Unpacking Genesis 1 Pt.1: Finding God’s Presence in Chaos

This blog post was created from the transcript of the same content found at Whisky and the Writings.

Unpacking Genesis 1: A God in the Chaos

The opening words of Genesis 1 are among the most familiar in the Bible:

“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.”

Yet, for many, this passage remains deeply misunderstood. In this series, we’re taking a closer look at Genesis 1, unpacking the layers of meaning that an ancient audience would have understood—and asking what this story says to us today. This first post explores the opening two verses of Genesis and challenges us to see them with fresh eyes.

Reading Genesis 1 With New Eyes

For centuries, people have approached Genesis 1 with modern questions, often looking for answers about material origins: How was the earth formed? How long did it take? What about evolution? But Genesis 1 isn’t a scientific account. It’s an ancient story told to an ancient audience, and its purpose isn’t to explain how creation happened but to address a deeper question: Why are we here?

When I’ve taught Genesis 1 in the past, people often feel two things: relief that it finally makes sense and frustration that they’ve never heard it presented this way before—even those who grew up in church. My hope is that this series will open up Genesis 1 in a way that not only resonates intellectually but also speaks to your soul.

The Story Begins: “In the Beginning…”

The opening verse, “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth,” isn’t a detailed blueprint of creation. Instead, it’s an entry title—a sweeping statement that sets the stage.

To an ancient listener, the “heavens” referred not to a celestial afterlife but the skies above, the sun, moon, and stars. The “earth” wasn’t a globe viewed from space but the land beneath their feet. In short, this verse declares: God made everything, above and below.

But the story quickly zooms in on the condition of this newly created world:

“Now the earth was without shape and empty, and darkness was over the surface of the watery deep.”

The Hebrew phrase here is tohu wa-bohu, often translated as “formless and void.” It describes a chaotic, unordered wasteland—something that exists but lacks purpose and function. To the ancient mind, this would evoke a state of disorder, symbolized by water, which often represented chaos in the Hebrew Scriptures.

And yet, right there in the chaos, we see this:

“The Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the water.”

A God in the Middle of the Mess

Here’s where Genesis 1 takes a revolutionary turn. In many ancient creation stories, gods are distant, demanding offerings to intervene in human affairs. But this God is different. He’s not far off—He’s present, hovering over the chaotic waters.

Imagine hearing this story for the first time as an ancient person. You’ve been taught that gods are capricious, needing constant appeasement. Then a Hebrew storyteller sits down and says, “Let me tell you about my God.” This God isn’t just powerful; He’s engaged, present in the disorder, preparing to bring purpose and meaning to the chaos.

For us today, the message is no less profound. Whatever chaos surrounds you—whether it’s grief, uncertainty, or the mess of daily life—this God is right there in the middle of it.

Questions to Ponder

As we reflect on these opening verses of Genesis, here are some questions to consider:

1. How do you picture God’s role in creation? Is He distant or actively involved?

2. What does it mean to you that God is present in the midst of chaos?

3. If the primary question of Genesis 1 isn’t how God created but why, how does that shift your understanding of this text?

What’s Next?

In the next post, we’ll explore what this God does with the tohu wa-bohu—how He brings order, function, and purpose to creation. Along the way, we’ll continue to place ourselves in the shoes of the ancient audience, asking what this story reveals about the nature of God and His relationship to us.

Thanks for reading! See you next time as we continue unpacking the beauty and depth of Genesis 1.