Daniel 12 and a Time of Trouble

I was thinking about Daniel 12:1 last night.  Not the whole verse, but a few words:

"...and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time:..."

The words ran through my head, then I started thinking about history.  I hope those words are metaphor, because if they're literal?  There's already been an ocean of blood spilled in the name of conquest.

Were I to even attempt to enumerate the horrors mankind has effected on each other?  It's too much, would take too long.  Any such list should cause tears to flow from our eyes.  For what reason could we have to treat man as lower than an animal: to be tortured, maimed, slaughtered, and how many other horrible words?

Our religions have turned God into sport.  We're #1.  We're the only right way.  God has given us how many different types of everything?  How many different trees?  How many animals?  How many different insects?  Yet we're supposed to only have one path to God?  No.  I'm sorry, even if a book says it, it's not meant to be taken as literal.  Our brains, our minds, don't work when fed a diet of "follow these words as dogma and stop thinking".  Our minds work on words as seeds to grow trees of wisdom.

We're supposed to help each other, care for ourselves, the earth, and all life.  That's all there is.  We've inverted the teachings - the teachings of the highest.  We've inverted "do to others as you would have them do to you" - empathy and self-awareness - into bloodsport.

I pray that Daniel's message is metaphor.  Though with acres of nuclear weapons and trillions upon trillions of dollars flooding into weapons construction and research every year?  All it would take is a handful of people to decide they want to inflict maximum suffering upon our species, and Daniel's message from God would be truth.  That's a frightening prospect, because the history of our species has been filled with unconscionable, unbelievable violence.  Any concept of trouble worse than we've already seen?  I shudder at the prospect.

Part 3: Correlating Genesis Chapters 1 & 2: Earth & Seas

Introduction

This is the third article in a series which seek to correlate the days of creation between Genesis chapters one and two. Each article attempts to show how and where each chapter speaks of related days.

In this article, the first portion of day 3 will be explored; the creation of Earth and Seas.

Chapter 1

Day 3 of creation sees God creating the Earth and Seas, followed by the grass, herb yielding seed, and fruit tree bearing fruit with seed. The verses follow:

9 And God saith, `Let the waters under the heavens be collected unto one place, and let the dry land be seen:' and it is so.

10 And God calleth to the dry land `Earth,' and to the collection of the waters He hath called `Seas;' and God seeth that [it is] good.

11 And God saith, `Let the earth yield tender grass, herb sowing seed, fruit-tree (whose seed [is] in itself) making fruit after its kind, on the earth:' and it is so.

12 And the earth bringeth forth tender grass, herb sowing seed after its kind, and tree making fruit (whose seed [is] in itself) after its kind; and God seeth that [it is] good;

13 and there is an evening, and there is a morning--day third.

Genesis 1:9-13 YLT98
http://bible.com/821/gen.1.9-13.YLT98

Chapter 2

Chapter 2 of Genesis contains a narrative similar to chapter 1 in verses 5 through 9, as follows:

5 and no shrub of the field is yet in the earth, and no herb of the field yet sprouteth, for Jehovah God hath not rained upon the earth, and a man there is not to serve the ground.

6 and a mist goeth up from the earth, and hath watered the whole face of the ground.

7 And Jehovah God formeth the man--dust from the ground, and breatheth into his nostrils breath of life, and the man becometh a living creature.

8 And Jehovah God planteth a garden in Eden, at the east, and He setteth there the man whom He hath formed;

9 and Jehovah God causeth to sprout from the ground every tree desirable for appearance, and good for food, and the tree of life in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.

Genesis 2:5‭-‬9 YLT98
http://bible.com/821/gen.2.5-9.YLT98

Similarities

Chapter one has dry land and seas in verse 9. Chapter 2 has earth and dry land created in verse 5 of chapter 2.

In verse Gen 2:6, water is introduced. However it isn't described expressly as Seas. In Gen 2:6, water is described in an active manner "and a mist goeth up from the earth..." Further, the mist that actively goes up, comes down and waters the ground.

Where are the Seas? Logical Deduction

The text of Genesis 2:6 is clear there are three parts described: earth, mist, and ground. 

For the mist to fall onto the ground, the ground can't be covered with water, or the text would say it falls into or onto water. Since the ground isn't covered with water, the water must be on the earth, but not covering the ground.

The earth is either a perfect sphere or it isn't. If the earth is a sphere, water will cover as much of the surface as possible. Given the volume of water on earth, water would cover the entire surface if the earth as described in Gen 2:6 was a sphere.

If the earth is not a sphere, then water will do what water does, run downhill and gather within the lowest bounds that can hold it. Even if the ground is one foot above the earth, water will find a way to run down one foot.

The following two paragraphs highlight the logic to show that Gen 2 ground is to Gen 1 dry ground and Gen 2 earth holds the water Gen 1 calls the gathering of waters:

1. The earth can't be a sphere, because the mist falls on the ground, meaning the ground can't be covered with water or the mist would fall on water. Therefore Gen 2:6 ground is to Gen 1 dry ground.
2. Further, the Gen 2:6 earth can't be ground or it would be called ground. For the mist to go up from earth, therefore, the Gen 2:6 earth must hold some kind of pooling of water that is actively going up.

In order to learn that Gen 2:6 is the partner verse to Gen 1:9, the text requires that logical thought be applied. The logic presented in the previous paragraphs appears to support that both chapters declare earth, seas, and dry ground.

What remains to do is assign labels such that each chapter clearly shows all components are declared.

Earth of Gen 1 is to the ground of Gen 1. Therefore ground of Gen 2 is to Earth of Gen 1.

By deduction, Seas of Gen 1 are not to the earth of Gen 2, but to the source of the mist; the water that is going up from an implicit source, the gathering of waters called Seas.

The heaven and earth (lower case) are being created.

Thus, the dry ground, Earth, and gathering of waters, Seas, are declared to be upon the earth, which is being created with heaven, as described in both Genesis 1 and Genesis 2.

Why All the Logic & Deduction?

Why is there such a logical search to find water? Maybe it's a metaphor. Isaac and his sons dug wells. Moses needed water for the Israelites. Perhaps as we create light in our minds, our nervous system connects our thoughts (fire) to understanding, water (heart).

Both aspects, thought and understanding, fire and water, are perhaps required to achieve wisdom. Will be relating the search for understanding in a coming article about how God is often referred to as a Shepherd. The article will describe how shepherding requires resourcefulness within myriad contextual needs and how they all relate to the Bible.

Conclusion

The creation of day 3 Genesis chapter 1 opens with the creation of dry ground, Earth, and a gathering of waters, called Seas.

In this article, an attempt has been made to show that Genesis 2 declares dry ground is upon the earth, matching dry ground created on day 3 of Genesis chapter one.

Further, by logical deduction, the pooling of waters of Genesis chapter one has been discovered in Genesis chapter 2 to be upon the earth, not upon the ground, by considering the source of the mist that goes up, that it falls on the ground, and, by considering the property of water seeking lowest bounds, pools outside of the bounds of the ground declared in Genesis 2.

Finally, as Genesis 2 presents ground and the source of the mist, the ground of Gen 2 is to Earth of Gen 1, and the source of mist of Gen 2 is to Seas of Gen 1. In both narratives, the Earth and Seas are elements of the creation of earth as declared on Gen 1:1.

It therefore appears that both creation narratives show that Earth and Seas have been created upon earth.

