Joel Hendon

A Study Concerning The Old Testament Account Of Creation


Posted: Sunday, January 22, 2012

by Joel Hendon
http://hebronics.org/index.html

A knowledge of the Holy Bible is an absolute requirement if one expects to reap the rewards which are expressed in it. It is a massive book and is filled with straight forward language as well as symbolic and figurative portions. One must understand however, that even the parts which are figurative and/or symbolic are also truths. Where a symbolism is explained, the meaning is still truth. It is up to the student to delve into the book to be able to discern those truths and obey them.

The first book, Genesis, is a shining example of the superiority of this book over others and the subject matter is incomparable. Many skeptics have remarked that the bible could have been written by anyone, including themselves. I vehemently contradict such a statement. It could not have been even by those who did write it, had they not been inspired of God. If any person today, with the vast knowledge we have accrued over the centuries, can write a book comparable to the Holy Bible, then I personally challenge them to prove it. If they can write a book even remotely equal, they will find themselves extremely wealthy. Because this book has been the international best seller since it was first printed, in the 1450’s by Johannes Gutenberg.

During Old Testament times, the heathen nations were constantly creating their own version of what the universe consisted of and how it came into being. All one has to do today is compare these imaginary sources of information to see the vast difference. The pagan accounts were so laden with absurdly foolish tales that no one in their right mind could accept them as realistic. While the biblical account not only presents an account which has been totally impossible to break over all these millennia, it lays out a plan so majestic that one has the inclination to accept it.

There is no need for us here to undertake a rehash of the first chapter in Genesis, since it has been read and discussed by numerous scholars. Some accept it as literal and others do not. I am one of the former. But regardless of the reasoning behind one’s own views, it is beyond question that we must accept that God, with Jesus Christ created the universe and all there is in it. We know this to be fact simply by reading the scriptures.

…and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ; (Ephesians 3:9 NKJV)

For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. (Colossians 1:16 NKJV)

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. (John 1-5 NKJV) (the Word is referring to Jesus as seen further in the chapter)

At the ending of the sixth day, God surveyed the work he had done and he saw that it was “very good” simply meaning it was precisely as he had intended it to be. Many make a joke and say he was not much of a God if this is the best he could do. First, although they don’t care, that is blasphemy at it’s worst. Secondly, it was just as he wanted it. True there are pains and hardships in this life. But, God had created it without such, and without any sin in it. Only the sin of Adam and Eve caused the situation to go sour. God foresaw that and was prepared for it. This was the only way God’s plan would work. In order for man to live a devoted life towards God, there had to be trials and problems for him to face. His capacity to live “Holy and without Blame before Him in love” (Ephesians1:4 NKJV) could only be achieved to suit God when faced with temptations and trials.

The creation was narrated by Moses many years after the fact via the inspiration (breathed) word of God. Unlike a science fiction book or the figment of someone’s imagination, the writer explains things as a matter of fact, not as if he was trying to convince someone. Examine the first verse for instance.

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. (To make my point, “beginning of what?” “Who is God?”) The writer makes no effort to convince one as in a normal book. Can you imagine any science fiction author beginning a book without explaining that there was once a time when no man was in existence and there was an almighty omniscient Spirit who decided to build all of this? No, you could not. And there was a reason that Moses could. God had revealed himself to mankind centuries before although the majority had lost all ideas of whom he was and the story of things. But to some he had revealed himself again, such as Noah, Abraham and others plus some who had kept the memory and story of the beginning going to their offspring. But even to them, things were not as clear as when the former things were written by Moses via the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
Author Biography: Joel Hendon was born near Gadsden Alabama. He attended public schools in Cherokee County, Alabama and after serving a tour of duty in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, attended Jacksonville State University, majoring in Business Administration. He became a Christian in 1948, and although he followed secular work as a career and retired from Allied Signal Aerospace, he is an avid student of the Holy Bible and related works as well as biblical history. He has an extensive website of conservative religious and political articles.http://hebronics.org/index.html

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