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“For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.”

The Scriptures present the creation of space, time, and matter from nothing, ex nihilo by the incalculable power of God.  “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” We know that events happen either by cause through necessity, coincidence, or intentionality. The universe came to be because of the personal agency of Almighty God. “And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.” The Sovereign God brought all things into being and order- out of chaos.  “By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible” (Hebrews 11:3).

We see through the creation narrative that complexity of life builds with each day and humanity is the crowning achievement on the sixth day.

“Then God said, ‘Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.’ So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”

“And God said, ‘See, I have given you every herb that yields seed which is on the face of all the earth, and every tree whose fruit yields seed; to you it shall be for food.  Also, to every beast of the earth, to every bird of the air, and to everything that creeps on the earth, in which there is life, I have given every green herb for food’; and it was so. Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good. So the evening and the morning were the sixth day.” (Genesis 1:26-31)

The Bible gives this specific description of man’s creation, “And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being” (Genesis 2:7). We see God’s immediate work and care in creating humans whereas previously said of mere animals, “let the earth bring forth” (Genesis 1: 11, 24).

Woman was created to complete and perfect humanity with procreation, companionship, and complementary attributes for fulfillment and love. “It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him.” Moreover, “He created them male and female, and blessed them and called them Mankind in the day they were created” (Genesis 5:2).

The Psalmist praises the Lord for the amazing creation of the human form.

“For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb.  I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well. My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book, they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them.” (Psalms 139: 13-16)

Man has a responsibility to God for the creation put under him. Humanity is to “be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion.” God instructs us to not be idle but to work and be productive.  “Then the Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it” (Genesis 2: 15). We see the imperative and virtue of work further substantiated in the New Testament. “For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat” (II Thessalonians 3: 10).

We were created to bring God glory and honor. “Everyone who is called by My name, Whom I have created for My glory; I have formed him, yes, I have made him” (Isaiah 43:7). The magnificence of God is displayed all around us in creation and brings awe and wonder to the heart. “Ah, Lord God! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. There is nothing too hard for You” (Jeremiah 32:17).

God proclaimed His approval of creation as “good” (Genesis 1: 4,10, 12, 18, 21, 25). We see that the primeval couple were innocent in the garden prior to the fall. It is written, “they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed” (Genesis 2: 25). Furthermore, God declared His creation of humanity as “very good.”