Lesson One ~ Elohim ~ Our Creator

Creation of the Universe and All Living Creatures

"In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth." Genesis 1:1

The Hebrew word for "God" is "Elohim," (Strong's concordance #430.)  "Elohim" has many different meanings, so to simplify, I will give two brief definitions. Elmer Towns, in his book, "My Father's Names," defines this name as the strong Creator who is the source of everything. Ann Spangler, "Praying the Names of God," says that this name contains the idea of God's creative power as well as his authority and sovereignty.

The Hebrew word for “created” in Strong’s Concordance, #1254, is "bara" (baw-raw’) meaning to create, form, make, produce; to cut, to cut down; to engrave, to carve. This word emphasizes the initiation of the object, not manipulating it after original creation. This word is used in Genesis 1:1 (Creating the heavens and earth) 1:21 (Creating the great creatures of the sea and every living and moving thing) 1:27 man (male and female) and 2:3 (He rested from all the work of creating that he had done.) There is every reason to believe that bara was creation ex nihilo (out of nothing.) (Complete Word Study Old testament, Dr. Spiros Zodhiates)

This is something that only God can accomplish. God spoke into existence what did not exist beforehand. He made ‘something’ out of ‘nothing.’

"By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command so that what was seen was not made out of what was visible." Hebrews 11:3

The Trinity Worked Together to Create Everything.

The Hebrew ending for Elohim is plural, suggesting the divine trinity of the Godhead, (the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.) Each member of the Triune Godhead was actively involved in the creation of the universe and all living creatures. God the Father spoke the universe into existence, the Holy Spirit was the active agent, and it was through the Son of God that all things were made.

• The Spirit of God was moving (hovering) upon the face of the waters. God said, "Let there be light and there was light." Genesis 1:2-3 That word Spirit (7307) is ruwach (ROO’akh)—wind, breath, exhalation, air, anger, blast. Hebrew name for Holy Spirit is Ruach Ha-Kodesh.
• By the word of the LORD the heavens were made…He made the stars by the breath of his mouth. Psalm 33:6
• In the beginning was the Word (Jesus), 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 has been made. John 1:1-4
• God loved Jesus before the creation of the world. John 17:24
• Jesus is image of invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. Created everything seen and unseen. All was created by him and for him. Before everything, holds all together. Head of the body, church. Beginning, firstborn from dead. Supremacy in everything. Colossians 1:15-19
• In final days God has spoken to us through his Son, promised everything to the Son as an inheritance. Made universe through Son. Son is the radiance of God’s glory, exact representation. Sustains all things by His powerful word. Hebrews 1:2-3
• God said, Let us make man in our image, likeness, let them rule over the fish, birds, livestock, all earth, all creatures. God created man in his own image, male and female.Genesis 1:26-27
• The LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, man now a living being. Genesis 2:7 God breathed into (Adam) the breath of life – breath (5397) neshamah (nesh-aw-maw’) wind, angry, vital breath, divine inspiration, intellect.

These definitions give us a better understanding of how God created us.

"You created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made." (Psalm 139:13-14 KJV)

The Hebrew word for "fearfully" is "yare" (SC#3372.) It means fear, revere, fight, dread, terrible, uniquely, wonderful.  The Hebrew word for "wonderfully" is "palah" (SC#6395.) It means to distinguish, show marvelous, separate, set apart, sever, make wonderfully, miraculous. (Complete Word Study Old Testament)

Scripture give us insight into why God created us.

• Whom I created for my glory, I formed and made. Isaiah 43:6-7
• All things were created by him and for him. Colossians 1:16
• Multiply, fill earth, rule over earth and all creatures. Genesis 1:26-28
• Chosen before creation to be holy, blameless in his sight Ephesians 1:4, 1 Tim 1:9
• Predestined to be conformed to Christ's image, called, justified,  glorified. Rom 8:28-30
• God’s workmanship, created in Christ for good works God prepared in advance Ephesians 2:10
• Chosen, royal priesthood, holy nation, belonging to God to declare His praises1 Peter 2:9
• The LORD God called to the man, "Where are you?"  (fellowship with God)  Gen 3:8-9

Because of the result of the curse in Genesis 3, God showed his love by sending Jesus that we might live through him. (1 John 4:9)

