Connect Isaiah 45:18 with Genesis 1:31 regarding God's view of His creation. Drawing the Two Passages Together • Genesis 1:31: “And God looked upon all that He had made, and indeed, it was very good.” • Isaiah 45:18: “For thus says the LORD—He who created the heavens; He is God. He formed the earth and established it; He did not create it to be empty, but formed it to be inhabited: ‘I am the LORD, and there is no other.’” Key Observations • Both verses place God at the center as the intentional, personal Creator. • Genesis stresses the character of what He made—“very good.” • Isaiah underscores the purpose of what He made—“formed…to be inhabited.” • Together they reveal that creation is both morally excellent and deliberately fashioned to sustain life. God’s Good Design 1. Moral Goodness – Every element of the universe passed God’s direct inspection and received His “very good.” (cf. 1 Timothy 4:4) – Nothing in the original order carried flaw, corruption, or futility. 2. Functional Purpose – “Formed…it was not a waste” (literal Hebrew sense of Isaiah 45:18). – Earth was crafted with precision—atmosphere, seasons, resources—so people could thrive (Genesis 8:22; Psalm 104:24–25). 3. Relational Intent – Creation provides a stage for fellowship between God and humanity (Genesis 3:8). – “Inhabited” implies community, stewardship, and worship (Psalm 8:3–6; Revelation 4:11). Implications for Our View of Creation • Dignity: Because God calls creation “very good,” we treat it with honor, resisting any outlook that views matter as inherently evil. • Stewardship: Since Earth was designed for habitation, we bear responsibility to cultivate and guard it (Genesis 2:15). • Purposeful Living: Human life is not accidental. Our environment was tailor-made for us to know and glorify God (Acts 17:24–27). The Ongoing Witness of Creation • Psalm 19:1—“The heavens declare the glory of God.” • Romans 1:20—Creation continually testifies to His “eternal power and divine nature,” leaving no excuse for unbelief. Looking Ahead • Just as the original world was “very good,” the future new heaven and new earth will restore that goodness in fullness (Isaiah 65:17; Revelation 21:1). • Believers anticipate this renewal while living out faithful stewardship now (2 Peter 3:13–14). Living in Light of His Verdict • Receive creation as a gracious gift. • Reflect the Creator’s character through care, gratitude, and worship. • Rest in the assurance that the One who formed the world for good will complete His good purposes in it—and in us (Philippians 1:6). |
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