1.2. FIRST GOD-GIVEN REVELATION IN CREATION (GENESIS 1:1 - 2:25)

The first declaration reveals 'God is,' and we are to believe (Hebrews 11:6 ). Believing brings relationship with a rewarding God. The existence of God is stated in His activity - we begin with God.

Romans 11:36 "For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen."

God is the source (of Him), sustainer (through Him) and the goal (to Him) of all things. As the Scriptures begin with God, and the world begins with God, so ought God to be the fountain-head of our individual lives. The creation revelation relates to God's activity - God is always acting towards us and for us.

As Creator He is personal - sovereign - rational - a moral being. He is revealed as the eternal God, and continuing in Genesis He is seen to be God of conscience - judgment - redemption and restoration.

The answer to why God did create is given in:

Revelation 4:11 "Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created." [A.V.]

Creation is for God's pleasure - for the satisfaction of His will - this gives meaning to the direction of our lives, in so far as our personal beings are concerned. We were created to please God who is love - ( 1 John 4:8 ) out of an act of love.

J. Sidlow Baxter put it well - that in this first basal pronouncement of Scripture (Genesis 1:1 ) there is a denial of all the principal false philosophies which men have propounded:

"'In the beginning God ...'

	That denies atheism with its doctrine of no God.
	That denies polytheism with its doctrine of many gods.

'In the beginning God created ...'

	That denies fatalism with its doctrine of chance.
	That denies evolution with its doctrine of infinite becoming.

'God created heaven and earth.'

	That denies pantheism which makes God and the universe identical.
	That denies materialism which asserts the eternity of matter. "

Genesis 1:1 "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth."

The objects of God's creation were the heaven and the earth - the whole universe invisible and visible - the astronomical universe with its distance that makes the brain reel, all the angelic hosts, and the equally immense field of the microscope, known only to man through the magnifying instruments that his skill has constructed. Attention is focused on the earth whose astronomical insignificance we know, because the Bible is written for man and its relation to man. Genesis 1:1 gives the scientist and geologist all the millions of years that they like to talk about because 'in the beginning' is just a dateless past. What we do know is that a perfect God created perfectly.

Isaiah 45:18 "For thus says the LORD, who created the heavens, who is God, who formed the earth and made it, who has established it, who did not create it in vain, who formed it to be inhabited: 'I am the LORD, and there is no other.'"

Our bountiful earth was perfectly created. The purpose of God was that it be inhabited. Nothing then could mar the songs of the singers of Job:

Job 38:7 "When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God sang for joy."

The name for God used in verse 1 is Elohim - the form of the word is plural, indicating plenitude of power and majesty and allowing for the New Testament revelation of the trinity of the Godhead. In verse 2 we are shown the activity of the Holy Spirit in creation.

Genesis 1:2"The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters."

The interpretation that between verses 1 and 2 there is an indeterminate period of time has been popular with many Bible teachers since G.H. Pember advocated it. In support it is held that the word 'was,' Hebrew HAYAH, should be 'became'. Dake comments that this Hebrew word is translated 'became' 67 times. (Genesis 2:7; 19:26; 20:12; 24:67 etc. ) This is to insist upon a gap between verses 1 and 2 when it is believed a judicial catastrophe took place, and verse 2 earth is introduced in a condition into which it fell as a result of a terrific cataclysm. Isaiah 45:18 is used in support of this:

Isaiah 45:18 "Who did not create it in vain".

The words 'in vain' represent the same Hebrew word TOHU as do the words 'without form.' Isaiah also tells us in chapter 14 about the fall of Lucifer. It is suggested that God created the earth perfect, but some judgment fell upon it in connection with the fall of Satan which left it without form and void, and darkness was upon the face of the deep. Therefore it is claimed that the earth was covered with water and dense clouds so that light did not penetrate to the surface. In contrast, in the original creation 'God created', the Hebrew word BARA emphasises the initiation of the object, to create form, not manipulating it after original creation.

Dr. G. Campbell Morgan said, "It always means origination. This word is never used in Hebrew literature of any other than of God Himself."

There are many interpreters who see this view of a separation between verses 1 and 2 as forced. They see in verse 1 the universe affirmed to be God's creative work. A creation out of nothing and in verse 2, the earth described as without form, and void, showing that the earth was uninhabitable awaiting the action of its creator. The earth was wrapped in darkness. The deep probably signifies that the earth was covered with water. Dr Hugh Ross gives an over looked key to the interpretation and understanding of Genesis one.

"The point of view from which Genesis one creation events are described is from the perspective of an observer on the surface of the ocean, underneath the cloud layer, as implied in the second verse." Hugh Ross - Creation and Time: A Biblical and Scientific perspective on the creation date controversy - NAVPRESS

Students and leaders can by obtaining this and other books by Dr Hugh Ross, receive invaluable insight and help so that they will come to understand and make sense of Genesis one with good theology and good science.

In this primeval state of Genesis 1:2 the Spirit of God intervenes. This is the third person of the Godhead, present with the First and Second persons in the process of creation. The descriptive words 'hovering over' portray an energy giving, shaping, caressing, preparing for the completion of His creation of earth as the place to be inhabited by Man. Divine abundant overflowing love that calculates the meeting of every need of humanity.

Genesis 1:2 "And darkness was on the face of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters."

QUESTIONS FOR GROUP INTERACTION

1. What do the words 'In the beginning God...' mean to you from a personal and teaching viewpoint?
2. As Creator God reveals His character. What do you see and how are you affected?
3. Do you know a Biblical reason why God did create and how does the reason affect you?
4. Creation revelation focuses on God's activity. Can you relate how God is always active towards you and for you?