The whole difference between construction and creation is exactly this: that a thing constructed can only be loved after it is constructed; but a thing created is loved before it exists. -- Charles Dickens
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. (Genesis 1:1)
This short sentance is so heavy with meaning, that entire tomes have been written about it. I cannot even begin to give justice to it in a simple blog.
It gives us information about three things. The nature of God, the nature of Creation, and the relationship between them.
"In the beginning, God..." acknowledges that there was a fixed point in history in which the physicality of nature around us, earth and space both, came into existance. When they did come to exist, they did so because God willed them to exist.
This tells us that God existed before, and apart from nature. He is Spirit (non-physical in nature). (John 4:24) He is not any god, but The God, with particular characteristics.
It demonstrates the Superior nature of God, and the subordinate nature of his creation. Thus, it is both the honor and responsibility of all his creation to give him the respect (worship) owed to him.
It shows him to be infinite in both power and wisdom, to create such a vast and delicately-balanced universe. It implies his omni-presence that he is able to sustain it. It shows him to be well-able to perform any Biblical miracle. What is it for the God who made atoms and stars to part an ocean, feed five thousand, or raise the dead?
In making a creation which was originally unblemished by corruption, sin, or death, it tells us that He himself is incorruptable, sinless and eternal. It could be good only if he is perfect.
Having barely scratched the surface of what this tells us about God's attributes, let us discover his purposes. It is irrational to believe that such a God as we have described would design so intricately, and have no purpose in mind. A jeweller makes his work to sell as art. Architects build for both function and asthetic. Assistive devices of all kinds peform a task. This instructs us that his creation, likewise has a purpose.
We were designed to fill a purpose. His creation reflects his glory. The power of the ocean depths, the beauty of a sunset, the rugged strength of mountains, and the awesome diversity of life. The greatest to the least each in turn glorifies its maker. He blessed one class of creature, though lower than himself, with the greatest gift God could bestow. He made man (race, not gender) in his own Image.
We in turn, were to know, and have a relationship with Him. He gave us all we needed to live, and gave us Himself so we could live well.
And it was good.
Until...
(Link here to the next post in the series)
