Biblos, meaning book, is the first word of the New Testament. While it only appears a few times in the Bible there is significance in its usage. To subscribe to this podcast please go to iTunes and subscribe to “The Koine Greek Word of the Day Podcast“.
I have been one acquainted with the night.
I have walked out in rain – and back in rain.
I have outwalked the furthest city light.
I have looked down the saddest city lane.
I have passed by the watchman on his beat
And dropped my eyes, unwilling to explain.
I have stood still and stopped the sound of feet
When far away an interrupted cry
Came over houses from another street,
But not to call me back or say goodbye;
And further still at an unearthly height,
One luminary clock against the sky
Proclaimed the time was neither wrong nor right.
I have been one acquainted with the night.
These days when I read Genesis 1 I can almost here music playing in the background. In my mind I see people sitting around a fire and listening intently to the story/song of God creating. The people want answers to the basic questions of life: Where did we come from? Why are we here? What is our relationship to nature? What is our relationship to God? Who is God? And the people were given the beautiful song of Genesis 1 to reveal God to them.
Where did we come from? God created us; in fact God created us as special and unique creatures who are inherently different from the other animals of creation. Why are we here? To care for and tend to God’s creation; we are responsible for the Kingdom of God. What is our relationship to nature? We are to live in and alongside nature while we carefully use nature to meet our needs. What is our relationship with God? We are created in the image of God as fellow workers; we are stewards over God’s kingdom on earth for a time. Who is God? The creator, the one to whom all of existence is in debt.
The next time you read Genesis 1, go off by yourself to a private place where you will not feel self-conscious and sing the chapter. Imagine you are singing to that group around the fire; you are trying to bring them a little closer to God by singing to them the answers to the questions they ask. Sing the most beautiful song, the song of God’s creation. It will be beautiful regardless of your singing abilities because it is a song of God.
