Week 3 Study Companion

Old Testament 2026

Biblical Context & Deep Dive

The Beautiful Mystery: One God, Perfect in Love

The Wonder of Creation

When we open our Bibles to Genesis 1:1, we are met with a statement of breathtaking simplicity and power: "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth."

This single verse establishes the foundation of our faith. Before anything else existed, before stars, mountains, or time itself, there was God. He is the uncaused Cause, the eternal Creator who spoke everything into existence out of nothing (ex nihilo).

Understanding "Elohim"

The Hebrew word used for God in this opening chapter is Elohim. It is a plural noun, which has led some to wonder if it implies multiple gods. However, throughout the creation account, "Elohim" is consistently paired with singular verbs:

"God created" (singular)
"God said" (singular)
"God saw" (singular)

This grammatical structure highlights a profound truth: God is one. The plural form "Elohim" is often understood by scholars as a "plural of majesty," emphasizing God's supreme dignity, power, and fullness. It points to the richness of His being, not a multiplicity of deities.

The "Let Us" Passages

In Genesis 1:26, God says, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness." Who is the "us"?

Rather than a council of separate gods, Christian theology has long seen this as an early glimpse into the Triune nature of the one God. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit were all present and active in creation:

The Father initiates the work.
The Spirit hovers over the waters (Genesis 1:2).
The Son (the Word) is the agent of creation (John 1:1-3; Colossians 1:16).

This isn't three gods working together; it is the one God, Father, Son, and Spirit, working in perfect unity.

Why It Matters

Understanding God as the sole Creator is vital for our relationship with Him.

He is Sovereign: Because He made everything, He owns everything (Psalm 24:1). He has the right to rule over His creation.
He is Personal: We are not accidents of nature or the result of a cosmic battle. We were intentionally crafted by a loving God who desires to be known.
He is Sufficient: We don't need to appease a pantheon of lesser gods. We can direct all our worship, trust, and love to the One who made us.

As we study the creation account, let it lead us to worship. The same God who spoke light into darkness is the God who shines the light of Christ into our hearts (2 Corinthians 4:6).

Going Deeper: A Thoughtful Perspective

The Beautiful Mystery: One God, Perfect in Love

A Gentle Exploration of Who Created the World

Friend, let's sit together with something truly wonderful, the opening words of Scripture. When we read Genesis 1:1, we're standing at the threshold of everything:

"In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth" (Genesis 1:1)

That simple sentence contains depths we could explore for a lifetime. And if you've been taught that a council of Gods organized the world, I want to gently walk with you through what the Hebrew text actually reveals, and why it matters so much for our hearts.

Understanding "Elohim": The Name That Reveals Unity

The Word Itself

The Hebrew word translated "God" in Genesis 1:1 is "Elohim" (אֱלֹהִים). Now, here's where it gets interesting: this word has a plural form. Some have suggested this means multiple gods were involved in creation.

But let's look deeper, because the Hebrew language is beautifully precise.

How Elohim is Actually Used

Throughout Genesis 1, "Elohim" is consistently paired with singular verbs:

"God created" (singular verb, Genesis 1:1)
"God said" (singular verb, Genesis 1:3)
"God saw" (singular verb, Genesis 1:4)
"God called" (singular verb, Genesis 1:5)

If Moses (the author) meant to convey multiple gods acting, he would have used plural verbs. But he doesn't, not once in the entire creation account. The grammar itself testifies to one God creating.

The Plural of Majesty

Hebrew scholars recognize that "Elohim" functions as what's called a "plural of majesty" or "plural of intensity", a way of expressing the fullness, completeness, and supreme dignity of the one true God. It's similar to how a king might say "we" when speaking with royal authority, even though he's one person.

The context always determines the meaning, and Scripture is crystal clear: there is one Creator.

The Bible's Unwavering Testimony: ONE God

The Shema: Israel's Central Confession

The heartbeat of Israel's faith is found in Deuteronomy 6:4, known as the Shema:

"Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one"

This isn't just a theological statement, it's the foundation of everything. When Jesus was asked about the greatest commandment, He quoted this very verse (Mark 12:29). The oneness of God isn't a side issue; it's central to biblical faith.

God's Own Testimony About Himself

Listen to how God Himself speaks about His uniqueness:

"Before me no god was formed, nor shall there be any after me. I, I am the LORD, and besides me there is no savior" (Isaiah 43:10-11)

"I am the first and I am the last; besides me there is no god" (Isaiah 44:6)

"Is there a God besides me? There is no Rock; I know not any" (Isaiah 44:8)

These aren't poetic exaggerations. God is emphatically declaring: I alone am God. There are no others.

