Nature is a common theme throughout the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation. Here are some key Bible verses about nature to illustrate what Scripture says on this topic:
Genesis 1:1 – God Created the Heavens and the Earth
“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” This foundational verse establishes that God is the Creator of all things, including the natural world. As Creator, God has authority over nature and imbued it with order and purpose.
Genesis 1:31 – God Saw That Creation Was Good
“God saw all that he had made, and it was very good.” At the end of the creation account, God looks over all He has made and declares it “very good.” This shows that the natural world, as God designed it, was perfect and complete before sin entered the world.
Psalm 19:1 – The Heavens Declare the Glory of God
“The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.” Nature glorifies God simply by being what He created it to be. All of creation gives testimony to God’s existence, majesty, and creativity.
Psalm 104 – God’s Care Over All Creation
This Psalm offers an extended meditation on how God actively sustains and cares for every part of creation, from the heavens to the earth, the plants, the animals, and mankind. It depicts nature as completely dependent on and valued by God.
Matthew 6:26 – God Feeds the Birds of the Air
“Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.” Jesus reminds us that if God cares for birds and wildflowers, He will certainly care for us, His children. Nature displays God’s ongoing provision.
Matthew 6:28-30 – Consider the Lilies of the Field
“Consider the lilies of the field…if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you?” Jesus points to flowers as an example of how, if God lavishly beautifies ephemeral flowers, He will clothe us even more.
Acts 17:24-28 – In God We Live and Move and Have Our Being
“The God who made the world and everything in it…gives to all mankind life and breath and everything…for in him we live and move and have our being.” Paul declares that the natural world derives its existence from God, the ultimate source of life who actively sustains His creation.
Romans 1:20 – God’s Eternal Power Seen Through Creation
“For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made.” Paul argues that God’s fingerprints can be seen across creation so that all people are without excuse for denying Him.
Romans 8:19-22 – Creation Groans for Redemption
“For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now.” Here Paul explains how nature is longing for restoration when Christ returns to reign.
Colossians 1:16-17 – All Things Created By, Through, and For Christ
“For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” This emphasizes Christ’s role in designing and sustaining the cosmos.
Revelation 4:11 – Worthy Are You, Our Lord and God
“Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.” Nature joins with heaven in declaring God praiseworthy as the source and ruler of all creation.
In summary, the Bible reveals that nature has great theological and spiritual significance. As part of God’s good creation, it reveals His attributes and brings Him glory. God actively sustains and cares for the natural world, and nature in turn depends fully on Him. Nature also looks ahead to future redemption and restoration when Christ returns. Christians should therefore value nature as the handiwork of God and care for it accordingly.
Additional Key Bible Verses About Nature
Here are some other notable Bible verses that discuss nature and creation:
- Job 12:7-10 – Animals and nature teach us wisdom
- Psalm 8 – God’s majesty displayed through nature
- Psalm 24:1 – The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it
- Psalm 33:5 – God’s unfailing love fills the earth
- Psalm 65:9-13 – God provides for the earth and waters it
- Psalm 96:11-12 – Nature rejoices at God’s coming
- Psalm 98:7-9 – Rivers clap, mountains sing at God’s coming
- Psalm 104:14-18 – God provides plants for animals and mankind
- Psalm 148 – All of nature worshipping and praising God
- Proverbs 8:22-31 – Wisdom present at creation
- Isaiah 40:8 – Grass withers but God’s Word endures forever
- Isaiah 40:26 – God created and names the stars
- Isaiah 55:12 – Mountains and hills burst into song
- Ezekiel 34:25-27 – God blesses nature along with His people
- Hosea 2:18 – God makes a covenant of peace with nature
- Joel 1:15-20 – Nature grieves over sin of God’s people
- Acts 14:17 – God provides rain, crops, food as signs of His goodness
- 1 Corinthians 15:37-38 – Analogies from seeds and nature
- James 3:7 – Man can tame animals but not his tongue
- Revelation 5:13 – Every creature in heaven, earth, under earth worship God
As these verses demonstrate, nature plays a prominent role throughout Scripture revealing God’s character, goodness, glory, creativity, provision, sovereignty, and care over all He has made. Paying attention to how the Bible describes nature can help us appreciate God’s world more fully.
