The Bible speaks frequently about the earth, its creation, its purpose, and its destiny. From the very beginning, Scripture reveals that the earth is God’s handiwork, reflecting His power, beauty, and sovereignty. The earth is also a place of provision, sustaining life, and a place where God interacts with humanity. As stewards of the earth, we are called to respect and care for it, recognizing that it belongs to God. These verses provide insight into how the earth fits into God’s overall plan and our responsibility toward it. Here are 30 Bible verses about the earth, each with a brief commentary.
1. Genesis 1:1
“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.”
This foundational verse opens the Bible with the declaration that God is the Creator of everything, including the earth. It sets the stage for understanding the earth as a deliberate and purposeful creation, reflecting God’s glory and power.
2. Psalm 24:1
“The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.”
This verse emphasizes that the earth belongs to God, along with everything and everyone in it. It reminds us that we are stewards of the earth, called to care for it and use its resources responsibly, recognizing God’s ownership.
3. Isaiah 45:18
“For this is what the Lord says—he who created the heavens, he is God; he who fashioned and made the earth, he founded it; he did not create it to be empty, but formed it to be inhabited—he says: ‘I am the Lord, and there is no other.'”
God declares that He created the earth with a purpose—to be inhabited. This verse highlights the intentionality behind the creation of the earth, affirming that it is a place meant for life, growth, and human flourishing under God’s guidance.
4. Psalm 19:1
“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.”
This verse celebrates the natural world as a testament to God’s glory. It teaches that the earth, along with the heavens, is a visible expression of God’s creative power, prompting us to worship and honor Him as the Creator.
5. Genesis 2:15
“The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.”
God’s command to Adam in the Garden of Eden sets a precedent for humanity’s responsibility to care for the earth. This verse teaches that stewardship of the earth is a divine mandate, calling us to work and maintain the land responsibly.
6. Psalm 104:24
“How many are your works, Lord! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures.”
This verse praises God’s wisdom in creating the earth and its abundance of life. It reminds us of the diversity and complexity of life on earth, all of which are part of God’s marvelous creation, deserving of respect and care.
7. Romans 8:22
“We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.”
Paul speaks of the earth and all creation as groaning under the weight of sin, awaiting redemption. This verse highlights the brokenness of the earth due to sin but also points to the hope of future restoration through Christ.
8. Psalm 104:5
“He set the earth on its foundations; it can never be moved.”
This verse speaks to the stability and enduring nature of the earth as established by God. It teaches that the earth’s existence and order are sustained by God’s power, providing a foundation for life and stability.
9. Revelation 21:1
“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea.”
John’s vision of a new heaven and a new earth speaks to the ultimate renewal and transformation of creation. This verse provides hope for the future, where God will make all things new, including the earth, free from sin and decay.
10. Ecclesiastes 1:4
“Generations come and generations go, but the earth remains forever.”
This verse reflects on the permanence of the earth in contrast to the transient nature of human life. It reminds us that while human lives are brief, the earth endures through time, serving as the stage for God’s ongoing work in the world.
11. Psalm 33:5
“The Lord loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love.”
This verse emphasizes God’s character and His love for righteousness and justice. It teaches that the earth, as God’s creation, is filled with His love, and His presence is evident throughout the world, guiding and sustaining it.
12. Job 12:7-10
“But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind.”
Job speaks of the earth and its creatures as witnesses to God’s creative power. This passage encourages us to look at the natural world as evidence of God’s work, reminding us that all life is sustained by His hand.
13. Psalm 8:3-4
“When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?”
This verse reflects on the majesty of creation and God’s care for humanity within it. It teaches that the earth, as part of God’s vast creation, is a place where His love and care for us are made evident, despite our smallness in the universe.
14. Isaiah 66:1
“This is what the Lord says: ‘Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. Where is the house you will build for me? Where will my resting place be?'”
God speaks of the earth as His footstool, emphasizing His sovereignty over creation. This verse teaches that the earth is under God’s authority, and no human-made structure can contain His presence, which fills heaven and earth.
15. Matthew 5:5
“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.”
Jesus promises that the meek will inherit the earth, highlighting the value of humility in God’s kingdom. This verse encourages us to live with humility and trust in God, knowing that He will reward those who live righteously.
