JAN 12

Genesis 1
Memorise 2 Peter 3:13-14
“Behold, it was very good…”

With everything finished, God looked over all that He had done, and pronounced it all as “very good” (Genesis 1:31). Hitherto, the pronouncements made at the end of each day was that “it was good”. But now, with the whole of creation complete, and everything put together, God adds the term “very” to express just how good it really was. The word “very” is a strong term used that has the root meaning of ‘vehemence’. It is a word that is elsewhere translated with words like ‘exceedingly’, ‘mightily’ or ‘greatly’. The term “good” as we use it today has the idea of something that is just slightly above average. However, in the Bible, this word means so much more than that. It does not just denote the midpoint between bad and superb, but it speaks of something that is pleasant and excellent. God is Himself is described as ‘good’, and we know that He is one who is far more than just mediocre.

And so used together, the phrase “very good” describes the complete perfection of all that had been done. God’s creation was absolutely and utterly excellent, and there was no flaw or wickedness in it at all. All things were created in complete unity one with another, and could have existed in this state of perfection forever. Both man and angels were created sinless, and all life existed as a testament to God’s greatness and goodness.

However, we know that sin then entered into the world. Satan, in his pride fell (Ezekiel 28:15), and tempted man to fall as well (Genesis 3:6‑7), and with that the world created was then marred by sin. Man’s perfect fellowship with God was shattered, and the world could no longer be described as ‘very good’. That is why God has promised to one day destroy the present heaven and earth with fire (2 Peter 3:12), in order that He may create a New Heaven and New Earth, one that is perfect, free from the ravages of sin, and one where man can be at perfect peace with God once more.

Knowing this, we look forward to the day when the Lord Jesus Christ can return, to restore all things back to its proper order. That is the Christian’s blessed hope, whereby we know that this present world, as good as it is, is not our eternal dwelling place, for it is no longer “very good”.

Thought: Do we sometimes use the word ‘good’ too casually?

Prayer: Lord, I thank Thee for the wonderful promises of eternity that Thou has promised us, for we know that it will certainly be very good.