Notes on Genesis 1:1-2:3 The Story of Creation

1:1: In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. "Don't reduce God's creation to merely scientific terms and forget that God created the universe because he loves us." "First, we learn about God; 1) He is creative; 2) as the Creator he is distinct from his creation; 3) he is eternal and in control of the world. Second we learn about ourselves: 1) Since God chose to create us we are valuable in his eyes; 2) we are given a place above the animals."

1:2: And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. "We must not limit the infinite God by our finite understanding."

1:3: And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. "Two basic views about the days of creation: 1) Each day was a literal 24-hour period; 2) each day represents an indefinite period of time (even millions of years)." "The important point is not how long it took God to create the world, but that he created it just the way he wanted it."

1:25: And God made the beast of the earth after his kind, and cattle after their kind, and everything that creepeth upon the earth after his kind; and God saw that it was good. "Just as God was pleased with his work, we can be pleased with ours. However, we cannot be pleased with out work if God would not be pleased with it."

1:26: And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. "Because we are like God we can feel positive about ourselves. Knowing that you are a person of infinite worth gives you the freedom to love God, know him personally, and make a valuable contribution to those around you."

1:27: So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. "Neither sex is exalted, and neither is depreciated."

1:28: And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply; and replinish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. "Like the creator, we should care for the earth responisbly and lovingly."

1:31: And God saw every thing that he made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day. "If at times you feel worthless or of little value remember that God made you for a good reason. You are valuable to him."

2:2: And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. "If God himself rested from his work, we should not be surprised that we also need rest." "Our times of rest refresh us for times of service."

*All notes from The Life Application Study Bible Personal Size KJV edition. To view more notes on these scriptures and more consider buying a copy (available in several translations other than KJV as well), it is a true study on the word of God. $24.99 at most booksellers.