In The Beginning

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.
Genesis 1:1-2

Notes

¹In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

It is clear in the first verse of Genesis, the author (Moses) wants us to understand that God was distinctly involved in the origins of the ‘skies and land’ or ‘heavens and earth’. They do not exist on their own nor are present merely by a whim or catastrophes of some neutral force. Another notable point is that in this first verse, God is revealed and what is present appears to be subject to his will and power.

We can also look at this verse and use it as a precedent for the structure of our lives. “In the beginning God…” shows us that in all matters, He is to be first, the beginning of the change, the provider of order in chaos and light where there is darkness.

² Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.

The earth was without function, without boundaries and yet was filled with the quality of potential that the Almighty could use to make everything. The shell of the ‘heavens and the earth’ had already been created and it lay ‘formless and empty’.

Darkness was over the surface of the deep, alluding to the chaotic, unformed and perhaps liquid phase of the earth. Nothing was distinguishable or had shape, but the Spirit of God hovered over the chaos preparing to alter what lies beneath. The germs of life were present amidst the abyss waiting for the breath of God to breathe life into them and form the world with order and purpose and even in His own image.

In these two introductory verses, there is a reflection of the current effort for the salvation of our souls. Although humanity had not been created yet, God still knew of the fall of mankind and the destructive nature that sin would have on his creation. We each began in a watery abyss, without form until breath fills our lungs and we take shape. We enter a world of darkness and selfish ambition, void of hope, and yet God provides and lighted path full of grace.

Observe, that at first there was nothing desirable to be seen, for the world was without form, and void; it was confusion, and emptiness. In like manner the work of grace in the soul is a new creation: and in a graceless soul, one that is not born again, there is disorder, confusion, and every evil work: it is empty of all good, for it is without God; it is dark, it is darkness itself: this is our condition by nature, till Almighty grace works a change in us.

—Matthew Henry’s Commentary