Bible Study In the beginning...

[Edward]

Again Cygnus, you have given a great explanation to the fossil records of false dating theories. The universal flood of Noah's day was the result of huge dating errors. Remember, there was tremendous water pressure on the ocean floor during a flood that covered the highest mountain. That water pressure would fossilize anything there.

I never thought of that before. I bet you're right. It would fossilize things. That makes perfect sense.

 

[Edward]

Another thought on that...does replenish in King James mean the same thing then as it does today?
For instance we read....Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.
Cleave can mean separate.....like what a meat cleaver does

That's funny! Cleaver, lol. Of course it meant the exact oppisite back then in Hebrew. From Genesis 2:4 and shall Cleave... H1692

Strong’s Definitions [?](Strong’s Definitions Legend)
דָּבַק dâbaq, daw-bak'; a primitive root; properly, to impinge, i.e. cling or adhere; figuratively, to catch by pursuit:—abide fast, cleave (fast together), follow close (hard after), be joined (together), keep (fast), overtake, pursue hard, stick, take.

Outline of Biblical Usage [?]

1. to cling, stick, stay close, cleave, keep close, stick to, stick with, follow closely, join to, overtake, catch
   
   1. (Qal)
      
      1. to cling, cleave to
         
         
      2. to stay with
         
   2. (Pual) to be joined together
      
      
   3. (Hiphil)
      
      1. to cause to cleave to
         
         
      2. to pursue closely
         
         
      3. to overtake
         
   4. (Hophal) to be made to cleave

 

[th1b.taylor]

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth (Genesis 1:1). It is commonly known that the earth has been around for billions and billions of years, 4.543 to be precise.

In chapter 1 verse 26 on the 6th day, God decided to make man in His own image. ‘And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion…’

I underlined the word ‘them’, which implies that God clearly made more than one person because He also spoke to them ‘Be fruitful and multiply’ Genesis 1:28.

In Genesis 1:27, it tells us that God created both male and female ‘So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them’.

Is there a possibility that there have been generations of mankind, which existed on earth before the creation of Adam and Eve in Chapter 2. If so, who were these people that Genesis 1:26 and 1:27 spoke of?

If it is commonly known that mankind have been around for 6,000 years, then this figure must have been estimated from the existence of Adam and Eve.

Furthermore in Genesis 2:5, God prevented rain upon the earth because there was no man to till the ground. This verse is confusing because Genesis 1:26 – 27 stated that there were people that existed who could have tilled the ground, but had not. Why? (Even the plants and herbs grew and thrived without the need for water).

It is from there that God watered the ground with mist from the earth and then decided to form a man from dust of the ground in Genesis 2:7. We know this man as Adam whom God put into the garden of Eden ‘ to dress it and to keep it’.

Is the garden of Eden a place of Heaven/Paradise or did Adam and Eve had a full relationship with God on earth?

Why did God created Heaven and the earth? He might have created just one or the other instead of both.

Since God is all-knowing, he must have known in advance that there would be a fall of Adam and Eve due to their disobedience to God. God therefore sent him out of the garden of Eden to till the ground.

From the first day of God’s creation to the creation of man on the sixth day, where does the earth’s history fit in in the Genesis of the Bible? If the earth had existed for more than 4 billion years and mankind has been around for about 6 thousand years, is there a time lapse in the Genesis since God created something new for each day?

I hope someone is able to enlighten me if I am misplacing anything.

My thoughts:
Genesis, for the greatest part is not allegorical but is a history provided for or to Moses to teach God's Chosen and for them to teach the world around them. We know they failed and we know the resulting punishments and still we get stiff necked and refuse to be obedient.

No sir, the plants were watered from the waters trapped in the ground, the earth, then, would have never dried to become a dust storm.

No sir the Garden is in the Middle East because the rivers are named researchers ave placed it's location in Iraq.

God created Heaven for Himself and His angels to live in, in the spiritual realm until the men that turn to Him and then Heaven will be on the Earth. And just as God has thrown Lucifer and 1/3 of the angels out of Heaven, better than 8 out of 10 people you know will not o to Heaven because they will not accept the free gift of Salvation from God. And you know how the military has a proving ground for everything they purchase? You will not be wrong if you think of the Earth as the human proving ground.

The issue of the Earth's age is a simple one, Old Earthers have either chosen to Ignore God's Word to them or they have written God off as a myth, either way they have sinned against God a d we need to pray for them. They have ignored the truth that God is Omnipotent and often ave placed God imto a Match Box and take Him out when they want... Add to that that yes, God knew Adam would look at that perfectly formed female, standing there, buck naked and he did not ant to live without her. God knew this would occur but God also wanted what He created man for.

I recall it is chapter three where God throws them both out of the garden but also we learn in that chapter that God loved His Crown Creation man, the same that He walked in the cool evening snd fellowshiped with. That fellowship is exactly what Jesus came to restore.

