"In the beginning" God created, i.e., called into being, all things out of nothing. This creative act on the part of God was absolutely free, and for infinitely wise reasons. The cause of all things exists only in the will of God. The work of creation is attributed (1) to the Godhead (Gen. 1:1, 26); (2) to the Father (1 Cor. 8:6); (3) to the Son (John 1:3; Col. 1:16, 17); (4) to the Holy Spirit (Gen. 1:2; Job 26:13; Ps. 104:30). The fact that he is the Creator distinguishes Jehovah as the true God (Isa. 37:16; 40:12, 13; 54:5; Ps. 96:5; Jer. 10:11, 12). The one great end in the work of creation is the manifestation of the glory of the Creator (Col. 1:16; Rev. 4:11; Rom. 11:36). God's works, equally with God's word, are a revelation from him; and between the teachings of the one and those of the other, when rightly understood, there can be no contradiction. Traditions of the creation, disfigured by corruptions, are found among the records of ancient Eastern nations. (See [132]ACCAD.) A peculiar interest belongs to the traditions of the Accadians, the primitive inhabitants of the plains of Lower Mesopotamia. These within the last few years have been brought to light in the tablets and cylinders which have been rescued from the long-buried palaces and temples of Assyria. They bear a remarkable resemblance to the record of Genesis. (The creation of all things is ascribed in the Bible to God, and is the only reasonable account of the origin of the world. The method of creation is not stated in Genesis, and as far as the account there is concerned, each part of it may be, after the first acts of creation, by evolution, or by direct act of God's will. The word create (bara) is used but three times in the first chapter of Genesis-- (1) as to the origin of matter; (2) as to the origin of life; (3) as to the origin of man's soul; and science has always failed to do any of these acts thus ascribed to God. All other things are said to be made . The order of creation as given in Genesis is in close harmony with the order as revealed by geology, and the account there given, so long before the records of the rocks were read or the truth discoverable by man, is one of the strongest proofs that the Bible was inspired by God.--Ed.) The formation of things which had no previous existence -- Ro 4:17; Heb 11:3. Effected By God. -- Ge 1:1; 2:4,5; Pr 26:10. By Christ. -- Joh 1:3,10; Col 1:16. By the Holy Spirit. -- Job 26:13; Ps 104:30. By the command of God. -- Ps 33:9; Heb 11:3. In the beginning. -- Ge 1:1; Mt 24:21. In six normal days. -- Ex 20:11; 31:17. According to God's purpose. -- Ps 135:6. For God's pleasure. -- Pr 16:4; Re 4:11. For Christ. -- Col 1:16. By faith we believe, to be God's work -- Heb 11:3. Order of First day, making light and dividing it from darkness. -- Ge 1:3-5; 2Co 4:6. Second day, making the firmament or atmosphere, and separating the waters. -- Ge 1:6-8. Third day, separating the land from the water, and making it fruitful. -- Ge 1:9-13. Fourth day, placing the sun, moon, and stars to give light, &c. -- Ge 1:14-19. Fifth day, making birds, insects, and fishes. -- Ge 1:20-23. Sixth day, making beasts of the earth, and man. -- Ge 1:24,28. God rested from, on the seventh day -- Ge 2:2,3. Approved of by God -- Ge 1:31. A subject of joy to angels -- Job 38:7. Exhibits The deity of God. -- Ro 1:20. The power of God. -- Isa 40:26,28; Ro 1:20. The glory and handiwork of God. -- Ps 19:1. The wisdom of God. -- Ps 104:24; 136:5. The goodness of God. -- Ps 33:5. God as the sole object of worship. -- Isa 45:16,18; Ac 17:24,27. Glorifies God -- Ps 145:10; 148:5. God to be praised for -- Ne 9:6; Ps 146:5,6. Leads to confidence -- Ps 124:8; 146:5,6. Insignificance of man seen from -- Ps 8:3,4; Isa 40:12,17. Groans because of sin -- Ro 8:22. Illustrative of The new birth. -- 2Co 5:17; Eph 2:10. Daily renewal of saints. -- Ps 51:10; Eph 4:24. Renewal of the earth. -- Isa 65:17; 2Pe 3:11,13.
Creation