Post by q27 on Sept 26, 2005 23:50:59 GMT -8
With Rosh Hashana not that far off my thoughts turned to beginnings and where else to begin that at the Beginning - B'resheet ...
Gen 1:1-2 In the beginning of God's preparing the heavens and the earth-- the earth hath existed waste and void, and darkness is on the face of the deep, and the Spirit of God fluttering on the face of the waters,
Stern's CJB translation, " ... and the Spirit Of God hovered over the surface of the water ..."
KJV, "And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters."
It is clear from the opening statements by the writer that beyond what we might call 'reality' lies a void, a nothingness, an emptiness that is beyond our, human, comprehension. What lies further out, beyond our time on earth is a void - the 'deep'. But, is it necessarily empty?
For many this may well be frightening - little comment is made on this aspect by most popular commentaries, such commentaries heading straight for the creation aspect, perhaps in an attempt to avoid those frightening aspects. But is it all that frightening? And, what is it about the 'deep', the 'void', that instills a sense of dread and fear?
First, it is noted that it is the 'Spirit of God' that does the hovering, or brooding as other translations have it - it is not God. Interesting that the writer uses these words - Why not just say 'God'? Or, 'God's spirit'? There seems some reason that God is distanced from verses 1 & 2 ... Why?
Second, it is that 'Spirit' that does the hovering, the brooding, or the fluttering - hanging there as if in waiting. Perhaps that is what is happening - a waiting, a waiting for the word, the command, the order to be issued before anything happens. Which indicates that something, a thought perhaps, was in existence before this point. So, there was something within the void, something existed in the deep - a plan, a potential, a creative potential. In fact, I suggest that everything already existed and was contained in that potentiality ... but there was a delay, a waiting, a checking perhaps, a hesitation even.
Third, the word 'face' is used in an interesting way. A check with Strong's indicates that 'Face' is the plural of an unused noun which has a nuance that indiacates a caution ... to turn, or 'to face', even a 'face off' - to confront perhaps, to confront what was about to happen - creation. But, if in that act of creation a 'potential' was possible then the outcome might be ... well, differnt!
Fourth, were did the 'water' (singular) comes from? The act of creation had as yet not happened so why did the author write water? Well, what could he have written? The void was all there was - difficult to convey a thought in a single word. So, perhaps, the word 'water' is a symbol - and water is very often the symbol of life - a change in life's direction, a baptism - a outward sign of an inner transformation. And here 'water' may well indicate the potential for something - to transform the void - and give 'life', something which we take all too readily for ganted.
But have I removed the fear? Probably not. But what I think this little exercise has given me is a greater understanding of the processes of G-d - that the potential sparked into life at the dawn of creation is still happening - that it is not yet finished - that while the night turns to day we have the opportunity to realise that initial creative potential that is offered.
Perhaps that is why the following ten days are indeed days which we should be held in awe of G-d and Creation - a time indeed to acknowlledge where I have fallen short of that potential.
Just a thought or two.
and may Adonai hear all your prayers .
Gen 1:1-2 In the beginning of God's preparing the heavens and the earth-- the earth hath existed waste and void, and darkness is on the face of the deep, and the Spirit of God fluttering on the face of the waters,
Stern's CJB translation, " ... and the Spirit Of God hovered over the surface of the water ..."
KJV, "And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters."
It is clear from the opening statements by the writer that beyond what we might call 'reality' lies a void, a nothingness, an emptiness that is beyond our, human, comprehension. What lies further out, beyond our time on earth is a void - the 'deep'. But, is it necessarily empty?
For many this may well be frightening - little comment is made on this aspect by most popular commentaries, such commentaries heading straight for the creation aspect, perhaps in an attempt to avoid those frightening aspects. But is it all that frightening? And, what is it about the 'deep', the 'void', that instills a sense of dread and fear?
First, it is noted that it is the 'Spirit of God' that does the hovering, or brooding as other translations have it - it is not God. Interesting that the writer uses these words - Why not just say 'God'? Or, 'God's spirit'? There seems some reason that God is distanced from verses 1 & 2 ... Why?
Second, it is that 'Spirit' that does the hovering, the brooding, or the fluttering - hanging there as if in waiting. Perhaps that is what is happening - a waiting, a waiting for the word, the command, the order to be issued before anything happens. Which indicates that something, a thought perhaps, was in existence before this point. So, there was something within the void, something existed in the deep - a plan, a potential, a creative potential. In fact, I suggest that everything already existed and was contained in that potentiality ... but there was a delay, a waiting, a checking perhaps, a hesitation even.
Third, the word 'face' is used in an interesting way. A check with Strong's indicates that 'Face' is the plural of an unused noun which has a nuance that indiacates a caution ... to turn, or 'to face', even a 'face off' - to confront perhaps, to confront what was about to happen - creation. But, if in that act of creation a 'potential' was possible then the outcome might be ... well, differnt!
Fourth, were did the 'water' (singular) comes from? The act of creation had as yet not happened so why did the author write water? Well, what could he have written? The void was all there was - difficult to convey a thought in a single word. So, perhaps, the word 'water' is a symbol - and water is very often the symbol of life - a change in life's direction, a baptism - a outward sign of an inner transformation. And here 'water' may well indicate the potential for something - to transform the void - and give 'life', something which we take all too readily for ganted.
But have I removed the fear? Probably not. But what I think this little exercise has given me is a greater understanding of the processes of G-d - that the potential sparked into life at the dawn of creation is still happening - that it is not yet finished - that while the night turns to day we have the opportunity to realise that initial creative potential that is offered.
Perhaps that is why the following ten days are indeed days which we should be held in awe of G-d and Creation - a time indeed to acknowlledge where I have fallen short of that potential.
Just a thought or two.
and may Adonai hear all your prayers .
