In the Blue Letter Bible, “Creation” refers to the act of God bringing the universe and all living things into existence, as described in Genesis 1. It encompasses the divine power and authority of God as the creator of all that is seen and unseen.
Scripture
1 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.
2 The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.
3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.
4 And God saw that the light was good.
5 God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.
6 And God said, “Let there be an expanse in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters.”
7 And God made the expanse and separated the waters that were under the expanse from the waters that were above the expanse. And it was so.
8 And God called the expanse Heaven. And there was evening and there was morning, the second day.
9 And God said, “Let the waters under the heavens be gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear.” And it was so.
10 God called the dry land Earth, and the waters that were gathered together he called Seas. And God saw that it was good.
11 And God said, “Let the earth sprout vegetation, plants yielding seed, and fruit trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind, on the earth.” And it was so.
12 The earth brought forth vegetation, plants yielding seed according to their own kinds, and trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.
13 And there was evening and there was morning, the third day.
14 And God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night. And let them be for signs and for seasons, and for days and years,
15 and let them be lights in the expanse of the heavens to give light upon the earth.” And it was so.
16 And God made the two great lights—the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night—and the stars.
17 And God set them in the expanse of the heavens to give light on the earth,
18 to rule over the day and over the night, and to separate the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good.
19 And there was evening and there was morning, the fourth day.
20 And God said, “Let the waters swarm with swarms of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the expanse of the heavens.”
21 So God created the great sea creatures and every living creature that moves, with which the waters swarm, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.
22 And God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.”
23 And there was evening and there was morning, the fifth day.
24 And God said, “Let the earth bring forth living creatures according to their kinds—livestock and creeping things and beasts of the earth according to their kinds.” And it was so.
25 And God made the beasts of the earth according to their kinds and the livestock according to their kinds, and everything that creeps on the ground according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.
26 Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”
27 So God created man in his own image,
in the image of God he created him;
male and female he created them.
28 And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”
29 And God said, “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food.
30 And to every beast of the earth and to every bird of the heavens and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food.” And it was so.
31 And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.
Definition of Creation in the Bible
The concept of “Creation” in the context of the Bible encompasses not only the act of bringing the universe into existence but also reflects the profound relationship between God and His creation, emphasizing His sovereignty, intentionality, and purpose. Genesis 1 vividly narrates the systematic unfolding of creation, where God speaks things into existence, demonstrating His power through a series of commands: “Let there be light” (Genesis 1:3), which introduces order into a formless void. Each element of creation is deemed “good,” culminating in the creation of humanity, made in the “image of God” (Genesis 1:26-27). This underscores the inherent value and dignity afforded to human life and highlights the relational aspect of Creation, affirming that humanity holds a unique place within the created order as stewards of God’s creation.
Furthermore, the broader theological implications of Creation extend into the realms of worship and responsibility. Colossians 1:16 affirms, “For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible,” reinforcing that everything exists through and for Christ. This invites believers to see themselves not just as inhabitants of the created world, but as active participants in God’s ongoing work of creation. The themes of care and stewardship are echoed in Genesis 1:28, where God commands humanity to “fill the earth and subdue it,” suggestive of a collaborative dynamic with creation. The definition of Creation, therefore, is rich with implications for understanding God’s character, our identity, and our responsibilities in relation to the world around us, inviting believers into a deeper relationship with both God and His creation.
In examining the broader narrative of creation, we find profound insights in several other scriptural passages that articulate the nature of God as Creator. For instance, Psalm 19:1 states, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” This encapsulates the idea that creation serves as a testament to God’s glory, inviting humanity to recognize the divine artistry evident in the natural world. The heavens and the earth not only reflect God’s creative power but also invite worship and contemplation, indicating that the act of creation is intertwined with divine revelation. Creation is not merely a past event but an ongoing manifestation of God’s majesty that calls people to respond with reverence and adoration.
Additionally, the book of Job offers a poignant exploration of creation through conversations about God’s sovereignty and the intricacies of the natural world. In Job 38-39, God poses a series of rhetorical questions regarding the foundations of the earth and the behavior of animals. These passages emphasize God’s meticulous involvement in the created order, illustrating that creation is imbued with purpose and divine wisdom. The account reveals the mysteries of existence and the limitations of human understanding, pointing to a Creator who is intimately familiar with every detail of His creation. Through this lens, the definition of Creation expands beyond an initial act of bringing forth existence; it encompasses a dynamic relationship wherein creation continuously reflects God’s character, sustains the rhythm of life, and invites humanity to engage in a deeper understanding of and connection with the Creator.