16. Psalm 115:16
“The highest heavens belong to the Lord, but the earth he has given to mankind.”
This verse acknowledges God’s sovereignty over the heavens and His gift of the earth to humanity. It teaches that while God rules over all creation, He has entrusted the earth to us, calling us to steward it wisely.
17. Genesis 9:13
“I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth.”
After the flood, God establishes a covenant with the earth, symbolized by the rainbow. This verse reminds us of God’s faithfulness to His creation and His promise to preserve the earth, despite humanity’s sinfulness.
18. Deuteronomy 10:14
“To the Lord your God belong the heavens, even the highest heavens, the earth and everything in it.”
Moses emphasizes God’s ownership of the entire universe, including the earth. This verse teaches that everything in creation belongs to God, reinforcing our responsibility to respect and care for the earth as stewards of His property.
19. Psalm 37:29
“The righteous will inherit the land and dwell in it forever.”
This verse promises that the righteous will inherit the earth, emphasizing the reward of living in accordance with God’s will. It encourages us to pursue righteousness, with the assurance that we will be blessed with a lasting inheritance on earth.
20. Hebrews 11:3
“By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.”
The author of Hebrews highlights the role of faith in understanding creation. This verse teaches that the earth and everything in it were created by God’s command, calling us to trust in His power and wisdom in the formation of the world.
21. Isaiah 11:9
“They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain, for the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.”
This prophetic vision speaks of a future where the earth is filled with the knowledge of God. It teaches that there will come a time when peace and righteousness reign on earth, as God’s presence is fully realized.
22. Psalm 95:4-5
“In his hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to him. The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land.”
This verse acknowledges God’s ownership of the earth’s most extreme places, from its depths to its heights. It reminds us that all of creation, both land and sea, belongs to God, and He holds it all in His hands.
23. Isaiah 40:28
“Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.”
Isaiah emphasizes God’s eternal nature and His role as Creator. This verse teaches that God, who created the entire earth, is tireless and possesses infinite understanding, encouraging us to trust in His eternal wisdom and care.
24. Job 38:4
“Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell me, if you understand.”
God challenges Job with a question about creation, highlighting human limitations in understanding the earth’s origins. This verse reminds us of the vastness of God’s power in creating the earth and our humility in acknowledging His sovereignty.
25. Psalm 104:5-9
“He set the earth on its foundations; it can never be moved. You covered it with the watery depths as with a garment; the waters stood above the mountains. But at your rebuke the waters fled, at the sound of your thunder they took to flight; they flowed over the mountains, they went down into the valleys, to the place you assigned for them. You set a boundary they cannot cross; never again will they cover the earth.”
This passage describes God’s control over the waters and the earth’s formation. It teaches that God has established the earth with order and boundaries, demonstrating His power over creation and His provision for a stable world.
26. Proverbs 8:29
“When he gave the sea its boundary so the waters would not overstep his command, and when he marked out the foundations of the earth.”
This verse speaks of God’s wisdom in establishing the earth’s boundaries. It teaches that God has designed the earth with precision and purpose, setting limits for the natural world that reflect His careful planning and order.
27. Psalm 146:6
“He is the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them—he remains faithful forever.”
This verse praises God as the Creator of all things and highlights His faithfulness. It reminds us that the earth, along with everything in it, is the work of God’s hands, and He remains steadfast in His care for His creation.
28. Jeremiah 10:12
“But God made the earth by his power; he founded the world by his wisdom and stretched out the heavens by his understanding.”
Jeremiah acknowledges God’s power, wisdom, and understanding in creating the earth. This verse teaches that the earth is a product of God’s divine attributes, and its existence reflects His infinite wisdom and power.
29. Genesis 1:31
“God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day.”
After creating the earth and all it contains, God declares His work “very good.” This verse teaches that the earth, in its original state, was perfect and complete, a reflection of God’s goodness and creative perfection.
30. Revelation 11:18
“The nations were angry, and your wrath has come. The time has come for judging the dead, and for rewarding your servants the prophets and your people who revere your name, both great and small—and for destroying those who destroy the earth.”
In this verse, God’s judgment extends to those who destroy the earth, highlighting the seriousness of environmental stewardship. It teaches that caring for the earth is important to God, and those who harm it will face consequences, reinforcing our responsibility to protect and preserve the environment.
Commentary
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