I love the Word of God, and it's verses like these that remind me that the Bible is not a book written by men but a love letter written by the hand of God. These two verses that open the entire Scripture are so full of beautiful imagery, mystery, and theology (the study of God)* that I'm pretty sure you could spend a lifetime studying just them. The plain text alone begs a few questions (the beginning of what? Time? Matter? Life? Does a beginning imply an end? How long was the earth formless?), but even the word choices have rich meaning and give a glimpse of our awesome God.
Since it is impossible to fit a lifetime of study into 10 minutes, we're going to focus on 2 important things that God reveals about Himself. First we will see what God reveals about His divine nature in these verses, then we will explore why this is the perfect way for God to begin His love letter.
Genesis is the book of beginnings. It opens the sacred text, offers insight into the beginning of existence, and begins the epic story of God's relationship with mankind. As with any writing the opening statement sets the tone for the whole, and indicates (at least in part) what is most important. The Bible begins with a clear declaration, "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." The Hebrew name for God in Genesis 1:1 sets the God of the Bible apart from the pagan gods of other ancient peoples. While in most ancient creation stories the world is created through murder and intrigue among the many gods and yet also forms the boundary in which gods function, Genesis 1:1 declares one universal God that is outside of and not limited by His creation.**
There are many different names for God used in the Bible. The Jews believe that names are more than mere titles or means to address one another;
"The name conveys the nature and essence of the thing named. It represents the history and reputation of the being named."***
The Old Testament in particular uses dozens of different Hebrew words, alone or in combination, as names for God that give insight into God's character and nature. Unfortunately, most modern Bible translations replace the distinct names with more generic ones such as God, Lord, or LORD (there is a huge distinction between Lord and LORD but we'll address that in a later study). In the opening line to Genesis (and the Bible at large) God chose a very specific name for Himself, Elohim.
Elohim is one of the most common names for God in the Old Testament. It implies, "fullness of might; absolute, unqualified, unlimited energy.**** It is often used in the Bible to emphasize God's universal nature and creative power. He is God over all creation and everything that exists was created by Him. Creation did not take any effort of strength, His strength is limitless, it was merely an act of His will.
Sometimes we fall into the habit of thinking of the God of the Bible as the Jewish God, or the Christian God, as though His power and influence is limited only to those that believe in Him, however from the very beginning God declares that He is the God, the only God, His power is unlimited and unequaled. God may have chosen to reveal Himself through Israel, and He relates to those that love Him in a more intimate way, but the name Elohim reminds us that He is universally God, He has no limits.
There is another aspect to the name Elohim that is a bit controversial but bears mentioning. In every dictionary or Bible aid that you could look at Elohim is said to be a plural word (like we) that is used as a singular (like I). Though every reference I looked at agreed that the tense is peculiar the debate surrounds the implications. The question is does the nature of the word imply a triune God (the Trinity), or is that reading too much into a single word. There are valid arguments on both sides and I certainly don't want to imply that I in any way know more than an expert (I am barely capable of diagramming a sentence in English let alone in an ancient foreign language), but I find it intriguing that God would chose such a peculiar word, so we'll quickly explore the possibility.
Throughout the Bible God reveals Himself in three characters, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Each has a distinct nature and function yet they are all fully God (there is no way that I can quickly explain the nature of the Trinity, it is one of the great mysteries of our God, so I will pray that you are at least familiar with the doctrine). Though the Trinity is never explicitly stated, each aspect and its role in the divine nature is woven throughout the entire Bible. In the first two verses of Genesis alone we see clearly both the Father,who created, and the Holy Spirit, who hovered over creation, present. The Gospel of John reveals that Jesus was also present and involved in creation.
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that had been made." John 1:1-3
We believe (as Christians) in one God who has three parts, not three separate gods. As complex and mysterious as this is, Scripture tells us that it is true. By using a plural name for God in a singular tense it is possible that God was hinting at this Truth of His triune nature from the very beginning.
The name Elohim gives us a glimpse of who our God is from the very beginning, all powerful, creative, and universal, it also gives us a hint as to why God chose to create the universe.
As I mentioned earlier, God did not exert His power to create the world. His power has no limit and the creative act required no more effort from God then if you or I were to draw a picture or read a sentence. It was more an act of will then of strength. God chose to create and then He spoke creation into being.
The fact that God chose to create life is significant. In most ancient religions mankind specifically was created either out of necessity or as a toy. Some pagan gods needed the praise and sacrifice of humanity to give them strength, others desired little more than a fun pastime, toys to pit against each other, or amuse them with their little lives. Scientific theory doesn't even give human life that much meaning. The big bang theory and evolution imply that life was a cosmic accident, there is no meaning.
But in Elohim we have meaning, we have purpose. You were no accident, you were created. You are not here to appease or amuse but to be loved. God wanted a creation He could have a relationship with. A people that He could love and pour Himself out to. You are a manifestation of God's love.
God began His letter to mankind with a simple yet powerful declaration, He created all of it. From the plain text to the definitions of each word God lets us know that He alone is God, and every detail belongs to Him.
Hebrews 11:6 tell us that, "without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him."
* http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/theology** Arnold, Bill T. Encountering the Book of Genesis. Grand Rapid,MI. Baker Books. 1998. p. 49-51
*** http://www.jewfaq.org/name.htm
**** Cornwall, Judson & Smith Stelman. The Exhaustive Dictionary of Bible Names. North Brunswick, NJ. Bridge-Logos Publishers. 1998. p.82
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