In the Beginning
Genesis is the first book of the Bible, and it means beginning. The Bible begins, "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth" (Genesis 1:1, NIV). There is no doubt about who created the heavens and the earth. Martin Luther King, Jr. once observed about the conflict between Religion and Science. "Religion asks "who" created the heavens and the earth? Science asks, "how was it done?" When Theologians use Genesis one as a scientific explanation, I have found that they quickly get in trouble. When scientists discover specific theories about how the earth came into being, jump to the conclusion that there is no God, look equally foolish.
Genesis 1:1 leaves no doubt that God created the heavens and the earth. Jess Moody, a long-time pastor in Hollywood, California, once used a ditty about this verse at a conference I attended. "He cooked the ape in a pan of fat and served him on a platter." According to Moody, Genesis 1:1 answers the atheistic evolutionist (ape) by starting with "God created." This verse also answers the pantheist that says God is in everything. No, according to Genesis 1:1, there was God, and He created everything. It also answers the fatalist that believes there wasn't a higher purpose for our world being created. I heard that jingle over 30 years ago, and it still sticks with me.
The Hebrew word for create is bara. It is used around fifty times in the Hebrew Bible, and every time this verb is used, God is the subject. In other words, the only one who can create is God. In the English language, we use creativity for a lot of areas of discipline. Creative artists such as painters or musicians are referred to as creative. I have even heard it used for athletes that improvise when a play goes wrong. According to the Bible, we don't create, but we discover things God has created.
Another exciting thing about this verse is God's name, which is Elohim in the Hebrew Bible. It is in the plural. God's name is used in the plural in Genesis 1 and is noticeable when He creates humanity. My Jewish friends explain this as God, referring to the heavenly host. I believe God being in the plural could refer to the Trinity. God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
Order from Chaos
God has created the heavens and the earth, but when He comes down to look at the earth, it is formless, or another translation would be chaotic. Genesis 1 teaches that God is going to bring order to the world. The one thing that both Theologians and Scientists can agree on is that our world and everything in it is well-ordered, consistent, and reliable. God is a God of order. According to verse two, the earth was dark, without form, and chaotic. Then God hovers over this dark, formless, and jumbled mess of a world. Elohim is used again for God. Ruach is the Hebrew word used to describe God in this verse. It can be translated as wind, breath, or Spirit. I like the translation Spirit of God. So, the Spirit of God hovered over the earth, observing the chaos. For the rest of the chapter, God brings order out of chaos by creating the world as we know it.
God is not the author of chaos, but when He comes, the order is brought. After the year we had in 2020 and the beginning of 2021, between the pandemic, the election, the protests, riots, etc., our world is in chaos. To get out of this darkness and chaotic behavior, God will have to do work. Everyone does better when their lives are orderly. Studies have shown that children do better when there are boundaries. They do better in clean and tidy houses, mainly if they help in the chores. Kyler Murray, a professional quarterback in the NFL, still gets up every morning and makes his bed and cleans his house first thing. His dad has taught him that living in orderliness helps his ability to play football. I encourage everyone to allow God to bring order to their lives. Spiritual disciplines help order your life.
Six days of Creation
God created the world in six days, and on the seventh day, He rested. The Bible does not tell us the length of the day. I have heard many well-meaning folks insist that they had to be 24-hour days, and if you don't believe that, then you don't believe the Bible. I struggle with that view because the Sun is not created until day 4. I don't think we know the time frame of Creation. I am convinced that God is the creator, which is the emphasis of the author of Genesis.
God used a consistent formula in creating the world. He spoke. Something happened. God pronounced it as good, and the day was over.
Day One: Light
God said, "Let there be light." The earth was dark and formless. The first thing God did was dispel the darkness by creating light. Darkness is often used in the Bible for wickedness. Here it seems to refer back to the earth being in chaos. God shines a light on the darkness to bring order out of the disorder. God is still shining the light on us both literally and figuratively. Believers are to walk in God's light.
Day Two: Sky
On the second day of Creation, God separates the waters, and He speaks the sky into existence. At the time of the writing of Genesis, they believed that water was above them in the sky and the oceans.
Day Three: Earth and Vegetation
On the third day, God spoke dry land and vegetation into existence. The earth was wholly made up of water, and then God prepared dry land to complete His plan of Creation for the earth.
Day Four: Sun, Moon, and Stars
On the fourth day, God created the Sun, moon, and stars. Notice that the creation of light on day one was necessary for God to make the Sun, moon, and stars. This will be true of all the rest of the days.
Day Five: Birds, Fish, and Sea Creatures
On the fifth day, God created the birds and all the creatures that live in the Sea. Again, the Creation of birds and sea creatures depended on the Creation on day two of separating the waters to create a sky.
Day Six: Animals and Humanity
On day six, God created animals and humans. Notice that the Creation of dry land and vegetation on day three made it possible for animals and humans to be completed.
The Creation of humanity has many enlightening truths. Paul taught in Ephesians that God made all of this because He wanted a family. God wanted to have fellowship with His creation, especially humanity, because He creates us male and female in His image. Again, the plural is used to refer to God. Men and women are given souls and the ability to converse with God. They are also given the task of taking care of God's creation. God intends for humans to take care of the earth and every living thing on the planet. Every day after God finished His work of creation, He saw that it was good. However, after He creates humanity, male and female. He saw that it was very good.
Day Seven: Rest
Genesis one contains the creation account of the heavens and earth that is done in six days. On the seventh day, God rests. It is the Sabbath day. I believe God originally intended for us to live in continual rest with Him in the Garden. One of the penalties of the Fall was that Adam was going to have to work the soil. Before, fruit and vegetation just grew without any effort. God desired for humanity to have ample time to enjoy fellowship with God.
Even after the Fall, God gives us a pattern to not work continuously. Six days we are to work, and then we are to rest on the Sabbath. We are not wired to work 24/7. The complaint against Pharoah when the Hebrews were in slavery was that he did not give them a day off to rest and worship.
To become fully spiritually formed in Christ, it is necessary to take a day off to rest and worship. On your Sabbath day, work to eliminate things that cause you stress and worry. Do some things that will relax and refresh your Spirit. Leave your concerns with the Lord. "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28, NLT). God has gifted you with a Sabbath. I pray you will use it wisely.