Part 2: Correlating Genesis Chapters 1 & 2: Light and Heaven

Introduction

This is the second of a series of articles that attempt to correlate the first two chapters of Genesis. The first article highlighted how the creation of man relates between the two, at minimum in relation to the first clause of Genesis 1:27 pointing to Genesis 2:7 (highlighted below in bold-italic):

27 And God prepareth the man in His image; in the image of God He prepared him, a male and a female He prepared them.
Genesis 1:27 YLT98

7 And Jehovah God formeth the man--dust from the ground, and breatheth into his nostrils breath of life, and the man becometh a living creature.
Genesis 2:7 YLT98

This article will attempt to highlight how the first 2 days of creation of Genesis 1 are similarly present in chapter 2 and that they directly correlate to each other.

Chapter 1, First Two Days of Creation

The first day of creation is described in Genesis 1:2-5. In it, God creates light.

The second day of creation sees the creation of heaven in Genesis 1:6-8.

Chapter 2, First Verses

In chapter two, there's no explicit mention of either light or heaven having been created. The chapter opens with verses about Shabbat/Sabbath, day of rest, described in Genesis 2:1-3:

1 And the heavens and the earth are completed, and all their host;

2 and God completeth by the seventh day His work which He hath made, and ceaseth by the seventh day from all His work which He hath made.

3 And God blesseth the seventh day, and sanctifieth it, for in it He hath ceased from all His work which God had prepared for making.

Correlating Days 1 & 2

It is this author's convention that the first six days of creation describe God's work week, a template for how things are created, and ultimately viewed as very good. Further, the second week highlights how chapter 2 maps directly to chapter 1, providing clear guidance from God to man about how man is to be: created in the image of God and likeness, tending to God's creation.

Chapter one opens with the first two days seeing the creation of light and heaven. Chapter two opens with the Sabbath, then immediately jumps to the beginning of a day in which Earth and Seas are present, a clear correlation to Day 3 of chapter one.

For the creation sequence to map one-to-one, Genesis 2 has to therefore open with light and heaven.

Genesis 2: Creating Light and Heaven

The opening of the Sabbath; the lighting of candles, is the weekly act that maps Genesis 2 to the creation of light of Genesis 1. The first day of creation thus maps to the start of Sabbath.

The Sabbath continues as a reflection of heaven on earth, filled with the light of life. While the opening of the Sabbath creates light, the entire day is, like heaven, blessed and sanctified by God when man (male and female) lives in the image and likeness of God. The Sabbath is a day of family, feast, community, and study of God's word without worry of work, because all the work has been done.

For man, there is no other way to create heaven on earth outside of following God's word. By lighting candles and honoring the Sabbath, man weekly creates light and heaven on earth. In this way, the Sabbath of Genesis chapter 2 maps directly to the first two days of creation in Genesis chapter 1.

Part 1: Correlating Genesis Chapters 1 & 2: Creation of Man

Preamble

Creation of man, as in male and female. The male of the species have some extra rules. Why? Planting seed. Males appear to need extra guidance in order to learn to be patient and understand with whom to plant seed and tend the garden with.

Introduction

It's often suggested that the first two chapters of the Bible don't relate to each other. Skeptics point to a range of apparent inconsistencies in sequence or linguistics. Some claim different authorship of the two chapters.

To those who make claims against the two chapters being other than the inspired word of God, this one's for you. It's an introduction to the interconnectedness and direct relationship between the days God creates and described. This article scratches the surface, showing the purpose of each chapter defines the presentation style.

Genesis 1: God Creates

In the first chapter of Genesis, God clearly creates the heaven and earth. Starting with light on day 1, creation culminates with a series of verses related to the creation of man in the image of God.

For the sake of assigning a label to the six days of creation in chapter 1, let's agree to call it:

Genesis 1: God's Work Week

Genesis 2: Man Tends God's Creation

The second chapter of Genesis doesn't make obvious how, or if, it dovetails with the first. What is clear is that it has elements of the first woven throughout and that it provides detail about man interspersed. For the sake of discussion, let's agree to call it:

Genesis 2: Man's Work Week

Linking Chapter 1 Man with Chapter 2 Man

Man is introduced in chapter 1 on the sixth day after God creates the beast of the earth. The following two verses, 26 and 27, are the beginning of a contract - God's Law. They refer to man being made in God's image. The first is declarative. The second is enumeratively descriptive. The descriptive verse highlights a sequence which elaborates how man will be created in stages.

26 And God saith, `Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness, and let them rule over fish of the sea, and over fowl of the heavens, and over cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that is creeping on the earth.'

27 And God prepareth the man in His image; in the image of God He prepared him, a male and a female He prepared them.
Genesis 1:26‭-‬27 YLT98

2:7 And Jehovah God formeth the man--dust from the ground, and breatheth into his nostrils breath of life, and the man becometh a living creature.
Genesis 2:7 YLT98

Legend of text highlights for proceeding verses:
Bold relates to bold (1:26(1) -> 1:27). Bold italic relates to bold italic (1:27(1) -> 2:7).

This article will attempt to show how the descriptive, enumerative verse, first clause (Gen 1:27(1) in bold-italic) links to a verse in the text that follows. In much the same way as a contract defines how elements are first declared, then described enumeratively, then detailed by performance characteristics, God is here laying down The Law regarding His creation of man.

The Creation of Man: Birth

Genesis 2 suddenly places the creation of man in a location that correlates to the creation defined on day 3 in chapter 1. This is, and has been, a source of confusion. However, if one draws a line between the first clause of Gen 1:27 to Gen 2:7, the relation can be assigned that attempts to clarify.

Man created in Gen 2:7 is directly linked, by sequential position, as first supporting phrase to the first descriptive clause of Gen 1:27 and, "man in His image":

"Gen 1:27 And God prepareth the man in His image;"

Links to:

7 And Jehovah God formeth the man--dust from the ground, and breatheth into his nostrils breath of life, and the man becometh a living creature.
Genesis 2:7 YLT98

In the abstract, the first man of Gen 2:7 is simply created and placed in the garden of Gen 2:8. In fact, the text of Gen 1:27(1) says that man was prepared, created as an image, by position within the phrase.

In life, the first type of preparing man literally undergoes is in the womb. Whether the verse Gen 2:7 is literal or allegorical, the first man being prepared is literally a forming, biologically from dust of the ground - building up until completely formed and breathing the breath of God. In a real sense, the first man is born: formed and brought to life by God.

In the image of God He prepared him: Growth

27 And God prepareth the man in His image; in the image of God He prepared him, a male and a female He prepared them.
Genesis 1:26‭-‬27 YLT98

The change in position of man relative to God between the first and second clauses of Gen 1:27 show that God has worked on man in some way or ways. The forming of man in the image of God in the case of Gen 1:27(2), by virtue of his change in position relative to God, suggests change over time. The position of man relative to God is significant in each phrase.

In the first clause, "And God prepareth the man in His image", man is sandwiched between both references to God: God, man, His.

In the second clause, "in the image of God He prepared him", man follows both references to God: God, He, him. God has moved/shifted man's position between the two clauses, suggesting change over time.

Whether real.or imagined, the first clause is suggestive of a child between parents, while the second is suggestive of an independent, grown child outside the realm of parents, though this idea/construct is based purely on speculative imagery. The remaining commentary will remain focused on literal constructs.

What is it about man that has changed and that God has affected? Man has grown from being simply formed (Gen 2:7) to having learned to tend the garden on his own (Gen 2:8-20). He has learned about how the elements, plants, and animals all fit together. He's learned how all the living aspects of God's creation work in time and seasons and over the earth, navigating the entire planet (more on the rivers as they relate to day 4 of creation soon.) In a real sense, he's grown, matured, and understands how to care for God's creation of Gen 1, up and to Gen 1:27(3).

