In the Beginning, God Created

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. Genesis 1:1 (ESV)

Our journey through the Bible in 2026 starts with the first words written therein. What we are doing is reading the Bible, understanding it and applying it to our lives.

What Genesis 1:1 reveals about God

When approaching Genesis 1:1, it is crucial to focus solely on what the passage actually states, steering clear of attributing concepts not directly expressed within the text. Although personal experiences and longstanding faith may encourage readers to associate qualities such as love or grace with this scripture, careful interpretation requires strict adherence to its explicit content—a principle that holds true throughout all scriptural analysis.

The narrative introduces God as omnipotent, for the entirety of creation originates from him, indicating his ultimate power over all things. Alongside this, God’s omniscience is evident; having created everything, he possesses complete knowledge of His creation, encompassing every element observable in the natural world. The sovereignty of God also emerges, as he exercises authority over all that exists, holding the power to both create and destroy—much like humans exercise control over their own creations. In considering eternity, the text encourages reflection on beginnings and endings. While human existence and our experiences have specific starting points, Genesis emphasizes that God Himself existed before anything else was made. In the beginning, God was already there!

Insights from Genesis 1:2–25 regarding creation

As the story unfolds, Genesis describes how God initiated events through His words—creation itself occurred by divine command. The narrative does not delve into scientific mechanisms behind these occurrences, as the Bible’s primary aim is not to serve as a scientific manual. Notably, the term “day” in the creation account allows for both literal and metaphorical interpretations. We can easily overthink this! What stands out is God’s creative capacity and the evidence of intelligent design throughout His work. Only God is portrayed as responsible for bringing all things into existence.

Genesis 1:26–31 and Its teachings on mankind

The passage then turns to humanity, teaching that people are created in God’s image and thus endowed with reasoning, creativity, spiritual awareness, and advanced communication skills. Importantly, both men and women equally reflect God’s intended image. We are designed to be productive, entrusted with responsibilities within creation, appointed as rulers, designated as stewards, and empowered to procreate.

What the follower of Jesus sees in this passage

Seeing the whole Bible through the lens of our experience with Jesus is the perspective we need. So we will reflect on a couple of passages that relate to the creation account.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1 (ESV)

We hear the echo, don’t we? This Word was God and apart from God and is another mystery we cannot fully comprehend.

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14 (ESV)

Now is the revelation of Jesus as the Word that was with God and is God! So we see Christ, present in the beginning.

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. Colossians 1:15-20 (ESV)

It is important to clarify the definition of “Firstborn.” In this context it does not refer to birth order, but rather indicates a position of great status, of pre-eminence, a concept that was esteemed in ancient cultures.

Jesus serves as creation’s agent, as described in verse 16, benefits from all that has been made, and is responsible for sustaining it, as highlighted in verse 17. Furthermore, his role extends to reconciling all of creation, as noted in verse 20.

Application to contemporary life

Respect for the inherent dignity of humanity remains a central theme, as the concept of the image of God within each individual holds enduring significance, even though it may have been impaired by sin. This divine imprint represents an ideal intended for all people, forming a foundation where unity and equality are paramount and no hierarchical distinctions exist. Therefore, it is essential to treat every person with the dignity and respect befitting those created in God’s image.

Stewardship responsibilities occupy an equally important place. From the beginning, stewardship was entrusted to humanity by God as a foundational mandate, and this responsibility should be understood as a clear biblical imperative rather than dismissed as mere ideology. The creation narrative vividly illustrates humanity’s call to exercise wise stewardship over the earth, emphasizing that dominion involves responsible management and governance of creation. Honoring God also entails recognizing the intrinsic goodness of everything He has made, which must be reflected through our actions. When species extinction arises due to human activity, it signifies a failure to fulfill our stewardship duties. Recognition of both historical and current environmental harm calls for reflection, repentance, and a renewed commitment to caring for our planet, all while seeking divine guidance.

Honoring God is essential, therefore we must regard Jesus Christ with utmost respect, ensuring that honor toward him is evident in our thoughts, speech, and actions. Because Jesus is the Word of God, it becomes vital to study His teachings, follow His example, and seek His counsel in every facet of life. Each of these commitments begins with prayer.

Your turn

Our journey through the Bible will continue throughout the year. I will post weekly teaching and provide you with a guide for the week ahead. Following this guide will get you from Genesis to Revelation before the year is out! So here is your work for the week!

Weekly Reading: Genesis 1-26 – break this down in daily readings that fit your schedule

Key points:

•              God promised Abram that he would be a blessing and that his offspring would be a blessing – this has ultimately been fulfilled in the incarnation – the Word become flesh – Jesus Christ.

•              Abraham’s unhesitating obedience to offer his son Isaac as a sacrifice to God foreshadowed God giving us his son as the sacrifice for the sin of the world – our sin!

Questions for consideration:

1.            How long did it take Noah to build the ark? What does that tell you about how important continual obedience is?

2.            Both Abraham and Isaac used deception regarding their wives. They perceived danger that might not have been there. What lesson can you draw from this?

3.            Waiting for God’s promise is a repeated theme in Genesis – with more to think about in next week’s reading. What can we do to remain faithful as we wait for God to act on our behalf?

4.            As a follower of Jesus, what can you do to be a blessing to the world around you?