Celebration of a completed divine work is called “rest.” As an eternal, omnipotent being, God does not need to rest in a literal sense. But he does finish tasks, and the completion of his major tasks is important to him, a matter for celebration. (John Frame)

Genesis 1 & 2 outline a distinct vision of humanity’s glorious calling – the calling to be kings and priests to God. Peter captures this dual calling as kings and priests by calling us a “royal priesthood” – as those in Christ we are priests according to the order of Melchizedek; in other words, we are, like Jesus, kings and priests.

How is it that we as human beings remind others of God? What is it about us that points to the glory of God?

The formation of creation as we know it, the transformation of the wasteland tohu wa bohu to a finetuned land of life and glory, was revealed through many separations. For there is one separation toward order, and another separation toward disorder.

The marks of the glorious Trinity lie veiled in the creation account, and they are revealed in fuller detail in John’s gospel. 

The God of Glory is the subject of the first chapters of Genesis. God is–He exists without beginning or end. He is the Actor, who created all things ex nihilo.

The overarching theme of Genesis 1-11 is that humanity persistently flees from glory, dignity, and honor. No amount of God’s judgment on us will change this inclination. This is why redemption is necessary. This is why God chose to intervene in a different way. 

We begin our study of Genesis 1-11 by reviewing that the creation account is as historical as the various accounts that follow it.