Post by David on Mar 19, 2009 2:15:29 GMT -5
"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." - NKJV
There is a plethora of meaning and information here. Let us begin with the first phrase, "in the beginning."
"In the beginning..." This phrase is not referring to God's beginning as this is the opening to the story of mankind and the universe. The beginning in reference here is that of the beginning of "the heavens and the earth." It is also saying, however, that we should not consider what was before as there is no need to. God clearly wants us to understand that this was, in fact, the beginning of what we need to know. Also, throughout the Bible, God continues to remind us to remember our history, our past, and our origins. This is one of the core images that God wants us to keep in mind.
"...God created..." One of the most powerful statements. Only God has the power to create something out of nothing which is demonstrated here. However, we must also note that in the beginning God was already there. He was there before the heavens and before the earth. This phrase also insinuates that God is not of our universe because something cannot create another thing that is also itself. So here we see that not only does God have complete power but we also see that God is separate from the laws of our universe. Here, God establishes His sovereignty over all that is; heaven and earth. The word God is actually that of 'elohiym which implies a plural sense to God. As a Christian, I see this as a truth in the manner that the Trinity created the heavens and earth and that it is plural due to the properties of the Trinity and its triple counsel of power. I also appreciate that the word "created" was used for it implies creativity, uniqueness, and thoroughly planned thought. God did not just randomly throw everything together as a sporadic form of odd art but rather an incredibly complex layering of reasoned out desires. It is also interesting to note that Moses did not attempt to defend or prove God's existence; He simply, purely, and truthfully is. Plus, it is impossible to understand completely who God is and I believe Moses understood that. If Moses tried it would only leave us yearning for more no matter how much was revealed.
"... the heavens and the earth" Also translated "the skies and the earth." However, I believe that due to the concept that this is written for man's understanding, that it would also be for mankind's perspective; hence, skies refers to all the heavens because if one is on the earth and looks up, the skies are everything other than the earth. Here God also reveals His focus. God created all of the heavens and then our single little earth. The expanse of the heavens is huge but God decided to separate earth from the heavens. Otherwise, would not it merely say "God created the universe" or "God created all that is"? He wanted us to know that within the entire universe, earth and mankind was the focus of His attention.
There is a plethora of meaning and information here. Let us begin with the first phrase, "in the beginning."
"In the beginning..." This phrase is not referring to God's beginning as this is the opening to the story of mankind and the universe. The beginning in reference here is that of the beginning of "the heavens and the earth." It is also saying, however, that we should not consider what was before as there is no need to. God clearly wants us to understand that this was, in fact, the beginning of what we need to know. Also, throughout the Bible, God continues to remind us to remember our history, our past, and our origins. This is one of the core images that God wants us to keep in mind.
"...God created..." One of the most powerful statements. Only God has the power to create something out of nothing which is demonstrated here. However, we must also note that in the beginning God was already there. He was there before the heavens and before the earth. This phrase also insinuates that God is not of our universe because something cannot create another thing that is also itself. So here we see that not only does God have complete power but we also see that God is separate from the laws of our universe. Here, God establishes His sovereignty over all that is; heaven and earth. The word God is actually that of 'elohiym which implies a plural sense to God. As a Christian, I see this as a truth in the manner that the Trinity created the heavens and earth and that it is plural due to the properties of the Trinity and its triple counsel of power. I also appreciate that the word "created" was used for it implies creativity, uniqueness, and thoroughly planned thought. God did not just randomly throw everything together as a sporadic form of odd art but rather an incredibly complex layering of reasoned out desires. It is also interesting to note that Moses did not attempt to defend or prove God's existence; He simply, purely, and truthfully is. Plus, it is impossible to understand completely who God is and I believe Moses understood that. If Moses tried it would only leave us yearning for more no matter how much was revealed.
"... the heavens and the earth" Also translated "the skies and the earth." However, I believe that due to the concept that this is written for man's understanding, that it would also be for mankind's perspective; hence, skies refers to all the heavens because if one is on the earth and looks up, the skies are everything other than the earth. Here God also reveals His focus. God created all of the heavens and then our single little earth. The expanse of the heavens is huge but God decided to separate earth from the heavens. Otherwise, would not it merely say "God created the universe" or "God created all that is"? He wanted us to know that within the entire universe, earth and mankind was the focus of His attention.