In the beginning God
By Rev. Ron Purkey
Guest Columnist
Read Genesis 1:1-31
“In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” (Genesis 1:1)
First, the creator: No scientist or historian can improve upon, “In the beginning God … .” This simple statement refutes the atheist, who says there is no God; the agnostic, who claims we cannot know God; the polytheist who worships many gods; the pantheist, who says “all nature is God;” the materialist, who claims matter is eternal and not created; and the fatalist, who teaches there is no divine plan behind creation and history. God’s personality is seen in this chapter, for he speaks, sees, names, and blesses.
The scientist may claim matter just “came into being,” that life “happened,” and all complex forms of life “gradually evolved” from lower forms, but he cannot prove his claim. That there are changes within species (such as the development of the horse or the house cat) we understand. Why did God create the universe? Certainly not to add anything to himself, since he needs nothing. The word of God (the Bible) makes it clear Christ is the author, sustainer, and goal of creation (Colossians 1:15-17; Revelation 4:11). Christ, the living word, reveals God in the written word and in the book of nature (John 1:1-5; also see Psalm 19).
Then, the creation: The earth was formless, so on the first three days, God formed what he wanted. The earth was empty, so God filled up what he had formed. He made the expanse of the heavens (“firmament”) and filled it with stars and planets. He made the land and filled it with plants and animals. He made the seas and filled them with fish and water mammals. God brought light into being before he placed the lights into the heavens. Notice the principle of separation illustrated in creation; for God divided light from darkness and seas from land (see 2 Corinthians 6:14-18). Notice also each living thing was to reproduce “after its kind;” there is no suggestion here of gradual evolution. We may breed different kinds of cattle, but we cannot breed a cow into a reindeer.
Mankind is the crown of creation. There is a “divine conference” among the members of the godhead before mankind is created, something not seen at any other step of the creation. God molded the first man “in his image,” referring to man’s personality — mind, will, emotions, freedom — rather than his physical appearance. (See Ephesians 4:24; Colossians 3:10.) Mankind was given the place of dominion over the earth, the highest position in creation.
What does creation reveal about God? Creation reveals: (1) God’s wisdom and power (Job 28:23-27; Proverbs 3:19); (2) His glory (Psalm 19:1); (3) His power and godhead (Romans 1:18-21); (4) His love for insignificant people (Psalm 8:3-9); (5) His providential care (Isaiah 40:12). Jesus, when on earth, saw the gracious hand of the father even in the flowers and fowl (Matthew 6:25).
Read Ron Purkey’s Bible study outlines at www.rtcol.com/purkey free on the website. Purkey has been an ordained Baptist minister for 50 years.