Genesis 1:1-3
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty. Darkness was on the surface of the deep. God’s Spirit was hovering over the surface of the waters. God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.”
This passage opens the book of Genesis, traditionally attributed to Moses, addressing the people of Israel as they were forming their identity, likely during or after their exodus from Egypt. It sets the stage for God's relationship with humanity and the world.
What does this passage's portrayal of creation suggest about the nature of the divine and humanity's place in the world, in contrast to other ancient stories?