Maker of Heaven and Earth
- mrcraiglee
- May 3
- 32 min read
Updated: May 16
The creator God
I am very astonished that the scientific picture of the real world around me is very deficient. It gives a lot of factual information, puts all our experience in a magnificently consistent order, but it is ghastly silent about all and sundry that is really near to our heart, that really matters to us. It cannot tell us a word about red and blue, bitter and sweet, physical pain and physical delight; it knows nothing of beautiful and ugly, good or bad, God and eternity. Science sometimes pretends to answer questions in these domains, but the answers are very often so silly that we are not inclined to take them seriously. – Erwin Schrödinger
I am truly grateful for science. My life — like yours — has been deeply enriched by the discoveries of so many throughout history. I love that when I wake in the middle of the night, I can simply flip a switch and fill the room with light — thanks to those who studied the properties of electricity in God’s world. Or that when I have a splitting headache, there’s a pill I can take — developed by those who understood how the body and chemistry work together. Our lives today have been so completely shaped by those who devoted themselves to understanding the created world that it’s hard to imagine life without the blessings of science.
In fact, science itself bears witness to a universe that is orderly and intelligible — a truth that points to its Maker. Oxford professor John Lennox puts it this way: “The foundation on which science stands, the base from which its trajectory has swept up to the edge of the universe, has a strong theistic dimension.” Science is a wonderful gift from God. He has given us minds to explore, wonder, and understand — and the privilege of participating in His ongoing creation project. The intricacies science uncovers, from the vast laws that govern galaxies to the hidden architecture of a single living cell, reflect the wisdom, generosity, and creativity of the One who made it all.
But as Schrödinger reminds us, science is not the whole story. It can tell us how the world works, but it remains silent about many of the things that matter most. Science can explain why hitting someone with a rock causes harm — but not whether doing so is right or wrong. It can describe the properties of a rock, but not why it exists in the first place. For the deepest truths, we need a word from beyond the created order itself. The most important worldview questions — the ones that shape how we live and who we become — fall outside the reach of scientific inquiry: What is the purpose of life? How do we define good and evil? Does God exist? How do we know what is true?
So while we should be deeply thankful for science, we must also recognize its limits. We need more than observation and theory. We need revelation — God making Himself known to us.
I bring this up here, at the beginning of our reflection on Genesis 1, for two reasons. First, because some — especially in academic settings — claim that science has made belief in God unnecessary. But this misunderstands both science and God. Science studies the properties of the created world, while the Creator stands beyond what scientific instruments can measure. He is not another object in the universe, but the Maker of it all — the one who gives creation its purpose, order, and meaning. And yet, what science does observe — the beauty, precision, and fine-tuning of life and the cosmos — points unmistakably toward the reality of a Creator. While theology and philosophy help us reflect on God’s nature, Scripture tells us something even more astonishing: that God has revealed Himself — not leaving us to speculation, but speaking so that we might know Him.
Second, I bring this up because Genesis 1 is often misunderstood, especially in relation to science. People frequently ask: Are we supposed to take Genesis 1 literally? Were there really seven 24-hour days? What about the waters above the firmament, or light existing before the sun and stars? These are important questions, but they’re best answered by first understanding the purpose of the passage. Genesis 1 was not written to function as a scientific textbook. Its goal is far greater: to answer the foundational questions we could never discover on our own — Who is God? Who are we? What is the world for?
If God had not spoken, we would never have known. Genesis 1 is an act of revelation — a gift telling us the most important truths about God, ourselves, and the world we inhabit. That means we shouldn't ask the text to explain what it was never meant to explain — the scientific mechanisms of how creation happened. Instead, we are invited to hear what it is saying: that the world — including you and me — is not an accident, that it was lovingly made, and that it has a purpose rooted in its Creator.
Someone might ask: Couldn’t God have revealed both theological truth and scientific precision at the same time? Of course He could have. But had He done so, the deeper message might have been lost. In His kindness, God chose to speak in ways that the original hearers could understand — using the worldview and language of the ancient world to communicate eternal truth. For example, the mention of a solid “firmament” was not meant to affirm or deny ancient cosmology. It drew on their understanding of the sky to say something greater: that God is the sovereign Creator and Sustainer of life — the one who holds back chaos, creates space for life to flourish, and brings order and purpose to the world. Likewise, the seven-day structure echoes ancient literary patterns tied to temple-building — signaling that all creation is God’s temple, a place where He dwells with His people.
