Genesis 1
Theme: The Creative Word
Key Text: Verse 2

            “In the beginning, God created” (1:1). How did He do it? At the heart of the creation of all things is the word, the command, the voice of God. The wondrous events of the six days hinge on this foundation: “And God said!” In fact, this little phrase is repeated ten times in the chapter, reminding us that nothing was made until God spake, and that His word is creative and productive! “Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the Word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear” (Heb. 11:3).

1. God’s Word And God’s Will

            The divine word is always attached to the divine will! God’s declarations cannot be divorced from His decrees! When He spoke the powerful words, “Let there be light,” His perfect will was manifested. “There was light!” (1:3). This is also evidenced in the frequent association of the words, “And God said . . . and it was so” (1:7, 9, 11, 15). In the words of the Psalmist, “He spake, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast” (Psa. 33:9). When the Almighty speaks, something happens! Truth is productive! And blessed be God, His word cannot be thwarted!

2. God’s Word And God’s Wisdom

            Not only do we observe that God spoke, “and it was so,” but we notice that when He “saw” what He had spoken into existence, “it was good” (1:4, 12, 18, 21, 25). He was pleased with the works of His wisdom! “The Lord by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath He established the heavens” (Pro. 3:19). Behind His marvelous handiwork hangs the curtain of His wisdom! In the stream of His declarations lie the bedrocks of His omniscience! With the Psalmist we declare, “O Lord, how manifold are Thy works! in wisdom hast Thou made them all” (Psa. 104:24).

3. God’s Word And God’s Wonders

            A third truth accentuated in this beginning revelation is that when “God said,” it was not only “so,” and “good,” but it was “very good!” The last testimony of the chapter reads, “And God saw everything that He had made, and, behold, it was very good” (1:31). It was wonderful! As Solomon tells us, “He hath made every thing beautiful in His time” (Ecc. 3:11). Truly, “the heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth His handiwork” (Psa. 19:1). And, even now, when He speaks, He brings our hearts into the wonder and glory of Himself!

Illustration

            Once, while visiting a potter’s shop, I watched a master designer make a vessel. After making the clay pliable, he centered it on the wheel. The larger bottom wheel, connected to the one above by a shaft, was turned by the potter’s foot. The potter, coordinating the entire process, formed and fashioned a beautiful vessel by his know-how. Similarly, our Heavenly Potter, by His creative word and in conjunction with His will, and His wisdom, can make beautiful vessels out of our lives!