The New Testament Confirms

The apostles, all Jewish believers who knew the Shema by heart, continued to affirm this truth:

"For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus" (1 Timothy 2:5)

"You believe that God is one; you do well" (James 2:19)

"For us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist" (1 Corinthians 8:6)

The "Let Us" Passages: A Window into God's Nature

The Mystery in Genesis

You might be thinking: "But what about when God says 'Let us make man in our image'?" (Genesis 1:26)

Great question! This is where the beauty deepens.

These plural pronouns aren't evidence of multiple gods, they're a glimpse into the Triune nature of the one God. The same God who is emphatically one exists eternally as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

All Three Persons Present at Creation

Look closely at Genesis 1:1-3:

"In the beginning God created" (the Father)
"The Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters" (the Holy Spirit)
"And God said, 'Let there be light'" (the Word/Son, see John 1:1-3)

The New Testament makes this even clearer:

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made" (John 1:1-3)

"For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities, all things were created through him and for him" (Colossians 1:16)

The Father creates through the Son by the Spirit. One God, three Persons, one creative act.

Why the Trinity is Beautiful, Not Confusing

God is Love, Before Creation

Here's something wonderful to consider: the Bible tells us "God is love" (1 John 4:8). But how can God be love if He was alone before creation?

Love requires relationship. Love gives, serves, delights in another.

The Trinity answers this beautifully: God has always been love because Father, Son, and Holy Spirit have eternally loved one another in perfect communion. God didn't need to create us to experience love, He is love in His very being.

"Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world" (John 17:24)

Before the world existed, the Father loved the Son. This is the eternal love into which we're invited!

Unity in Diversity

The Trinity shows us perfect unity without uniformity:

Three Persons, not three gods
One essence, one divine nature
Perfect love, perfect harmony, perfect purpose

This isn't three gods cooperating (like a council). This is one God whose very nature is relational love.

The Problem with a Council of Gods

Where Does It End?

If multiple gods organized our world, we have to ask: Who organized them? Who is above them? Where does the chain end?

The Bible's answer is clear and satisfying: One eternal, self-existent God who has no beginning, needs no creator, and depends on no one.

"Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God" (Psalm 90:2)

Who Do We Worship?

If there are many gods, which one deserves our ultimate devotion? The Bible is unambiguous:

"You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve" (Matthew 4:10)

Jesus Himself affirmed that worship belongs to God alone. Yet Jesus also received worship (Matthew 14:33; 28:9; John 20:28), because He is God, not a separate god.

The Unity of Purpose

When the Bible says "Let us make man," it's not a committee meeting where gods negotiate. It's the eternal counsel of the Triune God, whose will is perfectly unified:

"For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, 'My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose'" (Isaiah 46:9-10)

One God. One purpose. One perfect plan.

What This Means for Your Heart

Security in One Creator

There's profound comfort in knowing that one God created everything:

You're not the product of a committee's compromise
You're not caught between competing divine wills
You're the beloved creation of the one true God who knows you completely

"O LORD, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar" (Psalm 139:1-2)

Confidence in Worship

You don't have to wonder if you're worshiping the right god or navigating a divine hierarchy. There is one God, and He has made Himself known in Christ:

"No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father's side, he has made him known" (John 1:18)

The Beauty of the Gospel

The Trinity makes the gospel possible:

The Father sent the Son in love
The Son willingly came to save us
The Spirit applies that salvation to our hearts

This isn't three separate gods with separate agendas. This is the one God of love executing one perfect plan of redemption.

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16)

Conclusion: Standing in Wonder

When we read Genesis 1:1, we're not reading about a council of gods organizing pre-existing matter. We're reading about the one, eternal, Triune God speaking everything into existence out of nothing, by His word, for His glory, in perfect love.

"By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, and by the breath of his mouth all their host" (Psalm 33:6)

The plural "Elohim" doesn't point to many gods, it hints at the rich, relational nature of the one God who is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

This isn't confusing when we let Scripture interpret Scripture. It's beautiful. It's the answer to how God can be love before creation. It's the foundation of the gospel. It's the reason we can trust completely in the God who is perfectly unified in purpose and perfect in love.

"Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one" (Deuteronomy 6:4)

One God. One Creator. One Savior.

And He is enough.

Reflection Questions

How does this week's reading point you to Jesus Christ?
What attributes of God stood out to you in the text?
How can you apply these truths to your walk with God this week?

This guide is designed to accompany your personal study of the Old Testament.

Weekly Reading Plans

📖 Individual Reading Plan (7 Days)

A focused study for personal spiritual growth.

