The Work Of Creation

The Work of Creation Genesis 1:1–2:1-3

Memory Verse: Genesis 2:3 – “ And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.”

Comments about Genesis 1:1–2:1-3. For its literary arrangement and order, the story of creation is a classic. The Divine order of the arrangement of events cannot be improved upon. No one needs to neither give in to or apologize to the evolutionists nor compromise with the theistic evolutionists concerning the Genesis account of creation. This entire study will be done from the Bible believer’s position.

I. THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE CREATION WORK 1:1-2

A. The Creation has no PRE-EXISTENCE. v. 1

1 In the beginning God created the heaven and

the earth.

The word “created” means “to do or make” without any pre-existing materials: it means to make something out of nothing. The same word is used in verses 21 and 27.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION: When God did His wonderful creation work, He made all that is - out of nothing. He took nothing and then made something. Isn’t this what really happens when God makes us a new creation. In our total depravity, we are absolutely nothing, but when God saves us, we have a new creation that is in Christ Jesus. A conversion may not seem to be as radical as a creation, but it is just as much a miracle as it was when God created the Heavens and the earth. With God, who is a God of omnipotence, no miracle is either a lesser or greater challenge to Him.

The Creation was with PURPOSE. v. 1

Verses 1 and 2 denote that the creation began with a purpose. These verses describe the beginning of everything in the created realm as it was, is, or shall be. The Lord who is the creator, was also the designer. He knew what creation was to be composed of and had the omnipotence to perform it.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Someone asked, “Has it ever occurred to you that nothing has ever occurred to God?” This question illustrates that God is not only all powerful in His omnipotence, but is all knowing in His omniscience. Within the boundaries of His purpose, He knew just what He was going to accomplish. It is thrilling to study any facet of God’s creation and while doing so recognize the greatness of His purpose. The Lord also has great purpose for each of us. He wants to accomplish His purpose in our lives as we give attention to His Word.

C. The Creation was with POWER. v. 2 (cf. v.1)

2 And the earth was without form, and void; and

darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the

Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

The name of God used here, ELOHIM (Hebrew), describes His strength, power, and majesty. Elohim is the name of God, which supports the idea of a Triune God at work in the creation. (cf. John 1:1-3; Heb. 1:10; Col. 1:16-17). When considering God, one should be mindful that the Godhead always works in complete agreement with absolutely no contradiction and that He does it with absolute power.

Albert Einstein introduced how much power is bundled up inside the atom and expressed it with math. His theory was later proven as nuclear energy was harnessed.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION: When we begin to accept the Lord as the creator God, we also begin to appreciate the power that He has to minister to us in our weakness. It is wonderful trusting His great power to be sufficient for all of our needs.

II. THE CONTINUATION OF THE CREATION WORK (Vv. 3-31)

THE FIRST DAY – The creation of light. vv. 3-5

3 And God said, Let there be light: and there

was light.

4 And God saw the light, that it was good: and

God divided the light from the darkness.

5 And God called the light Day, and the dark-

ness he called Night. And the evening and the

morning were the first day.

The first miracle of creation teaches a great spiritual truth. God created light without anything else producing it but He, Himself. On the fourth day He would create the light bearers (stars, sun, etc.) to allow the light to continue from a natural source (vv. 14-23). By Him creating the light first, we have the benefit of immediately seeing the light from many light years away without having to wait for the light to arrive. The light came first; then came the light bearers.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION: He is also the originator of man’s light (John 1:4-5). When man is illuminated at salvation, he becomes a witness, or light-bearer, to let his light so shine forth that others might see Christ in him. (cf. John 1:9; Acts 13:47; Rom. 13:12; Eph. 5:8, 14; 1Thess. 5:5)