January 1 A READ GENESIS 1–2
“In the Beginning . . .”
OVERVIEW
Genesis opens with two accounts of Creation. The first (1:1–2:4) describes the events in chronological order; the second (2:4-25) considers the events topically in order to focus on one particular aspect of Creation. The first provides a wide-angle view of the creation of the universe; the second takes a zoom-lens look at the climax of Creation—man and woman—for they are the ones who will bear God’s image and enjoy God’s fellowship in the garden prepared especially for them.
MY DAILY WALK
What is the longest book you have ever read? What is the greatest distance you have ever walked? What is the biggest meal you have ever eaten? And what could these three curious questions possibly have in common?
In case you haven’t guessed, they are all examples of big projects completed in small stages. You read that book one page at a time . . . covered that distance one step at a time . . . ate that meal one bite at a time. One page, one step, one bite might not seem like much when compared to the whole, but each brings you closer to your goal.
This year, with the help of The Daily Walk Bible, you’ll be reading through the entire Bible—all 1,189 chapters of it. And like thousands of other “daily walkers,” you’ll discover you can reach your goal—one day at a time. Are you ready to launch your exciting expedition through the Bible? It starts with the first words of Genesis: “In the beginning God created . . .”
THAT GOD CREATED US FROM DUST IS NO REASON TO TREAT ANOTHER PERSON LIKE DIRT.
INSIGHT
Big Questions, Bigger Answers | Gen. 1:1
The first verse in this English Bible (Genesis 1:1) uses only ten words to answer four of the most basic questions that thinking individuals ask: (1) What exists? (2) How did it get there? (3) Did it have a beginning? (4) Who was responsible? The answers have been graciously supplied by the only One who was there at the time.
INSIGHT
In His Image | Gen. 1:27
The words “created . . . in his own image” (1:27) reveal much about our essential human nature. Of all God’s creatures, we alone have moral freedom and will. Only we are capable of thinking about and knowing God. Like him, we are a unity of being—body, soul, and spirit. We have reason, emotions, and creative ability; the possibilities for comparison are numerous. And in our original, unfallen state, we reflected the very righteousness and immortality of God.
INSIGHT
The Days of Creation | Gen. 1:1-31
If the days of Creation as recorded in Genesis 1:1-31 are arranged in two columns of three days each, you’ll discover an interesting fact:
First God created the realm: Day 1—Light
Then God created the ruler: Day 4—Sun, moon, and stars
First God created the realm: Day 2—Sky and oceans
Then God created the ruler: Day 5—Birds and fish
First God created the realm: Day 3—Dry land
Then God created the ruler: Day 6—Animals and people
The Account of Creation
1In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.* 2The earth was formless and empty, and darkness covered the deep waters. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters.
3Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. 4And God saw that the light was good. Then he separated the light from the darkness. 5God called the light “day” and the darkness “night.”
And evening passed and morning came, marking the first day.
6Then God said, “Let there be a space between the waters, to separate the waters of the heavens from the waters of the earth.” 7And that is what happened. God made this space to separate the waters of the earth from the waters of the heavens. 8God called the space “sky.”
And evening passed and morning came, marking the second day.
9Then God said, “Let the waters beneath the sky flow together into one place, so dry ground may appear.” And that is what happened. 10God called the dry ground “land” and the waters “seas.” And God saw that it was good. 11Then God said, “Let the land sprout with vegetation—every sort of seed-bearing plant, and trees that grow seed-bearing fruit. These seeds will then produce the kinds of plants and trees from which they came.” And that is what happened. 12The land produced vegetation—all sorts of seed-bearing plants, and trees with seed-bearing fruit. Their seeds produced plants and trees of the same kind. And God saw that it was good.
13And evening passed and morning came, marking the third day.
14Then God said, “Let lights appear in the sky to separate the day from the night. Let them be signs to mark the seasons, days, and years. 15Let these lights in the sky shine down on the earth.” And that is what happened. 16God made two great lights—the larger one to govern the day, and the smaller one to govern the night. He also made the stars. 17God set these lights in the sky to light the earth, 18to govern the day and night, and to separate the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good.
19And evening passed and morning came, marking the fourth day.
20Then God said, “Let the waters swarm with fish and other life. Let the skies be filled with birds of every kind.” 21So God created great sea creatures and every living thing that scurries and swarms in the water, and every sort of bird—each producing offspring of the same kind. And God saw that it was good. 22Then God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful and multiply. Let the fish fill the seas, and let the birds multiply on the earth.”
23And evening passed and morning came, marking the fifth day.
24Then God said, “Let the earth produce every sort of animal, each producing offspring of the same kind—livestock, small animals that scurry along the ground, and wild animals.” And that is what happened. 25God made all sorts of wild animals, livestock, and small animals, each able to produce offspring of the same kind. And God saw that it was good.
26Then God said, “Let us make human beings* in our image, to be like us. They will reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the wild animals on the earth,* and the small animals that scurry along the ground.”
27So God created human beings* in his own image.
In the image of God he created them;
male and female he created them.
28Then God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and govern it. Reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the animals that scurry along the ground.”
29Then God said, “Look! I have given you every seed-bearing plant throughout the earth and all the fruit trees for your food. 30And I have given every green plant as food for all the wild animals, the birds in the sky, and the small animals that scurry along the ground—everything that has life.” And that is what happened.
31Then God looked over all he had made, and he saw that it was very good!
And evening passed and morning came, marking the sixth day.