon covered entirely in water. When dry land eventually emerged, primitive life soon followed. Afterwards the atmosphere allowed the appearance of the sun, moon, and stars through what was otherwise a translucent atmosphere. Advanced life began not on land but in the oceans with an incredible creative, explosive act. The earth participated in bringing about land animals. And last on the scene right towards the end of it all - humans.

There are protests of course. But let’s just focus on one - the quote unquote “creation” of the sun on day 4. Remember what we said about Hebrew words. That’s important. And Hebrew actually has 3 words used to describe what God does in creating and forming.

First is “bara” which is to create out of…nothing. This word is only used 3 times - at the very beginning and then not again until day 5 with the explosion of animal life in the oceans. Google “Cambrian Explosion” for more on that. And the last time the word is used is in the creation of the human soul.

The second word is “asah” and means to form. God formed man’s body out of existing stuff, but “bara” created the soul.

The third word is “hayah” and means to appear. It is this word that is used of the sun, moon, and stars on day 4. It is perfectly plausible that Genesis 1 is stating that the celestial bodies, rather than coming into existence on day 4, were rather made apparent.

We’ve only scratched the surface. We haven’t addressed how long a day is - does it have to be 24 hours? Did Adam have a bellybutton, who did Cain marry… these are all great question and there are many great physicists, theologians, and experts in a variety of fields who have done wonderful work harmonizing Genesis 1 and then some to modern science. But figuring it all out isn’t really the goal. We began by asking, is there enough to confidence not just in God, but in what He communicates. There will always be rocks to uncover and mysteries to solve, but thousands of years ago this ancient was written with startling accuracy. The real question, will you use it as a springboard to seek God?

God you’re amazing. And whatever You did, and however long it took, I do trust You. And more importantly, I seek You - I need You. Let me experience You more.