How to do a Book of Genesis Bible Study on Genesis 2:1-3
We are continuing our guide to doing a book of Genesis Bible study on the stories of creation as outlined in Genesis 1-11. Chapter one covered six days of creation. To prepare for your book of Genesis Bible study on chapter two, make sure that you have thoroughly studied chapter one. As with any book, in the Bible, it is imperative to understand the context of the passages you are studying, and to avoid studying verses in a vacuum. Otherwise, you risk skewing the meaning of the passages and being unable to clearly see exactly what the text is trying to get across.
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Things You'll Need
- Holy Bible: I use the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
- An open mind that is ready to see what the text says.
Instructions
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In preparing for a book of Genesis Bible study on Genesis 2:1-3, the first step is to read the text. It says, "Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all their multitude. And on the seventh day God finished the work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all the work that he had done. so God blessed the seventh day and hallowed it, because on it God rested from all the work that he had done in creation."
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Notice that Genesis 2:1-3 is a continuation of the creation story outlined in Genesis 1. This is a good example of why it is important to avoid using chapter numbers as guides for when stories in the Bible begin and end. When you are doing your book of Genesis Bible study, remember to read the texts before and after the text you are studying.
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Recognize that the main point of these verses has to do with taking a day of rest. God worked for six days creating and then took a day of rest, a sabbath. When you are working too hard and do not think that you need a break, or that you need to make time to rest with God, remember this passage. If God needs to rest, who are you to say that YOU don't?
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Make sure that you understand what all the words mean. Many people do not understand what the word "hallowed" means. "Hallowed" comes from the Hebrew word, "Xdq," transliterated to "Qadash." "Qadash" means "to make holy." This means that not only did God rest, but God made the seventh day holy.
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Genesis 2:1-3 concludes the first creation account covered in the book of Genesis Bible study. In upcoming articles, the second creation account of the Bible will be explored.
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Comments
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elliesmommy
Mar 16, 2009
Interesting article. I think Genesis can teach us so much more than just how the world began! -
C. K. Schicktanz
Feb 17, 2009
Great ideas for a Bible study!
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Mocha
Feb 16, 2009
Good article, I do think that sometimes we all need to rest, and reflect on our lives. I look forward to your other articles about creation.
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anniewrites
Feb 16, 2009
Anthony, I totally get what you are saying and indeed that is another way of looking at it. I do believe it's a foreshadowing of the sabbath, an example for us. I also know about the sabbath being for the man and not the man for the sabbath. The interesting thing, though, is that the literal translation of the Hebrew word there is "cease."
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Anthony Delgado
Feb 16, 2009
Good article. I sort of disagree with step three. God resting on the seventh day is a foreshadowing of the Sabbath. Paul says not to be legalistic about the law. A deeper understanding of the Sabbath is not the physical rest that is received, but the spiritual rest. When God rested on the seventh day, He was showing us that we should rest in Him.
