In seeking to discover the first truth as to God revealed in the Scriptures, we should notice the first chapter of John, verse 1. It takes us back before any beginning in creation—no sky, land, nor creatures. What august dignity and majesty attach to this description! Perhaps this is all we are told of the Creator before the creation except what is found in Prov. 8, "My delights were with the sons of men." The first advent of Christ has prepared the way to fulfill His desire; the second will complete it all in glory (Heb. 9:28).
Christ is the Creator, Savior, and Son of God. In Him was life; all things were made by Him, and He is the Author of life. We have Adam life in virtue of creation. When we speak of eternal life for those who are saved, we know that we have this only through Christ's death. This is new creation. "I am the resurrection and the life" were His words to Martha. One can only wonder and adore at such language as this from the Creator Himself. Why was this to include me? If in this world there are such joys in anticipation, what will we experience when all of our hopes are realized (1 Cor. 2:9)?
Every upright person will have to admit that naturally he is estranged from God (Isa. 59:2). Sin separates from God. Not only this, but a person's life here has taken him so far from God that it seems there is no way back. Often he feels, "Only to be a child again to drink deeply into the simplicity of faith."
"Backward, turn backward, Oh time in your flight, Make me a child again Just for tonight."
But alas, the mind turns from this simplicity, being spoiled through the deceitfulness of sin. That is why the Bible says, "Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein." Luke 18:17.
What a time of joy it must have been when the foundations of the earth were laid! Is it necessary to know how they were laid? Are there any spiritual benefits involved in acquaintance with the mechanics of the process? If so, would not God have given an account of these things? Where He is silent does it not behoove us to be silent, too? Creation cannot be the textbook for life in the Spirit. God spake! It was done! How simple for faith. Would you expect anything else of God? This is all that faith needs, because the new man has a nature which delights in God and is satisfied with whatever He is pleased to reveal (Psa. 119:57,93).
It would seem that "sons of God" is a title given to angels in the Old Testament (Job 1:6; Gen. 6:4). Since angels participated in the joys of the creation of the earth, they themselves must have been created before that momentous event (Job 38:7).
In the beginning—God. The next part of verse 1 Says, "created the heaven and the earth." We know a living God. He can choose to do the thing that He pleases at any time. The time shall come when there shall be only one will in the entire creation. All others shall be subject. This will be voluntary on earth and in heaven (2 Peter 3:13).
Through faith we understand; there is no other way. Faith understands, because the believer simply rests upon what God has said. This is understanding. Reason is lost in the infinite. If a natural man cannot understand the visible creation, consisting of a possible three million creatures of various species, how can he understand One who fills all things as Man, Christ, or One who is "all in all"—God?
The Bible is truth, fact to be believed, not to reason. Reason may be used by man to carry out his existence here as to natural things, a material creation. The spirit of man is contact with God, and this relationship can be entered into or carried on only by faith. Reason must not ever enter here. Dependence and obedience, the character of man's moral being, were lost in the garden of Eden (Gen. 3:6-11). They must be recovered or all for man is lost forever. One who now believes God's Word has eternal life, brought back into His favor again, through faith in the work of God's Son on the cross. If man would like to reason with God, he should first read what God said to Job in chapter 40, verses 1 to 14. It is in the flesh that man reasons (Rom. 15:13).
We can only view with extreme sadness the reasoning world around us vainly trying to find God, while we rejoice already in the full revelation of Himself to us as Father, through His Son Jesus Christ.
Instead of questioning God's ways in creation, the Psalmist sings praises and bows in reverence at the revelation God has given of it (Psa. 36:5-10). Faith has learned that God's ways are just and without partiality. Oh that we might seek the Lord and feel after Him! What an eternal loss which can never be measured—to lose the companionship forever, of such a wise, benevolent, loving God. Faith is found simply by hearing God's Word (Rom. 10:17).
The second verse of the Bible tells a very sad story. God has not been pleased to reveal details to us of what happened to bring the creation into this terrible state—"waste, empty." We know that everything God allows in His creation, being foreknown, is for eventual good. It follows then, that after the first verse of Genesis there is room for all the preparing of that which may be seen in the unearthing of fossils in the rocks as well as the great stores of energy in various forms such as gas, coal, oil, uranium, and the like. Such explorations, however, if for the purpose of questioning the Bible's veracity, betray infidel minds and hearts and stand as omens of a terrible judgment from the very God of creation. We do not refer to necessary research for the use and application of resources which God has provided (Job 28:1-9. J.N.D. Tran.). On the contrary, this is the use intended (Deut. 8:9),
and man's mind was fitted for this. Only moral issues are meant here. Faith comes by hearing—not by seeing—God's Word. "While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen." 2 Cor. 4:18.