One of the beautiful things about God is that He speaks to us in ways we can understand. He does not remain distant or abstract, but stoops down to reveal Himself — entering our world, speaking our language, so that we might know Him. As modern readers, we do face the challenge of stepping into the ancient world to hear the message as it was first spoken. Thankfully, scholars have studied the writings and cultures of Israel and her neighbors and given us tools to help. But even without specialized knowledge, the central message of Genesis 1 comes through clearly — if we come not looking for scientific answers, but seeking to know God.
Genesis 1 is not in conflict with science. It’s speaking about something deeper. It tells us who God is, what the world is for, and who we are. And if we are willing to listen to the voice of our Creator, we will not only understand the world more truly — we will find a foundation for living: a life rooted in purpose, joy, and hope. Trusting His Word — even when it challenges the assumptions of our culture — is the path to a faith that shapes every part of life.
How would you answer someone who says that science has proved that God does not exist, or that the Bible contradicts science?
Look in the Bible: Genesis 1:1 – 2:3
Before answering the questions below, review the instructions in Appendix 2: Inductive Bible Study, and follow the steps of the “Stages of Study.” Mark in the passage your key observations, impressions, and questions.
Compare and contrast the state of the world at the beginning and end of this passage.
God is certainly the main character of this passage. What are all the actions associated with Him? What does each action reveal about God and His relationship with His creation?
What significant events happen on each day of creation? How are they interconnected? How do they contrast with the beginning state described in Genesis 1:2?
Day 1
| Day 4
|
Day 2
| Day 5 |
Day 3
| Day 6 |
Day 7
|
What is significant about the creation of humanity? What does it mean to be created in the image of God? How is humanity called to live in relationship with God, with creation, and with one another?
What is the significance of what takes place on the seventh day? What does this day teach us about the goal of creation?
What does this passage have to say about the major worldview questions?
Is there a God and if so, what is He like?
What does it mean to be human? What is the purpose of life?
What is the nature of the world we live in?
How can we know the truth? How can we know what is right and wrong?
Write a one or two sentence summary of the main point of this text. What is God’s word for you from this passage? How do you need to respond to this word?
Maker of Heaven and Earth
Moving In
I still vividly remember the day that my wife and I received the keys to our first home — a small apartment in the middle of Sofia. As we walked through the flimsy front door and were reminded of the state of disrepair our new home was in, I was overwhelmed by all the work that awaited us. The paint and wallpaper on the walls were over thirty years old, with sunspots clearly showing where paintings once hung. The windows were just as old, so that even when they were shut, you could feel a draft throughout the house. In the bathroom, many of the tiles were broken, and the sink was cracked so badly that a plastic bottle had been placed over it to prevent injury. In that moment, it was hard to believe this place could ever feel like home. But despite everything we saw with our eyes, we walked through the apartment again — and were filled with excitement and hope for all the potential it held.
And our home did not disappoint! A month later, after many trips to the hardware store, the apartment began to look more like a home. We had a new door mounted, new plumbing and electricity installed, new floors laid, and fresh paint applied to the walls. We replaced all the tiles in the bathroom and even moved the kitchen into the main living room to create a separate office space. Seeing all we had accomplished was satisfying, but it still didn’t feel like home. That came next: we placed lights in their fixtures, hung cabinets in the kitchen, installed bookshelves in the office, and settled our bed into the bedroom. Finally, with great excitement, we moved in with all our luggage. We sat down on our old wicker patio chairs in the hall (we had to wait a few months before we could afford real dining chairs and a sofa) and joyfully rested in our home.
Genesis 1 has much in common with my experience. In fact, you could say it is the story of God preparing a place — not just for others — but for Himself to move into and make His home. The Bible opens as the curtains are pulled back and we see the Spirit of God hovering over a yet-unformed and chaotic planet. Much of the raw material was already present — earth and water — but everything remained formless and empty, wrapped in timeless darkness. Though God was the Creator of all that existed (John 1:3; Colossians 1:16), creation at this moment was still cold, dark, and unproductive. It had no shape, no function, and could not yet be used for anything; the heavens were certainly not yet declaring the glory of God. And yet, God's Spirit was there — hovering like a mother bird over her young, offering loving protection and readiness to help (see Deuteronomy 32:11; Isaiah 31:5). The Great Architect looked at this unshaped world with joy and expectation, seeing not just what it lacked, but what it could become in His creative hands. Something glorious was about to happen.
Genesis 1 celebrates seven glorious days at the dawn of history in which God alone brings beautiful order out of complete chaos. As we considered earlier, the verses of Genesis 1 are not given to explain scientific mechanisms — no formulas for gravity, photosynthesis, or DNA are described. Instead, in stunning and almost poetic language, the author gives us a profound theological message. The author uses the ancient notions of cosmic geography and existence to reveal the nature and purposes of God. In contrast to modern views, ancients did not primarily define existence in material terms.
