It's the new year, and for most of us, a time to reset. We review our goals and put ourselves on paths for new beginnings. Have you reflected on what to do this year in terms of reading the Bible? Regardless of how many verses or chapters you commit to reading this year, we can help you in your commitment to understanding, connecting with, and applying the Bible to your life. To get the most out of your time in the Word, we recommend starting your 14-day free trial of Bible Gateway Plus. You will have full access to over $2,600 worth of study resources (Study Bibles, Commentaries, Encyclopedias, and more) and unlock all of the tools to truly go deeper in your knowledge of Scripture. Let us show you how Bible Gateway Plus can help you go deeper as we start together with Genesis 1 in the NIV: |
"1In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters." Genesis 1:1-2 (NIV) |
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Does anyone already have a question? 🙋 What is "the surface of the deep" and what does it mean? Knowing that the 70+% of the earth is covered by water, perhaps you think this refers to the ocean? If you dig a little deeper, and access Bible Gateway Plus resources, you will understand that it has nothing to do with water. The Africa Bible Commentary gives the following description of the first two verses: "The first verse of Genesis can be read as a summary statement that God created everything – the heavens and the earth and everything in them (1:1). The rest of the chapter is then seen as an expansion on this summary. However, it is also possible that these words outline the first step in creation, with the words, in the beginning being equivalent to 'first'. The idea then would be that the first thing God did was to create the raw shell (heaven and earth), and then for six days he filled that shell with content. He did not create the whole universe as a finished product in one grand gesture, but worked to create it. This second view fits with the description of the earth as formless and empty and of darkness over the surface of the deep (1:2). The Spirit of God hovered over the waters to keep them under control until they could be assigned to their place. He was controlling the creation project, with the result that all creation takes place under God's watchful eye and results from his power. " |
Thinking about this action as a part of creation, it is similar to how ideas form in your mind before you start working. We might think about the creative process—how the beginning of a thought, like the start of creation, affects bringing an idea to life through deliberate work and execution. Let's take the advice from the NKJV Bible Study Bible (available with Bible Gateway Plus) and ask ourselves, "When have you recently had a meaningful encounter with God through His creation?" Let 2024 be the year you make a commitment to understanding, connecting with, and applying the Bible to your life. |
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Are you worried about how much time you have for digging in to the Bible? Try listening to God's voice instead! Download the Bible Audio App today and hear God's voice wherever you go. |
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