Jack777
January 29th 2005, 01:24 PM
“All through the Old Testament, Israel’s God is declared to be the only true God.
He is the God of creation.”
Edward F. Murphy
Handbook for Spiritual Warfare, 1997
In view of the fact that it has been stated that the Bible does not say God created living things (it does), I thought it might be worth repeating that He did create living things such as animals and people. God created living things, He says He did in the Bible. What happens when we forget God or we are deceived into thinking He did not create all things and is not actively creating now? Deception happens, we believe a lie and are given a delusion to believe the lie more if we do not return to God as most important to us.
The Hebrew word, bara is most often used in relation to what God does and in terms of creation ex nihilo. Only God can create, man imitates. God brought everything that we know of in the universe into being, matter, space, and time. We think we know so much and believe that the Hebrew and other ancient people had beliefs that were inaccurate. That is not true of the Bible or the people who preserved it for all of mankind. Although this is a subject for another time, just one illustration is in order. People say the ancients thought the universe was formed from water and that the earth sat upon water. We think that because we do not understand their language well enough to know that they were speaking of something that we have just now discovered in the past few years to be true. Space is not exactly space. It is not an empty vacuum. What they described was exactly correct. They knew this by Revelation. Who told them? God told them. This message was disseminated into other cultures the world over. Over time the original message, the original information migrated along with people groups and the notion of floating on water was how later people took what they learned. The original message is preserved in the Bible, although it shows up in various stages of lessened accuracy in other people groups.
Edward F. Murphy, in his book the Handbook for Spiritual Warfare, has compelling reasons that he gives which state the importance of God as Creator. He writes:
“All the writers of Scripture, regardless of their divergent cultural contexts, held to a common theistic world view. Furthermore, all the Scripture writers held to a common view of God. The God revealed in the earliest chapters of Genesis is the same God revealed throughout the entire Old and New Testament. He is both transcendent (Genesis 1:1) and immanent (Genesis 3:8). He is never seen as a localized tribal deity but as the creator “of the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1f). While Abraham and the nation of Israel are called to restore His name on earth, He is, from the beginning, revealed as the God of all the peoples of the earth (Genesis 12:3; 14:19–20).
H. B. Kuhn, Professor of Philosophy of Religion at Asbury Theological Seminary, traces the progressive unfolding of dimensions of God’s personality and His relationship both to creation and to His people which are found in the different names by which God reveals Himself in the Old Testament in an excellent encyclopedia article. According to Kuhn, God’s self-revelation to His people revolves around four central names: El, Elohim, Adonai, and Yahweh. Most of His other names are compound names built upon these four.”1
God created. God creates, and will create. Listed in the following verses, here are the places in the Bible where we are told that He will create, creates and created. Included are instances where bara is translated other than create in the King James Authorized Version and in reference to people.
Paul was a tentmaker and doing science is probably more difficult in some ways than that. There were probably tentmakers a lot better than Paul, but that was not his calling. He left behind the cushy job that he had in the Temple. Still, Paul studied under the most brilliant Jewish theologian of the time, perhaps of all time. “Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space…” (Acts 5:34). Paul knew what he was talking about. He was concerned for the people, that they might not be deceived by the pantheism and naturalism of the day, doctrines of men and doctrines of demons. It does not take a whole lot to get off track and think worldly knowledge, worldly wisdom, and worldly understanding is something special that might preclude the witness of Scripture.
But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.
For I suppose I was not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles. But though I be rude in speech, yet not in knowledge; but we have been throughly made manifest among you in all things.
II Corinthians 11:3-6
So, let’s look into God as Creator in the Bible.
Genesis 1:1
In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
Genesis 1:21
And God created great whales, and every living creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and every winged fowl after his kind: and God saw that it was good.
Genesis 1:27
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
Genesis 2:3
And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.
Genesis 2:4
These are the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that the LORD God made the earth and the heavens,
Genesis 5:1
This is the book of the generations of Adam. In the day that God created man, in the likeness of God made he him;
Genesis 5:2
Male and female created he them; and blessed them, and called their name Adam, in the day when they were created.
