The Foundation of the Earth
Hebrews 1: 8, 9, 10, Part IV
And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands: (Hebrews 1:10)
It is impossible for the mind of men, in his present state under sin, to understand the Omnipotent Being of God in Jesus Christ. God has given us certain limitations concerning the knowledge of Himself, and only through divine intervention of the Holy Spirit of God, and the Word of God can we know the God of creation. I speak only to the children of God, not to the children of the world. The children of the world have rejected all things concerning the divine being of God, even His Son, Jesus Christ. As the children of God, we are brought into a relationship as children with a Father, and as sons with responsibility. He teaches us, through the Spirit of God, a divine knowledge of Himself; therefore, we are taught through Scripture the divine creation of all things. God reveals Himself as the Creator of all things. For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: (Colossians 1:16) As the Creator of all things, He has complete power over His creation; this includes principalities, and powers, and all the populace of the world. The world, at large, would deny this, of course; but where the Spirit of God is, there is light from above, and knowledge of the Holy. I have lived a few days on this earth, I have seen the world conjure up one theory after another concerning the origin of life, the very start of creation, and innumerable ploys to deceive man that there is no divine creator. Man wants to begin with the substance that was made, instead of beginning with the One who made the substance. Concerning the world, we have to understand that there is a cloud over them. This cloud includes their sin, which they are slaves to, the enmnity in their hearts against their Creator, and this enmity keeps the true knowledge of God from ever reaching their souls. This enmity can only be removed with it’s sin by divine surgery by the Holy Spirit of God. A whole new creation has to be manifested by the power of the Eternal God. This is His grace through faith unto salvation. Then and only then will one have the knowledge of God. In the quote section I quoted that “I would rather know the Creator than how the creation was made.” This gives me rest, and in my heart I see a Divine Being with the Omnipotent power to create all things. Let the world conjure up one theory after another, and when they have exhausted all their delusions, they can then turn to Genesis 1:1 and come face to face with the Omnipotent Being who not only created all things, but has created them as well.
The heart of faith is satisfied with the biblical account of creation, for we believe that the worlds were framed by the Word of God. Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. (Hebrews 11:3) Divine faith gives you rest in the matter of creation; we, as the children of God, know that man did not create himself; although to listen to the scientific community, you would think that they are their own creator. Won’t they be surprised when they look into the flaming eyes of the God of creation without mercy, and without hope for them. It is in this life that one must repent, it is in this life that one must be born again of the Spirit of God. When the dust of death comes over you, there is no return, and the judgment of God for all eternity will be upon you in the lake of fire. Think of your science very carefully, it can truly be a deceptive tool in the Devil’s hand. Now to return to He who formed the heavens and the earth, our verse 10 begins with a foundation, and it is God who has laid this foundation of the earth. Yes, the earth has a foundation, and I could waste a lot of pages and words on this point, but I will not. We must by faith accept both Genesis 1:1 and the foundation of the world as in Hebrews 1:10, I will accept it by faith. Let the geologists, search for it, I will just believe it, and be satisfied in the Lord.
Now the first step in building a house or a building on this earth is to establish a foundation. In most cases, when the foundation is laid, and the building is complete one no longer sees the foundation, but trusts that the foundation will hold, and secure what is built upon it. In the creation of the world, first there had to be a foundation that would hold all the turmoil that would come against God’s physical creation. For in the day that Adam sinned, Adam also changed the creation around him. The cost of his sin is still displayed every day that we open our eyes on planet earth. Whatever has been thrown at the foundation, it has withstood and preserved all that was laid upon it. Now in Genesis, chapter 1, after the foundation was laid we get a progression of the creation; we have the sun, the moon, the stars, the heavens, as we do here in Hebrews, chapter one, verse 10. The declaration of the Son of God laying the foundation of the world comes first, then the heavens are the works of His hands, or as in Genesis 1:16 he made the stars also. Can I show you how to make a star, or for that matter, to make a drop of water. I cannot, neither can I jump over buildings, nor stop a speeding bullet; what I can do is believe by the faith of the Son of God. (Galatians 2:20) This faith from above is imparted. Hebrews 11:1 declares faith as a substance, a tangible article, and this faith is evidence of things unseen. Faith answers to God for we receive grace by faith, and that faith of, and in the Son of God. This miracle is unexplainable to a world of lost sinners. Their jungle of darkness keeps the light of God from reaching them. Only with a blast of wind from the Holy Spirit of God do the trees move, and a glimmer of light touches a soul, and faith is imparted. Now a light is created in the world to tell the great story of the great King, and Creator of all things. Many times in my life I have heard people say, ‘you have to have faith.’ It has always interested me that people with no faith lay hold of the word, as an unseen comfort to their sinful soul. When a man of real faith tells them of faith, they plug their ears, stamp their feet, and run for cover. You must forgive me for the wordy exaggeration. Real faith does not answer to the world of man, as I said, it is a gift from above, and answers to God, and God alone. This could be misunderstood as being very independent, but it is just the opposite, for the soul with Christ’s faith is completely dependent on God for all and in all, and knows that it is God’s grace whereby that souls exists. Is it a good thing to be in servitude to a God who has created all things? Yes. He is just, and a just Master, not like man. The world needs to look around and contemplate who they are in slavery to, is it not their sin, and sinful man? If they’re content with that, then they have been deceived by a very great deception. I would rather be in servitude to a great God, and a great Creator; One that I know I can trust with the eternal existence of my soul and spirit. He exercised His love for me on the cross of Calvary. He gave Himself, not only for me, but for all who have trusted Him. He keeps them, and is faithful to them in all His promises. This love knows no bounds, nor has an end, and is full of all the unsearchable riches of Christ.
