In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
The Bible does not begin with an argument for the existence for God. It assumes it. Indeed, the assumption that God is, is so vital to the Scriptures that the Scriptures would not have existed without this assumption. The very fact that we have the Scriptures is proof that there is a God and the Scriptures we hold, with which Genesis begins, is His Word. God is a God who communicates and He has done so in and through the Scriptures.
In the beginning – Just when this beginning was we are not told. But that is just as well. For you see, the Bible was not written to satisfy man’s curiosity nor was it given to entertain men in their folly. The Scriptures were given so that through it we might become “wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 4:16) and that it might be useful “for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 4: 16-17).
In Genesis 1:1 we have the beginning of time when God started His creative work with regard to man on planet earth. Of course, it is possible, as many claim, that the beginning of Genesis 1:1 is much before man’s creation on earth; just how long before, they cannot tell for sure. According to all such there probably was a time-gap element between Genesis 1 verses 1 and 2. Such details need not for the present detain us now. As mentioned above, the scriptures make clear all we need for a true knowledge of God and His will for us, walking always to please Him in all things. All knowledge besides this can, at best, be only speculative.
The Scriptures declare plainly that it is God who is the Creator of all things, things visible and invisible, whether they be thrones or dominions, or the powers that be; they are all created by Him and for Him. What a wonderful thought this is and how this should tranquilise our hearts in these dark days of the Church. Even as the darkness around us grows thicker, may we draw near our Lord and rest in Him in complete confidence that He Who began all things is in control of all things and He Himself will one day wind up all things, in His Own time, in His Own way. What comfort and peace such knowledge affords the simple believer in God and His Word. Men may rage and brag displaying his feeble power and knowledge; the believer carries on humbly relying on the Lord for His grace.
He who created the material world we see also created the immaterial worlds above we cannot yet see. Need we worry about what we see about us or what we yet cannot see in the distant future! Let us rest in our God and in the Word of His Power. May the Lord grant us grace so to do.
