Day 20/40 God (Greek: Θεός,Theos) is the builder of all things

The question "Who built everything?" is a very comprehensive one. Essentially, everything that humans have created was built by humans. In the book of Hebrews, the writer confirms that " every house is built by someone," but at the same time he claims that " he builder of all things is God." (Hebrews 3:4). This is what I would like to explore today.

The Book of Genesis describes in detail God's creation of the world. According to the book, God created light and darkness, heaven and earth, land and sea, plants and animals, and humankind. God (Greek: Θεός, Theos ) built everything, according to the Epistle to the Hebrews.

I grew up in a family of architects and civil engineers. Time and again, I was privileged to witness the blueprints, construction plans, and the construction of various houses, roads, and bridges up close. I learned early on that every building requires a builder and a solid foundation.

I was privileged to observe my uncle, an architect, sitting at the drawing board, planning and designing various construction projects. He oversaw the projects from the initial concept to completion. He was responsible not only for the design of buildings and facilities, but also for their appearance, internal functionality, and technical implementation. Together with the clients, specialist planners, and authorities, certain aspects such as aesthetics, functionality, cost-effectiveness, sustainability, and building regulations had to be considered.

My father was more involved in civil engineering. As a road engineer, he also had to adhere to the specified construction plans. He managed the construction sites and oversaw the entire construction process. Later, he worked as his company's chief cost estimator and often spent weeks working on calculations for the next construction project. A cost estimate for a road encompasses various aspects that affect both the construction and the subsequent use and maintenance of the road. These include the construction costs, development costs, ancillary costs, and any expansion costs.

As laypeople, we look at a building, a bridge, or a road without fully understanding how much work actually goes into such a project. Important for construction are not only the designs and precise plans, but also the foundation, as it forms the basis for the stability and safety of a building.

Our God is the Creator of all things. In the biblical story of Noah's Ark, God himself gave Noah the blueprints. God commanded Noah to build an ark to save himself, his family, and a selection of animals from the impending Flood. The exact measurements and instructions were communicated directly to Noah by God.

God, Yahweh (Hebrew: יהוה), gave Moses the precise instructions and blueprints for the tabernacle. These instructions included detailed patterns and specifications for the construction of the Ark of the Covenant, the courtyard, the sanctuary, and the Most Holy Place, as well as the furnishings, all of which were ordained from heaven. Moses oversaw the construction of the tabernacle according to God's instructions. Moses is seen as the builder of the tabernacle, as well as the builder of the House of Israel. He passed on God's commandments and instructions to the Israelites.

The first temple in Jerusalem was built by King Solomon according to God's instructions. We can be sure that God is behind all the building plans.

Jesus Christ is the builder of the Christian church. He adhered precisely to the blueprints of His and our Heavenly Father. Jesus explained to his listeners :

“Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of himself, but what he sees the Father doing, for whatever he does, these the Son also does likewise.” ( John 5:19 )

Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is also the fundamental foundation of the Christian church and the Christian faith. As the Son of God and the Savior of humanity, his life, death, and resurrection form the foundation of the Christian faith and provide the basis for the forgiveness of sins and eternal life through faith in him. He is the cornerstone or cornerstone of the church, and on him alone God YHWH ( 1 Cor. 3:11 ; Eph. 2:20 ) built his church and his house. The third chapter of Hebrews emphasizes that Jesus is faithful to the one who made him. God could testify of Moses that he was faithful in God's house ( Numbers 12:7 ). In terms of faithfulness, there was a certain similarity between Moses and Christ, but Christ far surpasses Moses because God appointed Jesus not only as the builder but also as the foundation.

In summary, we can say that " . . . every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God." (Heb 3:4 )

Note: More about Jesus, our foundation of the Christian faith, will follow soon (see Day 21/40)

Model of the future temple in the Holy Land of Israel (Ezek. 40-48)