Firm Foundation: Part 6

God:  Creator of Heaven and Earth...

Wikipedia defines heaven as a cosmological or transcendent supernatural place where beings such as deities, angels, etc., are said to originate, be enthroned or reside. Even unbelievers will say that heaven is the sky or universe as seen from the earth; the firmament. Traditionally depicted as being above the sky.

We believe heaven is the abode of God, the angels, and the souls of those who have professed belief in God and gone before us. Heaven is an eternal state of communion with God; everlasting bliss. Heaven may also include planets, stars and other cosmological bodies that, to our knowledge, are uninhabitable yet serve a purpose and set in place by the Creator.

We believe God is also Creator of Earth. The natural world, both land and sea, the planet on which we live; the only place known in the universe where life has originated and found habitability. Earth includes the atmosphere which sustains and protects the planet, has a composition of life-sustaining nitrogen and oxygen, etc.

In Genesis 1:10, the original word is “eres” which is translated as land or earth, the  dry surface in contrast to bodies of water.

Leviticus 26:20 refers to soil or dirt, the natural material of which the earth is made, some of which is suitable for planting. Eres might also be translated as country, region, territory … specific large areas of the earth where distinct cultures or kingdoms dwell.

Be reminded of a traditional hymn of with which you may or may not be familiar as we consider ALL His hand has made:

Refrain:
All things bright and beautiful,
All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful:
The Lord God made them all.

1. Each little flow’r that opens,
Each little bird that sings,
He made their glowing colors,
He made their tiny wings.

2. The purple-headed mountains,
The river running by,
The sunset and the morning
That brightens up the sky.

3. The cold wind in the winter,
The pleasant summer sun,
The ripe fruits in the garden,
He made them every one.

4. The tall trees in the greenwood,
The meadows where we play,
The rushes by the water,
To gather every day.

5. He gave us eyes to see them,
And lips that we might tell
How great is God Almighty,
Who has made all things well.

The heavens. The earth. And every living thing. All declare the glory of God. Yes! The Lord God made them all!

How great! How GREAT is our God!