Through the Old Testament, as Jehovah, He wanted man to love Him; as Jesus of Nazareth, in the New Testament, He came that man would love Him. And now after man has rejected Him, He continually seeks those who will love Him. God wants our love, He desires that we worship Him in this love. Our hearts, our souls, our spirits, our very being should completely be given over to the love of God, and we should worship Him as the Creator of all things.
At this point in our worship, we would feel virtue fill our souls, and His love fill our hearts. For He gives a love that the world does not know. It is a gift from above, and is so precious to the thirsty soul. In His creation of one child of God, He lays that foundation of His love by His grace through faith in my Savior, Jesus Christ. As He laid the foundation of the earth, my Savior, is also the foundation of the Church. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 3:11) Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste. (Isaiah 28:16) Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. ( 1 Peter 2:6)
Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. (Acts 4:10)
This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. (Acts 4:11)
Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. (Acts 4:12)
One must first understand that God, in the act of salvation, creates a new being that was not before. As He created the heavens and the earth, so those who are in Christ are a new creation, called into existence by the same breathe that made the worlds. This gives rest to the soul in that God’s Spirit witnesses with my spirit that I am a child of God. I have entered into a rest that the world knows not of, and this rest is for all who belong to Him.
For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. (Hebrews 4:2)
For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. (Hebrews 4:3)
For he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all his works. (Hebrews 4:4)
And in this place again, If they shall enter into my rest. (Hebrews 4:5)
Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief: (Hebrews 4:6)
Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts. (Hebrews 4:7)
For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day. (Hebrews 4:8)
There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. (Hebrews 4:9)
This divine rest is for the children of God. It is a rest for the soul. If I were to take all my cares and troubles that I have in this world, and put them in a box, and lock them away, and then ascend into a mountain, and spend the rest of my life with Jesus Christ in that mountain, apart from all the strife of this world; this would only be a wish, and not a reality. Faith, however, can become a mountain of separation from this world, and an entrance of communion with the Lord Jesus Christ. The more the heart is subdued to His love, the light of the world grows dimmer, and His love grows brighter. Our faith is always tested, ‘consider my servant Job.’ Job was tested in all that he had, all that he was, and yet he found his strength in his redeemer, and ‘he knew that his redeemer liveth.’ Job knew God’s rest, and trusted in the Almighty. We have wandered a bit, now back to the foundation of the world. . . .
We have the visible, tangible creation. This is a witness of God’s great power, and His Eternal Godhead, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: ( Romans 1:20) All three in One essence.
Let us consider the unseen world of creation; things that are invisible to us, yet present; for example, the foundation of a human being.
There is the soul, show me your soul, you can’t; yet, it is part of your being. The doctors can’t find it, the scientists can’t find it, only God knows it’s position, and place, and condition. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. (Psalm 23:3) It is God who restores the soul, it is God who hovers over the soul with conviction of sin, and the need of salvation through Jesus Christ. But show me this? You can’t. It must be by divine faith, and this too is unseen. Show me your spirit, you can’t; but God knows everything about your spirit and being. These are just two of the mysteries of the unseen world around us, and in us. It is He who laid the foundation of the world and who has also created the foundation of the soul and spirit. And it is the Lord Jesus who keeps the soul and spirit alive, for no man can keep alive his own soul. All they that be fat upon earth shall eat and worship: all they that go down to the dust shall bow before him: and none can keep alive his own soul. (Psalm 22:29) Our souls are in God’s hands. We, as children of God, trust Him to keep both our soul and spirit, for He has laid their foundation, and this foundation is unseen; so too the foundation of the world. Man cannot see it, it is one of the unseen things of creation; yet, it preserves the planet that we dwell upon. Everything is built upon that foundation; therefore, we must trust by faith in our Creator, that He and He alone has laid the foundation of the world.