While the text of the first two clauses related to the creation of man in Gen 1:27 suggest first man is born, then he grows, they also appear to allude to the structure amd dynamic of the text.

By virtue of linking verse-to-verse (a one-to-one relationship) and verse-to-verses (one to many), God is here asking us to be aware of structure as we progress through the book, and to keep an eye out for how the text relates to different verses and why.

The remainder of this article highlights how God grows man in accord with Gen 1:27(2).

Stop and Take A Look Around, Created Man

Man of Gen 2:7 has been created in a specific point in time. If we look to chapter one, we can maybe correlate the day. Day one has light. Day two has heaven.

Man isn't here created on either of the first two days. Day three of Gen 1 sees the creation of dry land, Earth, and gathering of waters, Seas, followed by grass, herb-sowing seed, and fruit-bearing trees:

9 And God saith, `Let the waters under the heavens be collected unto one place, and let the dry land be seen:' and it is so. 

10 And God calleth to the dry land `Earth,' and to the collection of the waters He hath called `Seas;' and God seeth that [it is] good. 

11 And God saith, `Let the earth yield tender grass, herb sowing seed, fruit-tree (whose seed [is] in itself) making fruit after its kind, on the earth:' and it is so.

Genesis 1:9‭-‬11 YLT98

This new man in the image of God is placed after the following major elements of Genesis 1 creation have been created:

1. Light

2. Heaven

3. Earth and Seas

It is apparent that man really can't do much with these elements except stand in awe at their having been created in the large. However, as man is the target audience for the Torah, maybe there's a purpose for this new man having been placed after these elements.

Without really moving much, looking forward might provide clues about man's placement in this exact location. Let's see if Gen 2:8 might provide any clues for us:

And Jehovah God planteth a garden in Eden, at the east, and He setteth there the man whom He hath formed;
Genesis 2:8 YLT98

First the Elements, Then the Garden

From having been created from the dust to being placed in a garden on the surface doesn't provide much in the way of clues. But when the first four elements of creation are translated into earthly, tending a garden kind of terms, maybe things will become a little clearer:

1. Light

2. Heaven -> Air

3. Earth -> Soil

4. Seas -> Water

If we come to understand that man, in the image of God, has to tend the garden, then the placement of the creation of man in between the elements that support growth, and the plants that will be grown, starts to make sense. Especially when the word "tend" is assigned to man and the garden.

It should be noted that air is supported as an aspect of the element "Heaven" within the verses of day 2 of Gods Work Week:

And God maketh the expanse, and it separateth between the waters which [are] under the expanse, and the waters which [are] above the expanse: and it is so.

Genesis 1:7 YLT98

The biblical language is such that the creation of heavens appears to be fractal, or self-similar, describing the biggest heavens (suggesting masses of water above and below the expanse of heavens in the large) as well as those within the canopy of the earth - air - using the same words which apply to progressively smaller contexts.

Rivers

Staying with the theme of Gen 1:27(2), "in the image of God He prepared him".

If God is preparing man, then it logically follows that God will be instructing how His creation week applies to man. Prior to the declaration of a river running from Eden, man has been learning how days 1-3 of God's creation apply to him and tending the garden.

And a river is going out from Eden to water the garden, and from thence it is parted, and hath become four chief [rivers];
Genesis 2:10 YLT98

First question that arises when Gen 2:10 is read is often, "Where is Eden?"  If man has been created on earth, it logically follows that Eden could possibly be found somewhere on earth. How to find it is a vexing question.

If we want to find a location of a place on earth, we have to know how to locate that place at least well enough to describe how to find it relative to locations outside of it.

For a while and throughout history, directions about places have been associated with maps. Creating reliable maps is an exercise which requires the translation of spatial constructs about earth into reliable detail on paper, such that others can follow said detail to find a place.

While rudimentary maps can be drawn from visual detail, the most reliable maps are created by using the stars, sun, and moon to coordinate and accurately determine position of an object upon earth. If man is being grown in the image of God, and day 3 is clearly associated with grass, herb, and trees, the introduction of rivers appears to represent a clear transition to day 4.

[More to come...]

Animals

Knowledge and Wisdom: The Missing Piece

As the man of Gen 2:7 has just been created, and he is placed by God into the garden, what he will be lacking is knowledge and awareness regarding what it means to tend the garden. Here at the beginning, man is faced with an enormous task.

First, because they came first, God will show man, and man has to begin to understand, the elements on their own. What constitutes each? How do they work on their own? How do they work together and what and how do they affect each other?

Just understanding the elements constitutes a mountain of work. Once in the garden, things become unbelievably complex. Each plant has light, air, soil, and water requirements, each with interrelated detail of others (heat, humidity, type of light), and each plant interacts with their environment in myriad ways.

By virtue of a handful of verses and their apparent relation, God will show man, and the man of day 3 has to grow in wisdom regarding how to tend the garden of the earth. In so doing, man arrived at Gen 2:20 as the completed man of Gen 1:27(2).

Further, as the language of Genesis 1:26-31 is contractual, the task of tending the earth appears to be mandatory and the instruction manual is the Bible, if the contents of this article are deemed to be valid.

Conclusion

This article serves as an introduction to God's Law. It has attempted to reconcile one aspect of Genesis chapter one with its related counterparts of Genesis chapter two. It introduces Gen 1:26 and Gen 1:27 as portions of the law, as contract, which God has made with man, link clauses of Gen 1:27 with their supporting implementation as found in scripture of Genesis chapter 2.

What God appears to be providing for the man, newly created on day 3, after the elements light, air, soil, and water and immediately before man is placed in the garden, is instruction that introduces the work of man: tending the garden.

In the next article, more detail regarding the garden will be expanded and explored, and more elements of Genesis 2 will be correlated with Genesis chapter one.

Bible: If Genesis 1:26-31 Is Contract? Here's One Way To Validate It

Introduction

In a prior article, I attempted to show how Genesis 1:26 is the law to which the rest of the Bible directly relates. In the article, I used a simple example to show how the first clause of Gen 1:26 was supported by the succeeding verse, Gen 1:27, and the first clause of Gen 1:27 was then shown to be supported by Gen 2:7.

In all cases, the language of each verse provided guidance and connective support to show that the verses were all directly related. While more examples will hopefully follow, should the concept find validity and acceptance, further proof will likely be found by others as well.

This article will attempt to highlight how the verses of Genesis 1:26-30 define not only the law (Gen 1:26), but a contract that God has made with man. Not only do the verses represent a contract, they show how we can validate our performance against the contract.

What this article doesn't do is attempt to obviate commandments. The first commandment is viewed as "be fruitful and multiply". I would argue, that while it's the first sequential commandment, this article shows what I feel are the first temporal commandments.

By ignoring the garden, we ignore health. By ignoring health we allow disease to spread, oftentimes undetected.

What we create by ignoring the garden is Genesis chapter 4, but that article is on the list to be written. I will argue that we can't grow the garden of our higher mind without knowing how to tend and eat from the garden on earth.

I've kept this article on the light side to highlight the concept and constructs. Greater detail will hopefully follow in subsequent work.

The Contract

First, all the verses are listed for reference:

26 And God said, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness, and they shall rule over the fish of the sea and over the fowl of the heaven and over the animals and over all the earth and over all the creeping things that creep upon the earth."