Something truly came into "existence" when it had a name, a function, and a place in an ordered system. Using their categories, Genesis 1 shows God separating, naming, and giving functions to all that would be necessary for life and communion with Him. The marvelous result is that by the end of the account, everything exists in beautiful order, function, and harmony.
God brings everything into being simply by speaking. Without hesitation, without competition or rebellion, creation responds to His voice and falls into place. This reminds us that every word God speaks is filled with power, purpose, and reliability — then and now. As Isaiah wrote,
“...my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it” (Isaiah 55:11)
On the first day, the Creator separates periods of light ("day") from periods of darkness ("night"), bringing ordered and functional time into existence. On the second day, He parts the chaotic waters and creates an expanse, naming it "sky" — a regulated space for climate and the provision of a livable world. On the third day, dry ground appears, separated from the waters, and the earth bursts forth with plants of every variety, beauty, and purpose. God not only provides functional food but clothes the earth in splendor — dressing fields with wildflowers and painting forests in every shade of green. By the end of the third day, time and space, climate and agriculture — the fundamental supports of life — are in place. And God looks at it all and sees that it is good. The dark, formless cosmos is being transformed into a delightfully ordered world that reflects the glory of its Creator.
In the next three days, God fills the spaces He had formed, so they are no longer empty. If the first three days were about preparing the "rooms" of creation, days four, five, and six are about furnishing them with life. On the fourth day, God gives function to the sun, moon, and stars, setting them as rulers of the time He created on day one — markers for seasons, days, and years, calling all creation to rhythms of worship. On the fifth day, He fills the sky and waters with birds and sea creatures of every kind. And for the first time, God pronounces a blessing — inviting His creatures to be fruitful and fill the spaces He made. On the sixth day, God populates the land with animals of every variety, from creeping worms to mighty leopards. Life multiplies across the earth.
Creation was nearly finished, yet its crown was still to come. The climax of creation comes at the end of the sixth day. God summons the heavenly assembly and announces His intention to create something — someone — in His own image. In the ancient world, kings were often seen as images of the gods, tasked with carrying out their rule on earth. Statues of these kings — their "images" — were placed across the land as reminders of who ruled in the space. Drawing from these ideas, Genesis 1 reveals humanity’s breathtaking identity: men and women, created in the image of God, are called to reflect His rule, His character, and His presence to all creation. To be human is to be one who knows God, works with God in His ongoing creation project, and leads all things in worship of their Creator. And astonishingly, this calling is not reserved for a few — it is given to every man and woman alike.
With the world now formed and filled — and humanity crowned with dignity and purpose — God looks at all He has made and declares it very good. The once-empty and chaotic cosmos has become a beautifully ordered home. No wonder the psalmist declares:
How many are your works, Lord! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. (Psalm 104:24)
As we read Genesis 1, the seven-day structure is impossible to miss. And if we somehow overlooked it in chapter 1, Genesis 2:1–3 repeats the phrase “the seventh day” three times in just a few verses. This day is unique — the only one blessed and made holy. It is set apart for God’s purposes, distinct from the workdays that came before. Clearly, something monumental is happening.
Biblical and historical context reveals that this seven-day pattern strongly echoes temple inauguration ceremonies in the ancient world. In Scripture, both the tabernacle (Exodus 25–31; 40) and the temple (1 Kings 6–8) are intentionally built as microcosms of creation — with blue curtains representing the heavens, bronze basins the seas, and altars the earth. When these sacred spaces were completed, God’s glory entered them, and He rested — not by ceasing all activity, but by enthroning Himself to reign in the peace and order He had established. Temples were not merely places of worship; they were throne rooms where God rested and ruled.
As Psalm 132 says:
For the Lord has chosen Zion, he has desired it for his dwelling, saying, “This is my resting place for ever and ever; here I will sit enthroned, for I have desired it. (Psalm 132:14 - 15)
So in Genesis 1, we understand: God is not merely creating a world — He is building a cosmic temple where He will dwell with His people. The seventh day marks His enthronement over His creation. It is not simply the end of work, but the joyful culmination of creation, as God takes His seat as King. And notably, the seventh day is the only one that does not end with “evening and morning” — because God’s rest, His rule, and His presence are ongoing.
The message of Genesis 1 is stunning: God brings the world into existence and into beautiful, life-giving order — so that He may dwell among us as our good and generous King. He is not distant or detached. The universe is not abandoned to chaos. From the very beginning, God has been present, enthroned, and in perfect control over all history. No wonder the heavens declare day and night:
You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being. (Revelation 4:11)
The Worldview of Genesis 1
You can tell a lot about a person by taking a tour of their home. That’s certainly true of ours. Having moved into our apartment years ago, there’s much you would learn about us right away if you visited.
