Reading: Creator of Heaven and Earth (The Apostles’ Creed); Isaiah 66,1-2
This is what the Lord says: “Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. Where is the house you will build for me? Where will my resting place be? Has not my hand made all these things, and so they came into being?” declares the Lord. “These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word.” (Isaiah 66,1-2)
Reflection: The biblical account of creation is of immeasurable value, and yet it remains the subject of many debates and controversies. Is what we read true or myth? Did creation occur within a literal or metaphorical seven days? Is this text about the material or functional beginnings of life? All of this raises other questions. Evolution or creation? Science or the Bible? Intelligent design or the big bang? Round or flat? Almost everyone has an opinion, and there seems to be no end to the disputes.
Does God, through Isaiah, want to guide us in understanding the creation account? At this point in their history, when the last sections of the book of the prophet Isaiah were written, the Israelite people were about to return from Babylonian exile. Instead of rejoicing, they were very upset because they did not have a temple, thinking it was impossible to connect to God without it. Through the prophet, God says something like, you had a temple before but your heart was far from me. And then he tells them something that is important for our topic today. The Lord, I AM WHO I AM, unfathomable and immeasurable, tells his people that he built his own temple a long time ago!
In his temple, heaven is his throne, and the earth is his footstool! When he created the world, he created his dwelling place – his temple where he wants to dwell and from where he wanted to rule. If you have wondered why God does not give up so easily on his creation, now you are on the trail to the answer.
Instead of wasting energy proudly and desperately defending our position, we need to be serious when we read that the Creator is not fascinated by those who have a correct theory about the origin of the world. What attracts his attention is the humble and modest person who takes his word seriously and who, with or without a temple, performs pure and unblemished worship.
Prayer: Take some time and reread the first two chapters of the book of Genesis. Read them as a story about how God, while creating this world, creates a place for himself in which he wants to dwell in his glory. How is this different from your view of the creation of the world?
The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead. On the third day, he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.