Creation and Rest

Neighboring peoples told creation stories with many warring gods. Genesis presents one God who creates by his word.

Overview

God made everything by speaking. He called creation good and made people in his image. On the seventh day he rested and blessed that day.

Going deeper

Days 1 to 3 form realms (light, sky and sea, land) and days 4 to 6 fill them (lights, birds and fish, animals and people). Humans alone are made in God's image and given rule over creation.

Key verses (KJV)

Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God: the Bible begins with God, not with argument for him.
Genesis 1:27 Male and female, both in God's image.
Genesis 2:2-3 God rested, setting a pattern of Sabbath.

From the commentaries

1. Observe, in this verse, four things:— (1.) The effect produced—the heaven and the earth, that is, the world, including the whole frame and furniture of the universe, the world and all things therein, Acts xvii. 24. The world is a great house, consisting of upper and lower stories, the structure stately and magnificent, uniform and convenient, and every room well and wisely furnished. It is the visible part of the creation that Moses here designs to account for; therefore he mentions not the creation of angels. ...
Matthew Henry, Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible (1706-1721)

1. In the beginning—a period of remote and unknown antiquity, hid in the depths of eternal ages; and so the phrase is used in Pr 8:22, 23. God—the name of the Supreme Being, signifying in Hebrew, "Strong," "Mighty." It is expressive of omnipotent power; and by its use here in the plural form, is obscurely taught at the opening of the Bible, a doctrine clearly revealed in other parts of it, namely, that though God is one, there is a plurality of persons in the Godhead—Father, Son, and Spirit, who were engaged in the creative work (Pr 8:27; Joh 1:3, 10; Eph 3:9; Heb 1:2; Job 26:13). created—not formed from any pre-existing materials, but made out of nothing. the heaven and the earth—the univer
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown, Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory (1871)

Every believer in Divine revelation finds himself amply justified in taking for granted that the Pentateuch is the work of Moses. For more than 3000 years this has been the invariable opinion of those who were best qualified to form a correct judgment on this subject. The Jewish Church, from its most remote antiquity, has ascribed the work to no other hand; and the Christian Church, from its foundation, has attributed it to the Jewish lawgiver alone. The most respectable heathens have concurred in this testimony, and Jesus Christ and his apostles have completed the evidence, and have put the question beyond the possibility of being doubted by those who profess to believe the Divine authentic
Adam Clarke, Adam Clarke's Commentary (1810-1826)

1. In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. 1. In principio creavit Deus coelum et terram. 2. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. 2. Terra autem erat informis et inanis; tenebraeque erant in superficie voraginis, et Spiritus Dei agitabat se in superficie aquarum. 3. And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. 3. Et dixit Deus, Sit lux. Et fuit lux. 4. And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness. 4. Viditque Deus lucem quod bona esset; et devisit Deus lucem a tenebris. 5. And God called the light Day, and the darkness he c
John Calvin, John Calvin's Commentaries (16th century, Calvin Translation Society, 1840s-1850s)

Application

What does being made in God's image say about how you treat others?
How do you practice rest?
Which part of creation helps you praise God?

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