Bible Stories Highlighting Nature and Creation
In addition to explicit Bible verses, several key stories reveal theological truths related to nature and creation. Here are some major examples:
Noah’s Ark (Genesis 6-9)
The Flood account highlights God’s judgment over humankind’s sin, but also His care to preserve animals on the ark. It shows God’s control over natural forces like rain and water, and His covenant faithfulness to sustain creation after using the flood to judge.
Jonah and the Great Fish (Jonah 1-2)
God displays sovereignty over the wind, sea, and animals by appointing a great fish to swallow Jonah. This shows God’s providential control in nature to orchestrate events and teach Jonah to obey.
Elijah Fed by Ravens (1 Kings 17:1-6)
God commanded ravens to bring food to Elijah, illustrating how He can overrule the normal behavior of animals to care for those who serve Him. This presents nature as completely responsive to God’s direction to meet human needs.
Jesus Calms the Storm (Mark 4:35-41)
Jesus rebukes the wind and waves during a severe storm on the Sea of Galilee, demonstrating His divine power and authority over the forces of nature. The disciples are amazed at His control over creation.
Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand (Mark 6:30-44)
By multiplying the bread and fish, Jesus employs His infinite creative power to provide for the crowd. As Creator, Christ sustains mankind through provisions from nature, just as God did for Israel with manna and quail.
Jesus Curses the Fig Tree (Mark 11:12-14, 20-25)
Jesus causes the fig tree to immediately wither, showing His authority over nature, both in blessings and judgments. Creation obeys His commands. The lesson symbolizes spiritual fruitlessness versus fruitfulness.
These and many other biblical stories demonstrate that God has complete authority over nature to accomplish His sovereign purposes. From providing food, controlling weather, directing animal behavior, and cursing plant life, Scripture presents the natural world as completely responsive to God’s purposes and plans.
Major Theological Themes Related to Nature in the Bible
In addition to discrete Bible verses and stories, several major theological motifs emerge in Scripture related to nature and creation. These include:
God’s Creative Power
As mentioned, the natural world testifies to God’s limitless creativity, wisdom, power, and sense of beauty and order in designing the cosmos. All the diversity and complexity of nature derives from God’s imagination and skill.
God’s Sovereignty Over Nature
The Bible consistently presents nature as completely under God’s control and responsive to His Word. He employs wind, rain, stars, plants, and animals to accomplish His purposes. Nature obeys God.
God’s Provision Through Nature
A major theme in Scripture is how God provides for the needs of His people through mechanisms in nature – whether manna, quail, water, crops, fruit, or wine. God demonstrates His faithful care by giving good gifts through the natural world.
Nature’s Praise and Worship
The Bible frequently personifies aspects of nature like mountains, trees, rivers, and stars worshiping and praising God. This literary technique reinforces that all creation was designed to glorify God and testify to His greatness.
Promise of Future Redemption
Passages like Romans 8 look ahead to the day when God will liberate creation from the effects of the curse of sin. Creation’s current groaning for restoration underscores its hope and destiny in God’s redemptive plan.
These and other theological currents undergird how the Bible presents the natural world. Rightly understanding them illuminates Scripture’s portrait of nature in revealing the character, purposes, plans, and glory of God.
Principles for Christians Concerning Nature and Creation
So how should Christians approach nature in light of biblical teaching? Here are several key principles that emerge:
- Appreciate nature as God’s handiwork for our enjoyment
- Thank God continually for the gifts of creation that enrich our lives
- Recognize God’s glory, wisdom, power, and creativity on display in nature
- Use nature’s beauty and complexity to share about God as Creator
- Realize our dependence on God’s provision through natural mechanisms
- Be good stewards of the environment, caring for creation as God intends
- Look forward to the future restoration of nature when Christ returns
- Allow an understanding of nature to deepen love and worship of God
In summary, the Bible provides a rich theological framework for thinking rightly about the natural world. Nature manifests God’s attributes, follows His decrees, provides for human flourishing, and offers a glimpse of redemption still to come. As those created in God’s image, we can enjoy and care for creation while giving glory to our Maker, Sustainer, and Redeemer.