RCL: Genesis 1:1-5; Psalm 29; Acts 19:1-7; Mark 1:4-11 Genesis 1:1-5 In the beginning of God’s creation, Scripture records that “darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters.” The word translated wind here is the Hebrew word ruach, which can ambiguously refer to wind,…

RCL: Genesis 1:1-5; Psalm 29; Acts 19:1-7; Mark 1:4-11 Genesis 1:1-5 This is the beginning of the priestly (or “P”) creation story, written by the priestly class of Israelites during the exile in Babylon. The priests wrote of a God so powerful that he could bring the world into existence simply by speaking. Such a…

Genesis 1:1-5 In the beginning of God’s creation, Scripture records that “darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters.” The word translated wind here is the Hebrew word ruach, which can ambiguously refer to wind, breath, or Spirit. Swept is from the Hebrew rahaf,…

Genesis 1:1-5 It’s hard to imagine more familiar words than the opening of Genesis, isn’t it? “In the beginning” the famous first words ring. I don’t think I’ll ever forget the words of my Old Testament professor, Dr. Robert Wilson, as he led us through the Book of Genesis: “Don’t confuse familiarity with understanding.” So…

Genesis 1:1-5 We now believe that this passage was committed to written form around the time of the Babylonian Captivity (6th century BC) when Israel had been defeated, the temple had been destroyed, and many of her people had been sent into exile. One of the great challenges facing the Hebrew people would have involved…