God promised to reveal how his plan for his creation would end, from the beginning. “Remember the things of old, for I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, my counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure.” Isaiah 46:9-10.

Therefore, we begin on the first page of the first book, the first verse of the first chapter of the Holy Bible.

Genesis 1:1

The Bible is written in two parts: The Old Testament and The New Testament. Originally, The Old Testament was written in Hebrew and The New Testament in Greek. While there are multiple Bible translations and interpretations, most versions begin Genesis by saying:
“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” – Genesis 1:1

However, in Hebrew, it is written, “Bereshit bara Elohim et hashamayim ve’et ha’arets.”

Breaking it down looks like this:

1. Bereshit = First, beginning, best, chief, choice part
2. bara = to create, shape, form from nothing
3. Elohim = Eternal God
4. et = Aleph Tav. When these 2 letters, e and t, (pronounced Aleph and Tav) are found together by themselves, they are not translated into any other language. Normally the Aleph Tav would be a type of conjunction pointing to the direct object, but there are hundreds of places in the Bible where the Aleph Tav sits there by itself without a direct object. Most interestingly, in each of these places, the Aleph Tav refers to what we know as the Alpha and Omega, Jesus the Christ. “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, said the Lord, who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty. I am he that lives and was dead; and behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen, and have the keys of hades and of death.” Rev 1:8,18.
5. hashamayim = Heavens. There are three heavens. The heaven we can see, we call, “sky”. It is the first heaven. The “universe” which we can only observe through telescopic lenses is the second heaven; and “the place where God lives” is the third heaven. This third heaven is described as the “holy mountain of God” where originally Lucifer walked among the “stones of fire.” Ezekiel 28:14-16.
6. ve’et = This is a combination of ve, which is interpreted as a “connector, hook or nail”, plus et, the Aleph Tav
7. ha’arets = Land, earth. The whole earth as opposed to heaven.

Notice there are 7 words in the first verse in the original Hebrew language. Not an accident. Our God is a God of details. In Hebrew, the Bible reveals the whole plan of salvation hidden in the first verse of the Bible. The 7 days of creation represent a 7,000-year plan. We have just now entered the 7,000^th year according to Biblical history.

The 4^th word in Hebrew points to Jesus Christ, the Aleph Tav. This word is in the exact middle of the 7 words. Jesus was born at the end of the 4,000^th year, the middle of the 7,000 years of prophecy. The 5th word, hashamayim, (heavens), is followed by ve’et (ve=connector; et=Aleph Tav) and then ha’arets, earth. This ve’et (connector Aleph Tav) placed between the heavens and the earth is interpreted: Aleph Tav (Jesus Christ) will connect (fasten) the heavens and the earth by the nails in his hands, which he did when nailed to a cross; he died for our sins and rose from the dead after three days.

• “Jesus answered, ‘I tell you the truth, before Abraham was even born, I am!’” John 8:58
• “One day some teachers of religious law and Pharisees came to Jesus and said, ‘Teacher, we want you to show us a miraculous sign to prove your authority.’ But Jesus replied, ‘Only an evil, adulterous generation would demand a miraculous sign; but the only sign I will give them is the sign of the prophet Jonah. For as Jonah was in the belly of the great fish for three days and three nights, so will the Son of Man be in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights.’” Matthew 12:38-40
• “I am the living one. I died, but look—I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and the grave.” Revelation 1:18

(For a deeper dive, search “Rico Cortez Aleph and Tav”. It is an amazing study.)  https://wisdomintorah.com/mystery-of-the-Aleph-tav-wisdom-in-bereshit/)

The first verse of the Hebrew Bible highlights God’s plan of salvation. It stands there like a brilliant neon light radiating through the darkness. God loves you so much he didn’t want you to miss it. Amen.

GENESIS 1:2

“And the earth was without form and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.”  Genesis 1:2

About the Holy Spirit

God introduces his Spirit in the 2^nd verse of the first chapter of Genesis. In Genesis 1:1 it is already noted that Jesus Christ, the Aleph Tav, was with God in the beginning. God was not alone.

The Hebrew word for ‘moved’ in Genesis 1:2 is interpreted ‘shattered’. The Holy Spirit wasn’t a hovercraft moving gently over the waters. This was a powerful act of creation. 

• “When you send your Spirit, new life is born to replenish all the living of the earth.”  Psalm 104:30

During my junior/senior high school years, I argued a lot about things in the Bible. I had developed a very personal relationship with God and, while I didn’t tell anyone about it (and didn’t really know much about the Bible), I questioned everything that was contrary to what I knew about God personally. My Sunday School teacher, Uncle Clark, took the brunt of it, of course. I asked him when was the first time the Holy Spirit appeared in the Bible – Was it in The Old Testament or The New Testament? He took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, and probably said to himself, ‘Oh no, here we go again.’ Yes, clearly that wasn’t in his lesson plan. He just smiled instead of rebuking me for trying to get him off course. It was clear he wasn’t sure, so he told me he’d do some research and get back to me. I brought it up again in a couple months and asked if the first appearance of the Holy Spirit was when Jesus was baptized, and he agreed. A few years later I decided to actually read the Bible and started with Genesis 1. God had begun to teach me to study more and argue less. It was a precious moment. So, I began to study more and challenge God to answer difficult questions. God has been more than faithful. Over sixty years later, my “main” Bible is well worn, and my backup Bible is held together with duct tape.