One of the first things you’d notice is that we love books. We have books in every room and more bookshelves than any other kind of furniture (and I need to buy a few more!). You’d also see quickly that my wife is an artist — her lovely paintings and needlepoint are hung throughout the home, and every nook and cranny is filled with joyful little pieces that please the eye.
I think the overall impression you'd get is that we love to be comfortable — and to make others feel comfortable too. If you looked a little more closely, you’d discover that I’m a devoted fan of Star Wars and goats (I know, it’s strange), and that Tanya loves plants and hedgehogs (maybe a little less strange). You might even notice that neither of us is especially handy, judging by the unfinished projects — and the not-so-little hole in the wall from a failed “do-it-yourself” attempt.
There’s a lot you can learn about someone by observing their home.
And just as a home reveals something of its owner, so too does creation tell us about its Maker. Genesis 1 invites us to reflect on the world not as a random construction, but as God’s carefully ordered dwelling place — a world that answers the deepest worldview questions: Who is God? What is the world for? Who are we?
Is there a God — and if so, what is He like? Beyond a doubt, the central worldview question Genesis 1 addresses is the reality and character of God. The passage unabashedly affirms that there is a God — and that He is the Creator and origin of everything we know.
As Maker, He is both Lord and King. There is nothing in creation or history that falls outside His rule, and all things owe their allegiance to Him. As King, He is the one who determines and defines the functions, roles, and boundaries of creation. Life only makes sense — and finds its purpose — when we listen to, follow, and obey the One who brings order out of chaos and calls life into being. Because it all belongs to Him, He is also the Judge: the one who declares what is good, what is holy, and what is blessed.
And He is not distant or detached. Genesis 1 reveals a God who is intimately involved with His creation, caring deeply about all He has made. He is the Sustainer of life and history — the One we can trust to provide, protect, and lead us. As the psalmists declare:
All creatures look to you to give them their food at the proper time. When you give it to them, they gather it up; when you open your hand, they are satisfied with good things. (Psalm 104:27 – 28)
He covers the sky with clouds; he supplies the earth with rain and makes grass grow on the hills. He provides food for the cattle and for the young ravens when they call. (Psalm 147:8 – 9)
Genesis 1 not only declares that there is a God — it displays what He is like.
He is full of power and purpose, wisdom and creativity, generosity and kindness. He brings order out of overwhelming chaos. With a word, He calls into existence what was never there before — creating life and blessing even in the most unimaginable circumstances. Throughout Scripture, we see Him calming storms, healing diseases, raising the dead, and forgiving sins. There is nothing He cannot do, no force that can thwart His will, no corner of creation beyond His reach.
He is wise, so that all He does is marked by perfect order and goodness. He is creative, producing beauty and variety for His glory and for our joy. And He creates not because He must, or because He expects repayment — but because He graciously loves what He has made.
Finally, Genesis 1 affirms that God is one. There are no rival forces He must battle, no competing powers. He alone is worthy of our worship, our trust, and our full allegiance.
If this is true about God and His character, what difference does it make in your life? What are the practical implications for you at this moment?
How can you grow as one who worships, trusts, and gives your total allegiance to God? Why do you want to?
What does it mean to be human? What is the purpose of life? Of all God's creation, Genesis 1 gives the most time and space to the making of humanity. In stark contrast to the beliefs and myths of Israel’s neighbors, humans were not created by accident, nor were we made because God needed us to work for Him or feed Him.
Rather, the whole account builds up to and prepares for the moment when God creates people in His own image. He does not need anything from them — instead, He provides for them. He orders a world in which they can flourish, a place where they can enjoy His creation and rest fully in His rule and provision.
Ken Shigematsu captures this beautifully:
The first human being in the creation poem was created on the sixth day of creation such that the very first full day for a human being on earth was the Sabbath… When we understand that our life fundamentally begins with rest, we can affirm that our primary identity is not in what we do but in the fact that we are loved by God. When we begin with rest, we can affirm that we are primarily not human doings but human beings… When we begin with rest, we also have this posture of trusting God, and it is in trusting God that we honor God.
You and I were created by God to know Him and enjoy Him forever. We were made to live in trusting obedience to Him, fully loved from start to finish. This is what it means to be human — and it is our ultimate purpose in life. Despite what the world may claim, life only makes sense within the context of this relationship. Outside of knowing God, life loses its center, meaning, and joy. This is why Jesus taught the first and greatest commandment: to love God with all that we are (Matthew 22:37). He also exhorted us to “seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:33). Wonderfully, this purpose is not reserved for a few — it is something every one of us can pursue.
