And God saw everything that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.
It is deserving our attention, that God's approbation of his work at the close of it; and after the creation of man, differs from what was said before. All was said to be good; but now it is said to be very good. Was this in consequence of his love to man? Was it as beholding his creature man in his son Christ Jesus? Reader! remember, I ask it as a question: far is it from me to decide upon it. But, methinks, under this idea, it leads forth the soul of a true believer in Christ in sweet meditation from such a thought. If Adam was formed in the likeness of Him that should, in the fullness of time, appear in our manhood, and God, beholding Adam in Him, pronounced all his works on his account very good; doth it not lead us to look up and bless the Great Authors of all our mercies in creation and redemption, and especially for the personal interest every believer hath in Jesus? Lord, what is man that thou art mindful of him, or the Son of man that thou visitest him? Psalms 8:4
REFLECTIONS
ADMIDST many other precious instructions arising out of this Chapter, which I pray God the Spirit to unfold to the mind of the Reader, there are some which I venture to suggest to his more immediate attention.
And first. Is it not a very refreshing thought to the true believer in Christ, to behold, in the very opening of the Bible, in the first verse of it, and almost in the very first word of the verse, that the glorious doctrine of the Holy Trinity, which is the foundation of faith, is so strikingly set forth? What an exalted thought is this for the human mind to dwell in contemplation upon, that the God with whom we have to do. and from whose goodness we originate, is so widely distinguished, in the nature of his own existence, from all his creatures! And with what veneration, humility of soul, and the most profound homage, ought we at all times to be looking up to this first, greatest, and best of Beings!
But this is not all. It is not enough to look up to the Great I AM, as he is in himself; but we are authorized, nay enjoined, to contemplate and adore the Divine Majesty, as he stands revealed to his creatures. In Genesis 1:26, we behold the Sacred Three in One, conferring together for our creation: Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. As if by this act, they called upon the human mind to admire and adore the Godhead in this threefold character of Persons, as the united source of all our mercies. Well might David exclaim, and so may you and I, fearfully and wonderfully am I made! Wonderfully made, indeed, when our creation thus occupied the joint agency of the Sacred Three! Wonderfully redeemed, also, when the redemption of our nature engaged their joint concern! and wonderful will be that joy, which is unspeakable and full of glory, when their joint praises will employ the innumerable host of the faithful before the throne; when that hymn shall be sung: Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive all glory, and honour, and power; for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.