The Spirit's Work In Creation

by J. Drain | Category: The Holy Spirit | Feb 1961

In Genesis 1. 1 we read the simple words which convey the profound truth, "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth." It is beyond the knowledge of created intelligences to determine when this beginning was. It is enough for the child of faith to learn from these words that there was a time when heaven and earth came into existence. They have not ever existed, but they came into existence through the creative activity of God who has no beginning, who is eternal. "By faith we understand that the worlds have been framed by the word of God, so that what is seen hath not been made out of things which do appear" (Hebrews 11.8).

Hebrew scholars have indicated that the Hebrew word for God in Genesis 1.1 is in the plural number and therefore means more than two. Hebrew, like Greek, has three numbers, singular, dual and plural (more than two). This fact establishes that in the Divine Being, God, we have more than one Personality. And therefore in the vast work of creation referred to in Genesis 1.1 we have the activity of more than one Person.

It is also pointed out by Hebrew scholars that the verb translated created in Genesis 1.1 is in the singular number, and this impresses upon us that whilst we have plurality; we have also perfect unity. This truth is implied in the statement made by Moses to the children of Israel, "Hear, 0 Israel: the LORD our God is one LORD" (Deuteronomy 6.4). In this expression the word translated God is in the plural number. We have plurality and yet unity. Oneness of Being and nature in the Persons of the Godhead is reflected in oneness of motive and purpose and action.

In the revelation of the New Testament we see clearly and conclusively that the plurality of Personalities in the Godhead is a Trinity. There is God, the Father; and God, the Son; and God, the Holy Spirit. Many scriptures could be quoted in support of this, but it may suffice to say that we believe that an unprejudiced reading of the New Testament will convince that the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are linked and described in language and in teaching which can be interpreted only as involving distinction of Personality and yet equality of Being.

Concerning the work of creation we read in Revelation 4. 11 "Worthy art Thou, our Lord and our God, to receive the glory and the honour and the power: for Thou didst create all things, and because of Thy will they were, and were created." God the Father is seen in the work of creation as the One "who created all things (Ephesians 3.9). He is the One of whom are all things. It is equally clear that the Son of God is presented to us as the One about whom

John could write, "All things were made by Him (or, through Him); and without Him was not anything made that hath been made" (John 1.8). It is also true that in the work of creation the Holy Spirit was actively engaged.

David in Psalm 8.8 says, "When I consider Thy heavens, the work of Thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which Thou hast ordained." The significance of the expression " Thy fingers "can be drawn from what we read in some things which the Lord Jesus said. In Matthew 12 the Lord, in replying to the critical and wicked Pharisees, said, "But if I by the Spirit of God cast out demons, then is the kingdom of God come upon you" (verse 28). The corresponding record in Luke 11.20 says, "But if I by the finger of God cast out demons, then is the kingdom of God come upon you." We conclude that the finger of God refers to the Holy Spirit of God. When David saw the overwhelming majesty of the works of creation, the heavens, the moon, the stars, he saw something of the work of the Spirit of God.

We do not believe that Genesis 1.2 is a description of the earth as it was created in the beginning of Genesis 1. 1. We believe that the earth was perfect in the moment that it came into existence by the word of God. The conditions of Genesis 1.2 must be the effect of some cause arising subsequently to the original creation. When God began to work again with that which was waste and void, dark and desolate, we read, "and the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters." Here was initiated a tremendous work of restoration and creation. Whence came the energy and force to deal with this desolation and bring order, light and life? "The Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters."

In Psalm 104 we have an impressive description of God, particularly related to His creatorial and providential workings. As the psalmist traces these he is led to exclaim, "0 LORD, how manifold are Thy works! In wisdom hast Thou made them all: the earth is full of Thy riches." But the psalmist's knowledge went beyond certain observable facts. He writes, "Thou sendest forth Thy Spirit, they are created; and Thou renewest the face of the ground" (Psalm 104.80). The writer obviously had received the revelation that in the vast realm of created things, the contemplation of which filled his heart with "wonder, love and praise," there were seen the wisdom, power and energy of the Divine Spirit.

Job was a man of very extensive and accurate knowledge and many of his utterances will confirm this. When replying to one of the men who came to speak to him Job said, "By His Spirit the heavens are garnished" (Job 26.18). The word garnish has in it the meanings of beauty and brilliance. A form of the word is found in Jeremiah 43.10, where the LORD says concerning what He will do for Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, "I ... will set his throne upon these stones that I have hid; and he shall spread his royal (glittering) pavilion over them." The words "royal pavilion" are from the same root as the word Job uses. Perhaps the reference may help to impress upon our minds the magnificence of the work of the Holy Spirit by whom the heavens are garnished. Well might men and women be bowed in humility and adoration as they behold "the work of Thy fingers."

CREATION OF MAN

Genesis 1.26, 27 introduces us to the purpose and work of God in relation to man. We read the words, "And God said, Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness ... And God created man in His own image, in the image of God created He him; male and female created He them." Here again we see the plurality in the expression "And God said, Let Us make man ..." There is not just one Personality. But yet we note also the further words, "in Our image, after Our likeness." The words image and likeness are singular and it is therefore clear that these Personalities are of the same image and likeness. They are equals. It is perhaps of relevant interest to point out that according to a Hebrew scholar the word Creator in the words of Solomon, "Remember also thy Creator in the days of thy youth " (Ecclesiastes 12. 1), is in the plural number.

The record of man's creation is given in the words of Genesis 2.7 "And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul." Concerning that which the LORD God formed of the dust we may very properly say, "I am fearfully and wonderfully made" (Psalm 139.14). Great indeed is the skill displayed in the human body in its constitution and in its functional co-ordination But man became a living soul by the inbreathing of the breath of life. Light on this matter springs from the words of Elihu, the man who said right things to Job. We read, "The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty giveth me life" (Job 33.4). When therefore we read, "And God said, Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness," we conclude that in the creation of man we have the active participation of the Holy Spirit of God working in perfect harmony with His co-equals, the Father and the Son.

With joy and gratitude we sing in truth:

"Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty!

All Thy works shall praise Thy Name, in earth, and sky, and sea:

Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty!

God in three Persons, blessed Trinity! Amen."

J. Drain | Feb 1961
The Holy Spirit