27 And God created man in His image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.

28 And God blessed them, and God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and rule over the fish of the sea and over the fowl of the sky and over all the beasts that tread upon the earth. "

29 And God said, "Behold, I have given you every seed bearing herb, which is upon the surface of the entire earth, and every tree that has seed bearing fruit; it will be yours for food.

30 And to all the beasts of the earth and to all the fowl of the heavens, and to everything that moves upon the earth, in which there is a living spirit, every green herb to eat," and it was so.

31 And God saw all that He had made, and behold it was very good, and it was evening and it was morning, the sixth day.

Sequencing Our Actions

In the natural course of things, we take the list above, read it top to bottom and treat it like a to-do list. In this case, we go all in for fruitful and multiply, get busy with all the details of family, and spend the rest of our lives trying to find time for the rest.

Mostly we skip ahead to other parts of the book and wrestle with logic, look for inspiration or guidance, try to find proof in the real world for catastrophes, and locate sites mentioned in verse.

While reading this contract top to bottom may seem natural, educational, and meaningful, it's simply not enough. If Gen 1:26 provides the law that provides the overarching theme to the book, we have to actively make the right associations to the right parts in the right order.

Unfortunately, and without guidance, we'll likely be lost somewhere along the way. Confusion has been known to be a source of conflict.

Fortunately, the validation of our performance to the contract appears to be quite simple.

Stand Here, Look There

If we stand on Genesis 1:31, look back on creation, and take the contract in reverse order, it appears we can know when we've performed in accordance with all of the terms of the contract. Let's give it a try.

31 And God saw all that He had made, and behold it was very good, and it was evening and it was morning, the sixth day.

If we are made in the image of God, we can stand and look just as God does in Gen 1:31: back at the entirety of His creation. What's the first thing we see?

First, Feed God's Creatures

30 And to all the beasts of the earth and to all the fowl of the heavens, and to everything that moves upon the earth, in which there is a living spirit, every green herb to eat," and it was so.

Man alone is capable of knowing how to feed and heal all life forms listed in Gen 1:30. Man alone is the only creature on earth capable of actively tending all aspects of the the garden of the earth so all life specified in Gen 1:30 have food to eat. The detail required of performing this clause alone is staggering in complexity.

If this is indeed a first step, is there biblical support for this step being a first requirement? My argument is Genesis chapter 2 presents and expands on the sequence with greater detail. From learning how to care for the elements, to understanding how to tend the garden, to naming all the animals, the second chapter of the Bible clearly sequences, expands on, and supports a high-level perspective of Genesis 1:30.

In the interest of brevity, and to keep the proof of concept focused, I'll skip enumerating all the possibilities and responsibilities associated with performing this clause to satisfaction.

If this is a contract, we can advance to the next requirement once we can validate this clause and in such a way that when God stands and looks, He approves of the efforts of man.

Feed Man

29 And God said, "Behold, I have given you every seed bearing herb, which is upon the surface of the entire earth, and every tree that has seed bearing fruit; it will be yours for food.

After we've learned to feed all the life forms listed in Gen 1:30, we next have to learn to eat and feed man. Without knowing how to use plants, and eat for all parts of our body, our health will fail in some aspect and our mind may suffer.

Each and every plant we eat has ecosystems, seasons, requirements, enemies, invaders, parts, modes of preparation, and so much more, man could be stuck on this step for a while. Learning how to apply plants as medicines increase the complexity.

We have to know how to tend the garden of earth to know how and when to use plants; for food and as medicine, for the health of man upon the planet. It has to be provable such that when God stands to validate our work, He finds it to be very good.

Blessings of Family and Generations

28 And God blessed them, and God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and rule over the fish of the sea and over the fowl of the sky and over all the beasts that tread upon the earth. "

Once we know how to feed life, we reap the benefits of being able to make, care for, and guide healthy and abundant family. We know how to tend all the earth and we pass the knowledge, wisdom, work ethic, and purpose to our children. We also enjoy longer, healthier lives, which enable us to pass and share wisdom through many generations.

With Wisdom Comes Understanding

27 And God created man in His image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.

Once have performed the previous three clauses? We apparently understand what it means to be made in the image of God. We understand all scripture associated with all that has come before, how to be healthy, get along with one another, heal, care for, feed, be compassionate towards, timely, merciful, understanding; honoring God's commandments, and all God teaches us.

Better Understanding of the Law

26 And God said, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness, and they shall rule over the fish of the sea and over the fowl of the heaven and over the animals and over all the earth and over all the creeping things that creep upon the earth."

It isn't often one can read a contract in both directions and have it provide better understanding of the law. In this case, doing so may provide greater means for understanding the word of God and the role man plays upon the earth in accordance with the purpose for which God has made man.

If this concept holds true, it represents a staggering level of detail and work to take on. It's hard to see how life can survive without man being involved in the active management of everything directly related to life. In the end, we not only have to know the steps of the contract and how to fulfill them, we have to know all supporting scripture that follows as well as every aspect of God's creation that came before. The entire book is our guide to healthy living, in and for all times and seasons. 

Bible: The Law Begins With Genesis 1:26

Introduction

The Bible contains numerous references to "The Law and the Prophets". The Law is often considered from regions deep and progressively deeper into Torah/Tanahk/Bible. It therefore may come as a surprise to discover The Law quite possibly exists and starts right at the beginning, in Genesis 1:26.

In the beginning, God presents a very concise contract with man, male and female. This article will attempt to highlight the apparent terms of the contract with supporting detail.

This article is but a short introduction that will hopefully highlight the basics of the law, with supporting declarations.

For the premise to be reasonable, it would appear that the contract should be found to bind man to God's work of creation. Further, each clause should serve as root category/node for all aspects of the purpose for which God created man in His image and likeness.

The Law: A Brief Beginning

What follows appears to be a, or the, contract defined by God, to be performed by man.

26 And God said, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness, and they shall rule over the fish of the sea and over the fowl of the heaven and over the animals and over all the earth and over all the creeping things that creep upon the earth."

27 And God created man in His image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.

28 And God blessed them, and God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and rule over the fish of the sea and over the fowl of the sky and over all the beasts that tread upon the earth. "

29 And God said, "Behold, I have given you every seed bearing herb, which is upon the surface of the entire earth, and every tree that has seed bearing fruit; it will be yours for food.

30 And to all the beasts of the earth and to all the fowl of the heavens, and to everything that moves upon the earth, in which there is a living spirit, every green herb to eat," and it was so.

31 And God saw all that He had made, and behold it was very good, and it was evening and it was morning, the sixth day.

Connecting the Dots

Genesis 1:26 is the declaration of the law. It defines who is being created, in terms that are clearly elaborated.

While Genesis 1:26 declares the law, it is too terse and devoid of detail for any and all readers to clearly understand and follow. For this reason, and as in the laws of man, elements of the verse will be found to relate to subsequent and supporting clauses/scripture.

For example, the first declaration of Genesis 1:26 appears to find support in the immediately subsequent verse, Genesis 1:27, in its entirety:

The first clause of Genesis 1:26 is:

1:26(1) "Let us make man in our image"

The wording of Genesis 1:26(1) is contained, and therefore, directly related to Genesis 1:27 in its entirety:

1:27 And God created man in His image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.

While Genesis 1:27 is supported by Genesis 1:27, it contains multiple clauses and lacks detail required for any and all to completely understand.  Furthe support of Genesis 1;27 will be found to be supported further within the text.

The first term enumerated in 1:27, "And God created man in His image" is directly supported, and expanded on, and by the same terms used on 1:26 and 1:27, by Genesis 2:7 (see my earlier article for further detail). The text of Genesis 2:7 follows:

7 And the Lord God formed man of dust from the ground, and He breathed into his nostrils the soul of life, and man became a living soul.