Genesis 6:7
And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them.
Deuteronomy 4:32
For ask now of the days that are past, which were before thee, since the day that God created man upon the earth, and ask from the one side of heaven unto the other, whether there hath been any such thing as this great thing is, or hath been heard like it?
Numbers 16:30
But if the LORD make a new thing,** and the earth open her mouth, and swallow them up, with all that appertain unto them, and they go down quick into the pit; then ye shall understand that these men have provoked the LORD.
** In Hebrew it is the word bara and the phrase means literally “create a creation,” or “create a creature” is how it sounds good to us. The heaven and the earth (universe including the earth) are creatures as much as we are in the Bible in Hebrew.
I Samuel 2:29
Wherefore kick ye at my sacrifice and at mine offering, which I have commanded in my habitation; and honourest thy sons above me, to make** yourselves fat with the chiefest of all the offerings of Israel my people?
**In this use of the word bara it is the Hiphil verb stem and infinitive mood and means causative action. People were going to make fat where it was not before and is ironic as dichotomous rebellion, gaining things from willful disobedience, against true creative power from God to bestow blessings that are of Him. The prophet comes to tell Eli that the day will come when Eli’s progeny will be cut off because of the rebellion against the LORD.
Nehemiah 2:4
Then the king said unto me, For what dost thou make request?** So I prayed to the God of heaven.
**This is the piel verb stem and is a participle and could be translated “why are you creating a request,” suggesting continued action and making something that was not in existence before, though not as creation ex nihilo.
Esther 4:8
Also he gave him the copy of the writing of the decree that was given at Shushan to destroy them, to shew it unto Esther, and to declare it unto her, and to charge her that she should go in unto the king, to make supplication unto him, and to make request before him for her people.
Esther 7:7
And the king arising from the banquet of wine in his wrath went into the palace garden: and Haman stood up to make request for his life to Esther the queen; for he saw that there was evil determined against him by the king.
Psalm 51:10
Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
Psalm 89:12
The north and the south thou hast created them: Tabor and Hermon shall rejoice in thy name.
Psalm 102:18
This shall be written for the generation to come: and the people which shall be created shall praise the LORD.
Psalm 104:30
Thou sendest forth thy spirit, they are created: and thou renewest the face of the earth.
Psalm 148:5
And the LORD will create upon every dwelling place of mount Zion, and upon her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night: for upon all the glory shall be a defence.
Isaiah 4:5
Let them praise the name of the LORD: for he commanded, and they were created.
Isaiah 40:26
Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things, that bringeth out their host by number: he calleth them all by names by the greatness of his might, for that he is strong in power; not one faileth.
Isaiah 41:20
That they may see, and know, and consider, and understand together, that the hand of the LORD hath done this, and the Holy One of Israel hath created it.
Isaiah 42:5
Thus saith God the LORD, he that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein:
Isaiah 43:1
But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.
Isaiah 43:7
They that make a graven image are all of them vanity; and their delectable things shall not profit; and they are their own witnesses; they see not, nor know; that they may be ashamed.
Isaiah 44:9
Although a lot of time could be spent on this and like verses, this is one thing that reflects the importance of creating in the sense that God creates versus making things that are not of god or not god. Understanding the act of creating as God creates instead of thinking we can create something or worshipping things that are nothing is the reverse of God creating. In other words, God creates out of “nothing" and yet when we try and duplicate in competition or rebellion we make nothing out of something. It causes confusion and the thing that is vain replaces that which is real. Staying centered on reality is not as easy as it seems when we break ties with God in this way and soon we believe lies and are self-deluded and cannot judge reality correctly. Those who persist become ashamed of God and those who still have some awareness become ashamed of their acts, not God. It seems a subtle choice experientially, but it is not subtle in eventuating to the results.
Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.
