God’s Glory Through Creation

Genesis 1:1-2:3,  Psalm 8

What is God’s glory? The English word glory is a bit ambiguous, it’s not a word we tend to use in non-theological contexts. Additionally, from centuries of different theological & cultural influences, the concept of God’s glory can seem confusing or muddled. Is it a thing? An experience? How is God truly glorified? Today, we will read about God’s glory as revealed in his creation. 

When we think about God’s creation, our minds tend to go to the narrative of Genesis 1 & 2, however, there are multiple creation narratives scattered throughout scripture. We read Psalm 8 today, but there are also creation accounts in Psalm 19, 139, Job 38-42, amongst other sections of the Psalms. 

While reading these accounts, it is important to keep in mind the author’s context and purpose. We tend to come to these accounts with our own cultural assumptions - that these narratives need to describe what literally & physically happened at the creation of the universe. 

Genesis 1 and Psalm 8 are not documentary video footage of the origin of the universe - they are poetic narratives designed to be meditated on for the purpose of discovering truth about God. 

When we read these accounts, let’s set aside our own cultural context, and instead humbly adopt the disposition of the author. They want the reader to discover the character of God, His Glory, and our purpose as humans through these narratives and poems. Which is, according to Genesis 1, 2 and Psalm 8, to reflect God’s glory and nature in the world around us. 

Now that we know how to approach this text, how do we approach this concept of “glory?” In Hebrew, the original language of these texts, the word “kāḇôḏ,” or kavod, is translated as “glory” or “honor.” According to Strong’s Hebrew concordance, kavod literally means “weight” but is most often used figuratively. 

God’s glory, or Kavod, is his metaphorical weight. His reputation. For example, the office of the president, whether you're American or not, has a certain Kavod. No matter who has the office, the title and authority of “president” has a weighty reputation. While the office of president might have some mixed connotation, the word Kavod, according to Strong’s concordance, is used in a good sense when used figuratively. 

So, looking back to our texts, how do the authors of Psalm 8 and Genesis 1 point us to God’s kavod? 

God ordered the formless, void, and dark earth to be a place of order, flourishing and goodness. (Genesis 1:1-24)

God’s kavod is inherently good. There is no evil, chaos, or disorder in God, and God’s kavod represents Him. This is why God calls his original design “good.” He was not glorified by earth’s disorder, so by his powerful word, he orders and designs his creation to reflect his goodness. 

This is why the author of Psalm 8 says,

 “Lord, our Lord,

    how majestic is your name in all the earth!

You have set your glory

    in the heavens.” (Psalm 8:1)

Everything on the land and everything in the skies reflects God’s glory. 

God gives glory to humanity. 

This might sound strange, since we might be used to thinking about humanity “giving glory to God.” However, this is what the author of Psalm 8 says in verses 4-5: 

4 what is mankind that you are mindful of them,

    human beings that you care for them?

5 You have made them[d] a little lower than the angels

    and crowned them with glory and honor.

Just as a king or queen crowns the prince or princess, so God crowns us with authority, honor, and identity. We do not earn or make our own kavod, but God graciously crowns us with it. This parallels Genesis 1, where God creates humanity in his own image (reflecting his glory), and appoints them as rulers over God’s creation. 

The way we glorify God is by embracing the glory and honor he has given us. We are charged to use that gift to reflect God’s good Kavod. We humans, as part of God’s good and glorious creation, can know that we glorify God by being who he has called us to be. 

Wonder: 

The Psalmist is reflecting on all the things around them that reflect God’s glory. Take a moment to observe or reflect on the world around you. What stands out to you as a reflection of God’s kavod? Why does that stand out? How does it make you feel? 

We also are reflections of God’s kavod. Is there something you need to remember about your identity as a person “crowned” with glory by God? Pray on this and record it here.