The Who of Creation
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” (Genesis 1:1)
This year, would you join me in reading the Old Testament together? Each week, I will be reading a chapter of Genesis in our morning worship and publishing my reflections here. Let’s read a chapter of Genesis and marvel at God together.
Beginning with Genesis 1, everyone wants to know the “how” of creation. Moses is not concerned with the “how” but with the “Who.” Who is God? This is the most fundamental question of the Christian faith. What does Genesis 1 tell us about God? First, He is the absolute first Being. Before the beginning, there was God. Second, God is independent; He needed no help in creating nor sustaining this world. Third, if God existed before the creation, He is infinite – infinite in time (eternity) and infinite in quantity (immense). If God is infinite, then, fourth, God is unchangeable. An infinite God cannot improve, or He would not be infinite. Nor can an infinite God decline. Fifth, He is perfect altogether. Sixth, God is one in essence, as seen in the singular “create.” But, seventh, God is a triune, as seen in the plural of the word for God (Elohim). (cf. John 1:1-4; Gen. 1:2)
Thus, we can speak of God in three ways. We can speak of God by way of His relation to us as our Creator, Preserver, Governor, and, ultimately, Redeemer. Next, we can speak of God by way of analogy, seeing Him reflected in the world He’s created. Every atom, every cell, every fiber of creation says something of our Creator. In the spider’s web, we see a reflection of His wisdom. In the lion’s power, we see a dim reflection of His almighty power. Oh, the Book of Creation could fill eternity with praise! Lastly, we can speak by way of negation, removing any imperfection from the creature when we speak of God. What do I mean? We are bound by time and space, but God is not. We dependent on others for everything, but not God. He is independent and in need of no one. Our wisdom comes slow and in parts, but God is wisdom altogether.
If these things are true concerning God and creation, then why do we so often place more trust in creatures instead of the Creator? God is superior by far, and His offer to be for us is far more free. God is independent; He needs nothing from us, so He can offer Himself freely without any recompense. Man’s heart is full of duplicity; God is simple and His decree immutable. Oh, let the comparison convince you of the world’s futility and our God’s fullness that our hearts may be weaned from the world, that we may place our whole trust in God.
