“Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things with do appear” (Heb. 11:3).
The word translated “worlds” (Heb. 11:3) is from the word meaning “age” (Thayer, p. 19). However, it also is used figuratively under metonymy to denote “the worlds, the universe, i.e. the aggregate of things contained in time” (Thayer, p. 19). Such is the usage in Hebrews 11:3 as well as in Hebrews 1:2. The visible universe came into existence through the spoken word of God. David wrote, “By the word of the Lord were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth” (Ps. 33:6). Peter equally confirms this, where he wrote by the same Holy Spirit, “by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water” (2 Peter 3:5). Ponder three considerations about God’s physical creation.
- Awe-Inspiring. After the Lord gave Job a lengthy discussion of the creation and the sustaining of that same creation by none other than God himself (cf. Job 38-41), Job stated, “I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withheld from thee. Who is he that hideth counsel without knowledge? therefore have I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not” (Job 42:2-3). Truly, looking intently at the universe and taking the Bible in hand to see it clearly brings a reverence and awe of the Creator behind it. Whether one stands on the shores of the ocean or the top of a mountain peak or the rim of a great canyon, the eye is not full nor can words express the fullness of the physical creation of God. Colors in three-dimensional view with powerful movements of every shape and kind will always catch the attention of all living creatures. All should stand in awe of the supernatural power that brought nature into existence.
- Arranged by Intelligent Design. David wrote, “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth his handiwork” (Ps. 19:1). From Genesis 1:1 to the book of Revelation, the hand of God is shown to have made the material universe with special point of emphasis to where man lives on earth. God did not simply speak atomic matter into existence and then let it evolve into its various forms. Genesis one gives the message of intelligence design. Discoveries in science only reveal that what the Bible said has always been so. The complexity of DNA, the reproduction of all things “after his kind” (Gen. 1:11, 12, 21, 24, 25) with many other details too numerous to give in a short article declares that nature did not happen by chance. Various scientific laws (i.e. Laws of Thermodynamics) deny organic evolution for the existence of matter. Scientific foreknowledge (i.e. life in the blood –Lev. 17:14; paths of the sea – Ps. 8:8) show to man how infinite is God’s knowledge.
- Answers to the Creator. All of life is to respect and respond appropriately to the One who created. Paul wrote of those who rejected righteousness, “Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshiped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen” (Rom. 1:25). Creation owes everything to the Creator. The full teaching of the Bible bears this out (cf. 1 Peter 4:19). May the physical creation merely point man to a greater hunger for God.
Jimmy Clark