Theological Significance of Creation
The concept of creation in the Bible underscores the belief in a sovereign God who intentionally brought the universe into existence. This act of creation is not merely a historical event but a foundational aspect of God’s nature and character. It reflects His power, wisdom, and purpose, establishing a relationship between the Creator and His creation. This theological perspective invites believers to recognize their place within the created order and to understand their responsibility towards the environment and each other.
Creation as a Reflection of God’s Glory
Creation serves as a testament to God’s glory and majesty. The beauty and complexity of the natural world reveal aspects of God’s character, inviting humanity to worship and acknowledge His greatness. This understanding encourages believers to see creation not just as a backdrop for human activity but as an integral part of God’s revelation. It emphasizes the idea that all creation is imbued with purpose and meaning, reflecting the divine nature and inviting a response of reverence and stewardship.
The Role of Humanity in Creation
The biblical definition of creation also highlights the unique role of humanity within the created order. Humans are depicted as bearers of God’s image, endowed with the capacity for relationship, creativity, and moral responsibility. This aspect of creation emphasizes the dignity and value of human life, as well as the call to exercise dominion and stewardship over the earth. It challenges believers to engage actively in the world, promoting justice, care for creation, and the flourishing of all living beings as part of their divine mandate.
How to Embrace God’s Purpose for a Meaningful Life
Embracing God’s purpose for a meaningful life is a journey that begins with a sincere desire to know Him more deeply. Start by immersing yourself in prayer and Scripture, allowing His Word to illuminate your path and reveal His plans for you. Reflect on your unique gifts and passions, as these are often clues to the calling He has placed on your heart. Surround yourself with a community of believers who can encourage and support you, sharing in the joys and challenges of faith. Remember, it’s not about achieving perfection but about being open to His guidance and willing to step out in faith, trusting that He will lead you to a life that not only fulfills you but also serves others. As you seek to align your life with His purpose, you’ll find that true meaning comes from loving God and loving those around you, creating a ripple effect of grace and hope in the world.
Bible References to Definition of Creation:
Genesis 2:1-25: 2 Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them.
2 And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done.
3 So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation.
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.
5 When no bush of the field was yet in the land and no small plant of the field had yet sprung up—for the Lord God had not caused it to rain on the land, and there was no man to work the ground,
6 And a mist was going up from the land and was watering the whole face of the ground.
7 then the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature.
8 And the Lord God planted a garden in Eden, in the east, and there he put the man whom he had formed.
9 And out of the ground the Lord God made to spring up every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. The tree of life was in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
10 A river flowed out of Eden to water the garden, and there it divided and became four rivers.
11 The name of the first is the Pishon. It is the one that flowed around the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold.
12 The gold of that land is good; bdellium and onyx stone are there.
13 The name of the second river is the Gihon. It is the one that flowed around the whole land of Cush.
14 The name of the third river is the Tigris, which flows east of Assyria. And the fourth river is the Euphrates.
15 The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it.
16 And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “You may surely eat of every tree of the garden,
17 but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”
18 Then the Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.”
19 Now out of the ground the Lord God had formed every beast of the field and every bird of the heavens and brought them to the man to see what he would call them. And whatever the man called every living creature, that was its name.
20 The man gave names to all livestock and to the birds of the heavens and to every beast of the field.
21 So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and while he slept took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh.
22 And the rib that the Lord God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man.
23 Then the man said, “This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.”
24 Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.
25 And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed.
Psalm 104:1-35: 1 Bless the Lord, O my soul! O Lord my God, you are very great! You are clothed with splendor and majesty.
2 Covering yourself with light as with a garment, stretching out the heavens like a tent.
3 He lays the beams of his chambers on the waters; he makes the clouds his chariot; he rides on the wings of the wind;
4 The Lord is the one who makes winds his messengers, flames of fire his ministers.
5 The Lord established the earth on its foundations, so it will never move.
6 You covered it with the deep as with a garment; the waters stood above the mountains.
7 At your rebuke they fled; at the sound of your thunder they took to flight.
8 The mountains rose, the valleys sank down to the place that you appointed for them.
9 You set a boundary that they may not pass, so that they might not again cover the earth.
10 He sends forth springs in the valleys; they flow between the hills.
11 They give drink to every beast of the field; the wild donkeys quench their thirst.
12 The birds of the heavens dwell in the branches; they sing among the leaves.
13 From your lofty abode you water the mountains; the earth is satisfied with the fruit of your work.
14 You cause the grass to grow for the livestock and plants for man to cultivate, that he may bring forth food from the earth.
15 and wine to gladden the heart of man, oil to make his face shine, and bread that strengthens man’s heart.
