God is the focus of the Bible
The first 4 words of the Bible point to its purpose. The purpose of the Bible is to teach us about God. So, from the first words, we start to learn about God and His creation. As we learn more about Him, we can exercise more faith and trust in Him. The more we understand who God is, the more we learn that we can put our trust in Him fully. That starts right here in Genesis verse 1.
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”
Genesis 1:1
Words have power
God created the heavens and the earth with His words. God’s words are powerful enough to create life itself.
We have to remember that words have power. When Joshua commanded the sun and moon to stop, they obeyed. (Joshua 10:12-13) Elijah called to the Lord and the soul of a child was restored to its body. (1 Kings 17:20-22)
When the disciples asked why they couldn’t cast out the devil in Matthew 17, Jesus explained that we need faith. He said that, “If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible to you. (Matthew 17:20)
As we exercise faith, our words can have great power. I pray that I can use my words to move the plan of God forward, spread love, and uplift those around me.
The Creation was an act of love
In Genesis 1:2, it says that “the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.”
When I am trying to make a decision for my family, I spend time thinking about it; I “hover” over the decision. I want things to be right for those that I love.
When God was creating the earth for us to live on, He took the time to hover and think about it. This was not something done haphazardly. God was purposeful and thoughtful in the whole process. God made this earth for us in love.
“And God said ‘let there be light,’ and there was light.”
Genesis 1:3
The Days of The Creation
Day 1
God created the heavens and the earth. God gave light to the earth and separated the light and darkness creating day and night.
Day 2
God separated the skies from the earth. He also separated the water on the earth from the dry land.
Day 3
God gave the earth plants and trees of all kinds, and they bore seeds and fruit.
Day 4
God created the sun, moon, and stars. He made the sun rule the day and the moon rule the night.
Day 5
God filled the seas with life, and He created the birds of the air. He created them to reproduce after their own species.
Day 6
God created animals “that move along the ground” (Genesis 1:24) and all types of beasts.
God made man in His image. God gave man dominion over all of the living creatures and plants.
Day 7
On the final day of the creation, God rested. God blessed this day and made it holy. Nothing we can do will change the holiness of the sabbath. Just like with anything God does, we cannot undo it. We can only distance ourselves from Him.
“And God blessed them, and God said unto them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply, and replenish the earth. . .'”
Genesis 1:28
God’s first commandment to man
The first command that God gives to Adam and Eve is to “replenish” or fill the earth.
God gives Adam and Eve this commandment to fill the earth so that we could all have the opportunity to come here, be tested, and, hopefully, return to live with Him.
God gives us commandments to help us stay on the straight and narrow path. The scriptures are a map, and we must learn how to read it.
God commanded man to rule
When God tells Adam and Eve to rule over and subdue the earth and the creatures on it, He is not giving them permission to do as they please with it. God is telling them to manage and enhance the life-giving abilities that He has given.
“humanity’s dominion is a call to stewardship, not a license to pillage.”
Alexander Morrison
I was surprised at how much I learned rereading these verses. I have heard the creation story more times than I can count. But, God has given us the scriptures, and they have so much depth. I truly believe that there is always something new to learn in the scriptures.
What did you learn as you read these verses? What stood out to you? Let me know in the comments. I would love to hear your thoughts and insights. Let us learn together as the body of Christ.
Here We Go Egan 