Isaiah 43:7
I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me: That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside me. I am the LORD, and there is none else. I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things. Drop down, ye heavens, from above, and let the skies pour down righteousness: let the earth open, and let them bring forth salvation, and let righteousness spring up together; I the LORD have created it. Woe unto him that striveth with his Maker! Let the potsherd strive with the potsherds of the earth. Shall the clay say to him that fashioneth it, What makest thou? or thy work, He hath no hands? Woe unto him that saith unto his father, What begettest thou? or to the woman, What hast thou brought forth?
Thus saith the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, and his Maker, Ask me of things to come concerning my sons, and concerning the work of my hands command ye me. I have made the earth, and created man upon it: I, even my hands, have stretched out the heavens, and all their host have I commanded.
Isaiah 45:5-12
I have made the earth, and created man upon it: I, even my hands, have stretched out the heavens, and all their host have I commanded.
Isaiah 45:18
For thus saith the LORD that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the LORD; and there is none else.
Isaiah 48:7
They are created now, and not from the beginning; even before the day when thou heardest them not; lest thou shouldest say, Behold, I knew them.
Isaiah 54:16
I create the fruit of the lips; Peace, peace to him that is far off, and to him that is near, saith the LORD; and I will heal him.
Isaiah 57:19
Behold, I have created the smith that bloweth the coals in the fire, and that bringeth forth an instrument for his work; and I have created the waster to destroy.
Isaiah 65:17-18
For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind. But be ye glad and rejoice for ever in that which I create: for, behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy.
Jerermiah 31:22
Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD.
Jerermiah 17:5
Here is another contrast between the LORD Who creates and man who makes.
How long wilt thou go about, O thou backsliding daughter? for the LORD hath created a new thing in the earth, A woman shall compass a man.
Ezekiel 21:30
Shall I cause it to return into his sheath? I will judge thee in the place where thou wast created, in the land of thy nativity.
Ezekiel 28:13
Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created.
Ezeiel 28:15
Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee.
Malachi 2:10
All quotes of the Scriptures are from The Holy Bible, The King James Authorized Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.
[1] Edward F. Murphy, Handbook for Spiritual Warfare [computer file], electronic ed. of the revised and updated edition, Logos Library System, (Nashville: Thomas Nelson) 1997, c1996 by Edward F. Murphy.
He is the God of creation.”
Edward F. Murphy
Handbook for Spiritual Warfare, 1997
In view of the fact that it has been stated that the Bible does not say God created living things (it does), I thought it might be worth repeating that He did create living things such as animals and people. God created living things, He says He did in the Bible. What happens when we forget God or we are deceived into thinking He did not create all things and is not actively creating now? Deception happens, we believe a lie and are given a delusion to believe the lie more if we do not return to God as most important to us.
The Hebrew word, bara is most often used in relation to what God does and in terms of creation ex nihilo. Only God can create, man imitates. God brought everything that we know of in the universe into being, matter, space, and time. We think we know so much and believe that the Hebrew and other ancient people had beliefs that were inaccurate. That is not true of the Bible or the people who preserved it for all of mankind. Although this is a subject for another time, just one illustration is in order. People say the ancients thought the universe was formed from water and that the earth sat upon water. We think that because we do not understand their language well enough to know that they were speaking of something that we have just now discovered in the past few years to be true. Space is not exactly space. It is not an empty vacuum. What they described was exactly correct. They knew this by Revelation. Who told them? God told them. This message was disseminated into other cultures the world over. Over time the original message, the original information migrated along with people groups and the notion of floating on water was how later people took what they learned. The original message is preserved in the Bible, although it shows up in various stages of lessened accuracy in other people groups.
Edward F. Murphy, in his book the Handbook for Spiritual Warfare, has compelling reasons that he gives which state the importance of God as Creator. He writes:
“All the writers of Scripture, regardless of their divergent cultural contexts, held to a common theistic world view. Furthermore, all the Scripture writers held to a common view of God. The God revealed in the earliest chapters of Genesis is the same God revealed throughout the entire Old and New Testament. He is both transcendent (Genesis 1:1) and immanent (Genesis 3:8). He is never seen as a localized tribal deity but as the creator “of the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1f). While Abraham and the nation of Israel are called to restore His name on earth, He is, from the beginning, revealed as the God of all the peoples of the earth (Genesis 12:3; 14:19–20).