16 The trees of the Lord are watered abundantly, the cedars of Lebanon that he planted.
17 The trees of the Lord are watered abundantly, the cedars of Lebanon that he planted.
18 The high mountains are for the wild goats; the rocks are a refuge for the badgers.
19 He made the moon to mark the seasons; the sun knows its time for setting.
20 You make darkness, and it is night, when all the beasts of the forest creep about.
21 The young lions roar for their prey, seeking their food from God.
22 When the sun rises, they steal away and lie down in their dens.
23 Man goes out to his work and to his labor until the evening.
24 O Lord, how manifold are your works! In wisdom have you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures.
25 There is the sea, great and wide, which teems with creatures innumerable, living things both small and great.
26 There go the ships, and Leviathan, which you formed to play in it.
27 These all look to you, to give them their food in due season.
28 When you give it to them, they gather it up; when you open your hand, they are filled with good things.
29 When you hide your face, they are dismayed; when you take away their breath, they die and return to their dust.
30 When you send forth your Spirit, they are created,
and you renew the face of the ground.
31 May the glory of the Lord endure forever; may the Lord rejoice in his works.
32 When he looks on the earth, it trembles; when he touches the mountains, they smoke.
33 I will sing to the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have being.
34 May my meditation be pleasing to him, for I rejoice in the Lord.
35 Let sinners be consumed from the earth, and let the wicked be no more! Bless the Lord, O my soul! Praise the Lord!
Job 38:1-41: 1 Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind and said:
2 “Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge?
3 Dress for action like a man;
I will question you, and you make it known to me.
4 “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?
Tell me, if you have understanding.
5 Who determined its measurements—surely you know!
Or who stretched the line upon it?
6 On what were its bases sunk,
or who laid its cornerstone,
7 when the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?
8 “Or who shut in the sea with doors
when it burst out from the womb,
9 when I made the clouds its garment
and thick darkness its swaddling band,
10 and prescribed limits for it and set bars and doors,
11 and said, ‘Thus far shall you come, and no farther, and here shall your proud waves be stayed’?
12 “Have you commanded the morning since your days began,
and caused the dawn to know its place,
13 that it might take hold of the skirts of the earth, and the wicked be shaken out of it?
14 It is changed like clay under the seal, and its features stand out like a garment.
15 “From the wicked their light is withheld,
and their uplifted arm is broken.”
16 “Have you entered into the springs of the sea, or walked in the recesses of the deep?”
17 Have the gates of death been revealed to you,
or have you seen the gates of deep darkness?
18 Have you comprehended the expanse of the earth? Tell me, if you know all this.
19 “Where is the way to the dwelling of light, and where is the place of darkness,”
20 that you may take it to its territory
and that you may discern the paths to its home?
21 You know, for you were born then, and the number of your days is great!
22 “Have you entered the storehouses of the snow, or have you seen the storehouses of the hail,”
23 which I have reserved for the time of trouble,
for the day of battle and war?
24 What is the way to the place where the light is distributed, or where the east wind is scattered upon the earth?
25 Who has cleft a channel for the torrents of rain
and a way for the thunderbolt,
26 to bring rain on a land where no man is, on the desert in which there is no man,
27 to satisfy the waste and desolate land, and to make the ground sprout with grass?
28 “Has the rain a father, or who has begotten the drops of dew?”
29 “From whose womb did the ice come forth, and who has given birth to the frost of heaven?
30 “The waters become hard like stone, and the face of the deep is frozen.”
31 “Can you bind the chains of the Pleiades or loose the cords of Orion?”
32 “Can you lead forth the Mazzaroth in their season,
or can you guide the Bear with its children?
33 Do you know the ordinances of the heavens?
Can you establish their rule on the earth?
34 “Can you lift up your voice to the clouds,
that a flood of waters may cover you?
35 Can you send forth lightnings, that they may go
and say to you, ‘Here we are’?
36 Who has put wisdom in the inward parts
or given understanding to the mind?
37 Who can number the clouds by wisdom?
Or who can tilt the waterskins of the heavens,
38 “when the dust runs into a mass and the clods stick fast together?”
39 “Can you hunt the prey for the lion,
or satisfy the appetite of the young lions,
40 when they crouch in their dens or lie in wait in their thicket?
41 Who provides for the raven its prey, when its young ones cry to God for help, and wander about for lack of food?
Job 39:1-30: 1 “Do you know when the mountain goats give birth?
Do you observe the calving of the does?
2 Do you know the time when the mountain goats give birth?
Do you observe the calving of the does?
3 Do you number the months that they fulfill, and do you know the time when they give birth,
4 Their young ones become strong; they grow up in the open; they go out and do not return to them.
5 “Who has let the wild donkey go free? Who has loosed the bonds of the swift donkey,
6 to the wild donkey the wilderness is his home, and the salt land his dwelling place.
