Ever wonder about the beginning?
It’s a huge question, isn’t it? When I’m traveling in the world, especially in places like South Asia where the Bible is almost unheard of – think over 98% of the population without access to to the good news – this is often one of the first things I ask:
How did the Earth begin?
Before we dive into that, though, let’s talk about a book you probably already know.
What’s the most popular book of all time?
If you guessed the Bible, you’re spot on! It’s widely recognized as the most popular book ever written. Guinness World Records actually pegs its sales at a staggering 5 to 7 billion copies worldwide, making it the undisputed best-seller. Its incredible reach is partly due to its translation into countless languages and its central role in Christianity, Judaism, and even Islam.
But let’s get back to our main question. Before we can truly grasp how the Earth began, we need to ask something even more fundamental:
Who created the Earth?
Was it just a cosmic accident, a random bang, or the slow crawl of evolution? Or, was there an intentional, divine act of creation?
For me, I wholeheartedly believe in a Creator God. Remember, God is on a mission and this is the very beginning of His creative plan. And you know what? This best-selling book has some awesome things to say about God the creator.
Want to see what the Bible reveals?
Let’s turn to the very first book of the Bible, Genesis, starting with chapter 1. Here, we get to read about God’s planned creation of the world. As we do, it’s important to keep a few questions in mind:
- What’s God’s redemptive plan unfolding right from the start?
- What does this passage tell us about God, Jesus, and/or the Holy Spirit?
Genesis 1:1: “In the Beginning, God Created the heavens and the earth.”
Right there, in those powerful opening words of the Bible – bereshith bara Elohim – we find so much truth:
- Bereshith: There was a beginning, a definite start to everything.
- Bara: He created. This wasn’t an accident; it was an act of intentional creation.
- Elohim: The Creator, God Himself.
It’s fascinating to note that “Elohim,” the Hebrew word for God here, is a plural noun. Yet, the verb accompanying it is singular. This is a subtle yet profound hint at the Trinity – a beautiful plurality within a singular God.
Genesis 1:2: “And the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.”
And then, just two verses in, we encounter Ruach Elohim, the Spirit of God, moving over the deep. This is further evidence of the Trinity’s presence right at creation! The work of creation was so monumental, so significant, that it involved God in all three of His persons: Elohim, YHWH (as we’ll see), and Ruach Elohim.
You might know “Elohim” is a general term for God, even used for other gods, heroic figures, or angels. But then there’s YHWH – a much more intimate name. YHWH was the God of Abraham and his descendants, a truly personal name. It became so sacred to the Jews that they eventually stopped pronouncing it aloud.
In the New Testament, when Jesus allows Himself to be called “Lord” (which is our translation of Adonai, the substitute word for YHWH), it connects Him directly to this deeply personal, covenantal God.
Genesis 1:26: “Let us make man in OUR image.”
Here, the plural “us” and “our” clearly points to the three persons of the Trinity – God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit – all intimately involved in the act of creation.
Wait a minute, “Let Us”? the Trinity? Was Jesus Christ, the Son of God and the Holy Spirit present at creation also? We will address this later.
Genesis 1:27-28: “So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. God blessed them and said to them, ‘Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it.'”
This is the very beginning of God’s redemptive plan! We are made in His image, blessed, and given a command to be fruitful and multiply.
Genesis 2: A Closer Look at YHWH
Genesis 2:4: “These are the generations of the heavens and the earth when they were created, in the day that the LORD God made the earth and the heavens.”
Notice that word: “LORD” – all caps. This is significant! When you see L-O-R-D in all caps, especially in chapters 2 and 3, it represents the ancient, unpronounceable Hebrew word YHWH. It’s known as the tetragrammaton, and it truly has no vowels. So, you can’t really pronounce it. People try, of course, and you might hear “Yahweh” or “Jehovah.”
However, the Jews of the late BC period held this word in such reverence that they wouldn’t pronounce it. Instead, they substituted Adonai, meaning “Master” or “Lord.” To help readers, they even inserted the vowels of Adonai into YHWH, leading to sounds like “YaHoWaiH,” which eventually became “Jehovah” in European languages (with the ‘j’ initially pronounced like a ‘y’ and ‘v’ like a ‘w’).
This is God’s personal name! And by revealing His name, even if we can’t fully pronounce it, He’s showing us right from the start how deeply personal He wants to be with His creation. He’s not distant or unapproachable. He wants to be known!
Linguists believe this name is connected to how God revealed Himself to Abraham in Genesis 15:7 and even more clearly to Moses in Exodus 3:14 – the powerful “Ehyeh” or “I Am,” signifying His eternal existence.
And here’s something truly special: The prefix “Yehu” (often seen as “Jeho-” in our English Bibles) attached to the names of many famous figures in Scripture comes from this name. Even the Hebrew form of Jesus is Yehoshua, meaning “YHWH saves.” So, the YHWH form in Genesis has a profound connection to Jesus Himself!
What’s God’s redemptive plan here? What does this passage tell us about God, Jesus and/or the Holy Spirit?
Where do we see God’s commands to “go,” “do,” “multiply,” and “follow the leading of the Holy Spirit” in these foundational chapters?
The very beginning of God’s redemptive plan is clearly found in Genesis 1:27-28. We are created in God’s own image and likeness, and He has blessed us and commanded us to be fruitful and multiply. That multiplication isn’t just about having children; it’s about sharing this incredible truth with others.
So, here’s the ultimate question for you today:
Who will you share what you’ve learned with?
Remember, multiplication involves sharing with others. Who will you make an Eternal Impact with today?
references: https://answersingenesis.org/who-is-god/creator-god/the-creator/