H. B. Kuhn, Professor of Philosophy of Religion at Asbury Theological Seminary, traces the progressive unfolding of dimensions of God’s personality and His relationship both to creation and to His people which are found in the different names by which God reveals Himself in the Old Testament in an excellent encyclopedia article. According to Kuhn, God’s self-revelation to His people revolves around four central names: El, Elohim, Adonai, and Yahweh. Most of His other names are compound names built upon these four.”1
God created. God creates, and will create. Listed in the following verses, here are the places in the Bible where we are told that He will create, creates and created. Included are instances where bara is translated other than create in the King James Authorized Version and in reference to people.
Paul was a tentmaker and doing science is probably more difficult in some ways than that. There were probably tentmakers a lot better than Paul, but that was not his calling. He left behind the cushy job that he had in the Temple. Still, Paul studied under the most brilliant Jewish theologian of the time, perhaps of all time. “Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space…” (Acts 5:34). Paul knew what he was talking about. He was concerned for the people, that they might not be deceived by the pantheism and naturalism of the day, doctrines of men and doctrines of demons. It does not take a whole lot to get off track and think worldly knowledge, worldly wisdom, and worldly understanding is something special that might preclude the witness of Scripture.
But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.
For I suppose I was not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles. But though I be rude in speech, yet not in knowledge; but we have been throughly made manifest among you in all things.
II Corinthians 11:3-6
So, let’s look into God as Creator in the Bible.
Genesis 1:1
In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
Genesis 1:21
And God created great whales, and every living creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and every winged fowl after his kind: and God saw that it was good.
Genesis 1:27
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
Genesis 2:3
And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.
Genesis 2:4
These are the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that the LORD God made the earth and the heavens,
Genesis 5:1
This is the book of the generations of Adam. In the day that God created man, in the likeness of God made he him;
Genesis 5:2
Male and female created he them; and blessed them, and called their name Adam, in the day when they were created.
Genesis 6:7
And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them.
Deuteronomy 4:32
For ask now of the days that are past, which were before thee, since the day that God created man upon the earth, and ask from the one side of heaven unto the other, whether there hath been any such thing as this great thing is, or hath been heard like it?
Numbers 16:30
But if the LORD make a new thing,** and the earth open her mouth, and swallow them up, with all that appertain unto them, and they go down quick into the pit; then ye shall understand that these men have provoked the LORD.
** In Hebrew it is the word bara and the phrase means literally “create a creation,” or “create a creature” is how it sounds good to us. The heaven and the earth (universe including the earth) are creatures as much as we are in the Bible in Hebrew.
I Samuel 2:29
Wherefore kick ye at my sacrifice and at mine offering, which I have commanded in my habitation; and honourest thy sons above me, to make** yourselves fat with the chiefest of all the offerings of Israel my people?
**In this use of the word bara it is the Hiphil verb stem and infinitive mood and means causative action. People were going to make fat where it was not before and is ironic as dichotomous rebellion, gaining things from willful disobedience, against true creative power from God to bestow blessings that are of Him. The prophet comes to tell Eli that the day will come when Eli’s progeny will be cut off because of the rebellion against the LORD.
Nehemiah 2:4
Then the king said unto me, For what dost thou make request?** So I prayed to the God of heaven.
**This is the piel verb stem and is a participle and could be translated “why are you creating a request,” suggesting continued action and making something that was not in existence before, though not as creation ex nihilo.
Esther 4:8
Also he gave him the copy of the writing of the decree that was given at Shushan to destroy them, to shew it unto Esther, and to declare it unto her, and to charge her that she should go in unto the king, to make supplication unto him, and to make request before him for her people.
Esther 7:7
And the king arising from the banquet of wine in his wrath went into the palace garden: and Haman stood up to make request for his life to Esther the queen; for he saw that there was evil determined against him by the king.
Psalm 51:10
Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
Psalm 89:12
The north and the south thou hast created them: Tabor and Hermon shall rejoice in thy name.
