Using the Example of Creation to Promote God's Glory
The creation of the world serves as a primary testament to God's glory, a theme consistently highlighted throughout biblical texts and theological reflection. The Psalmist declares, "The heavens declare the glory of God. The expanse shows his handiwork" (Psalm 19:1) [1]. This statement encapsulates the idea that the natural world, in its very existence and order, reveals the majesty and power of its Creator.
The act of creation itself is attributed to the triune God. While Genesis 1:1 states that "God created" [2], other passages specify the roles of the Father (1 Corinthians 8:6), the Son (John 1:3; Colossians 1:16-17), and the Holy Spirit (Genesis 1:2; Job 26:13; Psalm 104:30) [2, 3]. This unified divine action in bringing all things into being "out of nothing" (Latin: ex nihilo) demonstrates God's absolute power and freedom [2]. The world was created according to God's purpose and for His pleasure [3].
The glory of God is evident not only in the initial act of creation but also in its ongoing sustenance and the intricate design of the universe. Matthew Henry, in his commentary on Psalm 8, notes that the psalm is a "solemn meditation on, and admiration of, the glory and greatness of God," with instances of God's goodness to humanity serving as proof of His glory [8]. The creation is a "great house, consisting of upper and lower stories, the structure stately" [9].
Furthermore, the creation distinguishes Jehovah as the true God, setting Him apart from idols (Isaiah 37:16; 40:12-13; Psalm 96:5; Jeremiah 10:11-12) [2]. The fact that Christ is the Creator is also a key aspect of His excellency and glory, as He is the image of God and the first-born over all creation (Colossians 1:15-16; Hebrews 1:2-3) [4]. Adam Clarke, commenting on Revelation 5:13, interprets the praise given to the Lamb by "every creature" as an acknowledgment of Jesus Christ as the Creator, asserting that such worship would be idolatry if Christ were not properly God [7].
Even human beings, created in the image of God (Genesis 1:26; James 3:9), reflect His glory [5]. The purpose of good works performed by believers is ultimately "to the glory and praise of God" (Philippians 1:11) [6]. Thus, creation, from the vastness of the heavens to the very existence of humanity, serves as a continuous declaration of God's inherent glory and His wise, purposeful design [1, 2, 8].
Sources
- Psalms “The heavens declare the glory of God. The expanse shows his handiwork. -- Psalms 19:1”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Creation — "In the beginning" God created, i.e., called into being, all things out of nothing. This creative act on the part of God was absolutely free, and for infinitely wise reasons. The cause of all things exists only in the will of God. The work of creation is attributed (1) to the Godhead (Gen. 1:1, 26); (2) to the Father (1 Cor. 8:6); (3) to the Son (John 1:3; Col. 1:16, 17); (4) to the Holy Spirit (Gen. 1:2; Job 26:13; Ps. 104:30). The fact that he is the Creator distinguishes Jehovah as the true God (Isa. 37:16; 40:12, 13; 54:5; Ps. 96:5; Jer. 10:11, 12). Th”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Creation — The formation of things which had no previous existence -- Ro 4:17; Heb 11:3. Effected By God. -- Ge 1:1; 2:4,5; Pr 26:10. By Christ. -- Joh 1:3,10; Col 1:16. By the Holy Spirit. -- Job 26:13; Ps 104:30. By the command of God. -- Ps 33:9; Heb 11:3. In the beginning. -- Ge 1:1; Mt 24:21. In six normal days. -- Ex 20:11; 31:17. According to God's purpose. -- Ps 135:6. For God's pleasure. -- Pr 16:4; Re 4:11. For Christ. -- Col 1:16. By faith we believe, to be God's work -- Heb 11:3. Order of First day, making light and dividing it from darkness. -- Ge 1:3-5;”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Excellency and Glory of Christ, The — As God -- Joh 1:1-5; Php 2:6,9,10. As the Son of God -- Mt 3:17; Heb 1:6,8. As one with the Father -- Joh 10:30,38. As the First-born -- Col 1:15,18. As the First-begotten -- Heb 1:6. As Lord of lords, &c -- Re 17:14. As the image of God -- Col 1:15; Heb 1:3. As creator -- Joh 1:3; Col 1:16; Heb 1:2. As the Blessed of God -- Ps 45:2. As Mediator -- 1Ti 2:5; Heb 8:6. As Prophet -- De 18:15,16; Ac 3:22. As Priest -- Ps 110:4; Heb 4:15. As King -- Isa 6:1-5; Joh 12:41. As Judge -- Mt 16:27; 25:31,33. As Shepherd -- Isa 40:10,11; Joh”
- James “James 3:9 (LITV) — By this we bless God and the Father; and by this we curse men having come into being according to the image of God. Gen. 1:26”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Works, Good — Christ, an example of -- Joh 10:32; Ac 10:38. Called Good fruits. -- Jas 3:17. Fruits meet for repentance. -- Mt 3:8. Fruits of righteousness. -- Php 1:11. Works and labours of love. -- Heb 6:10. Are by Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God -- Php 1:11. They alone, who abide in Christ can perform -- Joh 15:4,5. Wrought by God in us -- Isa 26:12; Php 2:13. The Scripture designed to lead us to -- 2Ti 3:16,17; Jas 1:25. To be performed in Christ's name -- Col 3:17. Heavenly wisdom is full of -- Jas 3:17. Justification unattainable by -- Ro 3:20; Ga 2”
- Revelation (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Revelation 5:13: Every creature - All parts of the creation, animate and inanimate, are represented here, by that figure of speech called prosopopaeia or personification, as giving praise to the Lord Jesus, because by him all things were created. We find the whole creation gives precisely the same praise, and in the same terms, to Jesus Christ, who is undoubtedly meant here by the Lamb just slain as they give to God who sits upon the throne. Now if Jesus Christ were not properly God this would be idolatry, as it would be giving to the creature what belongs to the Creator.”
- Psalms (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Psalms 8 (introduction): This psalm is a solemn meditation on, and admiration of, the glory and greatness of God, of which we are all concerned to think highly and honourably. It begins and ends with the same acknowledgment of the transcendent excellency of God's name. It is proposed for proof (Psa 8:1) that God's name is excellent in all the earth, and then it is repeated as proved (with a "quod erat demonstrandum" - which was to be demonstrated) in the last verse. For the proof of God's glory the psalmist gives instances of his goodness to man; for God's goodness is his glor”
- Genesis (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Genesis 1:1: In these verses we have the work of creation in its epitome and in its embryo. I. In its epitome, Gen 1:1, where we find, to our comfort, the first article of our creed, that God the Father Almighty is the Maker of heaven and earth, and as such we believe in him. 1. Observe, in this verse, four things: - (1.) The effect produced - the heaven and the earth, that is, the world, including the whole frame and furniture of the universe, the world and all things therein, Act 17:24. The world is a great house, consisting of upper and lower stories, the structure stately”