• “Who has directed the Spirit of the Lord, or being his counselor has taught him? With whom did he take counsel, and who instructed him, and taught him in the path of judgment, and taught him knowledge, and showed him the way of understanding?” Isaiah 40:13-14
• “And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots; and the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord….. and he shall judge with righteousness.” From Isaiah 11

Behind the Scenes

Genesis 1:3 through Genesis 2:3 describes the first 7 days of creation. But there were created things that appear to have been created between Genesis 1:1 and Genesis 1:3 – important things. While God chose not to lay out every detail, he did drop breadcrumbs.

In every play, every production, there is an unseen stage crew working behind the scenes. The same appears to be true of creation. At some point during this backstage creation, God created angels. The good angels are referred to as God’s angels.

• “When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have ordained, what is man, that you are mindful of him? And the son of man, that you visit him? For you have made him a little lower than the angels and have crowned him with glory and honor.”  Psalm 8:3-6

Sometimes they are identified: “And the angel, answering, said to him, I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God and am sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news.” Luke 1:19

Sometimes they are not: “Then the woman came and told her husband, saying, A man of God came to me, and his countenance was like the countenance of an angel of God, very terrifying to look at; but I did not ask him from where he was, neither did he tell me his name.” Judges 13:6

Sometimes they explain a situation, such as when Daniel didn’t understand why his prayer wasn’t answered for 3 weeks: “Daniel, greatly loved of God, listen carefully to what I have to say to you. Stand up, for I have been sent to you. Don’t be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day you began to pray for understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your request has been heard in heaven. I have come in answer to your prayer. But for 21 days, the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia blocked my way… Then Michael, one of the archangels, came to help me.” Daniel 10:11-13

Lucifer: Apparently all angels, like Adam and Eve, were perfect when they were created. But one in particular, named Lucifer, got significant mention.

• “You were the model of perfection, full of wisdom and exquisite in beauty. You were in Eden, the garden of God. Your clothing was adorned with every precious stone— red carnelian, pale-green peridot, white moonstone, blue-green beryl, onyx, green jasper, blue lapis lazuli, turquoise, and emerald—all beautifully crafted for you and set in the finest gold. They were given to you on the day you were created. I ordained and anointed you as the mighty angelic guardian, you had access to the holy mountain of God and walked among the stones of fire. You were blameless in all you did from the day you were created until the day evil was found in you. Your rich commerce led you to violence, and you sinned. So I banished you in disgrace from the mountain of God. I expelled you, O mighty guardian, from your place among the stones of fire.  Your heart was filled with pride because of all your beauty. Your wisdom was corrupted by your love of splendor. So I threw you to the ground and exposed you to the curious gaze of kings. You defiled your sanctuaries with your many sins and your dishonest trade. So I brought fire out from within you, and it consumed you. I reduced you to ashes on the ground in the sight of all who were watching. All who knew you are appalled at your fate.” Ezekiel 28:13-19 
• “How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! You have been thrown down to the earth, you who weakened the nations. For you said to yourself, ‘I will ascend to heaven and set my throne above God’s stars. I will preside on the mountain of the gods far away in the north. I will climb to the highest heavens and be like the Most High.’ Instead, you will be brought down to the place of the dead, down to its lowest depths.” Isaiah 14:12-15

Not only did Lucifer get banished and demoted, but it would appear many angels followed Lucifer to his new assignment; we know them as demons.

• “The angels who did not keep their first estate, but left their own habitation, God has reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.” Jude 6
• “For God did not spare even the angels who sinned. He threw them into hell, in gloomy pits of darkness, where they are being held until the day of judgment.” 2 Peter 2:4
• God said, “Behold, I have created the smith that blows the coals in the fire and brings forth an instrument for his work; and I have created the waster to destroy.” Isaiah 54:16

Stage Crew Interactions

The entire Old Testament Book of Job is a conversation between God and Satan, God and/or Job and/or Job’s three friends. It would appear God included these conversations (42 chapters) because he needs us to understand how evil interacts in the lives of people.

• “One day the angels came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan the Accuser came with them. Where have you come from?” the Lord asked Satan. And Satan answered the Lord, “I have been going back and forth across the earth, watching everything that’s going on.” The Lord asked Satan, “Have you noticed my servant Job? He is the finest man in all the earth – a man of complete integrity. He fears God and will have nothing to do with evil.” Satan replied to the Lord, “Yes, Job fears God, but not without good reason! You have always protected him and his home and his property from harm. You have made him prosperous in everything he does. Look how rich he is! But take away everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face.” Job 1:6-11
• “And the Lord said to Satan, ‘Behold, all that he has is in your power; only upon himself do not put forth your hand.’ So Satan went forth from the presence of the Lord.” Job 1:12

God allowed Satan to test Job, but Job proved faithful to God through it all, even though Satan destroyed his servants, his oxen, his sheep, his camels, his sons and daughters, and gave Job a very bad case of boils. All the while Job’s friends accused Job of some sort of sin against God for which he should repent. Even his wife told him to just ‘curse God and die.’ Job 2:9. God set them straight and rewarded Job with twice as much as he had before.

The Book of Job highlights amazing conversations. God is a faithful Father to those who trust his Word. And, yes, he had to raise his voice a time or two and put Job’s friends in their place, but at the end of the day, God alone sits on the throne.

• “I am YHVH (the Lord): that is my name; and my glory I will not give to another, neither my praise to carved images.” Isaiah 42:8

One look at the future and it’s clear we need a God who is able to take care of us. The reality is that we have a God who is able to take care of us. We need to invest time to get to know him, understand who he is, how much he loves us, and the hard truth of his ridiculously simple family plan. Choose God.

• “See, I am sending an angel before you to protect you on your journey and lead you safely to the place I have prepared for you.” Exodus 23:20

Next Up: Day 1