Genesis 1-3: Creation as God’s Temple | Finding Our True Home in Him
Scripture
Genesis 1-3, focusing on Genesis 2:4-17
Digging Deeper
In Genesis 1, God is revealed as the Creator, Sustainer, and Sovereign Lord over all things. The Bible presents Him as an active and personal being who not only brought the universe into existence, but continues to uphold, govern, and guide it according to His divine will.
As the Creator, God spoke everything into existence, establishing the laws of nature, the stars, the earth, and all living creatures with purpose and order. Genesis 1:1 declares, “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth,” emphasizing that all things exist because of His intentional design.
Beyond creation, God is also the Sustainer of the universe. Colossians 1:17 states, “He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.” His sustaining power keeps the universe from falling into chaos, ensuring its continued existence and order.
God’s sovereignty extends over history and all events. Proverbs 16:9 affirms, “The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.” He orchestrates the rise and fall of nations, directing history according to His purposes to fulfill His ultimate will.
More than a distant ruler, God is personally involved in the lives of His people. Jeremiah 29:11 reassures, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” He listens to prayers, provides guidance, and works all things for the good of those who love Him, as Romans 8:28 affirms.
At the heart of God’s work in the universe is His plan of redemption through Jesus Christ. John 3:16 declares, “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” Through Christ, God restores the broken relationship between Himself and humanity, demonstrating His love and purpose.
The Holy Spirit also plays an active role in the world. John 14:26 describes the Spirit as “the Helper” who teaches and reminds believers of God’s truth. The Spirit convicts people of sin, guides them in righteousness, and empowers them to live according to God’s will.
Ultimately, God has a future plan for the universe. Revelation 21:1 envisions a renewed creation, stating, “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away.” One day, He will establish a world free from sin, suffering, and death, where His perfect will is fully realized.
Genesis 1 portrays God not as a distant or passive force, but as an active, loving, and sovereign ruler over all things. He creates, sustains, guides history, redeems humanity, and works toward the fulfillment of His divine purpose and glory.
What Not To Miss
The Main Point: The Creation account is about God creating a house and making it home.
Home in the Bible
The story of the Bible is about God building a home for His people.
Genesis shows that Earth was created to be God’s Temple-Home where He dwells with humanity.
How Does God Make Earth HOME?
By creating a Garden-Temple as His dwelling place.
Generic definition of a Temple: A temple is a sacred place where the God (or gods) dwells, thereby bringing heaven to earth, where the God (or gods) exercises [and extends on earth] His rule and reign, and where humans connect with and worship God.
Temples in Ancient Times & Today
Places of worship, sacrifice, celebration, and connection.
Modern "temples" (stadiums, theaters, etc.) attempt to provide meaning, but only God fulfills.
God is making Earth HOME by making it His TEMPLE.
Humanity was created to dwell and connect with God, experiencing His presence fully.
There is a longing in every human heart for some kind of heavenly connection, for some kind of heavenly experience.
What Makes Creation God's Temple?
Historical Evidence
Ancient civilizations viewed creation as a cosmic temple.
John Walton & G.K. Beale: Creation accounts often conclude with temple building.
Originally the entire earth was the temple.
Context of Genesis
Written during Israel’s wilderness period, paralleling the Tabernacle/Temple design.
God gave Moses the blueprint of the Tabernacle, which had imagery and connections back to creation and Eden.
Text - Temple Elements in the Creation Account
Three-part structure. (Land = Outer Courts, Garden = Inner Courts, Tree of Life = Holy of Holies).
Image-bearers. (Priests) (Genesis 1:26-28; Genesis 2:15)
God rests when all is finished. (Genesis 2:2-3)
River flowing through it. (Genesis 2:10)
Precious stones—gold, onyx. (Genesis 2:12)
Entrance to the Garden on the east side. (Genesis 3:24)
Guarding cherubim. (after sin)
Bible Tells Us So (Ezekiel 28:13-14)
Eden is described as the "holy mountain of God," affirming its temple-like nature.
Creation is an Organic Temple with Eden being the Most Holy Place and the Tree of Life and Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil representing the Holy of Holies.
Why Does It Matter That Creation is a Temple?
God’s purpose was always to make Earth His HOME with His prized creation, humanity. Innate within every human being is this longing for a HOME.
Seven Characteristics of HOME:
Home is where your NAME is.
Home is where your FAMILY is.
Home is where LOVE is.
Home is where VALUES are.
Home is where PURPOSE is.
Home is where PEACE is.
Home is where your HEART is.
Genesis 1 and 2 tell us that HOME for HUMANS is EARTH where GOD has chosen to DWELL. He chose to build His House and make it His/our HOME.
The Problem: Humanity Rejected God’s Home
Adam & Eve rebelled, leading to exile, and they are alienated, separated from God.