To be human also means to be made in the image of God. Humanity has a special role in creation: to work alongside God in what He is doing in the world as His representatives. As His image-bearers, we are called to bring His goodness, order, and knowledge to all corners of the earth. This role becomes even clearer in Genesis 2, when the man and woman are placed in the temple-like garden to “work it and take care of it” (Genesis 2:15). These same words are later used to describe the ministry of Israel’s priests — pointing to the profound truth that all humanity was created to live as God’s royal priesthood: knowing Him, worshipping Him, and leading others to do the same.
We fulfill this calling not only in places of worship, but also in our homes, workplaces, and schools — seeking to honor Him in all that we do.
What difference does it make (or would it make) to you to believe that your identity is one that is completely loved by God from start to finish?
How can you practically make God's goal and role for your life your priority? What will help you to do this, and what could hinder you?
What is the nature of the world we live in? Genesis 1 has much to say. God is the source of everything, and all of it belongs to Him. He cares deeply about His creation and made it good. Its goodness is not just about beauty or usefulness — it lies in the fact that creation fulfills its intended function: to be a place where we can live, know, and glorify God, and where He can lead us in blessing after blessing. The world is designed for us to explore, to find delight and beauty, to be creative and work, to love and serve. It is a place where we are invited to meet with God daily and be transformed into His likeness.
These truths have immediate and practical consequences. God cares about the whole of His creation and is actively involved in it all. Because He created everything, He cares how we live in it — how we work, how we rest, how we treat one another. There is no corner of creation where He is absent or uninvolved. He speaks not only to our worship and theology but to our study, our relationships, our daily work, our celebrations, and even our smallest choices. Nothing is too insignificant for Him. In every part of life, He is teaching us to live as He does — with wisdom, creativity, justice, and love.
And as Creator, God is also the Lord of history. He will bring all things to their perfect and intended conclusion. If He could call light out of darkness at the very beginning, we can trust that He can bring His purposes to fulfillment in our world and in our lives. What a glorious and beautiful promise this is for all who worship and follow Him. The world is not spinning out of control — it rests securely in the hands of its Creator.
But this leads us to a crucial implication: although creation is good, it is not God. Nothing in the universe — no created thing — can replace Him as the Giver of life or the One who leads us into true blessing. God and God alone is the meaning of life and history.
All of creation is a wonderful gift — but it makes a terrible god. When we place our trust or allegiance in anything other than God — whether it be work, money, relationships, ourselves, ideology, education, nations, creation care, or political power — we set ourselves up for disappointment and destruction. Misplaced worship distorts everything: our relationship with God, with others, with nature, and even with ourselves.
Jesus warns that we could gain the whole world and all it has to offer, yet lose our very lives in the process (Matthew 16:26). We see this vividly in Genesis 3, when the man and woman choose to listen to and trust one of God’s creations rather than the Creator Himself. As a result, they experience brokenness and death. And yet, despite humanity’s rebellion, God has not abandoned His creation. Throughout history, He has worked tirelessly to call us away from worthless idols and back into full dependence and joyful surrender to Him.
What difference does it make to know that God cares about all aspects of your life? What are the ways you can learn to do all things with Him and as He would do them? Where do you struggle with this?
How can we know the truth or what is right and wrong? Just as God is the Creator of everything, Genesis 1 reminds us that He is also the source of all truth and wisdom. We can know Him because He has chosen to make Himself known. He speaks so that we might understand who He is, who we are, and how we are meant to live with Him — and He speaks in ways we can truly understand. Without His revelation, we are left in darkness, stumbling in the chaos of ignorance.
The created world is one way God reveals truth about Himself. His power, wisdom, and goodness are displayed in all that He has made. But ultimately, God's truth is revealed to us most fully in His Word — and especially in the Word who was with God in the beginning and through whom all things were made: Jesus Christ (John 1:1–3).
Even more, the Creator is also the judge and standard of morality. He is the one who declares what is good and what is not. Yet He does not do this arbitrarily or harshly, as some might assume. On the contrary, Genesis 1 shows that what God calls good is exactly what brings life, flourishing, and blessing. His judgments are always rooted in love and in His desire for our good.
We place ourselves in danger when we try to define right and wrong apart from Him. Throughout Scripture, we see the painful consequences of ignoring God’s wisdom and judgment — not because He delights in judgment, but because life cannot thrive outside His design. To walk away from His voice is to walk away from life itself.
