Lesson Ten: The Literary Design of Genesis, Chapter One

LESSON TEN

THE LITERARY DESIGN OF GENESIS, CHAPTER ONE

Lesson Overview

This lesson focuses on the intentional literary design of the first chapter of Genesis and how this chapter sets the stage for the entire Hebrew Bible. The prologue (1:1-2) and the epilogue (1:31-2:3) of Genesis, Chapter One serve as a macro frame around the internal sequence of six days. Students will examine the precise structure of the chapter and the linguistic artistry that brings to life the remainder of the Hebrew text.

Key Concepts: literary design, epilogue, prologue, exposition, macro frame, forward symmetry, eschatology, triads, structure, themes, literary framework, triad literary framework view, framework theory, framework hypothesis

Lesson Objectives

Students will:

• understand the literary structure of Genesis, Chapter One. • explain terminology associated with the literary structure of biblical text. • distinguish between the literary expressions prologue and the epilogue. • write an effective reflection paragraph on literary design. • edit writing to correct errors. • participate in class discussions.

Learning Outcomes

At the end on this lesson, students will be able to:

• explain the meaning of the literary design of the first chapter of Genesis. • distinguish between different terms related to the literary design of the biblical text. • respond to reading comprehension questions logically and accurately. • write a reflection on the literary design of Genesis, Chapter One. • edit writing to correct errors. • participate in class discussions.

Duration: 2-3 hours

Materials:

• Video: Genesis 1 (A look at how the literary design of Genesis 1 reveals God’s ideal vision for the whole cosmos) (https://cs360studio.com/2020/11/genesis-1/)

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A Literary Design of Genesis (Chapter One)

• Study Guide by the Bible Project: https://d1bsmz3sdihplr.cloudfront.net/media/Study%20Notes/VC_Genesis1_Study%20Notes_final.pdf • A computer with editing capability • Internet access • A notebook/pen/pencil

Procedure:

• View the video: Genesis 1 (A look at how the literary design of Genesis 1 reveals God’s ideal vision for the whole cosmos) (https://cs360studio.com/2020/11/genesis-1/). • Respond to the video study questions (Set A). • Use the Bible Project study guide to answer the questions (Set B) (https://d1bsmz3sdihplr.cloudfront.net/media/Study%20Notes/VC_Genesis1_Study%20Notes_final.pdf ).

Study Questions (Set A) (Resource: Video- Genesis 1 (A look at how the literary design of Genesis 1 reveals God’s ideal vision for the whole cosmos) (https://cs360studio.com/2020/11/genesis-1/)

Based on the video, are the statements below (A) CORRECT or (B) INCORRECT? 1. The first book in the Bible focuses on beginnings. 2. The Book of Genesis is a carefully crafted narrative about the origin and order of the whole cosmos. 3. The opening words of the entire Hebrew Bible are "In the beginning God..." 4. On day two, God creates a vault, or arch, to separate water from water. 5. In biblical Hebrew, the word for heaven refers to the sky above, and the word for earth means the ground below. 6. According to the video, in the beginning, the land was in a state of nothingness. 7. In Hebrew, the land was Tohu, which means unordered and uninhabited. 8. Anything that is non-existent has no purpose nor order. 9. The biblical expression darkness upon the face of the deep means that darkness covers a deep chaotic ocean. 10. Based on the presentation, the Spirit of God hovered or floated over the face of the waters. 11. The expression face of the deep is an example of personification. 12. The Hebrew word for God's Spirit is ruach, referring to the wind or breath of God. 13. The Spirit of God, or God's invisible presence, is the source of the biblical version of Creation. 14. The speakers in this video propose that God brings order to the dark chaos. 15. Symbolically, light and darkness can represent good and evil, respectively. 16. The order of the cosmos occurs within six days. 17. An implied literary theme in the Creation narrative (Gen. 1) is a concern for boundaries. 18. Each day of Creation begins and ends with the repetitive phrase, “… and God said…”

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A Literary Study of the Book of Genesis by Wilma J. Brown-Foreman, ED. S

