THEOSISJohn Chrysostom
After demonstrating that He is self-sufficient and impervious to external praise, the prophet states, "Lift up your eyes to the heights of the heavens and see who created them?" Did I not bring all these into existence from nothing? This conveys the essence of the inquiry: Who is the Creator? We will echo this sentiment. He commanded that things came to be, producing existence from nonexistence, similar to how we acknowledge that when a person crafts an object or garment, it is evident that no one else accomplished it prior. He asserts that He has no need for your glorification; rather, lift your gaze to the celestial heights. He rightly addresses humanity, who continually gaze at the lowly earth and fail to elevate themselves despite being fashioned to recall their noble essence.
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God made humanity with an upright form and bestowed upon them eyes—those elevated instruments of vision—indicating that He intended for these eyes to be turned upward, akin to a ruler or arbiter, to observe beyond the valley below. Additionally, He has provided you with another means of ascent, lighter than sight, enabling you to rise not only into the serene ether above the stars but beyond the heavens entirely. What is this means of ascent? The wing of authentic faith, for through faith, you can soar higher than the heavens and grasp the entirety of what exists above. And take note, it is proclaimed, "Who created them?" Some may respond: I perceive everything—the beauty and majesty of the firmament—but I cannot perceive the One who fashioned it all; I see the sun, the moon, the sky, the stars, yet how can I comprehend the Creator? It would be less appropriate to express this skepticism to the Jews, who received knowledge of His creation through various revelations. They argue that He is unseen, and at the moment He expanded the heavens, no one stood beside Him—not even a man who could recognize the creations as the work of His hands. God fashioned the heavens, yet Adam was not present; He laid the earth's foundations before man could witness; He summoned forth the sea without man's presence—thus, Adam was unaware, having been created after all else.
So, it must be asked, how can we ascertain that creatures derive from God? Primarily, by contemplating the most vital and significant cause, as God, in Adam’s presence, created another man—a wife—out of him. If He could create humanity, how much easier was it for Him to bring forth other beings for humanity's sake? Creating the heavens and other creatures was far simpler than the creation of mankind, not only due to the soul but also because God infused excellence into every part of the human form. One might argue that Adam did not witness the formation of the woman until after she was created. To this, we respond that he nonetheless recognized she was taken from him, as he declared, "Behold, this is bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh" (Gen. 2:23). The fact that God also created the animals became apparent to Adam when they were brought to him for naming, knowing they were crafted from the earth, evidenced by the statement: "dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return" (Gen. 3:19). Surely, it could be argued that from such words, Adam realized his earthly origin, but how could he know that the earth itself was created from nothing? We answer that the Creator, who governs all, endowed him with wisdom to discern the mysteries of God. But how could Adam grasp lesser matters? How could he comprehend the rib's separation if he was in a deep sleep? When one slumbers, they are unaware when something is removed from them. Yet observe, Adam possessed insight not only into the present but also the future. The unlikelihood of animals descending from man is evident in his proclamation: "This is bone from my bones, and flesh from my flesh" (Gen. 2:23). What does "bone of my bones" signify? Primarily that animals did not emerge from him, and also that what has transpired is unique and will not recur. Thus, Adam further speaks of the future. Moses, who was not present during creation, received wisdom from the Holy Spirit, akin to a son learning from his father—knowledge he acquired over time. Elsewhere it is stated, "What can be known of God is evident to them" (Rom. 1:19), indicating that humans were capable of knowing God; for His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, are clearly seen through the things that He has made (Rom. 1:20). In every generation, God has provided evidence of His teachings: during the flood, He renewed the earth; at Babel, He performed new wonders; He wrought miracles in the destruction of Sodom and during Abraham's time; yet the most remarkable was His incarnation.