The Bible teaches that the beginning of wisdom — the foundation of a moral and meaningful life — is the fear of the Lord. As we learn to listen to His voice and obey His judgment of what is good, we step into the life we were created for: a life marked by truth, purpose, and joy — the life God longs for each of us to enjoy.
What does it mean practically to fear God? Where have you experienced that the fear of God brings joy?
In what areas of your life do you find it difficult to trust and obey God’s judgment of what is good?
In knowing these foundational truths about God, ourselves, the world, and truth itself, we find a solid foundation upon which to build our lives and discipleship.
Memory Verse: 2 Corinthians 5:17 – 18
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.
What does it mean to be a new creation in Christ? What are the practical implications for you of this new identity in Him?
What is the significance of being given a ministry of reconciliation? What will help you or hinder you from living this calling?
God’s new creation project
Genesis 1 recounts the miraculous seven days at the beginning, when God brought order out of chaos, life out of nothing, and created a holy temple space where He intended to reign and dwell. But God's creative work did not end on the seventh day. He has remained intimately involved with His creation ever since — leading and sustaining it all through His powerful Word (Hebrews 1:1), the very Word that called it into existence.
This is the story of the whole Bible: the Maker of heaven and earth reigns over, restores, and recreates His beloved creation — and His people.
This message finds its fulfillment in the life of Jesus. Because of sin, each of us was trapped in the chaotic and dark grip of death. Our idolatry, rebellion, and refusal to trust the Creator left us in a condition that mirrored the early state of creation: orderless, lifeless, void of purpose, and full of darkness. But just as in the beginning,
God's powerful Spirit hovered over the waters, ready to create again — and so at Jesus’ baptism, the Spirit descended upon Him, marking the beginning of God's new creation.
Because of the Creator’s great love, He sent His only Son, filled with that very Spirit, to redeem what had been lost. Jesus — who was with God from the beginning and through whom all things were made — revealed what it truly means to be made in the image of God. And with the same authority that once called light out of darkness, He called men and women to repent and follow Him.
In the presence of the Word, ordinary people were transformed. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus reconciled them to God and brought them into His eternal kingdom. They were made a new creation — no longer what they once were, but holy, living temples where God’s Spirit now dwells. This same Spirit then sent them out into the world as ambassadors of reconciliation. Just as God blessed the first man and woman to be fruitful and multiply and to lead creation in worship, Jesus now sends His new creation community to grow His kingdom of worshipers:
… All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. (Matthew 28:18 – 20)
The Creator God, who lives in us through faith in Jesus and the presence of His Spirit, transforms us from dead, fruitless wildernesses into living oases that give glory to Him. This is entirely the work of God. It is not by our strength or righteousness, but by His grace and creative power.
The creation account gives us hope: the God who once called light out of darkness can work the same miracle in us — a transformation we could never achieve on our own. And unlike the original creation week, God’s recreative work in us is not limited to seven days; He walks with us day by day, forming us into the image of His Son.
This recreation project takes place in the context of Christian discipleship. As we come to Christ in faith, He leads us into renewed minds, renewed worship, renewed lives, and renewed purpose. He teaches us to leave behind worldly thinking and to grow into the mindset of Christ. Through Scripture, prayer, and fellowship, we learn to love what God loves, to set our minds on things above, and to walk in step with His Spirit.
This leads to renewed worship — turning from the idols of the world and giving our full allegiance to the One who alone gives life. This is not always easy. Our hearts cling to what can be seen and what asks little of us. Yet Jesus leads us to trust in the One who gives true and lasting life.
And renewed worship leads to renewed living. As His disciples, we are led out of foolish and destructive ways into lives marked by love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, and self-control. This new life — like renewed minds and worship — is possible only because of His regenerating work within us. We were never meant to do it on our own. But as we attach ourselves to Him and listen to His voice, His Spirit graciously brings about this beautiful transformation.
Finally, as His disciples, we are given renewed purpose: to be ministers of reconciliation in the world. As people being daily renewed into the image of God, we join His mission — calling others to be reconciled to Him and to live with confidence in His reign. The fruit of this recreative work is owed entirely to the power and grace of Jesus, which He joyfully shares with us.
Christian discipleship is God’s creative work in us — and something we actively participate in. Practically, we join His work through regular and intentional spiritual disciplines: Scripture study, prayer, worship, and service in community.
As Dallas Willard wrote:
The crucial thing is that, as disciples, we have a plan for carrying out the decision we have made to devote ourselves to becoming like our Master and Lord—to increasingly living in the character and power of Christ. Disciples are those who, seriously intending to become like Jesus from the inside out, systematically and progressively rearrange their affairs to that end, under the guidance of the Word and the Spirit. That is how the disciple lives.