7 He scorns the tumult of the city;
he hears not the shouts of the driver.
8 He ranges the mountains as his pasture, and he searches after every green thing.
9 “Is the wild ox willing to serve you?
Will he spend the night at your manger?
10 Can you bind the wild ox to his furrow with ropes,
or will he harrow the valleys after you?
11 Do you give the horse his might?
Do you clothe his neck with a mane?
12 Will you have faith in him that he will return your grain and gather it to your threshing floor?
13 “The wings of the ostrich wave proudly, but are they the pinions and plumage of love?”
14 For she leaves her eggs to the earth and lets them be warmed on the ground,
15 She forgets that a foot may crush them and that the wild beast may trample them.
16 She deals cruelly with her young, as if they were not hers; though her labor be in vain, yet she has no fear,
17 because God has made her forget wisdom
and given her no share in understanding.
18 When she rouses herself to flee, she laughs at the horse and his rider.
19 “Do you give the horse his might?
Do you clothe his neck with a mane?
20 Do you make him leap like the locust? His majestic snorting is terrifying.
21 It paws in the valley and exults in its strength; it goes out to meet the weapons.
22 He laughs at fear and is not dismayed;
he does not turn back from the sword.
23 “The quiver rattles against him,
the flashing spear and javelin.
24 He laughs at fear and is not dismayed;
he does not turn back from the sword.
25 As often as the trumpet sounds he says, ‘Aha!’ and he smells the battle from afar, the thunder of the captains, and the shouting.
26 “Is it by your understanding that the hawk soars and spreads his wings toward the south?
27 Is it at your command that the eagle mounts up and makes his nest on high?
28 On the rock it dwells and makes its home,
on the rocky crag and stronghold.
29 From there it spies out the prey; its eyes behold it from far away.
30 His young ones suck up blood,
and where the slain are, there is he.”
Isaiah 40:21-31: 21 Do you not know? Do you not hear? Has it not been told you from the beginning? Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth?
22 It is he who sits above the circle of the earth, and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers; who stretches out the heavens like a curtain, and spreads them like a tent to dwell in;
23 who brings princes to nothing,
and makes the rulers of the earth as emptiness.
24 Scarcely are they planted, scarcely sown, scarcely has their stem taken root in the earth, when he blows on them, and they wither, and the tempest carries them off like stubble.
25 To whom then will you compare me, that I should be like him? Says the Holy One.
26 Lift up your eyes on high and see: who created these?
He who brings out their host by number, calling them all by name,
by the greatness of his might,
and because he is strong in power
not one is missing.
27 Why do you say, O Jacob,
and speak, O Israel,
“My way is hidden from the Lord,
and my right is disregarded by my God”?
28 Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable.
29 He gives power to the faint,
and to him who has no might he increases strength.
30 Even youths shall faint and be weary,
and young men shall fall exhausted;
31 but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.
Isaiah 45:5-12: 5 I am the Lord, and there is no other, besides me there is no God;
6 that people may know, from the rising of the sun and from the west, that there is none besides me; I am the Lord, and there is no other.
7 I form light and create darkness;
I make well-being and create calamity;
I am the Lord, who does all these things.
8 “Shower, O heavens, from above,
and let the clouds rain down righteousness;
let the earth open, that salvation and righteousness may bear fruit;
let the earth cause them both to sprout;
I the Lord have created it.
9 “Woe to him who strives with him who formed him,
a pot among earthen pots!
Does the clay say to him who forms it, ‘What are you making?’
or ‘Your work has no handles’?
10 Woe to him who says to a father, ‘What are you begetting?’ or to a woman, ‘With what are you in labor?’”
11 Thus says the Lord, the Holy One of Israel, and the one who formed him: “Ask me of things to come; will you command me concerning my children and the work of my hands?
12 I made the earth and created man on it; it was my hands that stretched out the heavens, and I commanded all their host.
John 1:1-5: 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 He was in the beginning with God.
3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.
4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men.
5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
Colossians 1:15-20: 15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.
16 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.
17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
18 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.
19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell,
20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.
Hebrews 11:1-3: 1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
2 For by it the people of old received their commendation.
3 By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.
Revelation 4:11: 11 “Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.”
Reverend Ogunlade is a seasoned Church Minister with over three decades of experience in guiding and nurturing congregations. With profound wisdom and a serene approach, Reverend Ogunlade has carried out various pastoral duties, including delivering uplifting sermons, conducting religious ceremonies, and offering sage counsel to individuals seeking spiritual guidance. Their commitment to fostering harmony and righteousness within their community is exemplified through their compassionate nature, making them a beloved and trusted figure among the congregation.