Deutero Q

I have been reading Genesis 1 and am struck by the linkage of these two phrases: "And God said" ... "And it was so" (e.g., Gen. 1:6 and 1:7). God speaks and things happen--such as the world coming into being. That is power beyond comprehension!

Christians down through the centuries have affirmed the doctrine of creation ex nihilo (Latin for “out of nothing”) when speaking of God’s power. Michelangelo needed matter that already existed to create his magnificent works of art. God, however, did not require preexistent matter to create His masterpieces.

God spoke, and because of the power of His creative word, things came into existence. Psalm 33:6 says, “By the word of the Lord were the heavens made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth.” The Hebrew for “word” is dabar (דבר) and can mean “word” or “deed” or both. In fact, the Bible so closely connects God’s words and deeds that one can legitimately say that God’s Word is His deed; thus, the psalmist spoke of God sending forth His word to heal (Ps. 107:20).

In the perceptive words of Abraham Heschel: “Divine power bursts in [God’s] words.”

Truly, one word from God can change your life and mine!