Series: Broken 
Message: Purpose 
Preacher: David Smith
Daily Walk: David Smith

Refresh: Open with prayer. Read or listen to Psalm 76:1-6.

Read: Genesis 1-2 (Message). Note 1-3 insights/questions that arise from the paraphrase. 

Reflect: 

  One of the most striking things that we learn of God through the creation narrative is His absolute power to create. The Hebrew word used for create is בָּרָא . The Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament points out that another Hebrew word for creating is יָצַר. But יָצַר tends to focus on the idea of forming or fashioning something versus בָּרָא which “emphasizes the initiation of the object.” It’s clear through the text that the author is making a point to show that God is unique in His creative abilities. In fact, the form of this verb is never used elsewhere in scripture to refer to anyone else beyond God. 
In case that creative power isn’t clear enough, the author underscores this idea when he sets the scene by stating that the world was “formless and void”. When God begins creating…he begins with nothing. The latin phrase for this that theologians use is “ex nihilo” which translates “out of nothing”. 
Throughout scripture we see this understanding of God as our powerful creator as something that initiates worship. Fast forward to Revelation 7:14 tells the world to worship “the One who made the heavens and the earth and the sea and the springs of waters.” Genesis 1-2 should primarily be about leading us toward a worship response. 

Recalibrate: ​ 

1. Why does scripture link creation to worship? 
2. How does understanding God as powerful creator impact your day to day relationship with Him?

Respond: Pray for God to create within you a heart for worship. 

Research: Where else in scripture are we instructed to worship God as our creator?