Read: Genesis 1
“In the beginning God created the heavens and
the earth” (v. 1). Everything in our
world has a beginning, except God. He is
eternal and was already there when the universe came into being. We live in a world that feels it needs to
prove the existence of God, but the Bible was written with the assumption that
God was always there. Instead of seeing
chapter 1 of Genesis as a chapter about the creation of the universe it is
important to see it as a chapter that introduces the Creator. Although this chapter does tell us how the world
came to be, it is important that we do not miss WHO made it come to be. This chapter, which contains 31 verses, uses
the name God 35 times!
This chapter
is beautifully structured and it is orderly, starting with a formless and void
earth (v. 2). In the six days of
creation we can see a correspondence between the first three days and the last
three days. In the first three days God
creates contrasting environments: light and darkness (v. 3-5), sky and ocean (v.
6-8), and land and sea (v. 9-10). On the
third day, God also begins to fill this earth, which now has form, with plants
(v. 11-13). On the fourth day God
creates the sun, moon and stars (v. 14-19) which correspond to the light and
darkness that were created on day one.
The fifth day has God creating the birds and fish (v. 20-23) filling the
sky and sea that was created on day two.
Then on the sixth day He creates animals (v. 24-25) and Adam (v. 26-31)
to live on the land which was created on day three. The earth is now full of LIFE!
There are a
few things worth noting about the creation of Adam and Eve. God created both Adam and Eve in His image
(v. 26-27). This is quite meaningful and
important to mediate on – when God wanted to make something in HIS image, He
created people! Our world is pretty
incredible with its starry nights, mountains, plants, and animals but we are
the culmination of God’s creation and the only ones who bear His image. Even though sin has marred this image, every
single human being, from the unborn baby to the elderly in a nursing home to
those with disabilities is all created in the image of God. This gives value to life – all human
life. We must treat ALL people with
respect and dignity because they are God’s image-bearers. This means we respect and honor others with
our actions and our speech. We must
align completely with scripture; we cannot depreciate human life to being
merely a higher form of animal life.
God also
gave Adam and Eve dominion over all of creation and commanded them to subdue it
(v. 26-28). This means that humans are
to bring the world under their control, to rule and develop the world’s
resources in a way that is beneficial for them to use. This does not mean that humanity is to
exploit the world’s resources as a result of greed. We are to use the earth wisely and govern it
in a responsible way showing care of God’s creation. The chapter is concluded with the statement,
“ When God looked at His creation it was
pleasing to Him. In this chapter we see
that God created the universe out of nothing and that He was pleased with what
He had made.
It is
important to note that Genesis does not give us complete scientific
explanations of creation but rather emphases that God is the Creator. Hebrews 11:3 tells us that it is “by faith that we understand that the worlds
were prepared by the word of God”.
We must also understand that this book celebrates God as creator and
worship Him for His creation and for creating us in His image.
Prayer and Journaling
1. In
this chapter we see a personal God who makes decisions, has thoughts and
speaks. He spoke things into being,
which tells of His power – He gives ten commands in this chapter and each are
fulfilled according to His will. Our God
is creative! There is so much variety in
creation, there is symmetry, there is artistry, there is uniqueness, and there
is imagination! Our God is living and
active, He speaks and wants to relate to His creation. Our God is good therefore everything that He
creates is good. Spend some time
praising and thanking God for these attributes.
Ask Him to give you words, thoughts and pictures about the variety in
His creation and how this represents Him.
Linger, wait on Him and let yourself give Him glory for who He is.
2. Scientists
all believe in the laws and rules that govern the universe. Why is the universe orderly? The answer is clear; it is because God the
Creator of all things who is the rational, loving God and who constantly
reveals himself to humankind, upholds the universe by His own power. God created everything in an orderly and
precise way. The universe follows laws
of physics that God created because He is orderly. Spend some time thanking and praising God for
His design of the universe. Ask Him to
grow in you an appreciation for the science around you and help you see Him in
the world through it.
3. We
must treat ALL people with respect and dignity because they are God’s
image-bearers. This means that we
respect and honor ALL people with our actions and our speech. Ask the Lord to reveal to you a time when you
dishonored somebody. This could be an
individual person or a people group. Ask
Him to forgive you for this sin. Pray
that you would grow to love and respect ALL people, as His image-bearers (the
unborn, the disabled, criminals, the elderly, other ethnicities, etc.)