No doubt, during those ages so spoken of, God was forming the earth for man to be its head (Gen. 1:26-28). Man had no precedent; all of the fruitless exhuming has brought no light as to the origin of species. The book of Genesis remains as the only light upon the dark history of man and his beginning. Atheistic claims as to the unearthing of evidences of prehistoric man stand only in speculation, plaster of paris, and wire. God did not merely make fossils, surely, to lie in the rocks; but although ferns, fish, and other animals, as well as evidences of other creations, may be shown with reasonable accuracy, nothing that resembles intelligent man, as God made him approximately six thousand years ago, has been produced. This, of course, cannot be, because God's Word is forever settled in heaven. "Thy Word is truth." To seek evidences of man's ancestry other than what is given in the divine record is gross infidelity for anyone who has the Word of God in his possession.
The beneficent Creator intended man to have sky, land, and sea with broad plains, mountains, valleys, and rivers (Job 28:9,10). He prepared fiery flashing gems -sapphires, diamonds, rubies, and gold and silver. His omniscience prepared for man copper, iron, tin, nickel, as well as a variety of metals, not to speak of a medley of abrasive stones hidden away in the lower parts of the earth, many now exposed by watercourses.
How all of this should draw forth praise and devotion as we see the purpose before Him whose delights were with the sons of men. One who is not thankful for these blessings betrays the distance his heart is from God through the fall of Adam and the fact that he has never been redeemed with the precious blood of Christ, who is the Creator as well as the Savior. It will be the Rock of Ages who will be found to be the stable resting-place of security when the Lord arises to shake terribly the earth. The age of rocks will not matter then. At that time He will shake heaven as well. A "place" will offer no security then, but a "Man" shall be a hiding place from the storm (Isa. 32:2).
The time will come when all in heaven and earth shall praise the Lord. During the millennial reign of Christ the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea. His people, Israel, shall be near unto Him. Of the three kingdoms, only the heavenly and earthly shall be reconciled. The infernal shall be subjected to judgment forever (Phil. 2:10; Col. 1:20).
Verse 3 brings us to the first day of the present creation. Darkness upon the face of the deep is dispelled, as light comes into evidence in creation. It was the evening and the morning of the first day. Christ is the Light who dispels the moral darkness for everyone who believes on Him. Christ is the first thought that God would set before us as we read His Word. Every truth of Scripture centers upon the Person and work of Christ. Christ is the only Light that man will ever have. In the eternal state Christ will be the Light and Sun—no artificial nor created light—just Christ (Rev. 21:23). What could we do without light? The eye would be useless (Eph. 6:13). Life could not continue without it. For the same reason, what could you do in eternity without Christ? What kind of an existence will it be for you? Exist you shall, either in eternal bliss or in the blackness of darkness forever. Your choice has been made this very moment. All that you possess is the precious "Now" (2 Cor. 6:2). Whatever your choice is at present determines your destiny, should you slip away where decisions are no longer a matter of your choice.
The firmament alluded to in the sixth verse is the heaven where the birds fly -the atmosphere which encloses flesh and blood (Job 37:16). There will be no need of this in the eternal state because flesh and blood shall not inherit the kingdom of God (Rev. 21:1; 1 Cor. 15:50). Life shall then be in spirit for man, the beasts having perished (2 Peter 2:12;. Psa. 49:12). The present effort of man to leave his habitation is of Satan and shall bring judgment. Man without Christ will never be content. All of his present efforts are the result of lack of contentment.
On the third day the earth rose out of the water, and the coastline appeared. Majestic cliffs, sandy beaches, excellent harbors emerged. What a lesson for those of us who wend our way through a maze of unintelligible paths. God works all things together for good. Who but a wretched, materialistic-minded, soul-destroying agnostic could deny the majestic touch of the hand of the Divine Architect in this, the only light man has about creation. This revelation satisfies the new man.
As the tall and stately form of Mount Everest rose before the mind's eye, followed by other high peaks, thirty thousand feet of water assuaged, leaving the beginning of a veritable garden of Eden. Immediately the continents with the islands appeared, forming the earth in its present shape ready for the creation following. How glorious all of this as God unveiled for the first time the sculpture formed in His secret laboratory! Would this not show the Creator's detailed interest in His choice creature, man? At God's command the sea remains at its given boundary (Job 38:8-11; Psa. 33:6-9).