19. The repetitive phrase evening and morning appears in the narrative at the conclusion of each stage of Creation. 20. On days one through three, God separates the unordered darkness into three orderly states. 21. On days four through six, God fills the uninhabited barren earth with living creatures. 22. One can conclude from reading Genesis, Chapter One that God existed before recorded time. 23. Based on the biblical Creation narrative, God establishes the order of time on the first day. 24. In Genesis, Chapter One, the sky is a solid dome that holds back waters. 25. The waters under the sky gather into one place, and afterward, the dry ground appears. 26. On day three, God establishes the realm (boundaries) for the land and the waters. 27. The land emerges from the chaotic waters, and afterward, God calls forth plants and fruit trees to emerge from the land. 28. This Creation narrative explains the realms of time, the realm of the sky, and the boundaries of the seas and the land. 29. On days four through six, God creates lights in the vault (arch) of the sky. 30. God creates the sun, moon, and stars to be signs and symbols. 31. On day five, God fills the waters with sea creatures and the sky with fowls. 32. On day six, God creates living creatures (including humans) from the earth. 33. Throughout the narrative, God says that everything He has created is good. 34. The creation of humans is different from that of other living creatures. 35. Adam is a Hebrew term for man, humans, or humankind. 36. Humanity is the climax of God’s Creation. 37. The statement thatGod created man (humanity) in His imagemeans that people embody and represent their Creator. 38. In the narrative, God blesses the people and tells them to increase in number and subdue (rule over) the earth. 39. God rests on the Sabbath (seventh) day from all His work. 40. God blesses the seventh day and sets it apart as a holy day. 41. The Sabbath is the seventh day of the week observed from Friday evening to Saturday evening as a day of rest and worship in all Jewish and Christian communities. 42. According to the presenters of the video, God's ideal vision for the whole cosmos is a place where He lives with His Creation. 43. The video presenters say that the author of Genesis, Chapter 1 weaves the number seven into every part of the story. 44. Within this Creation narrative are seven announcements that Creation is good. 45. Based on the narrative, God plans for humans to rest and rule the world with Him forever. 46. A triad consists of a group or set of three connected people or things. 47. In Genesis One, each of the triads has its own internal shape. 48. In Genesis One, the reader can compare matching elements in the first and last aspects of the triads.

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A Literary Design of Genesis (Chapter One)

49. The framework interpretation (also known as the literary framework view, framework theory, or framework hypothesis) is a description of the structure of the first chapter of the Book of Genesis. 50. As presented in Genesis 1:2, days one through six are two triads that address the

“problems” of the cosmic disorder.

Study Questions:

(Resource-Genesis 1 Study Guide:

https://d1bsmz3sdihplr.cloudfront.net/media/Study%20Notes/VC_Genesis 1_Study%20Notes_final.pdf )

Are the following statements (A) CORRECT or (B) INCORRECT? 1. The literary design of this first chapter of Genesis is intentional. 2. The presenters sat that the prologue in Genesis 1:1-2 is the introductory section of the entire Hebrew Bible 3. The epilogue in Genesis 1:31-2:3) functions as a macro frame around the internal sequence of six days. 4. The term “prologue” is often used for “exposition” 5. An” exposition” gives background information about what is happening in the story. 6. A “prologue” is a separate introductory section of a literary or musical work. 7. An “exposition” has to be in the “prologue.” 8. In Genesis, Chapter 1, the exposition of the prologue is in these words: “the earth (land) was wild and waste (Heb: tohu va-vohu) and “darkness was over the face of the deep abyss (Heb: tehom). 9. “The breath of Elohim was hovering over the face of the waters (Heb: hamayim)” is a part of the “exposition.” 10. The “epilogue” finishes the story in Genesis 1 with the words: “Thus were finished, the skies and the land and all their hosts. 2:2-3. 11. The number seven (7) is a part of the literary design in Genesis, Chapter 1. 12. The design structure of Genesis 1 acts as an envelope around the sequence of six days, with a clear strategy of emphasizing the seventh day. 13. Genesis 1 contains both an introduction and a narrative about the pre-creation state of the universe. 14. The word “beginning” (Heb. Reshīt) refers to a first point in time. 15. A “preliminary” period denotes an action or event preceding or done in preparation for something fuller or more important. 16. According to Genesis 1, the Hebrew phrases “tohu vavohu” and “tehom” are a part of the pre-created state of the world. 17. The storytelling design of God’s creation of the universe relates to forward symmetry. 18. Eschatology is a part of theology concerned with the final events of history, or the ultimate destiny of humanity. 19. Eschatology is one of the most self-evident features of Genesis 1 in its seven-day sequence. 20. The number seven is an organizing principle for the entire Chapter from beginning to end.

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A Literary Study of the Book of Genesis by Wilma J. Brown-Foreman, ED. S

For Reflection (1):

Summarize the literary design of Genesis, Chapter 1 (five-eight sentences). Mention the organizational structure of the prologue, the use of triads, and the design of the epilogue. If necessary, use additional reliable internet Bible study tools to respond effectively. Document sources. Post your findings on the discussion board. Label the post: A Reflection on the Literary Design Of Genesis, Chapter One.”

For Reflection (2):

How is literary design important to the depth of meaning in biblical text? Write-5-8 sentences. Edit your writing to correct errors. Post your response on the discussion board. Label the post: The Significance of the Literary Design in Biblical Text.

A Closing Thought:

"Suppose a nation in some distant Region should take the BIBLE for their only law Book, and every member should regulate his conduct by the precepts there exhibited! Every member would be obliged in conscience, to temperance, frugality, and industry; to justice, kindness, and charity towards his fellow men; and to piety, love, and reverence toward Almighty G-D ... What a Utopia, what a Paradise would this region be"

- John Adam

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