God is still creating today. He still calls light out of darkness. He still brings order and life out of chaos and death. He is doing this work in the community of disciples who have become His new creation in the world — a people of renewed minds, renewed worship, renewed lives, and renewed purpose.
For this reason, Jesus exhorts us: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)
This is the rest of His perfect, life-giving reign — the very reign God intended for all creation from the first day, and which He will bring to fulfillment in all who turn to Him in faith.
How would you describe in your own words the significance of the Christian belief in God as the Maker of heaven and earth?
What does it practically mean to live with confident faith in this message? How will you respond?
Responding to the Word
Sabbath keeping
From the very first week of creation, God intended for humanity to rest in His Sabbath rule and care. The garden of Eden was a place where the man and woman continually experienced the joy of His reign. But they exchanged this joyful dependence for false rule and self-reliance, which led to toil, pain, and death outside of God’s best.
Later in the biblical story, when God redeemed a people from slavery, He instituted a new holiday — the Sabbath day — a weekly time to stop from work and celebrate His presence and rule. It was a day to practice trust in the Creator and to remember the hope that one day, He would bring them into perfect rest.
This was not just a yearly celebration — it was to be practiced every single week, no matter the circumstances. God's people were called to stop and remember: He was present, He was in charge, and He was leading them toward life. The Sabbath was a holy day not rooted in human effort, but in the truth that all life and hope depend on God alone.
Why was this weekly rhythm so important? Because we quickly forget. It doesn’t take long before we start living as if everything depends on us — or as if this world is all there is. We need regular interruption. We need a day to stop, reflect, and remember what is truly real: God's reign, His grace, and our identity as His beloved children.
The Sabbath is meant to be a holiday of hope — a practice that shapes us into a people of trust and joy in God's promises.
Of course, by the time of Jesus, the Sabbath had become a burden. People had turned it into a system of rules instead of receiving it as a gift. But Jesus, the perfect image of God, reclaimed the Sabbath’s true meaning. He lived every day in joyful dependence on the Father — and reminded His followers that the Sabbath was made for humanity, not the other way around (Mark 2:23–28). He Himself is the Lord of the Sabbath.
After Jesus’ death and resurrection, God’s people were no longer defined by the old covenant’s regulations. But Sabbath keeping remains a beautiful invitation for all who believe. Its place in the creation story shows that it’s not merely a law for one nation, but a gift for all humanity — a way of remembering who we are and celebrating the God who sustains us.
We still need to remember that God is in control. We still need to practice the joy of obedience. We still need to root our identity in grace, not achievement. And we still need to live in hope that God is leading us toward His eternal rest.
As the author of Hebrews writes:
There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his. Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience. (Hebrews 4:9 – 11)
For this reason, I encourage you to make it a regular practice to keep a Sabbath day each week. The specific day is less important than the intentional rhythm of setting aside a 24-hour period for rest and renewal.
Interestingly, the Bible gives very little instruction about what to do on the Sabbath — it mostly tells us what not to do. We are to stop our usual work and toil. That freedom opens the door for creativity and joy. The Sabbath is a day to enjoy life-giving activities such as:
Spending time with God through Scripture, prayer, and worship
Enjoying fellowship with others
Appreciating nature
Playing and resting
Practicing the disciplines of grace
Over the next month, try setting aside one 24-hour period each week for rest, joy, and celebration. Then reflect on the experience with your discipleship partner using these questions:
What did the Sabbath discipline teach you about God, yourself, and the world? How might this shape the way you live during your “normal” week?
What did you find rewarding about keeping a Sabbath? What did you find difficult?
How can you continue to grow in Sabbath keeping? How can this discipline help you know and love God — without becoming just another “religious duty”?
Being creative
As we’ve seen throughout this chapter, God is creative — and He delights in making beautiful things that bring joy and glory to Him. Being made in His image, we too were designed to find joy and meaning in the creative process.
Take a few minutes to look back over the major truths and ideas from this chapter — what has impacted you most? What do you want to remember and live out? Then respond by creating something visual or tangible that reflects what you're learning.
The possibilities are limitless. You might consider:
Creating a collage of images and/or words
Drawing or painting an image (on paper, pottery, glass, etc.)
Writing a song or poem
Making a comic book
Creating a diorama
Designing a bookmark or book cover
Making a piece of jewelry or a wood carving
Taking a series of pictures or making a short video.
The goal is not perfection. The goal is presence. Let the process give you space to reflect and respond — and invite God into it. Ask Him to speak to your heart as you create together with Him.
When you’re done, consider sharing your creation with your discipleship partner. Explain what you chose to make, why it matters to you, and what you learned about God — and about yourself — through the creative process.
