Lectionary Calendar
Thursday, November 21st, 2024
the Week of Proper 28 / Ordinary 33
the Week of Proper 28 / Ordinary 33
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Bible Commentaries
Hampton's Commentary on Selected Books Hampton's Commentary
Copyright Statement
These files are public domain.
Text Courtesy of BibleSupport.com. Used by Permission.
These files are public domain.
Text Courtesy of BibleSupport.com. Used by Permission.
Bibliographical Information
Hampton, Gary. "Commentary on Genesis 1". "Hampton's Commentary on Selected Books". https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/ghc/genesis-1.html. 2014.
Hampton, Gary. "Commentary on Genesis 1". "Hampton's Commentary on Selected Books". https://www.studylight.org/
Whole Bible (51)Old Testament (1)Individual Books (4)
Verses 1-26
"God Created"
It should be noted the writer of this account is not concerned with science. However, no proven fact of science contradicts any scripture. The expression "and God" is used 28 times in Gen_1:1-31 . God's name appears four other times without the "and." Thus, one can clearly see the writer's emphasis is on the eternal God who is the all-powerful creator of the universe. Seven times the writer says God saw the things he created were good. In fact, the seventh time, which is at the close of creation, God saw that it was "very good." Any bad that is in the world came as a result of man and his sin.
Verses 5, 8, 13, 19, 23 and 31 mark the end of each of the creative days. On day one, light was created and divided from the darkness. On day two, a firmament, or atmosphere, surrounding the earth was made. The third day, God caused the dry land to appear. He also covered the land with vegetation. Note, light had already been created to sustain such life. The sun, moon and stars were created on the fourth day. Marine life and winged fowl were formed by God on the fifth day. On the sixth day, God created land animals and man. Because each of the days of Gen_1:1-31 has an evening and a morning, we assume they were literal days. Exo_20:8-11 makes it plain the days of creation were six days just like we experience weekly from Sunday through Friday. In fact, the literal meaning of words in the Bible should always be accepted unless compelling reasons are given for adopting a figurative meaning.
Verses 26-28
Man Is Different
Until man's creation, everything was spoken into existence. Man was different ( Gen_1:26 ; Gen_2:7 ). God took of the dust of the earth and made man in his own image. Man's likeness to God cannot be physical since God is a spirit ( Joh_4:24 ). Instead, man is a being comprised of body and spirit ( Jam_2:26 ; 2Co_4:16 ).
God commanded man to be fruitful and multiply. He also instructed him to subdue the earth and have dominion over all the other living things ( Gen_1:27-28 ). Man was placed in the garden to dress and keep it, or care for the things it contained (2:15). He could eat of every tree except the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil (2:16-17). Here we find man's first job and restriction.