After bringing the earth, sky, air, rivers, mountains, valleys, into the present order, God covered the earth with a mantle of grass, herbs, vegetables, trees, with green as the color to be so prominently a picture of prosperity, mercy, and rest. No other color would do for the vegetation of the earth besides green.
Having provided these things for man's happiness, still the earth was quiet, no living thing on the face of it except vegetation.
There could have been breezes blowing which would cause the sea to lap against the shore, but no creature to enjoy the creation, no birds in the air nor cattle in the field, no creatures in the sea. If former creations included present species, they succumbed in the succeeding cataclysm (Gen. 1:2).
How infinitesimal we know ourselves to be as we consider the third day. What beautiful vistas in the midst of tranquility—verdant hills, fruitful trees of great variety, vegetables, nuts, plants of diversity and beauty, prepared by the One whose delights were with the sons of men. If we become bored, it surely is not because He made it uninteresting. If we eat the same food day after day it is not because of lack of diversity. Truly the curse has left its mark, but does not that apply to man's mind as well (Gen. 6:5)? How can man rightly enjoy anything while out of communion with his Creator? Just as the present creation began out of a chaotic earth, so the new creation takes man dead in trespasses and sins (Eph. 2:1-10), and through the work of Christ on the cross, God makes a new creature in Christ Jesus (2 Cor. 5:17). Faith is the touchstone. Surely Wisdom is at work in the creation before us, but how generous the results as we view the new creation by the same Author (1 Cor. 15:52,53).
What treasured resources lie untouched beneath those purple mountains! What supplies of dainties upon fruitful plains! "Yet I beheld and there was no man." The scheme in its entirety was yet to be completed ere God would place the special creature, man, in his position on the earth as head over it all (Gen. 1:26,28).
The sun, moon, and stars were yet to be set in their orbits for seasons, day and night, summer and winter, also leaving a symbolic meaning—sun, supreme authority; moon, subordinate; stars, individual lights or governments. With the sun, heat is present as well as light, drawing out the grass in luxuriant growth, while the sun warmed and brightened the entire earth in course of its circuit. The sun is so important for this life that man in forgetting God has singled out the sun to worship as if it had life in itself. This was simply pagan worship. Even Israel stooped to this in Manasseh's time (2 Kings 23:5,11). Satan will again be publicly worshipped, not only by Israel, but by Christendom as well (Rev. 13:4).
As the fifth day came into being the waters of the sea began to bring forth abundantly the moving creatures which had life. The air began to sound with the flapping of wings, as different varieties of fowl were created (Lev. 11:1-30). Great monsters, whales, sharks, otters, seals, walruses, and multitudes of ocean-borne creatures, and creatures of the air, were seen playing in an unspoiled creation.
What wondrous wisdom was here displayed as one after another of the marvels of creation unfolded; still no man—until all was ready for him.
Then on the sixth day animals came into being, everything on the earth that moved about. This would include insects, rodents, and such creatures not specifically mentioned. What a variety! What endless differences in the natures as each acts in its own sphere and way. Each was created for God's glory. Approximately three million kinds have been recorded, including the creatures of the sea.
The crane, turtle-dove, and swallow were used by the prophet for a reminder to Israel in days of declension that Israel could not judge their own state nor time (Jer. 8:7).
Israel was also reminded that safety could not be found in the horse, which is a symbol of superiority in nature (Psa. 33:16-18).
As Peter found himself denying his Lord, the cock reminded him of the Word of God (Luke 22:60,61).
In rejecting their Messiah, Israel was told by the Lord that His affection for them was like a mother hen guarding her brood (Matt. 23:37).
Israel had gotten so far away from God that the prophet Isaiah has to remind them that the dumb ox and ass have more intelligence than they (Isa. 1:3).
The serpent or dragon seems instinctively to remind us of Satan (Gen. 3:1; Rev. 12:9). The curse will never be removed from the serpent (Gen. 3:14).
God uses beasts to set forth the character of various empires (Dan. 7:3).
In the judgment of the living, sheep and goats are used to distinguish between the saved and lost (Matt. 25:31-33).
A he-goat and a ram are used to typify a strong king (Dan. 8:4,5).
Four little things are used to show forth exceeding wisdom (Prov. 30:24-28).
The eagle speaks of omniscience or speed of judgment, as the text determines; the dove, peace (Rev. 4:7; Job 28:7; Isa. 46:11; John 1:32).