Genesis 2:7 provides detail related to scope, context, detail, and purpose in support of prior declarative verse(s). Genesis 2:7 begins to expand on earlier constructs, to assist man in understanding not only what it means to be created, but how to (begin to) perform in accord with the law, as "man in His image".

A Quick Summary

The following table highlights the law of Genesis 1:26, followed by scripture supporting the first clause. As new articles are produced to highlight further connections, the detail and date created will be added here.

26 Let us make man in our image...

1. Genesis 1:26 is the law. All subsequent laws should trace their roots to at least one clause of it.
2. The first clause of Genesis 1:26 is expanded first by Genesis 1:27.
3. The first clause of Genesis 1:27 is supported by Genesis 2:7.
4. The second clause of Genesis 1:27 is supported by Genesis 2:8-20, and Genesis 1:2-10; the first 2 days of creation and the creation of earth and seas of day 3. [Added 9/11/17].

This article is intended to simply be a proof, serving as an introduction to deeper meaning and the very real purpose God states for having created man and the law as it applies to His creation.

Enter Neurology (A Brief Detour)

Neurology is about brains. When we learn, we grow brains. The growth of knowledge in our brains looks similar to stuff that grows in real life. Brains and real things are so similar in appearance and function, that brain growth structures are often called real-life things, like trees and such.

The interconnectedness of biblical scripture appears to also be described in similar, real-life stuff, and neurological terms, too. In fact, brain stuff, neurology, looks to be described on day three of creation:

11And God said, "Let the earth sprout vegetation, seed yielding herbs and fruit trees producing fruit according to its kind in which its seed is found, on the earth," and it was so.

Connecting scriptural verse, as is here being presented by the law and supporting scripture, is quite similar to growing grass, neural connections/interconnectivity, in the mind. God uses an economy of expression in His Book to ensure scripture can be applied in and to myriad contexts. Using plants to describe plants in a garden appears now to relate to both plants upon earth and within the mind.

What this appears to mean is that God knows we're growing neurology by reading scripture. It also suggests God is referring to at least two earths in scripture. The first earth, the planet, and the second, the mind.

If scripture applies to earth/planet and earth/mind, it would further suggest the creation of at least two (2) gardens, one on earth, and one in the mind.

Both earth and garden, outside and inside the mind, appear to share the same legal requirements: that man has been created to tend them to ensure the health of each, and all. It should be clear, if true, that scripture, as written, applies to each earth and garden without modification (a statistically significant statement and one that, if true, is simply awesome with regards to implementation detail.)

Conclusion

This article has attempted to serve as an introduction to God's Law described in Genesis chapter one, verses 26-31. Verse 26 declares the law as it applies to man. In the interest of brevity, verse 26 has been shown to be supported by all of verse 27, by position and terms used.

In order to show that scripture beyond the verses in chapter one provide further support of the law, a link between verse 1:27, the first part, has been made to Genesis 2:7, in which man is expressly created in the same terminology as 1:26 and 1:27.

A brief detour has been taken into neurology, the study of the mind. I've attempted to highlight how scripture refers to earth as, at minimum, two distinct entities: the planet and the mind. Is true, It logically follows that each earth grows a garden that man alone is responsible for tending forever and ever, amen.

Subsequent articles will attempt (to continue) to shed light on the interconnected nature of scripture and as it applies to the law described in Genesis chapter one. Though my sincere hope is that, if true, one can begin to explore further the awesome nature of God through His law and prophets.

Samudra Manthan: Anatomy, Astrology, Life Meaning

Preamble

This article is intended to convey information about the Samudra Manthan, the Churning of the Milk Ocean, translating detail about characters and behaviors from the divine to the mundane. The author does not profess expertise beyond repetition and a lot of study. Should you feel any part or portions are lacking detail or are in error, please forward a note with specifics and I'll update the text. Thank you, I hope you enjoy the article!

Introduction

The Samudra Manthan is a vivid story of the Vedas. It is rich with symbolism that can be viewed from multiple perspectives. It seems to be apparent, from the imagery of characters and their actions, that the symbolism of the story suggests they can be viewed and readily memorized from an anatomical, behavioral, and astrological perspective.

For a relatively short story, it contains a wealth and depth of meaning. This article will attempt to highlight major characters and some of the meaning they convey. In order to stay focused, much of the detail will be character-based while keeping references to the story on the light side.

Character Detail

The story opens with Sage Durvasa and a garland from Lord Vishnu meeting King Indra riding the elephant Airawat.

Sage Durvasa appears to represent the mature, adult version of the tail of the Asura: Ketu. He is emotional, judgmental, feeling, spiritual, poor, isolated, and blind to the material world: these are all aspects of astrological Ketu.

Durvasa desires to share the garland, representing Sri - life as the ultimate fortune. He shares the garland with the ego, represented by King Indra as the head of the Asura: Rahu.

Indra's ego is so big, he has to ride the largest land mammal, who can barely support him. Indra represents the aspects of astrological Rahu: desirous of material possessions, attention, so self-important he leads the Devas wherever he goes.

Indra, who's desire for everything is overwhelming, has no idea of the value of the garland - the all-important life essence - and mistakenly, ignorantly places it on the forehead of his elephant Airawat.

Why is it a mistake to place the garland on the elephant Airawat? Because it shows that he's unaware that the animal, or man's animal nature, lacks consciousness or any awareness as to the value of life or the existence of temporal needs. The proof is in how Airawat treats the garland - he throws it to the ground.

Sage Durvasa curses Indra and all the Devas to lose strength, energy, and fortune; all the essential aspects of life itself. As he represents Ketu (headless), he is blind to the fact that he will be joined to the curse himself.

Due to their inability to communicate, they both lose. The only point Rahu & Ketu share in common is the throat, where speech manifests in the light of the moment. Without speaking from a place of consideration, both Durvasa and Indra live in the darkness of their minds.

This aspect of the story appears to highlight that the only way to reconcile feelings and desire is via thoughtful speech or conversation. In astrological terms, one has to reconcile houses Rahu/Ketu are situated in by talking.

Hiding Behind All That Ego

Lost in the shuffle of the story are a number of characters who are easily glossed over. In spite of their placement in the background, the story is intended to draw them out.

The characters aren't the Asuras, the little demons who drive worlds into madness when they're in charge. The characters are those hiding behind the ego, drawn out of the Milk Ocean, and especiallybthe one living in the heart.

The Devas are central to the story. Though they appear as bit players forced to follow King Indra, the ego, while suffering the curse of Sage Durvasa, it is they who we're supposed to become aware of. It is their guiding presence in our life, their residence outside of ego, in the higher mind that hells us begin the journey to the heart and the selflessness and wisdom of Vishnu.

In the early portion of the story, we find the Devas behind Indra. After the Asuras have taken over the universe, we find them seeking advice from Vishnu, the heart. When Vishnu says reconcile and work together to promote life and immortality, they almost quietly like a whisper acquiesce for the benefit of life.

As a reward for seeking and following true sage wisdom, they are granted the gift of immortality by Vishnu. They don't say anything in response, they accept all that happens and continue through.

The only time we hear anything from the Devas, it's when the Sun and Moon inform Mohini that they can see a shadow on each other. They act wisely and are truthful all the time and in time.

The behavior of the Devas stands in stark contrast to the Asuras RahuKetu, who plot and scheme to lie to themselves and others that they are entitled to become something they aren't or weren't intended to be - immortal Asuras. They aren't entitled to immortality because they run against time and act on their desires, imperiling the universe.

