Topical Encyclopedia The concept of the Lord's control over creation is a central theme throughout the Bible, emphasizing God's sovereignty, power, and authority over the universe He has made. This control is evident from the very beginning of Scripture and is consistently affirmed through various passages that highlight His dominion over the natural world, living creatures, and the cosmic order.Creation and Sovereignty The Bible begins with a profound declaration of God's creative power: "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth" (Genesis 1:1). This foundational statement establishes God as the ultimate source and sustainer of all that exists. Throughout the creation narrative in Genesis 1, God's authority is demonstrated as He speaks the world into existence, bringing order out of chaos and filling the earth with life. Each act of creation is marked by the phrase "And God said," underscoring His command over the elements and His ability to bring forth life by His word alone. Nature and Providence The Psalms frequently celebrate God's control over creation, portraying Him as the one who governs the natural world with wisdom and care. Psalm 104 provides a vivid depiction of God's providence, describing how He "set the earth on its foundations" (Psalm 104:5) and "makes springs pour forth into the valleys" (Psalm 104:10). The psalmist acknowledges that all creatures depend on God for their sustenance: "These all look to You to give them their food in due season" (Psalm 104:27). In Psalm 135:6, the psalmist declares, "The LORD does whatever pleases Him in the heavens and on the earth, in the seas and all their depths" . This verse affirms God's absolute freedom and authority to act according to His will throughout the entirety of creation. Weather and Natural Phenomena The Bible also attributes control over weather and natural phenomena to the Lord. In Job 37:5-6, Elihu speaks of God's power over the elements: "God thunders wondrously with His voice; He does great things we cannot comprehend. For He says to the snow, 'Fall on the earth,' and to the gentle rain, 'Pour out a mighty downpour'" . This passage highlights God's command over the weather, illustrating His ability to direct the forces of nature. Similarly, Jesus' calming of the storm in the New Testament serves as a powerful demonstration of divine authority over creation. In Mark 4:39, Jesus rebukes the wind and the sea, saying, "Peace, be still!" , and the wind ceases, and there is a great calm. This miracle reveals Jesus' divine nature and His control over the natural world, echoing the authority of God the Father. Animals and Living Creatures God's dominion extends to all living creatures, as seen in the account of Noah's Ark, where God commands Noah to gather animals of every kind to preserve them from the flood (Genesis 6:19-20). This narrative underscores God's concern for His creation and His ability to orchestrate the survival of species according to His purposes. In the book of Jonah, God's control over animals is further illustrated when He appoints a great fish to swallow Jonah (Jonah 1:17) and later commands a plant, a worm, and a scorching east wind to teach Jonah a lesson (Jonah 4:6-8). These events demonstrate God's sovereignty over both great and small aspects of creation. Cosmic Order and Stability The Bible affirms that God maintains the cosmic order and stability of the universe. In Jeremiah 31:35, the Lord declares, "He who appoints the sun to shine by day, who decrees the moon and stars to shine by night, who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar—the LORD of Hosts is His name" . This passage highlights God's role in sustaining the regularity of celestial bodies and the natural order. Colossians 1:16-17 further emphasizes Christ's role in creation, stating, "For in Him all things were created, things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible... all things were created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together" . This New Testament perspective affirms that Jesus Christ, as the divine Logos, is integral to the ongoing existence and coherence of the universe. Conclusion The Lord's control over creation is a testament to His omnipotence and divine authority. Through His word, God brought the universe into being, and by His providence, He sustains and governs all things. The biblical narrative consistently affirms that creation is subject to the will of its Creator, who exercises His sovereignty with wisdom, power, and purpose. |