A Closer Look at Genesis 1:1

"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth."  

Genesis 1:1

Notice that God does not seek to prove Himself in existence or essence.  The fact of there being a Creator God is clearly seen and is evident to all men.  When I purchased my computer a few weeks prior to attending Bible School, I found that inside the box was an instruction manual on how to use it properly.  I did not, however, find a brochure trying to prove to me that this computer actually exists.  It is normally not an expectation you and I ever have.  Why?  Because SONY, the company who fashioned the very computer which I just so happen to be writing this blog with, expects me to understand that there is indeed a designer.

With that said, let's look more thoroughly at verse one.
 

Why is "heavens" plural?

 

Often when we read this passage we tend to overlook the plurality of the heavens and unconsciously equate this term with the singularity of the earth.  Our mind immediately fills with all kinds of images of what we perceive Heaven [God's dwelling place] to look like.  However, I will now seek to prove that the Bible is hinting at an idea, which will be addressed later on in Scripture, that at this time God created three distinct heavens and only one earth.

1. 2 Corinthians 12:2-4 "...caught up to the third heaven..." The apostle Paul was brought into the presence of God.  He referred to this place as the "third heaven." This statement implies that there is a second and a first as well.  Thus, the third Heaven is what we would call "Paradise."  The question then arises, "What are the first and second heavens?"
2. 1 Kings 14:11 "...birds of the heavens..." The first heaven then would be the sky or the atmosphere of the earth.
3. Deuteronomy 4:19 "...lift up your eyes to heaven and see the sun and the moon and the stars..." The second heaven is therefore the universe [outer space].

 

What is the order of creation?

 

1. In reference to outer space, it is not at this time that God created the bodies of burning gas, for that was not until Day 4.  However, it was at this time that He created the physical space capable of occupying all things, even Heaven itself.
2. He then proceeded in His act of creation by making His dwelling place [Paradise or Heaven] and the angelic beings.
3. Once Heaven was created along with its hosts, and there was space to hold large bodies of matter, He continued in His creativity by making the earth and graciously allowing the angels to observe His incredible Omnipotence.

Conclusion

 

God is the original cause of all things.  He is the Self-Existent One which is indicated by His name "ELOHIM."  In Hebrew it means that He is the Mighty God; the Supreme Deity.  His character qualities in this verse show that He is intelligent, powerful, the Creator of the universe (having no beginning or dependency upon any other source), and is also the Sustainer of all things.

He brought all things into existence without needing anything to work from.  Can you imagine God being fully capable of creating something but, throughout all of eternity past, waiting until only 6,000 years ago?  The Bible suggests that His creativity remained forever dormant until He chose to unleash His glory.