As children in church, we were taught to memorize the days of Creation and what God created on each day. Though this approach helps us recall facts, it often falls short in helping us grasp the deeper essence of Genesis 1. The problem is not with the details of Creation but with how we approach the story. We tend to focus on the variables—what changes happened on each day of Creation—but this accumulation of more information does not help us to understand the Bible as a whole.
In every discipline, understanding starts with constants—what does not change—because constants provide the foundation and framework for interpreting variables. This principle holds true for the Bible as well. The constants in Scripture are found in its repetitions. The first and best example is Genesis 1, where repeated phrases form the framework for understanding the Creation narrative. These repetitions reveal deeper truths about God’s character and His relationship with creation.
In Genesis 1, four key phrases are repeated:
“And God said”
“And it was so”
“God saw that it was good”
“And there was evening and there was morning”
These repeated phrases create a rhythm that reflects the order and intentionality of God’s creative process. They provide insight into the structure of the story and teach us about the constants of God’s word, His character, and His purpose.
The power of God’s word
The phrase “And God said” introduces every act of creation. This repetition highlights that God creates through the power of His word. Unlike human words, which often fail to bring about change, God’s words are creative and authoritative. When God speaks, things happen. Each element of creation was brought into existence with purpose and intention, underscoring the certainty and power of God’s word.
The repetition of “And God said” also establishes God’s word as the foundation of reality. Everything created was spoken into being by God. His commands define reality, and His word is trustworthy and dependable. This repeated phrase reminds us that God’s word is the ultimate constant in a world of variables.
The certainty of God’s word
Following each command in Genesis 1, the phrase “And it was so” confirms that, without exception, what God spoke came to pass. This repetition assures us of the reliability of God’s word. Unlike human promises, which are often broken due to unforeseen circumstances, God’s word is always fulfilled.
This repetition teaches us to trust that when God speaks, what He says will happen the way He says it. His words are not subject to the limitations of human experience. The consistency of “And it was so” highlights that God’s actions perfectly align with His words. His promises are not hopeful suggestions but unshakable guarantees.
The goodness of God’s creation
At each stage of Creation, the phrase “God saw that it was good” is repeated. This repetition signifies that everything God created was perfect and complete, lacking nothing. It also reflects God’s satisfaction with His creation, where every element was in perfect harmony, free of flaws or imperfections.
This phrase emphasizes the goodness not only of creation but also of God’s nature. He is a God of excellence who does all things well. The repetition underscores that everything God creates aligns perfectly with His will and purpose.
The intended eternity
The final repeated phrase, “And there was evening and there was morning,” marks the end of each day of Creation. This repetition signifies the rhythm and order of creation as God intended it. The cycle of evenings and mornings was meant to continue forever, reflecting God’s eternal purpose.
The attack on the constants in Genesis 3
The repetitions in Genesis 1 establish God’s word as trustworthy, powerful, and good. However, in Genesis 3, the serpent’s temptation of Eve directly undermines these constants.
The serpent begins by questioning, “ ‘Did God really say . . . ?’ ” (Gen. 3:1, NIV). This attack on “And God said” plants doubt on the trustworthiness of God’s commands. By introducing uncertainty, the serpent disrupts the established pattern of trusting in God’s word.
Next, the serpent contradicts God’s command, saying, “ ‘You will not surely die’ ” (Gen. 3:4, NKJV). This statement challenges the certainty of “And it was so.” Adam and Eve, who had always trusted that God’s word would come to pass, begin to question that now.
Finally, the serpent challenges the goodness of God’s creation, suggesting that God is withholding something better. He convinces Eve that the world God declared “good” is not truly perfect, and that eating the forbidden fruit will bring greater knowledge and fulfillment. This undermines the repetition of “God saw that it was good.”
Through this interaction, the serpent causes Adam and Eve to doubt God’s word, trust in themselves, and believe that God’s creation is somehow insufficient. Sin enters the world, and death brings an end to the rhythm of creation that was meant to go on forever.
John 3:16 and the restoration of trust
The consequences of Adam and Eve’s distrust in Genesis 3 are profound, bringing death and destruction into the world. However, the solution is found in God’s ultimate promise in John 3:16, “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” (NIV).
John 3:16 is the culmination of God’s plan to restore the trust broken in Genesis 3. The verse echoes the repetitions in Genesis 1. Just as God declared creation “good,” John 3:16 affirms that God’s love for the world remains unchanged. Despite sin, God’s intention is still for our good.
Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh, is the ultimate proof that God’s words are reliable. The repetition of “And God said” is fulfilled in Jesus, who demonstrates that God’s actions perfectly align with His promises. Believing in Jesus restores the trust broken in Genesis 3, reconnecting humanity with the unchanging rhythm of God’s word.
The structure of the Old Testament
The repetitions in Genesis 1 connect directly to the structure of the Old Testament, which reflects the constants of God’s words and actions:
- The Torah. The Torah reveals what God promised, serving as the foundation of the Old Testament (Ps. 119:11, 105; Deut. 4:2; 30:14; Josh. 1:8; Exod. 24:7; Neh. 8:8; Ps. 19:7; Isa. 40:8; 2 Tim. 3:16, 17).
- The historical books. The historical books show how God’s words were fulfilled through His actions. These books reveal God’s faithfulness, demonstrating that everything He said in the Torah came to pass (Josh. 21:45; 1 Kings 8:56; 2 Kings 17:13; 2 Chron. 6:10; Ezra 1:1; Neh. 9:8; Judg. 2:1; Ruth 4:14; 1 Sam. 12:22; 2 Sam. 7:28).
- The wisdom books. The wisdom books capture humanity’s realization that God’s word is reliable. Often, this realization comes as a surprise because people initially doubted His faithfulness (Job 23:12; Pss. 1:2; 19:8; 33:4; 119:89, 90, 97, 160; Prov. 3:1, 2; 30:5; Eccl. 12:13).
- The prophets. The prophets point back to the Torah and historical books, reminding God’s people of His promises and showing how He has fulfilled them (Isa. 40:8; 55:11; Jer. 1:12; 31:33; Ezek. 12:28; Amos 3:7; Mic. 6:8; Zech. 1:6; Mal. 3:6).
Together, these sections form a consistent narrative: God’s words and actions, and humanity’s responses. The Old Testament demonstrates that God always does what He says and that His word is trustworthy.
The New Testament in light of
the Old
The New Testament continues the narrative of God’s faithfulness. Through Jesus, we see the ultimate fulfillment of God’s promises from the Old Testament. His life, death, and resurrection prove that God’s word is reliable and His love for humanity is unwavering.
Refocusing on the constants
By focusing on the repetitions in Genesis 1, we can unlock the entire message of the Bible. This approach shifts Bible study from a search for novelty to an acknowledgment of God’s character and trustworthiness. The Bible is not about God waiting to see how well we perform but about Him showing us over and over that He is faithful, He loves us, and His word is reliable.
As pastors, we must guide our members to refocus their attention from the endless search for variables to building on the solid foundation of constants. When we ground their study in unchanging truths—such as the repetitions in Genesis 1—they can approach Scripture with clarity and confidence, navigating its complexities with a secure understanding of God’s character.
This shift in focus will transform how we and our members read the Bible and how we live our faith. By emphasizing the constants, we enable our communities to rediscover the beauty, depth, and reliability of God’s word, firmly rooted in His unchanging love and faithfulness.