Psalm 102:18
This shall be written for the generation to come: and the people which shall be created shall praise the LORD.
Psalm 104:30
Thou sendest forth thy spirit, they are created: and thou renewest the face of the earth.
Psalm 148:5
And the LORD will create upon every dwelling place of mount Zion, and upon her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night: for upon all the glory shall be a defence.
Isaiah 4:5
Let them praise the name of the LORD: for he commanded, and they were created.
Isaiah 40:26
Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things, that bringeth out their host by number: he calleth them all by names by the greatness of his might, for that he is strong in power; not one faileth.
Isaiah 41:20
That they may see, and know, and consider, and understand together, that the hand of the LORD hath done this, and the Holy One of Israel hath created it.
Isaiah 42:5
Thus saith God the LORD, he that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein:
Isaiah 43:1
But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.
Isaiah 43:7
They that make a graven image are all of them vanity; and their delectable things shall not profit; and they are their own witnesses; they see not, nor know; that they may be ashamed.
Isaiah 44:9
Although a lot of time could be spent on this and like verses, this is one thing that reflects the importance of creating in the sense that God creates versus making things that are not of god or not god. Understanding the act of creating as God creates instead of thinking we can create something or worshipping things that are nothing is the reverse of God creating. In other words, God creates out of “nothing" and yet when we try and duplicate in competition or rebellion we make nothing out of something. It causes confusion and the thing that is vain replaces that which is real. Staying centered on reality is not as easy as it seems when we break ties with God in this way and soon we believe lies and are self-deluded and cannot judge reality correctly. Those who persist become ashamed of God and those who still have some awareness become ashamed of their acts, not God. It seems a subtle choice experientially, but it is not subtle in eventuating to the results.
Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.
Isaiah 43:7
I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me: That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside me. I am the LORD, and there is none else. I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things. Drop down, ye heavens, from above, and let the skies pour down righteousness: let the earth open, and let them bring forth salvation, and let righteousness spring up together; I the LORD have created it. Woe unto him that striveth with his Maker! Let the potsherd strive with the potsherds of the earth. Shall the clay say to him that fashioneth it, What makest thou? or thy work, He hath no hands? Woe unto him that saith unto his father, What begettest thou? or to the woman, What hast thou brought forth?
Thus saith the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, and his Maker, Ask me of things to come concerning my sons, and concerning the work of my hands command ye me. I have made the earth, and created man upon it: I, even my hands, have stretched out the heavens, and all their host have I commanded.
Isaiah 45:5-12
I have made the earth, and created man upon it: I, even my hands, have stretched out the heavens, and all their host have I commanded.
Isaiah 45:18
For thus saith the LORD that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the LORD; and there is none else.
Isaiah 48:7
They are created now, and not from the beginning; even before the day when thou heardest them not; lest thou shouldest say, Behold, I knew them.
Isaiah 54:16
I create the fruit of the lips; Peace, peace to him that is far off, and to him that is near, saith the LORD; and I will heal him.
Isaiah 57:19
Behold, I have created the smith that bloweth the coals in the fire, and that bringeth forth an instrument for his work; and I have created the waster to destroy.
Isaiah 65:17-18
For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind. But be ye glad and rejoice for ever in that which I create: for, behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy.
Jerermiah 31:22
Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD.
Jerermiah 17:5
Here is another contrast between the LORD Who creates and man who makes.
How long wilt thou go about, O thou backsliding daughter? for the LORD hath created a new thing in the earth, A woman shall compass a man.
Ezekiel 21:30
Shall I cause it to return into his sheath? I will judge thee in the place where thou wast created, in the land of thy nativity.
Ezekiel 28:13
Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created.
Ezeiel 28:15
Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee.
Malachi 2:10
All quotes of the Scriptures are from The Holy Bible, The King James Authorized Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.
[1] Edward F. Murphy, Handbook for Spiritual Warfare [computer file], electronic ed. of the revised and updated edition, Logos Library System, (Nashville: Thomas Nelson) 1997, c1996 by Edward F. Murphy.