I pray God's blessings on your study time.

 

[Cygnus]

That's funny! Cleaver, lol. Of course it meant the exact oppisite back then in Hebrew. From Genesis 2:4 and shall Cleave... H1692

Strong’s Definitions [?](Strong’s Definitions Legend)
דָּבַק dâbaq, daw-bak'; a primitive root; properly, to impinge, i.e. cling or adhere; figuratively, to catch by pursuit:—abide fast, cleave (fast together), follow close (hard after), be joined (together), keep (fast), overtake, pursue hard, stick, take.

Outline of Biblical Usage [?]

1. to cling, stick, stay close, cleave, keep close, stick to, stick with, follow closely, join to, overtake, catch
   1. (Qal)
      1. to cling, cleave to
         
         
      2. to stay with
   2. (Pual) to be joined together
      
      
   3. (Hiphil)
      1. to cause to cleave to
         
         
      2. to pursue closely
         
         
      3. to overtake
   4. (Hophal) to be made to cleave

The context of how the word is used can usually clear up the meaning..as with the case of Noah, there were people before him to replenish. That's what the Bible teaches...as for pre-humans? Nope.

 

[Edward]

The context of how the word is used can usually clear up the meaning..as with the case of Noah, there were people before him to replenish. That's what the Bible teaches...as for pre-humans? Nope.

I've always believed that there were no pre-humans before Adam & Eve. We breed like rabbits, lol and there was 2000 years before the flood so the earth was quite populated by then. I'm pretty sure that God gave Man (Adam), a commission in Genesis 1. To have dominion over the earth ans subdue it. We never really got to do that because man fell.

 

[th1b.taylor]

I've always believed that there were no pre-humans before Adam & Eve. We breed like rabbits, lol and there was 2000 years before the flood so the earth was quite populated by then. I'm pretty sure that God gave Man (Adam), a commission in Genesis 1. To have dominion over the earth ans subdue it. We never really got to do that because man fell.

And gave our rightful dominion over to the father of all lies.

 

[Free]

The obvious answer would be Cain married a sister or a neice..

And then we have to accept that for some reason, incest was morally okay. But that still doesn't explain why Cain built a city.

People claim that..but...typically it is used in conjunction with an old earth and trying to explain the fossil record and the geological column all the while ruling out the biblical possibility of a world wide flood creating both.

I've never seen it used for that purpose. The scientific data is what it is and it shows that the earth is old.

Psa. 19:1 The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky aboveproclaims his handiwork. (ESV)

People should be very careful in assuming that the Bible must always fit their interpretation of it, when it could very well be showing us something quite different.

 

[th1b.taylor]

And then we have to accept that for some reason, incest was morally okay.

It is difficult for us to accept but this is the beginning of mankind and god ix not forbid until much later. There, simply is no other option that is Scriptural.

 

[Cygnus]

And then we have to accept that for some reason, incest was morally okay. But that still doesn't explain why Cain built a city.

Why should we not accept it was genetically or morally OK?

Why did cain build a city? Why not? He was banished..he had people...he had the time.

I've never seen it used for that purpose. The scientific data is what it is and it shows that the earth is old.

You can claim that al you want to. Go ahead....but it doesn't explain why coal still has C14 present in it or why they find still soft Dino-tissue. ....plus many other reasons.

 

[Cygnus]

I've always believed that there were no pre-humans before Adam & Eve. We breed like rabbits, lol and there was 2000 years before the flood so the earth was quite populated by then. I'm pretty sure that God gave Man (Adam), a commission in Genesis 1. To have dominion over the earth ans subdue it. We never really got to do that because man fell.

You said "I've always believed that there were no pre-humans before Adam & Eve."

The pre-human view contradicts Gen 3:20 Now the man called his wife's name Eve, because she was the mother of all the living.....If there were pre-humans to mingle with Eve couldn't be the mother of all living.
1 Cor 15:45 tells us Adam was the first man...which also contradicts the pre-human view....Thus it is written, “The first man Adam became a living being”; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit.

 

[The Truth]

Gen 1:28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them (Adam & Eve), Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth . . .
Gen 9:1 And God blessed Noah and his sons, and said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth.

Is it unreasonable to think that since God used the second reference to replenishing or filling the earth after He destroyed it with water, that the first time He used the expression Replenish had something to do with a new beginning after destruction?

I cannot find support for this I thought I once had, but there were some that believed that with Satan’s fall there came destruction such as that in Noah’s time.

A very interesting point you have raised, Eugene. I may not have the answer to your question but I have read of a book called 'As The Days of Noah Were: The Sons of God and The Coming Apocalypse' by Dante Fortson. This book is a very interesting read covering the Genesis in detail, why there was a flood and explains how 'the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be'. It talks about giants on the earth in those days. The author makes history much more interesting. The missing pieces about world history and world religions start to fall together like a jigsaw puzzle. It's a long book but the author's lucid, writing style makes it easy to read.

