In the Beginning God Created the Heaven and the Earth

Scripture introduces the reader to God revealed by the splendor of His title and works in the book of all beginnings, Genesis. "In the beginning God (Heb:’ĕ-lō-hîm; אֱלֹהִ֑ים).) created the heaven and the earth" (Gen 1:1 KJV). God in His oneness exists in the past, present, and future as the Creator. His single action brought into existence the heaven and the earth. He set the stage for His inhabitants to come—Yahweh’s companions who would enter into covenant with Him through the finished works of the second Adam. The Lord Himself said He “formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited…” (Isa 45:8).

The plural noun Elohim joins to a singular verb. This Hebrew noun construction emphasizes the one-God’s majesty and greatness as well as encompasses His multiple attributes (Bullinger, 2014; Bernard, 2007). First mention exegesis critically provides the foundation for the progressive development of a word’s meaning. Thus, Gen 1:1 announces the grandeur of God’s attributes wrapped up in the title Elohim.

The word create (Heb: בָּרָ֣א) in this context translates to His exclusive activity to bring "into existence out of nothing" (Apostolic Study Bible, 2014). God did not make the heaven and the earth; rather, He created it. Make means to form something out of pre-existing material, while create reveals Elohim brought the heaven and the earth into existence out of nothing. Only the true God exclusively stakes claims to it. Elohim and Elohim alone created the heaven and the earth.

The glory of Elohim shown in Gen 1:1 brings thought to what purpose the Creator created. King David wondered this same, “When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have ordained; What is man, that you are mindful of him? and the son of man, that you visit him?” (Ps 8:3-4). God created humanity for His glory, purpose, and worship.

Created for His Glory

He brought all things into existence by His will. The prophets tell He created humanity, His workmanship, for His glory (Isa 43:7; cf. Eph 2:10). God created us in His image to show the attributes of the invisible God manifested in flesh when Jesus stepped into time. Sons of God declare the glory of His creation. God’s glory in creation demonstrates His existence (Rom 1:18).

Created for His Purpose

God likewise purposed His creation “in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time” (Eph 1:9b-10a). He made man and woman by His design and in His image. The Apostle Paul wrote in Romans 1:19-20, “For ever since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through His workmanship [all His creation, the wonderful things that He has made], so that they [who fail to believe and trust in Him] are without excuse and without defense” (AMP). Jesus resides today in God’s adopted sons and daughters through the indwelling of the Holy Ghost to make manifest the fruit of His Spirit. Christ followers serve as a living testimony of the Creator’s identity in Christ to an unbelieving world.

Created for His Worship

Elohim also created for humankind to acknowledge His supremacy through worship. Scripture in Rev 4:11 reminds the believer of the Creator’s worthiness to receive glory, honor, and power when the 24 elders fell down before the One on the throne in recognition that by His will all things exist. God purposed the same for all times: to create humanity through His own desire and for His pleasure. In the end, all creation will worship the Creator--Only the One which is, was, and is to come; the Almighty (Rev 1:8, 4:8).
 

Parting Thoughts

The one title Elohim strikes awe and majesty in the hearts of those who truly know Him in fellowship, painting a picture of His magnificence and authority forever etched in the spirit. “For thus saith the Lord that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the Lord; and there is none else” (Isa 45:18).
 

When I studied the word "created," its meaning struck me like a thunderbolt upon realizing God had reason to bring forth something from nothing. His design from nothing created conditions for a future something--covenantal relationship with humanity for His worship, glory, and purpose. As believers, do we sometimes forget the Creator's will in creation?
 

In Rev 4:11, Scripture reiterates “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being” (NIV). Wearing the garment of praise, letting His glory shine, and carrying out His purpose as a regular practice honors and serves our great and mighty God. Further, these practices remind believers in Christ that God formed you for Himself, not accidentally but purposefully and in His image. He values and loves His creation!
 

Our outward actions in response to the Creator activate more intimate relationship with Him. When He asks, "Where are you?", answer with a strong, "Here I am." Be ready to respond to the call for His worship, glory, and purpose for an enriched Christian walk.

Verses for Meditation

“For thus saith the Lord that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the Lord; and there is none else” (Isa 45:18 KJV).

 

“When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have ordained; What is man, that you are mindful of him? and the son of man, that you visit him?” (Ps 8:3-4).

 

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Paron, 2017: Altered Gelli Print"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" (Gen 1:1-2a).



 

References

Bernard, D. (2007). The oneness of God. Florissant, MO: Word Aflame Press.

Bullinger, E.W. (2014). The divine names and titles. Fordland Mound, GB: The Open Bible Trust.