Enjoying Creation
God created a world overflowing with beauty, life, and abundance. He didn’t just make a place where we could survive — He made a world that declares His glory and invites us into worship. As Psalm 19 reminds us:
The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they reveal knowledge. (Psalm 19:1 -2)
Many psalms reflect how people met God through creation (consider reading Psalms 8, 19, 104, or 139). Jesus, too, often pointed to nature to reveal truth (see Matthew 6:25–34). All of this reminds us: God made the world not only to sustain us, but to reveal Himself — and even more, to meet with us.
So in the next few days, carve out some time simply to enjoy God’s creation. You might take a slow walk, sit outside with your journal, or have a quiet picnic in a beautiful place. Go alone or with a friend.
Before you begin, pray and ask God to open your eyes to what He wants to show you through His created world. As you walk or sit, move slowly. Pay attention. Let your heart be open. You might bring a Bible and read one of the psalms mentioned above. At the end of your time, take a few moments to thank God — for what He has made, and for meeting you in it.
You may also want to include a simple act of caring for creation as part of your response. This could mean picking up litter in a park or neighborhood, planting a tree, or starting a small garden. These small actions reflect our call to steward the world God has made.
This can also be a meaningful opportunity to invite others along — especially those with whom you’re sharing your faith. As you serve side by side, ask them what they believe about the world, humanity’s purpose, and the existence of God. Be ready to share the hope and wonder you’re discovering as you see the world through God’s eyes.
Praying for one another
In response to all that you have learned, discussed, and reflected on in this chapter, take time to share prayer needs with one another. Is there a particular idol you need to leave behind? A new practice you need to take up? A specific area of life where you are being called to trust and obey God? Share also any other concerns or situations in your life where you would like prayer in the days ahead. After sharing, pray for one another. Then make a plan to pray regularly for each other until your next meeting
Creator God, how majestic is Your name in all the earth! We thank You for Your creation and for the gift of life. We praise You that You are in control of all creation and history, and that You sit enthroned above it all. There is truly none like You! Forgive us for the times when we have placed our hope or obedience in anything besides You, or when we have lost our confidence in You. Continue to make us into Your new creation — men and women who look like Your Son Jesus and who are filled with Your Spirit. As You do this work in us, help us also to be Your messengers of reconciliation in this world. We pray this so that You would be glorified in us and through us. In the name of Jesus we pray. AMEN.
For further study
If you would like to explore more deeply the theme of God as the Maker of heaven and earth, consider studying the following passages:
Psalm 8, 19, 104, 148: The theme of God as Creator runs throughout the Psalms, calling us to know, trust, and worship the Creator of all things.
Isaiah 40 - 43: These chapters often refer to God as the Creator and urge us to trust Him alone, rather than the idols of the world. As our Creator, He continues to lead us into life and salvation.
Colossians 1: Paul teaches that Christ is the head, source, and sustainer of all creation, calling us to worship and trust Him.
-----
Schrödinger, Erwin. Nature and the Greeks and Science and Humanism (Cambridge University Press 2014): 95.
Lenox, John C. God’s Undertaker: Has science buried God? (Lion Hudson 2009): 21.
Much of my understanding of this text and the views of the Ancient Near East comes from the work of John H. Walton, Old Testament scholar and Professor at Wheaton College. In this chapter I am drawing much from his commentary on Genesis (Walton, John H. The NIV Application Commentary: Genesis (Zondervan 2001)) as well as his Lost World series (Walton, John H. The Lost World of Genesis One: Ancient cosmology and the origins debate (InterVarsity Press 2009)).
The seven-point structure is also seen in many other aspects of the text – some of which are harder to observe in the English translation. The first sentence is composed of 7 words, the second sentence has 14 (2x7) words, and the seventh day has 35 (5x7) words. Seven times the passage says that God saw it was good. The words God, earth, and firmament are also mentioned multiple of seven times (35, 21 and 21 respectively). These are all literary devices to point to the theme of seven in the text.
For more information on this I encourage you to read: Beale, G. K. and Mitchell Kim, God Dwells Among Us: Expanding Eden to the Ends of the Earth (InterVarsity Press 2014). The Bible Project also has very helpful information about this: bibleproject.com/explore/temple/
Shigematsu, Ken. “Sabbath: Pray and Play.” God in My Everything Sermon Series. Tenth Church. Vancouver. 15 Sept. 2013. Tenth.ca. Web. (2020). Transcript.
Willard, Dallas. “How does a disciple live?” Radix 34, no. 3 (Spring 2009), 12 – 14.
Comments