Sabbath: What Happened?
Image © Pacific Press
Sabbath Afternoon
Read for This Week’s Study: Ps: 100:3; Acts 17:26; Gen: 2:7, Genesis 2:18-25; Gen: 1:28-29; Gen: 3:15.
Memory Text: “Then God said, ‘Let us make humankind in our image, according to our likeness; …’ So God created humankind in his image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them” (Genesis 1:26-27, NRSV).
The biblical account of the Creation of humanity is one filled with hope, happiness, and perfection. Each day of Creation ended with the divine pronouncement that it was “good.” Certainly that didn’t include typhoons, earthquakes, famine, and diseases.
What happened?
The sixth day of Creation ended with the divine pronouncement that it was “very good.” That is because that day the Lord created beings in His own image: humans. Something He had not done with anything else in the Genesis account. These beings were, of course, perfect in every way; they’d have to be. After all, they were made in the image of God. Thus, of sheer necessity, they did not include murderers, thieves, liars, swindlers, and the vile in their ranks. What happened?
This week’s lesson looks at the Creation, at what God had first made, and then at what happened to that perfect Creation. Finally, it touches on the quarter’s theme: what God is doing to make things right again.
The Week at a Glance: What does the Bible teach about origins? What kind of relationship did God want with humanity? What was the purpose of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil? What hope was given to Adam and Eve immediately after they fell?
Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, April 3.</
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In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. Gen 1:1.
The sixth day was the end of all good things, the end of everything that was made in this earth and the starry heaven. Everything was perfect, lacking nothing. The Three in One dwell with humans in perfect harmony. No taint of sin was present. The lion dwelled with the lamb and Adam and Eve had dominion over every living creature in sky, land and sea. I cant even imagine what that felt like. The sun was the perfect strength, so was the moon and stars, all sang praises to our creator.
My testimony- today some work mates and I were speaking and I said to one who I call my daughter, we should all do DNA test and I would be glad to see the result. She was saying what she thought she was. I brought up the text in Acts 17:36 that we are all the same and we came from one blood. Despite our outward color, we are all created from our creator and we are all the same. Only one male and female were created.
Lyn: I don't know if it is possible to correct this, but there is no Acts 17:36.
I believe Lyn meant Acts 17:26
Thanks and it is Acts 17:26.
The story of creation is important for us living now. COVID-19 shows us that we are nothing without Christ. Last year in Italy or other places in the world, if you were old, the hospital didn't take care of you. In this lesson, it shows that God cares about every human being. In Galatians 3:28
"There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." I know that my God loves and creates (bara) me in His image.
We have to remember that our values do not depend on how people see or treat us, it is found in Jesus giving His life for us. In psalms 139: 14,
"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well (NIV)." Let us enjoy the sabbath which reminds us that He is our creator. This is the day that the Lord has made, let US REJOICE and be GLAD in it. Happy sabbath saints and beloved.
Please can someone assist with an answer to the question “what was the purpose of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil?
Emily, Wednesday's study guide deals with the question of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
We often say that the tree was a "test." I view it instead as protection from satan and sin. Sin had already entered the universe, and satan was limited to tempt Adam and Eve only from that one tree.
Emily, I found an interesting chapter in one of EG Whites writings entitled: "To Those Who Are Receiving The Seal of God". It verifies that the tree of the knowledge of good and evil is used universally to test the beings that He has created. Here is a small portion of it.
What Happened? Man and Women sinned, or if you prefer separated themselves from God. Can we blame Adam and Eve? No, but since He has shown us what is good, and what is required of us, we can do justly, and love mercy, and walk humbly with our God. Micah 6:8. I would say 2 Corinthians 7:14 comes into play also, for we have all sinned and come short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23.
I am sorry, “I would say 2 Chronicles 7:14 comes into play also...”