Connection Scriptures: Job 38:4-11 and John 1:1-5

I think todays starting point is one of the most familiar scriptures for most believers (and even non believers).  It’s up there with John 3:16 and Psalm 23.  At least the first line, “In the beginning, God created…”. 

Life was manifested here, as in on this planet.  God made the universe on day four,  and all we are still discovering today with advanced telescopes and rocket dreams. All the stars and galaxies serve one purpose and that is to keep time.  That’s it.  Also, probably to display His glory and blow our minds when we ponder the immense expanse of it all.  That He holds all of it in His hand (Isaiah 40:12, Colossians 1:17).  I make this point because all the beauty of creation and the Word of Gods’ power was poured into making life for earth, and that for humanity. 

About 10 years ago, I had searched and searched for a science curriculum that truly articulated the truth that God and the subject were not at odds with each other.  When I read through Genesis chapter one, it was plain to me that all sciences were born in these six days of creation.  So, I did what any good and weird homeschool mom would do—I wrote my own lessons.  We’ve used a three year rotation of that same curriculum over and over, adjusting with age changes and focuses.  I love telling people who ask me how to navigate science at home, to just read Genesis chapter one.  It’s wonderful to see that mankind with all its discoveries and theories has always been chasing the divine.  He got there first and has been calling us to wonder and a way to praise Him even more for energy, water, geology, the animal kingdom, our amazing bodies, etc.  

Chapter one gives us a peek behind the curtain, if only for a moment.  The mystery of the Trinity is seen in verse 26.  “Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image…” (emphasis mine).  If you read it too quick, you may miss the subtle pronouns.  Verses 1-2 show us God and the Spirit of God introducing creation.  But, when we look at John 1:1-5, we see Jesus is included in this account.  Right there, at the dawn of creation, Jesus was the one speaking and creating.  I will not attempt to explain the Trinity—many men and women have done a far better job and you can check them out.  All I can attest is that I see three here.  Three in One, creating and communicating, and in a relationship.  There is already a wholeness that they are sharing with creation, complete in each other.  They are sharing their image.  This isn’t happening with the whole of creation.  The plants aren’t made in the Image, nor are the bunnies or bacteria.  Not the geodes or galaxies.  Just one part of creation—man and woman.  At this point, the crown is placed on the head of the Earth.  The ones who were made to dominate and care for this amazing place were here.  They reflected God and they were made to enjoy Him and each other forever.  They had an order to keep here and provision to sustain them, the greatest being the presence of God Himself.  

At this God declares all that was made was “tov me’od”—very good.  Of the myriad of words I can think of to describe all that Genesis one entails, is “very good” enough?  It causes me to recall the instances when I am fixing something that has broken in the house, especially on a day that I don’t have the time or energy for delays.  It’s usually a “fix it till it’s good enough” kind of thing.  I guess that’s why I kind of think it should be more, this pronouncement of all of creation.  To me, “very good” is not the best, but adequate for the task.  This is where the world has sullied my vision.  A quick Hebrew study and I am overwhelmed with synonyms and comparative words: pleasant, agreeable, excellent, rich, valuable, becoming, better, happy, kind, right.  This world, once created, was just as it should be.  It was Enough for Life and it was Complete.  The Lord himself embodies this wordage as the psalmist exclaims, “For the LORD is good; his steadfast love endures forever…” (Psalm 100:5).  Even more in the verses, “Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good!  Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!” (Psalm 348).  God is ALL goodness to us, and this means He is Enough.  If there is any satisfaction and completeness to be had here, it is because God in His goodness has shared Himself with us.  

Questions for Reflection:

1. How does the order of God’s creation, culminating in the creation of man and woman, display his care for our world and our purpose in it?

2.  Connecting John 1:1-5, why is it important for us to see Christ as Creator?

3.  Can you name all the science branches launched at creation?

4.  How does understanding God’s goodness and his declaration of creation as “good” help your understanding of His character and the word itself?

5.  What does it mean to you that you are created in God’s image?