Tuesday 10 February 2009

Background

In this account of creation the phrase "God said" happens tentimes. Ten was a special number to the Jewish people (tenfingers/ten toes). Certain numbers were regarded as important forunderstanding life. It was part of a way of explaining the cycle oflife of humanity and creation.

The phrase "and God saw that it was good" occurs seven times,(seven being the number of the known planets then and the Jewishnumber which signified perfection). The author uses this phraserather as if God is an artist surveying his or her creation.

Days one, two and three create, as it were, non-moving creation:light, waters, earth and vegetation. During days four, five and sixthe moving lights are created, then creatures and finally humanity.They are, in pairs, day one then day four; day two then day five;and days three and six.

Blessing is an important concept in Judaism and here we find thatsea creatures and air creatures are blessed, as are human beings.Blessing is connected with the love of and gift of life.

The pinnacle of creation is reached when human beings are created(verses 26-31). Clare Amos, director of theological studies for theAnglican Communion, speaks of the language of idols and images(with which the Jews would have been familiar) being given a newmeaning here. Human beings are not inanimate objects but ratherhave to represent God.

We could expect the story to end after day six, but the concept ofSabbath is intrinsically woven into the creation story. Theculmination of creation is rest with God. Even in the 21st century,the orthodox Jew will still adhere to this principal of theSabbath, from sundown on Friday evening to sundown the nextday.

To Ponder

How can we incorporate the principal of theSabbath into our current life styles?

If we are blessed by God, how do we communicatethat blessing to others?

How do we best represent God to those outside ofour faith tradition?