Salvation and creation

Our discussion of salvation began with God creating a perfect world. Why is this important? As the creator, God has the authority to set the rules which govern His creation. This is why the creation of the universe is the first account presented in the Bible. People that reject God seek to undermine His authority by stating that He did not create the universe. They embrace evolution in all of its forms as an alternative explanation.

Those that reject the Genesis account will say there is uncertainty about the definition of the word “day.” They suggest that “day” is figurative not literal. They contend that it permits millions of years for the actions to be completed. However, Hebrew dictionaries identify the use of “day” in Genesis 1 as indicating a 24-hour day. Also, whenever day is used in the Old Testament along with a number (e.g. the Feast of Unleavened Bread was to last six days — Exodus 23:15) or when used with the term “evening” or “morning” it always means a literal day. Each of the days of creation in Genesis 1 are defined as “evening and morning” followed by the number of the day. The text indicates God is indicating literal days.

Another support for literal days comes from the 10 Commandments. When God tells the people why they should observe the Sabbath He says, “For in six days Yehovah made the heavens and the earth,” (Exodus 20:11).

How did God create the universe? Supernaturally. Science has no explanation of how “something” (light, energy, mass) can come from “nothing.” If you believe in an infinite, all-powerful and all-knowing God, then you can rest on the fact He can do things that we as humans may not be able to understand.

We are told that God spoke the universe into existence. Throughout the creation account we are told “then God said, ‘Let there be…’” This truth is further affirmed in Psalm 33: 6 “By the word of Yehovah the heavens were made.” In Psalm 148, all of creation in heaven and earth are called on to praise God. One reason to praise Him is given in verse 5, “For He commanded and they were created.”

Finally we see in Job that he tells his companions that he has no explanation why tragedy has befallen him. The reason is known only to God. Just as they do not understand how God created, they cannot understand what has happened to Job (Job 12:9).

Later, Job succumbs to the pressure of his companions and asks God to explain why he is suffering. God reminds Job that just as Job cannot understand how Yehovah creates or how His creation works (Chapters 38-41), Job will not be able to understand why he experienced tragedy. “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding” (Job 38:4).

God has authority over all because He created all. Next week we will explore what the New Testament teaches about creation.