Anatomy and Physiology, Vedic Style

Mount Madura is the churning rod. Vasuki the snake is the rope wrapped around Mount Madura that the Devas and Asuras alternately pull to cause the rod to churn the Milk Ocean. When the churning starts, Halahal is produced, a poison that threatens to destroy the universe.

Shiva is called and he takes the poison into his throat where Parvati prevents him from swallowing it. The poison turns his throat blue. As the churning progresses, Mount Madura begins to sink into the Milk Ocean. Vishnu leaves Mount Madura and incanates as the turtle Kurma and takes the mountain on his back to support it while churning for the elixir of life - Amrit.

The following list highlights what appears to be anatomy described by character or symbol:

• The Devas represent aspects of the higher mind and associated regions of the brain.
• The Asuras represent male repriduction and lack of control.
• Mohini and her Discus, the  Sudharshana Chakra, represents female reproduction.
• Sage Durvasa represents feelings, isolation, spirituality.
• King Indra represents the ego and lower mind.
• Airawat represents man's animal mind and lack of awareness of time or value of life.
• Mount Madura represents the beating heart and Vishnu - high wisdom.
• The Milk Ocean represents the liver, states of health (+/-) and in response to herbs, and healing.
• Vasuki represents the gastrointestinal tract and peristaltic action.
• Halahal the treacherous poison represents bile.
• Shiva, who also wears Vasuki around his neck, represents the Gall Bladder which is blue like his throat.
• Parvati represents the sphincter of Oddi.
• Kurma represents the kidneys, essential life-support to the heart and liver.

One of the (possibly) comic elements of the story is when the Devas, based on the advice of Vishnu, take the tail of Vasuki. This leaves the head of the snake to the Asuras.

Anatomically, and because the head of Vasuki produces noxious fumes, it would appear that the Asuras are holding the very end of the gastrointestinal tract. Thus, they appear to represent male reproduction.

The Devas appear to maintain their position in the higher mind, having wisely sought the advice of Vishnu before acting.

The collaboration between the Devas, higher mind, and the Asuras, primal mind, reflect a mental struggle within the individual. One can only give attention to the desires of the lower or the higher. In either case, one takes on the rewards and work related to that which they give attention.

The ultimate work in life is centers around making and supporting children, which can either be created by pure lust or careful planning, depending on which end of Vasuki one allows to pull ones heart.

The Milk Ocean as the Liver

While the Milk Ocean can be associated with the brain, it seems more logical that it represents the liver. The liver appears to be the better association because the goal of the churning is the production of the elixir of life, Amrit.

A healthy liver is capable of regenerating all cells, producing vibrant health, while being capable of healing all ailments throughout the body. A healthy liver is capable of regenerating liver tissue, even if upwards of 3/4 of the liver is cut away.

The fact that the Amrit is brought forth from the Milk Ocean by the physician Dhanvantari appears to suggest and support the liver being the Milk Ocean and great healer of the body.

It also appears to be a helpful hint that herbs are thrown into the Milk Ocean. The liver would be the recipient of such wonderful gifts, it alone being capable of making use of the herbs specifically based on the needs of the body.

[Coming soon: detail regarding the gifts of the ocean]

Turtle Medicine is Kidney Medicine

An interesting association, if the turtle Kurma is actually associated with the kidneys, is the fact that turtle medicine of Native American healers are herbs specific to the kidneys.

Mohini's Discus and the Moment of Conception

In a separate article, I described how Mohini's Discus, the Sudharshana Chakra, appears to represent the human egg and RahuKetu a single sperm. The act of Mohini throwing the Discus to slice the suddenly immortal Asura into Rahu, the head, and Ketu, the tail vividly portrays the moment of conception of a new human.

Perhaps the most significant aspect of the story is this portion - the point at which RahuKetu sneaks between the sun and moon.

Sun as Father, Moon as Mother

In the story, RahuKetu sneaks into line with the Devas. His goal is a drink of the immortal elixir Amrit. Just as he's taking a drop, the sun and moon alert Mohini.

In astrological terms, the sun represents ones father and the moon represents ones mother. What this portion of the story appears to be relating isn't just the moment of conception, it represents all the aspects of a little Asuras life, with mom, dad, and all that chasing them around for the life of their parents, swallowing them up in all the myriad ways kids take over their parents lives.

Further, the story appears to narrate a very that life begins at the moment of conception. Astrologically, it may mean there's significance to the moment of conception, useful in combination with the moment of birth.

Conclusion

The story of the Samudra Manthan, the Churning of the Milk Ocean is rich in symbolism and meaning. In this presentation, I've attempted to show that the characters represent thought processes as well as organs of the body.

Not only does the story present organs through character, the actions and interactions of the characters highlight how organs and anatomical processes support and interact with one another. That the story is also presented in a narrative that makes it incredibly appealing, memorable, and timeless appears to be testimony to its divine nature.

Bible: Naked, A Possible Meaning (Clean: Brains)

Introduction

In a previous article, I touched on how reading the black fire letters of Torah (the characters of Biblical Hebrew) become white fire - neural connections - in the higher mind as they are read. The process appears to be described or introduced by the sequence of the creation of light on day 1.

What this appears to suggest is that the letters, words, and verses of Torah/Tanahk are specifically designed to be ingested, processed, and associated with the higher mind.

If the concept of God's word illuminating the higher mind were to be considered true, it would seem that further examples could and would be found on the text. It seems that one of the first examples exists in the story of Adam and Eve.

Naked is to Darkness, As Clothed is to Light

And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.

Genesis 2:25 KJV

It isn't immediately obvious how naked has any relationship to anything other than being unclothed and/or indescrete and not caring. A key to understanding how darkness and naked are related starts with the definition of ashamed:

Here's the @MerriamWebster definition of 'ashamed':

Definition of ashamed

1. 1a :  feeling shame, guilt, or disgrace She felt ashamed for hitting her brother. You should be ashamed of yourself. Losing is nothing to beashamed of. He was deeply ashamedof his behavior.b :  feeling inferior or unworthy
2. 2:  reluctant or unwilling to do something because of shame or embarrassment I was ashamed to be seen with him. I'm not ashamed to admit that I don't know the answer.
3. Feeling unashamed means being willing to do embarrassing things without the feeling of guilt or disgrace. It can also mean acting without conscience. What's a good example of doing an embarrasing thing without guilt? How about when a dog jumps somebody's leg? The dog doesn't care about how it looks, it's following its nature and doing what it feels without any awareness of shame.

While using a dog to highlight "not ashamed" may seem harsh or unrelated to the biblical verse of Genesis 2:25, it appears to be precisely what the verse is highlighting.

The Frontal Lobe of the Brain and Behavior

The following excerpt is from "The Centre for Neuro Skills"

The frontal lobes are involved in motor function, problem solving, spontaneity, memory, language, initiation, judgement, impulse control, and social and sexual behavior.

If the frontal lobes are related to what can be considered higher or executive functions, like judgment, what part or parts of the brain are working when the frontal lobe isn't? 

Enter: The Triune Brain

The Triune Brain is a model composed of three component parts. The frontal lobe, mentioned above is related to the newest elements of brain evolution, called the Neomammilian Complex.

The two lower brain component parts are the Reptilian Complex and the Paleomammilian Complex.

The Reptillian Complex

From Wikipedia:

The reptilian complex, also known as the R-complex or "reptilian brain" was the name MacLean gave to the basal ganglia, structures derived from the floor of the forebrain during development. The term derives from the idea that comparative neuroanatomists once believed that the forebrains of reptiles and birds were dominated by these structures. MacLean proposed that the reptilian complex was responsible for species-typical instinctual behaviors involved in aggression, dominance, territoriality, and ritual displays.