 

[The Truth]

As for why...
Rev_4:11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

Yes, and God created things out of love 'for God so loved the world...' John 3:16

Also, in Psalm 139:14, David knows that he was 'fearfully and wonderfully made'. I'd like to think these were some of his loving thoughts when he created us. It must have been a fearful thing for God to create us in His likeness and wonderfully made to the most smallest, tiny detail. God's works are truly marvellous!

The verse you've quoted reminds me how we should be eternally grateful and thankful for giving us His share of His amazing and wonderful creation, including His enduring love for us and therefore we are to praise and glorify Him.

 

[WIP]

It is commonly known that the earth has been around for billions and billions of years, 4.543 to be precise.

Just something that caught my eye. The above statement should read, "It is commonly believed that the earth has been around for billions and billions of years." All science can do is study the evidence. Anything beyond that is circumstantial.

 

[WIP]

And then we have to accept that for some reason, incest was morally okay. But that still doesn't explain why Cain built a city.


I've never seen it used for that purpose. The scientific data is what it is and it shows that the earth is old.

Psa. 19:1 The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky aboveproclaims his handiwork. (ESV)

People should be very careful in assuming that the Bible must always fit their interpretation of it, when it could very well be showing us something quite different.

How much time passed between the birth of Cain and when he killed his brother? Scripture only says, "And in the process of time it came to pass that Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the ground to the Lord. Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat." Genesis 4:3-4 NKJV Could have been decades or hundreds of years. Scriptures also don't specifically say that Abel was the 2nd offspring and doesn't tell of daughters or other brothers and sisters until Seth was born when Adam was 130. Seems logical to assume (I know, bad word) there were many children between there.

 

[th1b.taylor]

How much time passed between the birth of Cain and when he killed his brother? Scripture only says, "And in the process of time it came to pass that Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the ground to the Lord. Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat." Genesis 4:3-4 NKJV Could have been decades or hundreds of years. Scriptures also don't specifically say that Abel was the 2nd offspring and doesn't tell of daughters or other brothers and sisters until Seth was born when Adam was 130. Seems logical to assume (I know, bad word) there were many children between there.

Up to that point, they were perfect, and no need of clothing and Adam, being a man and Eve being a Perfect Woman, I cannot get it into my head that there were not a passel of other children. For those of us that do ¿not? know it, the act that produces an offspring is a very good event for both persons. And remember, unlike us, they had perfect bodies. Since the Victorian Era of history

 

[The Truth]

All science can do is study the evidence

The Bible is evidence too. Does science study the Bible as evidence as well?

 

[The Truth]

Thank you for your interesting and detailed response.

No sir, the plants were

No sir the Garden is

I thought I'd let you know I am actually a lady, so it would be appreciated if you could call me madam or by my avatar name

I pray God's blessings on your study time.

Thank you. I hope your study time is equally fruitful too. My God bless you.

 

[The Truth]

Is it unreasonable to think that since God used the second reference to replenishing or filling the earth after He destroyed it with water, that the first time He used the expression Replenish had something to do with a new beginning after destruction?

I cannot find support for this I thought I once had, but there were some that believed that with Satan’s fall there came destruction such as that in Noah’s time

I have been given some more thought to this. I have often wondered where dinosaurs would fit in the Bible and whether dinosaurs were around before Adam and Eve existed. If God told Adam and Eve to replenish the earth as in Genesis 1:28 then there could be a possibility that there were some creatures or animals around that have destroyed the earth before they existed. In Genesis 1:20 - 25 conveys how God had created the fish, birds and creatures.

Then again, the word 'replenish' could have a different meaning in their time.

 

[The Truth]

The gap? the term is relative ..
Wide is the gap between ones front teeth
How wide is the gap between first and second place.
How wide the gap of the grand canyon
Was there a gap
The Scriptures were not written in chapter and verse..

Hi reba

By 'gap', I mean in terms of physical, human years.

But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 2 Peter 3:8

Our dimension of time is different to God's. God created something new for each day of His creation and for Him, this was done in one day. Since that one day is with God a thousand years, perhaps each day of creation is a thousand years, in terms of human years. I could have a theory that about 5,000 years had passed before He decided to create Adam and Eve.

 

[Free]

Hi reba

By 'gap', I mean in terms of physical, human years.

But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 2 Peter 3:8

Our dimension of time is different to God's. God created something new for each day of His creation and for Him, this was done in one day. Since that one day is with God a thousand years, perhaps each day of creation is a thousand years, in terms of human years. I could have a theory that about 5,000 years had passed before He decided to create Adam and Eve.

Peter is most certainly not saying that one day is a thousand years with God. He is using a simile, a figure of speech.