What clue does Genesis 1:1 reveal about God's dealings with people?
Genesis 1:1 reveals that from the very beginning, before Israel or Abraham, God was signaling a pattern for His dealings with humanity: He constantly divides things between heaven and earth. The triune God created the heavens and the earth out of nothing, establishing this heaven-and-earth distinction as an early clue.
Les explains that Genesis 1:1, “in the beginning,” refers to whenever it was, and the triune Godhead created. The Hebrew word bara means called out of nothing. God did not start with something and then rearrange it; He started with absolutely nothing but Himself and called the universe into being. Les notes that way back in the first verse of Genesis, before the nation of Israel is hinted at and before Abraham’s call, God is already giving a clue that throughout all His dealings with the human race, He will constantly divide things between heaven and earth. He also says he will later show in the New Testament which person of the Godhead spoke the Word and called it into being.
In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
More Questions
Why does Genesis 1:1 mention 'heavens and earth' as a clue to God's dealings with humanity?
In Genesis 1:1, before Israel or Abraham is even hinted at, God gives a clue that throughout all His dealings with humanity He will constantly divide things between heaven and earth.
What is the Hebrew word for God in Genesis 1:1?
The English word 'God' in Genesis 1:1 comes from the Hebrew word 'Elohim.'