I
call the first story in the Bible “The
Story of the Kingdom of Life” (Genesis 1:1-2:4a). Because of the powerful
religious institutions that have been guardians of Jewish and Christian
Scriptures, translations reflect the linguistic structures of the scribes that
copied the ancient manuscripts and the authoritarian institutions in charge of
the translators.
This
is a very ancient story, but it
contains universal truths. This is my
version of the biblical story written for 21st century Americans
without any distracting footnotes. Listen to your feeling, before you try to
analyze the words. Your feelings and
emotions will alert you to the presence ancient treasures embedded in the text –
wisdom principles, values, morals and
ideas related to life.
I
will upload a BHC Explorers Version of this story soon with footnotes for
those who want to dig deeper into the ancient Hebrew text behind my version. Bookmark
the “Wisdom Page” because
that will be where you find them. Also, your comments and suggestions are
welcomed (Click Here to
contact me).
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The Story of Day One
It
is before the beginning of time and the breathing spirit of a god is hovering above
the surface of deep shoreless waters in total and complete darkness. In the
most lifeless environment one can imagine, the god visualizes a Kingdom of Life. This god is unnamed,
but we are told it is a creator that creates
by changing things that exist. Only three things exist now – the god, deep waters and total darkness.
The
god chooses the darkness to change first. It uses its breath to form and speak these
words, “Light exist!” And instantly light exists! This light
isn’t like the light that comes from the sun, fire or a smartphone. It is the light that comes from the breath
of this god.” Think of it is as “the energy
of life and the light of enlightenment.” With that breath, life came into existence outside of the
god.
This
god uses a standard to measure its words and actions. It measures to see if words
and actions are “good for life.” In
the language of this god, “words and
actions that are good for life” are called “TOV.” When the god measured
the newly created light – they were found
to be TOV, good for life!
Now
the god, deep waters, darkness and light exist. The next step in the
process of creation is “make clear distinctions
between things that exist” and the god does this “by naming them.” The god named light
“Day”
and darkness “Night.” In order for the Kingdom of Life to exist, darkness and
light are both needed. They will exist together in perpetual cycles of time.
Each
cycle begins with darkness and the beginning of Night is called “evening,”
while the beginning of Day is
called “morning.” The first cycle has now been completed and it
is called “Day One” because
it marks the first appearance of light. It
also marks the creation of time.
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I
will continue this series in future emails. I hope you found this informative
and enjoyed it. Thank you for reading it.
May
Your Life be Blessed with Health, Safety, Completeness and Friends,
Jim Myers
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