Topical Bible: Earth: Design of

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The design of the Earth, as presented in the Bible, reflects the intentional and purposeful creation by God. The Scriptures provide numerous insights into the intricacies and orderliness of the Earth, emphasizing its role as a habitat for humanity and a testament to God's wisdom and power.

Creation and Order

The Bible begins with the account of creation in Genesis, where the Earth is formed by God's command. Genesis 1:1-2 states, "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters." This passage highlights the initial state of the Earth and the divine intervention that brought order and structure.

The subsequent verses describe the systematic process of creation, where God separates light from darkness, establishes the sky, gathers the waters, and brings forth dry land. Genesis 1:9-10 records, "And God said, 'Let the waters under the heavens be gathered into one place, so that the dry land may appear.' And it was so. God called the dry land 'earth,' and the gathering of waters He called 'seas.' And God saw that it was good." This orderly progression underscores the intentional design of the Earth as a suitable environment for life.

Provision for Life

The Earth is designed to sustain life, providing all necessary resources for humanity and other living creatures. Genesis 1:11-12 describes the creation of vegetation: "Then God said, 'Let the earth bring forth vegetation, seed-bearing plants and fruit trees, each bearing fruit with seed according to its kind.' And it was so. The earth produced vegetation, seed-bearing plants according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good." This provision of food and resources is a testament to the Earth's design as a nurturing and life-sustaining environment.

Furthermore, the Earth is depicted as a place of beauty and abundance. Psalm 104:24-25 declares, "How many are Your works, O LORD! In wisdom You have made them all; the earth is full of Your creatures. Here is the sea, vast and wide, teeming with creatures beyond number, living things both great and small." The diversity and richness of life on Earth reflect the creativity and generosity of the Creator.

Stability and Sustenance

The Bible also emphasizes the stability and sustenance of the Earth, maintained by God's ongoing care. In Colossians 1:16-17 , it is written, "For in Him all things were created, things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities. All things were created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together." This passage highlights the sustaining power of Christ, who upholds the order and coherence of the created world.

Additionally, the Earth's cycles and natural laws are seen as part of its divine design. Ecclesiastes 1:5-7 observes, "The sun rises and the sun sets; it hurries back to where it rises. The wind blows southward, then turns northward; round and round it swirls, ever returning on its course. All the rivers flow into the sea, yet the sea is never full; to the place from which the rivers come, there they return again." These natural processes demonstrate the consistency and reliability of the Earth's design.

Purpose and Dominion

The Earth is designed with a purpose, serving as the domain over which humanity is given stewardship. Genesis 1:26-28 records God's mandate to humanity: "Then God said, 'Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness, to rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over the livestock and over all the earth itself and every creature that crawls upon it.' So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. God blessed them and said, 'Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and every creature that crawls upon the earth.'" This charge reflects the Earth's design as a place where humanity exercises responsible dominion and stewardship under God's authority.

Reflection of God's Glory

Ultimately, the design of the Earth serves to reflect the glory and majesty of its Creator. Psalm 19:1-2 proclaims, "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge." The beauty, complexity, and order of the Earth are a testament to God's greatness, inviting humanity to recognize and worship Him as the sovereign Creator.

Nave's Topical Index

Isaiah 45:18
For thus said the LORD that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he has established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the LORD; and there is none else.
Nave's Topical Index

Greek

2602. katabole -- a laying down
... cast") -- properly, a , cast according to a blueprint (original design); the which ...
plan") typically relates to Christ's incarnation, ie coming to earth in the ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2602.htm - 7k

Library

The Introduction to the Work with Some General Account of Its ...
... of it, matter of just lamentation."4. To remedy this evil is the design of the ... only,
of all the creatures that dwell on the face of the earth, are capable of ...
/.../the rise and progress of religion in the soul/chapter i the introduction to.htm

The Return of Christ to the Earth Itself.
... this shall be demonstrated as never before. He returns to earth with the
deliberate design of shedding the blood of His enemies. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the redeemers return/7 the return of christ.htm

Union and Communion with God the End and Design of the Gospel
... Lecture II. Union And Communion With God The End And Design Of The Gospel. ... The
water is liker air than the earth, therefore it is next the air. ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/lecture ii union and communion.htm

The Limitations of Earth's Great Week.
... No doubt there is Divine design about the present confusion in human chronology. ...
when our Lord is absent, has to do with His absence from the earth and that ...
/.../pink/the redeemers return/9 the limitations of earths.htm

John Chapter i. 5-Jan
... You see the earth, there is an earth in design; you see the sky, there is a sky
in design; you see the sun and the moon, these also exist in design: but ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate i john chapter i.htm

The Shaking of the Heavens and the Earth
... And many, I fear, were no more affected by the sublime declaration of the Lord's
design to shake the heavens and the earth, than they would have been, if the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/messiah vol 1/sermon iii the shaking of.htm

A Solemn Address to those who Will not be Persuaded to Fall in ...
... And, above all, consider the design and tendency of the New Testament. ... to my own
children, and to all the dearest friends that I have upon earth, who may then ...
/.../the rise and progress of religion in the soul/chapter xi a solemn address.htm

'He Uttered his Voice, the Earth Melted'
... THE SECOND BOOK OF KINGS 'HE UTTERED HIS VOICE, THE EARTH MELTED ... His whole design
will be overturned, and as had already been said (ver.28), he will retrace his ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/he uttered his voice the.htm

Sky, Earth, and Sea: a Parable of God
... by night and by day, undimmed by the mist and smoke of earth, unchanged by ... at the
bidding of that steadfast purpose which works out one unalterable design by a ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/sky earth and sea a.htm

The Heirs of Heaven and Earth.
... kingdom of heaven.' ...Blessed are the meek; for they shall inherit the
earth.'"Matthew v.2 ... as our thoughts, or his ways as our ways"that the design of God ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/macdonald/hope of the gospel/the heirs of heaven and.htm