Cain learned from his father yet chose to disregard it, for he was unrighteous; he recognized God not only as Creator but also as Judge and Avenger. In contrast, his father acknowledged God as the Creator, the ever-present helper of humanity, and understood that nothing occurs by mere chance, but all unfolds according to divine order. He who banishes his adversary from among the living must face retribution. Consider the knowledge of resurrection: the blood of the slain calls out more poignantly than the voice of the living. God chastised Cain to prevent anyone from claiming, 'I have slain a man and fear no repercussions.' He teaches that we should be more fearful when we are unconcerned about human enemies, for we have another adversary—God. God has never abandoned the world without testimony. Peter affirms, "Truly I know that God shows no favoritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears Him and does what is right" (Acts 10:34-35). Additionally, it is stated, "When Gentiles, who do not have the Law, do by nature things required by the Law, they are a law for themselves" (Rom. 2:14). He established the laws and then withdrew, so that you could not claim, 'He has placed an unbearable burden on me.' Behold, He proclaims, "I will no longer aid you; now, can you practice virtue on your own?" However, they could achieve nothing by their own strength, so He promised to oversee them and uphold them according to His good will. Lift your gaze to the heavenly heights. What lies upon the earth cannot reveal the Creator to you as you believe; yet you have overlooked this: "the whole earth shall be filled with His glory" (Psalms 71:19), and similarly, it is said, "the earth is full of the mercy of the Lord" (Psalms 32:5). If the earth is replete with mercy and glory, why does God direct them to gaze upward? They understand that heaven surpasses the earth. Since you have gleaned nothing from the earth, at least look up: heaven possesses beauty whereas earth serves a necessary function. Just as the human body consists of many parts, so too has God created the world; and just as Paul articulated unity among the body's members, this applies to the world as well. If God has granted great honor to a single seemingly insignificant member, it is so that there may be no discord within the body. Though the earth may seem less esteemed than heaven, it provides sustenance for all that walk and generates bodies. The heavens, too, offer extensively, giving us much through the sun, moon, and stars. However, the earth is taken for granted, as it is constantly trodden upon. Thus, He encourages, if you raise your gaze, you will also understand the significance of the earth. This is not in line with the practices of the Gentiles, who divided the administration of the world among 600 deities, claiming that Ceres governs the earth, Neptune rules the sea, Aero manages the weather, and alongside Ceres linger other demi-gods: Bacchus for the vine, Minerva for the olive, and others for various trees. But such multiplicity does not exist here. "Behold, who created them?" he asks, adding, "Who brings out their host by number?" He calls them all by name, proclaiming His boundless might and power—that nothing is diminished in His presence. Likewise, David expresses, "He counts the number of the stars; He calls them all by name" (Psalms 146:4)—pointing to God not only as Creator but also as Preserver. The subsequent words affirm this truth: "He brings out their host by number." The prophet did not state, "Who will bring them out?" but emphasized, "Who brings them out," indicating His continual and unwavering action. Then he adds, “who works wonders and is marvelous," so you may always behold Him and marvel at His works. You may argue that it is unchanging and presents nothing new or wondrous. Yet, do you not find it astounding that within the same creation, He consistently reveals a manifold and beautiful order? If everything were chaotic, with summer and winter intermingled, would you believe that occurrences would unfold without design? If the magnificent order of all things does not compel you to recognize God, what then can account for your ignorance? Just as merchants display their wares, God has presented the world before you, so you might gain faith in Him through visible elements. He calls them all by name, indicating that His command is obeyed by all. "By the multitude of might and great power" is stated not as “from Thy abundant knowledge or wisdom,” but to highlight His glory, as glory surpasses wisdom. "By the multitude of might and great power," reflects our understanding that those we admire possess glory. When you speak of any king, you say, "great glory enshrines him,” though you may not fully comprehend his majesty or beauty, for beauty, respect, and other such qualities contain aspects of glory. But the term glory pertains closely to excellence, encapsulating many attributes. We acknowledge a profound glory in splendid works—a glory so immense that we cannot conceive of a greater. "By the multitude of might," it states. Not only is this expressed as "of might," but also "great power." With Him, nothing is diminished—first, in terms of reason, and then through daily reminders, providence, and wisdom. Do not assume what I now assert: "How can you understand these matters if you are wicked?" God first comprehended all, as He is the Creator and Tester of hearts, the Sovereign over all creation. Thus, if the beings He created for your sake dwell close to His heart, as written: "He made the heavens His dwelling" (cf. Isaiah 40:22), then all the more so the earth. If, God says, I have my gaze upon the heavens and the earth, then surely upon you, for whose sake everything was created.