“And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness.” (Genesis 1:4 KJV)
You may have noticed the phrase “it was good” in each of the six times that it is used in this first chapter of Genesis. It carries a lot of meaning that God would take the time to notice this and point it out at key points in the creation process. It also gives us an assurance that each of these layers had a high quality and a very real intrinsic value. The interesting thing to me is after this first chapter, we never see that phrase again for the balance of scripture. Old or new testament.
Yes, many good things happen as scripture goes on. Much is redeemed. Much is forgiven. Much is paid for. Yet, it is a glorious set of stories that all point to Jesus. It is his offer of redemption that takes the central theme. We see in Jesus the great need for humility as only he can (and has) accomplish what is needed. “Perfect humility dispenses with modesty. If God is satisfied with the work, the work may be satisfied with itself: “it is not for her to bandy compliments with her Sovereign.”” (C.S. Lewis, The weight of glory) It is in Christ now much like it will be after all is made new that again creation may know that it is good. Not merely clean or right or useful, but it no longer even has a place for pride because it knows that it’s creator is pleased with it. Is not the lack of this knowledge at some point near the root of many of our tears?
“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” (Revelation 21:4 KJV)