Day 1: The Triune God Begins Creation

Read: Genesis 1:1-5; John 1:1-3; Colossians 1:15-17
Summary: Recognize that the Father, Son (Word), and Spirit were all active in creation from the beginning, establishing God's sovereign authority over all existence and revealing His nature as the eternal Creator who brings order from chaos.

Day 2: The Spirit's Role and the Separation of Waters

Read: Genesis 1:2, 6-8; Job 26:13; Psalm 33:6
Summary: Observe how the Spirit of God hovered over the waters in creative power, and understand that the breath (Spirit) of God's mouth brought forth the heavens, demonstrating the intimate involvement of the Trinity in establishing the cosmos.

Day 3: Land, Vegetation, and God's Provision

Read: Genesis 1:9-13; Psalm 104:14-15; Acts 14:17
Summary: Contemplate God's generous provision in creating vegetation that bears seed "according to its kind," revealing His intentional design for sustaining life and His ongoing goodness toward all His creatures.

Day 4: Celestial Lights as Witnesses to Glory

Read: Genesis 1:14-19; Psalm 19:1-6; Romans 1:20
Summary: Understand that the sun, moon, and stars serve not only functional purposes but also declare God's glory and reveal His invisible attributes, leaving humanity without excuse regarding His existence and power.

Day 5: Living Creatures and the Blessing of Abundance

Read: Genesis 1:20-23; Psalm 148:7-10; Revelation 4:11
Summary: Marvel at God's creative power in filling the waters and skies with diverse life, each creature existing for His pleasure and glory, demonstrating His delight in variety and abundance.

Day 6: Humanity, The Image of God

Read: Genesis 1:24-31; Ephesians 4:24; Colossians 3:10
Summary: Grasp the profound truth that humanity alone bears God's image, created male and female to reflect His nature, exercise dominion responsibly, and ultimately find restoration of that image through Christ, the perfect image of God.

Day 7: The Sabbath Rest and God's Satisfaction

Read: Genesis 2:1-3; Hebrews 4:3-11; Exodus 20:8-11
Summary: Enter into the theological significance of God's rest, not from exhaustion but from completion, and recognize that this Sabbath pattern points forward to the ultimate rest found in Christ, where believers cease from their own works and trust in His finished work.

🏡 Family Reading Plan (7 Days)

Simple readings and activities for parents and children.

Day 1: God Makes Everything!

Read: Genesis 1:1-5 ("In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth... And God said, 'Let there be light,' and there was light.")
Ask: "What did God make on the very first day?"
Do: Turn off all the lights in a room, then turn them back on and say together, "God said, 'Let there be light!' and there was light!" Talk about how powerful God's words are.

Day 2: Sky and Water

Read: Genesis 1:6-8 ("And God said, 'Let there be an expanse in the midst of the waters...' And God called the expanse Heaven.")
Ask: "Can you point to the sky? What do you see up there?"
Do: Go outside and look at the sky together. Have kids draw a picture of the sky with clouds, birds, or the sun, and thank God for making such a beautiful sky.

Day 3: Land and Plants

Read: Genesis 1:9-13 ("And God said, 'Let the earth sprout vegetation, plants yielding seed, and fruit trees...'")
Ask: "What's your favorite fruit or vegetable that God made?"
Do: Plant a seed in a small cup of soil (bean seeds work great!). Water it and watch it grow over the next few weeks, remembering that God makes things grow.

Day 4: Sun, Moon, and Stars

Read: Genesis 1:14-19 ("And God made the two great lights, the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night, and the stars.")
Ask: "What do we see in the daytime? What do we see at night?"
Do: Make a simple craft: use yellow paper to cut out a sun and white/silver paper for stars and a moon. Glue them on dark paper and say, "God made all of these!"

Day 5: Fish and Birds

Read: Genesis 1:20-23 ("So God created the great sea creatures and every living creature that moves... and every winged bird according to its kind.")
Ask: "What's your favorite animal that swims or flies?"
Do: Play a game where kids pretend to be different animals, swim like a fish, fly like a bird, waddle like a penguin. Thank God for making so many amazing creatures!

Day 6: Animals and People

Read: Genesis 1:24-27 ("So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.")
Ask: "Did you know God made you special? What makes you special?"
Do: Have each family member trace their hand on paper. Write "God made me!" on each handprint and decorate them. Remind kids that God made each person unique and loves them very much.

Day 7: A Day to Rest

Read: Genesis 2:1-3 ("So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation.")
Ask: "Why do you think God rested? Was He tired?"
Do: Have a special "rest time" together. Read a Bible story, cuddle up, or do something quiet and peaceful. Talk about how God wants us to take time to rest and remember all the good things He's done.