Israel repeated this pattern, leading to their own exile.
God’s Pursuit of Humanity
Clothing Adam & Eve; Connecting with Noah; Calling and promises to Abraham; Exodus and Forming and Delivering Israel; Building the Tabernacle & Temple.
God had told them, just as He had told Adam—if you disobey me, there will be consequences. For Adam, it would be death and then separation-alienation. For Israel it would be the death of a nation—it would be exile.
Because of their disobedience, God’s glory departs from the Temple, from the dwelling place He had chosen, and shortly thereafter, Israel is exiled and kicked out of the land.
But (through prophets) God promises not to leave them homeless, not to leave them as wanderers, not to leave them as exiles.
Jesus as the New Temple
Jesus is Immanuel, God with us (Matt. 1:23).
Jesus is the Word made flesh.
Jesus exclaimed, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it in three days” (John 2:19).
At the cross, Jesus declares, “It is finished” (John 19:30), completing God’s plan to restore His home.
The temple veil tore, symbolizing restored access to God.
Jesus breathed on His disciples to receive the Holy Spirit.
The New Creation: God’s Final Home with Humanity
And now the Church, filled with the Holy Spirit who Jesus breathed on them, becomes the living TEMPLE, the DWELLING Place of GOD on earth.
He told them that He had to go and prepare their future HOME. (John 14)
He commissioned His people to invite ALL people back HOME. (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8)
Revelation 21: God dwells with His people in a New Heaven & New Earth.
Are you HOME? Are you searching for HOME?
Humans have been looking for, searching for home.
Three places they look:
They look up, trying to see if there is a God or gods out there.
They look beyond, mysticism, escapism—explaining why this isn’t our home.
They look within, what they can make of this world with the hopes it can feel a little more like home.
God made this world to be our HOME, a place where He would dwell/live with us, and we would get to dwell/live with Him.
The Bible teaches that you don’t have to look up for HOME, you don’t have to look beyond for HOME, you don’t look within to try and find HOME, you look to JESUS.
JESUS is HOME!
Life Application
On each day this week, consider these questions as you are inspired to reflect about God’s creation and record your thoughts in a journal or on your phone.
Day 1: Describe a moment in nature where you felt at home and close to God. What did you see, hear, or feel?
Day 2: Write about a specific aspect of creation that reflects God's creativity, beauty, and love for humanity.
Day 3: Reflect on Genesis 2:4-17. How does God make earth home?
Day 4: Consider the seven elements of home. Which is most relevant and meaningful to you? (Name, family, love, values, purpose, shalom, heart)
Day 5: Identify and write about a place that feels sacred and like home to you. How does it connect you to God?
Day 6: Create a list of reasons that you are grateful for home. How can you praise God for what He has provided?
Day 7: Reflect on what it means to you to live as a “priest” in God’s home which he created. How can you represent Him in your daily life?
Small Group Discussion
If you could creatively design an ultimate temple or sacred space for worshipping God, what cool features would it have?
Since creation is God’s temple, what does that tell us about His relationship with the world?
How does viewing creation as God's temple shape how we treat the earth?
If humans are called to be priests in God’s cosmic temple, what responsibilities does that entail and how does this understanding impact how we see our daily work and purpose?
How does God’s presence filling creation impact our spiritual lives?
Daily Devotional Bible Passages
Day 1: Creation is God’s Temple-Genesis 1:1-2; Isaiah 66:1-2; Psalm 78:69
Day 2: God’s Presence in Creation-Exodus 40:34-35; 1 Kings 8:27; Colossians 1:16-17
Day 3: Humanity in God’s Image and as Priests-Genesis 1:26-27; Exodus 19:6; 1 Peter 2:9
Day 4: Sabbath as Temple Rest-Genesis 2:2-3; Exodus 31:17; Hebrews 4:9-10
Day 5: Jesus as the True Temple-John 2:19-21; Colossians 2:9; Revelation 21:22
Prayer
Dear Lord, I continue to be amazed and in awe of Your creation, the magnificent testament of Your power and creativity. I am reminded that the heavens and the earth are not merely a backdrop for my life but that heaven and earth are a sacred temple, designed to reveal Your glory and presence.
I thank You for the function of creation and the order of it. Help me to see the world through Your eyes, recognizing the beauty and purpose You have woven into all that exists. As I solemnly consider my role as Your image-bearer, grant me the wisdom to live as a faithful steward of Your cosmic temple. May I honor the creation around me and care for it as a sacred trust. Let me be mindful of my responsibility to reflect Your love and grace in how I interact with all aspects of Your creation.
Lord, ignite my heart with a passion to share the wonder of Your creation with others. May my life be a reflection of Your light, drawing others into a relationship with You, the Creator of all things.
