Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Moses begins the first book of Scripture with an account of creation that stresses the awesome nature and creative activity of the covenant God who delivered Israel from the hand of Pharaoh. In the introduction of this “first creation account” (1:1-2:3), God is presented as the One who is “in the beginning” (v. 1a), who creates “the heavens and the earth” (v. 1b), and who brings order and form to a creation that is originally “formless and void” (v. 2). The remainder of the account, 1:3-2:3, stresses the same aspects of God – His awesome nature and creative work – by describing in detail the day by day activities in which the eternal and self-existent God fashioned and ordered a “good” universe.

The interpersonal dynamics of the awesome God who creates is hinted at in this passage. First of all, God is the one responsible for the creating. Second, God’s Spirit seems to be the active force by which the formless earth is ordered (v. 2). And third, the means by which this creative activity is carried out is the divine word; a point that may be seen in the tenfold repetition of the phrase, “And God said” (1:3, 6, 9, 11, 14, 20, 24, 26, 28, and 29). It is not until one comes to the New Testament, however, that one discovers the full significance of the role of the word in creation. Here we learn that the word by which heaven and earth were formed was no mere utterance with volume and pitch, but a person with DNA and a blood type. This is the Word who was “in the beginning … with God” (John 1:1), through whom “all things came into being” (v. 3). The second person of the Trinity is the creator, sustainer, and redeemer of the cosmos.

Moses and Israel were to derive hope from recognizing that the covenant God of Israel was not only the Redeemer who brings His people out of Egypt, but also the Creator who is responsible for the existence of the heavens, the earth, and all they contain. In the same way, we who are in Christ are to recognize Him as not only the Savior of our souls, but also as the One who was there in the beginning when all things were made, and who will be their in the end when all things are made new (Rev. 21:5). The Word made flesh is our only hope. He was responsible for the first creation, and He is and will be responsible for the New Creation.

Audio from this week’s lesson: Genesis 1:1-2:3

Text for this coming Sunday: Genesis 1:24-31

~DGG