Many animals are used to distinguish the clean from the unclean (Lev. 11). The raven is outstanding as unclean, yet God used it to feed Elijah (1 Kings 17:4).
The Lord Jesus commanded the fish and took a coin from its mouth (Matt. 17:27).
A great fish was used to take Jonah where God wanted him (Jonah 2:10).
An ass was used to rebuke Balaam (Num. 22:28). The only thing it was ever said that the Lord Jesus had need of was a colt, the foal of an ass (Matt. 21:3). This pictures man in his unbroken state (Job 11:12).
Hornets were used to drive the Canaanites from the land (Ex. 23:28; Josh. 24:12).
The lion is a figure of Judah arising in a coming day in power, supreme (Gen. 49:9).
The greyhound is comely (Prov. 30:29-31).
These examples should suffice to show how all was created for Christ's glory, and He as the last Adam will soon take His place over the entire creation (Psa. 8). How we should thank and praise the Lord that His delights are with us.
On this same sixth day, although distinct from the animal creation, God created man in His image and likeness, a unique being who was to be head of the whole creation; that is, the creation spoken of in the six days of Gen. 1. The heavens or their inhabitants are not the question here (Psa. 115:16). He was given a spirit which the animals do not have, linking him with God in a special way. Man was made upright to look to his God in the heavens, not with his head down as the animals. God also made a helpmeet for him which He took out of Adam's side, a type of the Church taken from Christ's riven side (Eph. 5:22-33).
A distinct mark of superiority above the beasts, found in Adam at the moment he was created, was that one of his faculties was the power of speech. The ability to name the newly-created animals as well as to talk with God seems to be sufficient evidence of his headship unquestioned. There are no indications of so-called evolution up to this point from the divine record, and one would look further in vain. Man's mind alone, estranged from God, could invent such debasing philosophy. "If they speak not according to this Word, it is because there is no light in them." Isa. 8:20. The crucible and microscope do not support the results of man's infidel reasoning. Reason cannot enter the sanctuary of God. Faith in God's Word alone gives peace to the troubled heart and a true answer to the mind. We find "joy and peace in believing" (Rom. 15:13).
Language was a necessary part of Adam's person as created. This is one of the ways that intelligent man might express himself; and intelligent he was from the day he was created, as we have seen. Adam gave his wife the name Eve (mother of all living). Through this act of faith God could give him a coat of skins after he had sinned. What a full vocabulary he must have had to name the smallest of creatures as well as the largest—names which still carry, though translated into various languages, since the Tower of Babel and its consequences because of man's pride and departure from God (Gen. 11:9). Even at the dispersion, different tribes of men suddenly found themselves with a new language which their fellow workmen could not understand. The reverse was true with Peter on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:8-11). These are events of great significance to faith. Truly the poet wrote, "In Him we live, and move, and have our being." The very breath which we breathe is constant: without it for five minutes we would be left a corpse. Where, then, my friend, would you spend your eternity, a creature with a never-dying soul? The divine record is all man has of creation. By the same token, the divine record is the only one which can show you how to solve your destiny. Won't you be wise and set your feet on solid ground now?
"Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that heareth My Word, and believeth on Him that sent Me, bath everlasting life, and shall not come into [judgment]; but is passed from death unto life." John 5:24.
The seventh day brought rest. The Sabbath day is the very heart of the Jewish faith (Lev. 23). It speaks of one resting from all of his toil as God did from His upon completing creation. How rich and sweet the rest that remains for the people of God, as soon we shall cease our toils here to enter forever our home with the One we love.
"My longing heart, now pillowed On Jesu's breast of love, Hath oft to me foreshadowed, That blissful rest above; But, O my soul, remember, None shall be weary there; The ransomed without number God's blessed rest will share."
Have you ever thought what it would be like should we be shut out from all of the good that a new creation promises, having already been given by the Spirit special tokens of a bliss that Eden pictures only faintly?
How these meditations mellow the sub-j ect heart and cause it to spread its roots deeper into the only revelation that can satisfy the thirsty soul and speak peace to a troubled heart. At the same time it causes one to bow in humble gratitude to a Creator-God who spent all for our salvation in giving heaven's richest Object, who makes known to us a new creation that, worthy only of God, accepts us into the divine favor "in the Beloved."
"O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out! "For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been His counselor? "Or who hath first given to Him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again? "For of Him, and through Him, and to Him, are all things: to whom be glory forever. Amen."
Rom. 11:33-36.