The Paleomammilian Complex

From Wikipedia:

The paleomammalian brain consists of the septum, amygdalae, hypothalamus, hippocampal complex, and cingulate cortex. MacLean first introduced the term "limbic system" to refer to this set of interconnected brain structures in a paper in 1952. MacLean's recognition of the limbic system as a major functional system in the brain was widely accepted among neuroscientists, and is generally regarded as his most important contribution to the field. MacLean maintained that the structures of the limbic system arose early in mammalian evolution (hence "paleomammalian") and were responsible for the motivation and emotion involved in feeding, reproductive behavior, and parental behavior.

Why all the brain talk? The two lower components of the Triune Brain are covered by the yarmulke. The detail from the Reptillian Complex and the Paleomamillian Complex describe actions and activities related to animal or primal behavior. Like in our excitable dog example. The yarmulke is Gods way of saying, "I'm right above you." It also covers the component parts of the lower, or primal, mind. As all aspects of the word of God are intended to create wisdom:

The Lord by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens.

Proverbs 3:19 KJV

The Yarmulke is Gods way of blocking out the light from the animal parts of our brain.

Letting the Light In

So if Adam and Eve are naked and not ashamed, then they're acting out of their lower mind without an awareness of their being any need to feel shame or guilt regarding their actions. What's the proof that God knows all this advanced brain stuff?

And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.

Genesis 3:7 KJV

What happens when your eyes are open? They let the light in. Where does the light of wisdom live? According to this author, the light of wisdom lives where God can see it, In the higher mind, beyond the bounds of the yarmulke. But God explains it at the end of the story where God remedies their nakedness:

Unto Adam also and to his wife did the Lord God make coats of skins, and clothed them.
Genesis 3:21 KJV

How do we know that Adam and Eve come to understand the connection between their actions and higher concepts like judgment (their own as well as that of God)?

And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.

Genesis 3:10 KJV

Fear and guilt are suddenly guiding the first couple to an awareness of having done something shameful. In this case, naked, not ashamed, and darkness all get associated when God asks:

And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat?

Genesis 3:11 KJV

Because naked is directly related to eating of the tree of knowledge of good and evil.

In the end, naked can not only mean literally naked, the breadth and depth of the ways we can act naked far exceeds simply being indescreet regarding clothing. Naked extends to how we look, act, speak, and behave in ways that mimic animal behavior and without conscience, generally in search of immediate gratification.

The only way we are able to rise above primal or animal behavior, like Adam and Eve, is by active development of our higher mind. Curiously, while growing the higher mind sounds appealing, burning all that fire and neurons and neural trees into the mind via study and repetition has been known to cause brain pain and mental anguish. There doesn't seem to be any other choice.

Thoughts on Genesis 1:1 and its Application

In the beginning of God's preparing the heavens and the earth--
Genesis 1:1 YLT98

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
Genesis 1:1 KJV

It's the first sentence. Yet in it is everything: God, heaven, earth.

It is here for a purpose. The first thought, first detail, first exposure to God and what God is doing. What do we do with it? Read it and run? Ignore it? Glorify the words as poetic beauty?

Maybe they're a guide, something to help us not just here at the beginning, but throughout the book? Is that even possible? It's just one sentence.

If we walk ahead a little and look back, maybe that will help? Within three days and out of darkness:

God creates light.
God creates heaven.
God creates earth.

In the beginning, everything was separate. Or it sounded like God was outside and heaven and earth were distinct. Maybe?

Within three days we can see a little more. God, heaven and earth suddenly have parallels made manifest within God's creation: light, heaven, and earth.

But what's the light?

Who's reading and what words? God has put the light in your hands and you're bringing it into your mind. God, heaven, and earth are suddenly everything. Yes, the letters of fire are lighting the mind.

But there's more. God doesn't just create, God becomes the first light in mind in the beginning of our study. Heaven becomes the second. Earth becomes the third. The light brings heaven and earth together. They're thematic, defining a guide to assist us in understanding as we advance.

God is always with us, teaching us. How? Teaching us to be in His image (Gen 1:27.) Teaching us to be aware God has written the words. Teaching us He is right there for us when we understand and when we don't.

What happens in heaven? God gives us words that grows our garden. Wisdom grows toward earth, like fruit.

What happens on earth? Things start from dust and grow towards heaven to be fruitful. Man, grass, herbs, trees, all living creatures, and thought.

In the beginning guides us through the book. Where we read verses that sound base, we understand they are of earth. When illuminated, base thoughts grow from dust into wisdom that bears fruit within which is the seed (Gen 1:29.) The letters, sentences, and verses are seeds that, when planted, grow. We have to carefully tend them so they bear good fruit.

We're asked to tend the garden. Not just once, but forever. Everything that is illuminated grows. Genesis 1:1 serves as a guide to help us understand if what God has written, what we're reading, has its origins in heaven or on earth. In that way we can understand how to tend the garden - of our heart and mind, of earth, of heaven. For the purpose of our growing heaven and earth together as God teaches and as we were made - in the image of God.

Bible: Genesis 1: Possible Reason Why Heaven & Man Are Not Labelled Good?

In Genesis, chapter one, the six days of creation are described. Each day highlights the element(s) and/or life that are created. In the case of all but one and a half days, God labels all of His creations good, with the exception of day 2, heaven, and the latter half of day 6, man.

It's often wondered why two of God's creations are not explicitly labeled "good". The purpose of not labeling them would appear to be to create wonder regarding their lack of assigned label.

The first chapter introduces elemental concepts regarding how to read Torah/Tanahk/Bible. One of the first and most important concepts is to understand that God didn't give us a book of dogma to blindly follow. While not labeling day 2 and half of day 6 is not the first mystery, for many it is the first obvious non-declarative mystery.

Why would God create mystery within the very beginning of creation? We learn by wonder. The result of wonder is curiosity. Without curiosity, we don't look deeper into the text to see if we've overlooked something, if we've made a mistake, if the text was translated right. Until we start looking, we don't find the limits of our knowledge. If we don't find the limits of our knowledge, we may never question ourselves. If we don't question ourselves, how can we ever go in search of a knowledgeable source to query?

In the beginning, God appears to be showing us, by omission, that we have limits. Further, God appears to be teaching us to wonder, be curious, ask questions, and look deep into the text for answers - to reread what we've covered or be patient as we continue reading material (whether new or familiar.) More so, when we aren't certain, God appears to be teaching us to find a source to ask. Finally, God appears to be teaching us to look to the ultimate source of wisdom for answers when we can't find them on earth - through prayer to God.

In the case of creation, verse 31 of Genesis chapter one states that God sees all He's created and it was very good. In this case, we are free to use the math of Sets to view the days of creation:

Good days: { 1, 3, 4, 5, 6 (1st part }
Very good days: { 2, 6 (2nd part), all good days }

What we're left to wonder about is why God waits to label heaven and man until the end of the chapter, correlating to the end of His creating. Is it because God uses an economy of expression in His writing? Is it because heaven and man need to grow into their potential until God sees they are, in fact, very good? There are an infinite number of questions that we can ask.

If we look to Genesis 1:1, in which God begins to create heaven and earth, we may see a hint. Perhaps at the time that man grows the wisdom to live in accord with the laws, commandments, and prophets brought to earth from heaven, then God will see all of His creation as very good. Though it's always possible both heaven and man were very good when created.

