Chapter 3: Cutting Ties
Two Boxes: Keep & Donate
Genesis 1:6-8 - “Then God said, “Let there be a firmament amid the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.” 7 Thus God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament; and it was so. 8 And God called the firmament Heaven. So the evening and the morning were the second day.”
There's a fascinating theological connection between Genesis 1:6-8 and the concept of leaving your family to become one with a mate. Although not explicitly mentioned, both passages emphasize the importance of creating new, separate entities as a fundamental aspect of their objectives.
The creation of the firmament describes God's act of forming an expanse, or firmament (commonly translated as "sky" or "expanse"), to separate the waters above from those below.
This act creates a clear division and defines separate realms — the heavens above and the earth below — transforming a previously chaotic, watery chaos into an ordered structure. It is a foundational act that establishes a distinct space for life to eventually thrive on Earth.
Genesis 2:24 states, "Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh". Leaving family and forming a new marital bond can be difficult for all parties involved: husband, wife, parents, siblings, extended family members, and even best friends. But separation must take place to make way for the new.
It involves an act of "leaving"—separating from the original family unit and its primary loyalties. It also includes "cleaving" or joining to the spouse, creating a new, separate family unit. This act establishes a primary loyalty and commitment to the new marriage, forging a unique and united bond.
The core principle is separation serving a new purpose. In both cases, a necessary separation must take place to make way for the new creation (family unit) or formation (cohesive marriage).
It involves the separation of waters to establish a livable environment. Similarly, it entails breaking away from previous family ties to form a new, united marriage. Please tread carefully and use discernment. Pray without ceasing, because the old adage still applies – I can talk about my family, but you can’t! No exceptions. Forget this concept once, and you’ll never do that again.
Just as God created order by dividing the waters, biblical teaching on marriage highlights the importance of establishing a clear separation of loyalties and forming a new, primary bond within that marriage. This creates a strong and unified foundation.
The phrase “people, places, and things” describes triggers. These triggers are cues that provoke cravings—powerful, often overwhelming urges to seek and use your substance of abuse.
Certain times, dates, familiar places, and regular activities associated with drinking have been woven closely into the fabric of our lives. Feelings like fatigue, hunger, loneliness, anger, and stress caused just by being in any of a number of relationships, encourage us to fall back into familiar negative habits. Old routines can prove to be traps, akin to a dangerous form of self-sabotage.
Packing for a move requires many Keep and Donate boxes. We keep items for various reasons. Some have intrinsic value, some have sentimental worth, and others just catch our eye.
In Genesis 1:6-8, God creates the firmament—sometimes called the expanse or sky in modern translations of the Hebrew word raqia. This act beautifully sets apart the waters above from those below, kind of like when you're sorting items for a move—deciding what to keep and what to donate. It's a simple yet meaningful way to understand how the division works.
God creating the firmament and dividing the waters symbolizes establishing order and structure in creation, transforming chaos into harmony. The waters above and below represent separate realms: the sky and a possible celestial reservoir above, and seas and oceans below, representing earthly waters.
Sorting items into Keep and Donate boxes involves deciding what to save and what to give away. The Keep box contains items that are valuable and necessary for your new home, while the Donate box is for items to be discarded or donated.
When considering separation, it is important to recognize that, in both cases, it is the actual act of separation that inevitably creates order. In Genesis, God divides the waters to bring structure to the universe. During packing, you divide your possessions to organize and streamline the move.
The waters above and below the firmament symbolize two distinct realms, two separate domains. Likewise, the "keep" and "donate" boxes assign different destinies to your items.
The firmament's role was to create a structured environment for the emergence of life. Separating items into "keep" and "donate" aims to simplify the move and ensure only essential and valued items are transferred to the new home.
Essentially, both processes signify the importance of discernment and setting boundaries to create order, prepare for the future, and support a larger purpose.
What do you need to value more (put in your keep box for eternity)?
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Look around, what items are lying around your home that are not biblically wholesome? Are you still watching movies and listening to songs with demonic or pornographic lyrics? How do you think that makes God feel about your commitment to Him? (I do hope you made time and cleaned out that closet in Book 1.)
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What boundaries do you need to set?... just something to ponder…
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Google AI Overview states:
The word "firmament" refers to the sky, particularly the vault of the heavens where celestial bodies appear to be located. It can also be interpreted as a solid, dome-like structure separating the heavens from the earth. In ancient cosmology, the firmament was often viewed as a physical barrier separating the waters above from the earth below, and sometimes even as the abode of God.
Here's a more detailed explanation:
- Sky and Heavens:
The most common meaning of firmament is the sky, especially as a vast, visible expanse.
- Ancient Cosmology:
In ancient Near Eastern cosmology, the firmament was a solid, dome-like structure that held back the waters above the Earth.
- Biblical Context:
The Bible uses the term firmament to describe the sky created by God on the second day of creation, separating the waters above from the waters below.
Google AI Overview provides this picture to explain the text provided above…
