I. What is meant by creation? The giving being to that which before was not. The expression, "the heavens and the earth," is the most exhaustive phrase the Hebrews could employ to name the universe, which is regarded as a twofold whole, consisting of unequal parts. Writing for men, Moses writes as a man. The moral importance of the earth, as the scene of man's probation, is the reason for the form which the phrase assumes. The truth of the creation governs the theology of the Old and New Testaments, and may have influenced the formation of heathen cosmogonies, such as the Etruscan and the Zendavesta. Creation is a mystery, satisfactory to the reason, but strictly beyond it. We can modify existing matter, but we cannot create one particle of it. That God summoned it into being is a truth which we believe on God's authority, but which we can never verify.
II. Belief in the creation of the universe out of nothing is the only account of its origin which is compatible with belief in a personal and moral God.
Creation suggests Providence, and Providence leads the way to Redemption. If love or goodness were the true motive in creation, it implies God's continuous interest in created life. By His love, which led Him to move out of Himself in creation at the first, He travels with the slow, onward movement of the world and of humanity, and His Incarnation in time, when demanded by the needs of the creatures of His hand, is in a line with that first of mysteries, His deigning to create at all. Belief in creation keeps man in his right place of humble dependence and thankful service. A moral God will not despise the work of His own hands, and Creation leads up to Redemption.
H. P. Liddon, University Sermons,2nd series, p. 38.
The Bible spoke in the language and through the knowledge of its time. It was content to reveal spiritual truth, but left men to find out scientific truth for themselves. It is inspired with regard to principles, but not as regards details of fact. The principles laid down in this chapter are: (1) the unity of God; (2) that all noble work is gradual; (3) the interdependence of rest and work; (4) that man was made in the image of God.
S. A. Brooke, Sermons,p. 222.
I. Man naturally asks for some account of the world in which he lives. The answer of the text as to the creation of the heavens and the earth is: (1) simple; (2) sublime; (3) sufficient.
If God created all things, then (a) all things are under His government; (b) the heavens and the earth may be studied religiously; (c) it is reasonable that He should take an interest in the things which He created.
II. Biblical theology teaches: (1) that creation is an expression of God's mind; (2) that creation may form the basis for the consideration of God's personality and character; (3) that God's word is its own security for fulfilment; (4) that the word which accounts for the existence of nature accounts also for the existence of man.
Parker, People's Bible,vol. i., p. 118.
The whole Trinity, each in His separate office, though all in unity, addressed themselves to the work of creation: (1) the Holy Spirit brooded over the watery chaos; (2) the Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, was that power,or "Arm of the Lord," by which the whole work was executed, "In the beginning was the Word;" (3) the Father's mind willed all, planned all, and did all. God created only"the heaven and the earth." He provided a heaven, but He did not provide a hell. That was provided, not for our world at all, but for the devil and his angels. If we ask why God created this universe of ours, three purposes suggest themselves: (1) it was the expression and out-going of His wisdom, power, and love; (2) it was for the sake of His noblest work, His creature, man; (3) the heaven and the earth were meant to be the scene of the exhibition of His own dear Son. Remember, that marvellously grand as it was, that first creation was only a type and earnest of a better.
J. Vaughan, Sermons,15th series, p. 37.
References: Genesis 1:1 H. P. Liddon, Penny Pulpit,No. 205 (see Old Testament Outlines,p. 1); J. Van Oosterzee, The Year of Salvation,vol. ii., p. 320; H. Alford, Quebec Chapel Sermons,vol. iv., p. 1; A. P. Peabody, Christian World Pulpit,vol. xii., p. 333; J. Cumming, Church before the Flood,p. 79; Homiletic Quarterly,vol. i., p. 87, vol. iv., p. 420; Clergyman's Magazine,vol. xx., p. 19, vol. xxii., p. 82; S. Leathes, Truth and Life,p. 1; J. E. Gibberd, Christian World Pulpit,vol. xvii., p. 249; M. G. Pearse, Some Aspects of the Blessed Life,p. 25; C. Kingsley, Discipline and other Sermons,p. 112; C. Kingsley, The Gospel of the Pentateuch,p. 1; R. S. Candlish, The Book of Genesis, Discourses,vol. i., p. 18; B. Waugh, The Sunday Magazine(1887), p. 59. Genesis 1:1-3 F. W. Robertson, Notes on Genesis,p. 1.Genesis 1:1-5. Spurgeon, Sermons,vol. xi., No. 660.