by Erik Jones

Yesterday we covered the powerful implication of the reality of God’s creation of the heavens and earth. Today we will cover who this God is who created all things. A casual reading of Genesis 1:1 in English merely tells us “God” created all things. But who is this God?

The Hebrew word translated “God” in our English Bible is Elohim. This is an interesting word because it is actually the plural form of the singular Hebrew word el or eloah (meaning “god” or “mighty one”). This is our first hint that there is more to the identity of the Creator than a casual reading might reveal. Many are surprised to learn that God is actually a family. (Elohim can be viewed as a family name, similar to a modern “last name.”) The Bible reveals that within the God family (Elohim) there are two Beings.

In order to understand the identity of the “God” of Genesis 1:1, we have to go to John 1:1 (which actually precedes it in historical chronology): “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

The Word is God and is with God. John 1:3 reveals that the Being called “the Word” was responsible for the creation work revealed in the first verse of Genesis: “All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.” Who was this Being that created “all things”? John 1:14 reveals it was none other than Jesus Christ.

The work of creation in Genesis 1:1 was accomplished by Jesus Christ working on behalf of God the Father (1 Corinthians 8:6; Ephesians 3:9). This highlights an incredible truth that not all understand: The preexistent Jesus Christ is the God we read about most in the Old Testament.

Recommended further reading: Colossians 1:16; Hebrews 1:1-2; 1 Corinthians 10:4.

To learn more about God’s incredible nature, read “What Is God?”

Tomorrow on the Daily Bible Verse Blog: “The Earth Becomes ‘Without Form and Void,’ Part 1.”