In Genesis 1:1, God is not introducing the creation, He is introducing Himself as the Creator, and the God of creation. He reveals to us what He has done as the Creator. You would think that man would stand in awe of this wonder; yet, man scoffs and will not believe a divine being of such power and creatorial force. And yet God in His infinite mercy reveals Himself as the Creator. Slowly through Genesis 1, He introduces Himself. If we lay hold of the God of creation instead of dwelling on creation, then by faith we can not only see the tangible world, but we experience the unseen things of faith in an Omnipotent Creator. So the mystery of creation does not deter us from looking from a higher platform of faith in which to admire, and love our Creator, Jesus Christ.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (John 1:1)
The same was in the beginning with God. (John 1:2)
All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. (John 1:3)
John 1:1-3 takes us to a time before the foundation of the world. It declares the Lord Jesus as the Word of God. It is by the word of His power that He spoke the worlds into existence. All things were made for Him, and by Him, and the foundation of the world was called into existence by Him. We also need to consider that Adam was just as much part of that creation as the stars in the heavens. When God created Adam, He created Him from the dust of the ground. This connects Adam with the very foundation of the earth. Adam denied His Creator, and subsequently, lost not only his glory, but all of his spiritual foundation which God had given him. Adam could now only approach God through a sin offering, because Adam’s foundation was now sin. The Spirit of God opening a window into the everlasting reveals to us the counsels of God through Jesus Christ; whether it be the foundations of the earth, or the foundation of the soul of man. It is Christ who is the Creator, and upholder of both. “He resoreth my soul,” (Psalm 23), 1 Corinthians 3:11; Acts 4:10-12; Matthew 16:18; Colossians 1:18-20. Look these reference up for yourself.
Let us consider the works of His hands. The second part of our verse declares “the heavens are the works of thy hands.” Tonight, when darkness comes, go outside and look up: consider the heavens, the stars in their courses, the planets revolving through space, all in perfect order. What wonder one sees, even with the naked eye. There is untold depth, and mystery, oh, what a creation, and all reveals it’s Creator. The stars with ever twinkle shows forth His glory by their glory, and one stars differs from another, how amazing. Innumerable in number, unreachable by sight; yet, God in His mercy has given us this wonder to contemplate His Divine Being. The psalmist writes in Psalm 8:3, 4.
When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; (Psalm 8:3) What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? (Psalm 8:4) According to Psalm 8, He has ordained them for man; not only to show forth His glory, but that man through this wonder would contemplate his Creator.
The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. (Psalm 19:1)
Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. (Psalm 19:2)
There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard. (Psalm 19:3)
Once again, the Word of God by the divine power of the Spirit of God reveals to us that there is a language of the stars, the stars have a speech as well as the day. They speak both day and night of the knowledge of God. I have met people who desire to speak with unknown tongues; yet, they cannot hear the divine language of the stars. The Spirit of God declares that there is no language where their voice is not heard. What glory we see, when we take our eyes off the earth, and look up into the night skies, and listen to their voice. Have you ever stood and contemplated that these are the same stars that Abraham looked upon when God gave him the promise of a seed, not of the earth, but of the heavens; and this seed would be as the stars of the sky, innumerable. Whether it be day or night, we see the image of God’s glory. We look at the sun, it has one glory; we look at the moon, it has it’s glory; each star shows forth it’s own glory just as the child of God reflects the light of Christ into a dying world. What mystery is this grace that God has given us to share with Him. Each one of us who have been born of the Spirit of God has a glory of our own which God has given to us. When we look collectively on the body of Christ, we see our collective glory in Him. As we consider all the stars together and view them collectively, we see one glory; however, when we single out one star it has a glory of it’s own. So too our life before God, God has placed an individual glory as well as an individual name to each one of us. Is this not a mystery to behold? God’s glory in us shining forth with the glorious gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ; the collective body in one glory, and the individual with his own glory. As the stars shine with different intensities, so we shine with different intensities in our Creator. As we embrace His love we also embrace His glory; we become a reflection of our foundation, the Lord Jesus Christ. For no other foundation can man lay than that is laid which is the Lord of glory, the Lord Jesus Christ. Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. (2 Timothy 2:19) Amen.
© Copyright 2015, Michael Haigh
Article may be used, but not for gain. “Freely ye have received, freely give.”
All Scripture references are from the Authorized King James Bible. (KJV)