Maybe the point and purpose is to create the curiosity to keep reading God's word, wondering, learning, asking, discussing, praying, and growing until we find the answer or answers? If we keep trying, we'll eventually find answers.

Samudra Manthan: Rahu, Ketu, & Mohini's Discus = Moment of Conception

In the Samudra Manthan, the story in the Vedas that is quite deep and entertaining, there is a description of a demon, an Asura who becomes Rahu and Ketu. This demon represents desire.

This demon, Rahu, doesnt just represent desire, but desire for things that aren't his to have.  He seeks to become immortal like the Devas. While the story runs around and through all kinds of scenes and characters as good and evil fight over the elixir of immortality, called Amrit, it is during the distribution of the Amrit, when Rahu realizes the Devas aren't going to share.

Once Rahu knows the Devas aren't going to be sharing immortality with the Asuras, he sneaks in line between the Sun and Moon, seemingly undetected. Just as he's given a given a drop of the immortal elixir, which lands on his demon tongue, the Sun and Moon, who've noticed his presence between them, point him out to Vishnu. In immediate response, Vishnu hurls his diamond encrusted discuss and slices Rahu and his now immortal head from his severed immortal body.  The head becomes Rahu and his body becomes Ketu.

The two parts of his body are thrust into the sky, where they are forever chasing and seeking revenge on the Sun and Moon. How do they enact their revenge? By swallowing the Sun and Moon. As they are disjoint bodies, they can swallow but not hold either the Sun and Moon.

In Vedic astrology, Ketu represents desire for wholeness and reunification of our heart and feelings with our ego.  Rahu only knows intense and overwhelming desire for those ego-driven things indicated in his chart. Rahu isn't interested in unifying with his body because his ego-desire is overwhelming amd (mostly) unregulated. Ketu is left to feel his way through time, as he holds the heart, but lacks the senses that drive Rahu's desire.

Scientifically, the two points represent the location where the path of the Moon crosses the ecliptic, which represents where eclipses happen.

One Possible Insight Into Meaning

It seemed to me a possibility that a meaning of the description of the story of Rahu and Ketu is the story of when...

Sperm meets Egg

Here's a description of the biological process:

The tip of the head of the sperm cell contains enzymes which break through the zona pellucida and aid the penetration of the sperm into the egg. Once the head of the sperm is inside the egg, the tail of the sperm falls off, and the perimeter of the egg thickens to prevent another sperm from entering.
Read more: Fertilization - Sperm, Egg, Cell, and Female - JRank Articles http://science.jrank.org/pages/2693/Fertilization.html#ixzz41qds0rj4

It's possible that Rahu represents, in our more mundane world, the head of the sperm and Ketu may be the tail that falls away, while the Egg is the discuss of Vishnu which slices Rahu into component parts.  If so, then the Amrit becomes the drop of nectar that brings life at the point of conception.

Here's a link to the story of the Samudra Manthan. The story is so full of imagery and meaning related to life, it's possible you'll revisit it many times.

King Indra and Sage Durvasa

There's much more meaning in the story. Like how Indra, the king represents grown-up Rahu. His ego so large and possessions so great even the largest elephant isn't big enough to hold him. Grown up Ketu may be represented by the sage Durvasa, who is deeply spiritual, but wildly emotional.

Separately, they are unable to understand the fragility and meaning of the garland of life that they attempt to share to their demise. Together, their only hope seems to be to unite their voice, which is the only part of their disjoint body they still have in common. But that's another possible layer upon this richly woven story.

Bible: Genesis 1: Where and How Hebrew Letters, Black Fire, Becomes White Fire

Hypothesis & Introduction

The Hebrew letters of the Bible are known as black fire.  When taken into the mind they create neural connections, which can be described as white fire.

The first day of creation appears to show how the letters we read become light in the mind and how God sees the light as it is created.

This appears to first suggest the neural connections are created in the cerebral hemisphere/frontal lobe (higher mind), beyond the bounds of the yarmulke. The light that is created "covers" or "clothes" the individual in day (light) as opposed to being covered by darkness or night.

Genesis 1:1-5:

1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

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.

3 And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.

4 And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness.

5 And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day.
Genesis 1:1‭-‬5 KJV

Support

What is happening? Two things. First, God is sharing details regarding the creation of light in the universe. The second thing that is happening, is the brain is taking in the letters, words, and phrases of the story, processing them, and, at minimum:

• Burning the letters, words, and phrases into the mind sequentially
• Ordering creation temporally
• Attempting to place objects spatially
• Attempting to process God's words aurally
• Attempting to understand constructs, like what a void is.

There's much more going on, but the points listed highlight some of the main activities related to taking the elements of the story into the mind.

Where the Words Live

With regards to how the letters, words, and phrases are processed, the text is here showing that they are not associated with the lower, primal, mind. They can't be, because the primal mind deals with primal things like food, desires/wants, ego and feeling.

By opening the book written by God, the mind similarly opens the region related to higher authority, wisdom, and time, which all pass through lower centers and into the temporal and cerebral lobes of the brain.

Each logical segment is a temporal segment of a logical sequence comprising a complete expression. We logically follow the path and wonder, by asking questions. Like, what does it all mean? What is light? What do the stages leading up to the creation of light mean?

The lower mind wants. It is desire and need driven. It pursues, it hunts, it possesses. It doesn't know time outside of the moment. The higher mind wonders, questions, researches, learns and knows. It organizes and plans according to time.

The opening of Genesis describes the creation of light. Taken as a roadmap of the result of reading, it shows light being created in the mind, and therefore, how the mind eats.

The first time the story is read, there isn't any construct related to the story in the mind: where the constructs will live in the mind is void.

As there are no neural connections burned into the mind related to the story, there is darkness on the face of the deep: way up high in the mind, where the word of God lives, it's dark. This could also mean that the mind is not yet in possession of neural connections that join the mind to the deep of the heart.

The spirit of God hovers over the waters: of the mind, where the neural connections will be formed for each letter of fire. How do they get burned, by what mechanisms, and how do they know where to go?

Let there be light: neurons are burned, white fire, and all the neural pathways are formed by reading the words of the text.

And God seeth the light: beyond the yarmulke, in the higher brain centers. With all the connections formed from the text that is read, ingested, eaten, bright light is created.

Moshiac, God's Anointed

King Cyrus, King Saul, and King David are God's anointed. When they were anointed, they had olive oil poured upon their heads. [Jesus was God's anointed, but he didn't have oil poured on his head. More on this in a separate article, point is about oil on head.] The oil represents the fuel for the light that they are to become to the people they are to lead. The oil is the symbolic fuel feeding the light of the anointed with God's spirit via His word, in their mind and heart.

Isaiah Calls to Eat of the Word of God

Isaiah 55 opens with:

1 Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.

2 Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.
Isaiah 55:1‭-‬2 KJV

It costs nothing to eat of God's word, yet nothing is so fulfilling, healthy, or illuminating.

Jesus Says

Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ ”
Matthew 4:4 NIV
http://bible.com/111/mat.4.4.NIV

Jesus/Yeshua appears to refer to the word of God as food. If so, the food we eat with our mind appears to create light in our mind that requires being nourished with the food we eat with our mouth.

That both aspects of eating are entwined in the verses of Genesis 1:26-30 appears to further support what Jesus is teaching. This is the second verse in which Jesus speaks in the book of Matthew.

That Jesus would appear to begin with a teaching parallel to the verses highlighted in this article, from the opening of Torah, seems to validate his being the Messiah prophesied of in Daniel.