• All who receive him have the right to become children born of  God.  John 1:12-13
• New creation; old has gone, new has come! 2 Corinthians 5:17
• Put on new self, created to be like God in true righteousness, holiness. Ephesians 4:24
• Be transformed, renew mind. Test, approve His good, pleasing, perfect will. Rom 12:2
• Our unveiled faces reflect Lord’s glory, transformed to his likeness 2 Corinthians 3:17-18
• Equipped for his will,  he works in us what is pleasing to him, through Christ. Heb 13:21   
• New self: don't lie, renewed in Creator's image. Compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forgiveness, thankfulness, peace. Let word of Christ live in you. Teach, worship, do all in Jesus' name with gratitude, thanksgiving.  Colossians 3-17
• May God give you Spirit of wisdom,  revelation, know him better - know the hope he called you to - his inheritance and great power Ephesians 1:17-19

The Final Outcome of God's Creation

• "Heavens declare God's glory, the skies proclaim his work. Continually pour forth speech, display knowledge, voice and words to ends of the world." Psalm 19:1
• "God's wrath being revealed from heaven against men's godlessness, wickedness, who suppress the truth. Since creation, God’s invisible qualities, eternal power, divine nature-have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made. Men are without excuse." Romans 1:18-20
• "In the last days scoffers will come with evil desires mocking Christ's return. Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation. They deliberately forgot that long ago, by God’s word, heavens existed, earth was formed of water. World destroyed by waters. By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment, destruction of ungodly men. With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years is like a day. He is patient, not wanting anyone to perish, wants all to repent. Day of the Lord will come like a thief. Heavens will disappear, elements destroyed by fire, earth and everything in it laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed, live holy, godly lives as you look to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring the destruction of the heavens by fire, elements will melt. With his promise we are looking forward to new heaven, new earth, home of righteousness. Since you look forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless, at peace with him." 2 Peter 3:3-14
• "Our present sufferings can't compare with glory that will be revealed in us. Creation eagerly, expectantly waits for sons of God to be revealed. Creation was subject to frustration, not by its own choice, by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that creation itself will be liberated from bondage to decay, brought into glorious freedom of children of God. Whole creation has been groaning up to the present time. We who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies." Romans 8:18-23
• "In  this earthly body we groan, burdened, long to be clothed with heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. God made us for this very purpose"  2 Cor 5:2-5
• "We are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known, we know when he appears, we shall be like him, see him as he is. This hope purifies us as he is pure." 1 John 3:2-3
• "Our citizenship is in heaven. We eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ whose power brings everything under his control, will transform our bodies like his glorious body." Philippians 3:20
• "I saw a new heaven, new earth, first heaven and first earth had passed away, no more sea. I saw Holy City, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband." Revelation 21:1-2

Summary

God took great joy in creating the universe and all living creatures. His greatest joy was the creation of mankind. God made mankind in his image to be like him and to enjoy eternal fellowship with him. God gave authority to Adam and Eve, and they gave this authority to Satan in the garden of Eden. Because of mankind's fall, all of creation will undergo a cleansing and become new again. Eventually, the heavens and earth, moon, stars and sun will be destroyed. There will be no need of the sun, moon and stars, because Jesus Christ will be our light. There will be a new heaven and earth. Mankind needs to die to the old self, which was born into the curse that came through sin, and become born again. When Christ returns, we will have new, indestructible bodies in heaven. Since we know all of these catastrophic events will take place, how much more should we walk and conduct ourselves before him now? Our role is to bring glory to our Creator. Our Creator, who showed incomparable power in the act of creating, desires for us to worship him. He is worthy to be worshipped, and we will do that forever in heaven.

"You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being." Revelation 4:11

Invitation

Look through the scriptures describing how and why we were created, and summarize them into a personal application that you can use to facilitate praise and prayers, with the goal of attaining a deeper understanding of our relationship with our Creator.

• What do you appreciate the most about the way he made you and mankind in general? 
• Tell your Creator what you love about him. 
• Think about how he created you. Thank him for the way he made you. 
• Thank him for specific things about yourself.  
• Most people have never thought to do this, but ASK him what he loves about you.  
• Would you be living differently if you knew that we had very little time left on earth?  
• In light of these passages, what action might you need to take?