Friday, July 08, 2016

Created for Connection



Below is something i'm working on regarding how one of the reasons God created mankind was for relationship with Him and with each other.

I would love some interaction and comments below in the comment section.

All caps are the [HEBREW] words.


[1:26] Then God said, “Let Us make [ASAH] man in Our image[TSELEM], according to Our likeness[DAMA/DEMUTH];
Accomplish:  man in our image 1. Who is our 2. What is image/likeness
[1:27] God created [CREATED]  man in His own image[TSELEM], in the image[TSELEM] of God He created him; male and female He created them.


The Hebrew word for make in verse 26 is ASAH and it means to do to make or produce.  God is producing something new and original.  He is making or producing a man.  The word for create that is used earlier in Gensis 1 is BARA, which is a similar Hebrew word.  Some say the words are pretty interchangeable but there is a difference in the way they are used.  Only God can create (BARA) out of nothing while both God and man can make (ASAH) something.  So God created (BARA) the heavens and the earth out of nothing but then he made (ASAH) man in his image.  This could mean a couple different things regarding connection.

Only God can create something from nothing, but man can make something from something.  God set things in motion but allows man to build on that foundation.  Several times in the creation epic we see God create something and then make something following, almost like He was setting the example.  God created the heaves and earth but made the expanse between the waters above and below he also made garments from leaves and later from animal skins for man to wear.  Some say there is little difference between BARA and ASAH much like the english words create and make, but it looks like there is a connection connection in how God creates and then wants us to make something from that.  A loving Father sets the example for his children to follow.  If we follow His lead we can and should continue to make things out of what he created.

It also shows how man is connected to the rest of creation.  He is actually created from what is already created.  In verse 26 God says let us make (ASAH) man and in verse 27 He ends up creating him (BARA).  This could be the Genesis author is just interchanging words or it could be that God created things then made man from that creation to be a new creation.  My brain hurts right about now.

Man is really only dirt, but God spoke and created the dirt and then formed the dirt into man.  This is how man was created (BARA) as dirt and made (ASAH) in Gods image.


Is this too far fetched?
Does this make sense?
Could it help people see how we are created for connection?

Tuesday, July 05, 2016

Work as Worship

I spoke yesterday at on the topice of work from Nehimiah chapter 3.  

There is so much to say about our attitude, response and responsibility to work.  Here are a couple of thoughts.  The message recorded from @VBF below.





Here is a response from Nehimiah 3.



WORK AS WORSHIP

1.  The Hebrew word avodah jointly means work, worship, and service
2.  God modeled work in creation by creating everything (then He rested).
3.  He had man work by naming the animals (before the fall)
4.  God wanted may to cultivate/steward the garden before and after the fall.  It just got more difficult after the falls with the advent of weeds.
5.  Work has meaning and purpose. It is more than a paycheck
6.  Work is foundational to who and how we are created
7.  In work we see the beauty of god. He designed us that way. It reflects the image of god in us. It was part of his plan
8.  Work for and with others
9.  Work with excellence
10.  Remember who you work for and why


 - A dairymaid can milk cows to the glory of God
 - The Christian shoemaker does his duty not by putting little crosses on the shoes, but by making good shoes, because God is interested in good craftsmanship.
  - As Eric Liddell's missionary father exhorts him in Chariots of Fire, "you can praise the Lord by peeling a spud, if you peel it to perfection. " 


Full VBF message "Work as Worship" July 3, 2016 here ---->. Work as Worship @VBF