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Maker" in the following passages: Yatsar--in Isa. 45: 9, 11; Asah--in Job 4: 17;
32: 22; 35: 10; Psa. 95: 6; Prov. 14: 31; 17: 5; 22: 2; Isa. 17: 7; 51: 13;
54: 5; Jer. 33: 2; Hosea 8: 14; and Paal ("to work") in Job 36: 3.
Creation is spoken of in the Scriptures as the outcome of God's wisdom, His word,
His understanding, His power, and the work of His hands.
"He hath made the earth by His power, He hath established the world by His wisdom,
and hath stretched out the heaven by His understanding" (Jer. 51: 15).
"By the word of the Lord were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the
breath of His mouth" (Psa. 33: 6).
"Mine hand also hath laid the foundations of the earth, and My right hand hath
spanned the heavens; when I call unto them, they stand up together" (Isa. 48: 13).
It will be seen that whereas philosophy has endeavoured to probe into the origin of
things, the Scriptures are more concerned that we should perceive the intention of things.
Creation is brought before us as the product of wisdom, understanding and power, but
these three, unregulated by purpose, would work in vain.
Many subjects arise out of the fact of Creation which we cannot attempt to deal with
in these pages, but some at least must be considered. Among them we must note:
(1)
THE ARGUMENT FROM THE EVIDENCE OF DESIGN FOR THE
EXISTENCE OF GOD.
(2)
THE CREATION AS AN EXAMPLE NOT ONLY OF THE MIGHTY
POWER BUT OF THE SELF-LIMITATION OF THE OMNIPOTENT.
(3)
THE LIGHT OF REVELATION ON THE PERSON OF CHRIST AS
THE CREATOR OF ALL THINGS.
These three subjects at least we must include in our studies, besides giving a passing
glance at other related themes.
Let not the reader think such considerations are of little practical importance. The
whole fabric of the Christian faith rests upon the solid basis of the relationship between
the Creator and the creature, and wrong views entertained here at the beginning are
bound to influence the whole of the super-structure.