In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness covered the surface of the watery depths, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters.
Genesis 1:1-2 (CSB)
A business model is the framework through which value is created, structured, activated and imparted with purpose. It reveals the way a Source operates — how vision is established, how order is formed and how something intended is brought into function then fulfillment. In the Creation narrative, the first expression of God’s ‘business’ model is revealed in creation itself. Beginning in Genesis 1:1-2, God introduces a purposeful, top-down design in which He who resides in heaven governs earth, order emerges as His actions manifests His presence. As a result, the earth was positioned to receives the Creator’s reflection.
The earth and everything in it, the world and its inhabitants, belong to the Lord, for he laid its foundation on the seas and established it on the rivers.
Psalm 24:1-2 (CSB)
The scientific principles behind the law of reflection, like those of the law of gravity, are not mentioned explicitly in the creation account but logically inferred. The Creator embedded wisdom that would bear witness in His created world. The simple action of hovering over water which water itself is formless, would reveal something that is the key motive of the Spirit of God. It was like a stamp or a seal, a theme that would be carried through His entire Word: His reflection imprinted the waters as He moved over the waters.
The heavens declare the glory of God, and the expanse proclaims the work of His hands. Day after day they pour out speech; night after night they communicate knowledge. There is no speech; there are no words; the voice is not heard. Their message has gone out to the whole earth, and their words to the ends of the world.
Psalm 19:1-4 (CSB)
Consider the facts about water. This is one way science can deepen our awe of God. The elements that make up water—hydrogen and oxygen—were already in place before the creation narrative unfolded. These two basic elements of life were prepared from the beginning. I believe it was for a parallel purpose: it is reflective. It is remarkable to think that the same water over which the Spirit of God hovered is still present on the earth today. Scientifically, the earth’s water is continually recycled through evaporation, condensation, and precipitation — functioning as a closed system. No new water is being added. In that sense, the system is complete from beginning to end. Scripture opens with this picture, revealing from the very start something of God’s nature and essence then closes the creation narrative with His statement, “Let us make man in our image according to our likeness…”
We all, with unveiled faces, are looking as in a mirror at the glory of the Lord and are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory; this is from the Lord who is the Spirit.
2 Corinthians 3:18 (CSB)
That very reflection we see climax and manifest on a new surface other than water, revealing deeper layers of understanding and insight into the essence of our existence. This concept, as beautifully reflected in Genesis 1:27, narrates the profound moment when the final act of creation took place: ‘So God created man in His own image; He created him in the image of God; He created them male and female.’ The consistent reminders found in scripture such as Leviticus 11:44 “Be holy, for I am holy.” repeated again in the New Testament, 1 Peter 1:15-16 is a calling for believers to reflect God’s nature, essence and holiness. It’s the way the Source operates.
For his invisible attributes, that is, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen since the creation of the world, being understood through what he has made.
Romans 1:20 (CSB)
Behold His Glory
Go to Behind the Word: Image and Reflect