What was God doing before He created the earth?

The question of what God was doing before He created the earth is a profound one that has intrigued theologians, scholars, and believers for centuries. To address this question, we must delve into the nature of God, the concept of time, and the purpose of creation. The answer requires a thoughtful exploration of scripture, theological principles, and the insights of Christian thinkers throughout history.

Firstly, it is essential to understand that God exists outside of time. Time, as we know it, is a part of the created order. Genesis 1:1 states, "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth." This marks the commencement of time from a human perspective. Before this act of creation, there was no "before" in the way we understand temporal sequences. God is eternal, without beginning or end, as affirmed in Psalm 90:2, "Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God."

The timeless nature of God means that He is not subject to the linear progression of past, present, and future. This concept is often challenging for us to grasp because our existence is so intricately bound to time. However, for God, all moments are present. He is the "I AM," as He revealed to Moses in Exodus 3:14, indicating His eternal and unchanging nature.

In considering what God was doing before creation, we must also reflect on His attributes. God is inherently relational, as evidenced by the doctrine of the Trinity. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit exist in a perfect, loving communion. John 1:1-2 tells us, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning." This passage highlights the pre-existence of Jesus (the Word) and His intimate relationship with the Father. The Holy Spirit, too, is described as being present and active before creation, as seen in Genesis 1:2, where "the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters."

The triune nature of God implies that He was not lonely or in need of creation to find fulfillment or companionship. Instead, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit enjoyed perfect fellowship and love within the Godhead. This eternal relationship is beautifully expressed in Jesus' prayer in John 17:24, "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."

Theologian Augustine of Hippo addressed this question in his work "Confessions." He suggested that before creation, God was not idle but was always active within Himself, in the eternal act of knowing and loving. Augustine wrote, "For Thou wast not inactive, O my God, in that far-off time, before Thou madest heaven and earth; but there was with Thee, since Thou art, and ever wast, and ever shalt be; since Thy years fail not, nor Thy years come and go; but 'Thy years stand together all at once,' because they are abiding."

Another perspective comes from the Westminster Confession of Faith, which states, "God from all eternity did, by the most wise and holy counsel of His own will, freely and unchangeably ordain whatsoever comes to pass." This implies that God's eternal purposes and plans were in place even before the creation of the world. Ephesians 1:4 supports this view, stating, "For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight."

The act of creation itself can be seen as an expression of God's love and glory. Revelation 4:11 declares, "You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being." Creation is a testament to God's creative power, wisdom, and goodness. It is an overflow of His divine love, a gift to be shared with beings made in His image.

Additionally, God's purpose in creation includes His desire for relationship with humanity. Acts 17:26-27 reveals, "From one man He made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and He marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. God did this so that they would seek Him and perhaps reach out for Him and find Him, though He is not far from any one of us." This passage indicates that God's intention was for humans to seek and know Him, to enter into the loving relationship that exists within the Trinity.

In summary, before the creation of the earth, God existed in His eternal, timeless nature, perfectly content and active within the loving fellowship of the Trinity. He was not idle but engaged in the eternal acts of knowing, loving, and planning. The decision to create the world was an expression of His love, wisdom, and desire for relationship with His creation. While our finite minds may struggle to fully comprehend the mysteries of God's eternal existence, scripture and theological reflection provide us with glimpses into His divine nature and purposes.