In the Beginning: “It was very good”
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. (Genesis 1:1 NKJV) Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good. So the evening and the morning were the sixth day. (Genesis 1:31 NKJV) God’s conclusion was that all He had created was very good. Creation met God’s approval and His desired design. It was beneficial to both God and the inhabitants of earth. For example, The LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden, and there He put the man whom He had formed. And out of the ground the LORD God made every tree grow that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. (Genesis 2:8, 9a NKJV)
Thus the heavens and the earth, and all the host of them, were finished. And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made. (Genesis 2:1-3 NKJV) The seventh day took on special significance under the Mosaic law as a holy day of rest, dedicated to God. Then he said to them, “This is what the LORD has said: ‘Tomorrow is a Sabbath rest, a holy Sabbath to the LORD. Bake what you will bake today, and boil what you will boil; and lay up for yourselves all that remains, to be kept until morning.'” (Exodus 16:23 NKJV) “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates. For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it. (Exodus 20:8-11 NKJV)
Creation represents God’s goodness to man; from the provision made in the garden for Adam and Eve to the present blessings sustaining life. He sends the rain on just and unjust alike and sustains all things by the word of His power. (Matthew 5:45, Hebrews 1:3) Man should recognize and appreciate God for these blessings. Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness, And for His wonderful works to the children of men! (Psalms 107:8 NKJV)
God’s goodness to man is not limited to physical sustenance. While these blessings are necessary for survival, it is a relationship with God from which mankind derives the greatest benefit. I will mention the lovingkindnesses of the LORD And the praises of the LORD, According to all that the LORD has bestowed on us, And the great goodness toward the house of Israel, Which He has bestowed on them according to His mercies, According to the multitude of His lovingkindnesses. For He said, “Surely they are My people, Children who will not lie.” So He became their Savior. In all their affliction He was afflicted, And the Angel of His Presence saved them; In His love and in His pity He redeemed them; And He bore them and carried them All the days of old. (Isaiah 63:7-9 NKJV)
God provided for our redemption by sending His Son who calls us through the gospel. Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power, that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 NKJV)
All God’s work is good. In fact, it is very good.