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After a first, poetic account in Genesis 1, Genesis 2-3 offers a complementary narrative account of the beginnings of creation. Together these three chapters present creation through a bifocal lens that affirms both the profound, inherent goodness of creation (Genesis 1) and the complexities and ambiguities of life within that good creation (Genesis 2-3). In … Continue reading “Genesis 2:4b-7, 15-17; 3:1-8 Commentary by Jacqueline E. Lapsley”

Translation renders the opening verses of Genesis 1 deceptively clear and straightforward. Translation renders the opening verses of Genesis 1 deceptively clear and straightforward. This passage, however, contains a number of words and phrases that are used rarely, if at all, in other parts of the Hebrew Bible, making them more difficult to define with … Continue reading “Genesis 1:1–2:4a Commentary by Karla Suomala”

“Community” and “relationship” are “in words” in current environmental and creational discussions.1  All creatures of God constitute a community in relationship. The Genesis creation accounts have important resources for this conversation. What kind of God is depicted in these texts and what is the importance of the divine decision to work in community rather than … Continue reading “Genesis 1:1-2:4a Commentary by Terence E. Fretheim”

It is easy to miss the wonder of a well-known biblical passage. This is certainly the case with the opening creation narrative in Genesis 1:1-2:4a. Few passages have endured as much scrutiny for a variety of purposes. Yet, one must not allow familiarity to breed indifference. This account highlights God’s care for the cosmos and … Continue reading “Genesis 1:1-2:4a Commentary by Joseph Scrivner”

“In the beginning, when God created the heavens and the earth … ” The opening words of the creation account in Genesis are a familiar story to many of us. In our valiant attempts to read the entire Bible in a specified period of time, we confidently zip through this passage. For some of us, … Continue reading “Genesis 1:1-2:4a Commentary by Roger Nam”

The major obstacle in this text is getting past the first verse. Whether we read “In the beginning. . .” (e.g. Revised Standard Version) or “When God began to create . . .” (e.g. New Revised Standard Version alternate reading) this verse often prompts heated discussions of evolution, intelligent design, creationism, and big bangs. But … Continue reading “Genesis 1:1-2:4a; or 1:1-5, 26-2:4a Commentary by Mark Throntveit”

Both the Old and New Testament texts focus on “firsts.” The Old Testament lesson is part of a creation narrative, and the New Testament text is the beginning of Jesus’ ministry marked by his baptism. This week gives us the unique opportunity to explore both of these texts together in order to speak of what … Continue reading “Genesis 1:1-5 Commentary by Beth L. Tanner”

In the opening verses of Genesis, God exhibits a certain creative style. On the one hand, it is an orderly, light-filled moment (hence the choice of this text for Epiphany). On the other hand, God’s creational work exhibits a certain messiness, with the wind sweeping across the face of the waters. And who knows what … Continue reading “Genesis 1:1-5 Commentary by Terence E. Fretheim”

Genesis 1 is a grand symphony of a text: “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” It is majestic, liturgical, epic prose. “And God said … ” “There was evening and there was morning … ” “And God saw that it was good.” It is a beautiful passage. Like many well-known biblical … Continue reading “Genesis 1:1-5 Commentary by Kathryn M. Schifferdecker”

His Promise “I will watch over My Word to perform it.” (Jer_1:12, A.R.V.). The Bible “Yes, ’tis a mine of precious jewelry, The Book of God; a well of streams Divine! But who would wish the riches of that mine To make his own, his thirst to satisfy From that pure well; must ear, eye, … Continue reading “1025. His Promise”