The concept of the wildness of creation is a theme that runs throughout the Bible, reflecting the untamed and awe-inspiring aspects of God's handiwork. This wildness is not merely chaos or disorder but is a testament to the power, majesty, and creativity of the Creator. The Bible presents creation as both a place of beauty and danger, where the natural world operates according to the divine order established by God.

Creation's Majesty and Power

The wildness of creation is first introduced in the Genesis account, where God speaks the universe into existence. Genesis 1:1-2 states, "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters." Here, the "formless and void" earth and the "deep" waters suggest an untamed and raw beginning, which God shapes into an ordered world.

The Psalms frequently celebrate the wildness and grandeur of creation. Psalm 104:24-25 declares, "How many are Your works, O LORD! In wisdom You have made them all; the earth is full of Your creatures. Here is the sea, vast and wide, teeming with creatures beyond number, living things both great and small." This passage highlights the diversity and abundance of life, emphasizing the vastness and complexity of the natural world.

The Untamed Wilderness

The Bible often uses the wilderness as a setting for divine encounters and spiritual testing. The Israelites' journey through the wilderness after their exodus from Egypt is a prime example. In Deuteronomy 8:15 , Moses reminds the people of God's provision in the wilderness: "He led you through the vast and dreadful wilderness, that thirsty and waterless land, with its venomous snakes and scorpions. He brought you water out of the rock of flint." The wilderness is portrayed as a place of danger and desolation, yet it is also where God's presence and provision are most evident.

The wildness of creation is also evident in the book of Job, where God speaks to Job out of the whirlwind, pointing to the untamed aspects of His creation as evidence of His power and wisdom. In Job 38:8-11 , God asks, "Who enclosed the sea behind doors when it burst forth from the womb, when I made the clouds its garment and thick darkness its blanket, when I fixed its boundaries and set in place its bars and doors, and I declared: 'You may come this far, but no farther; here your proud waves must stop'?" This passage underscores God's sovereignty over the chaotic elements of nature.

Creation's Role in Redemption

The wildness of creation also plays a role in the redemptive narrative of the Bible. In the New Testament, John the Baptist, a voice "crying in the wilderness" (Mark 1:3), prepares the way for Jesus, symbolizing a return to the wilderness as a place of repentance and renewal. Jesus Himself often withdrew to solitary places in the wilderness to pray and seek communion with the Father (Luke 5:16).

The Apostle Paul, in Romans 8:19-22 , speaks of creation's longing for redemption: "The creation waits in eager expectation for the revelation of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not by its own will, but because of the One who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until the present time." This passage suggests that the wildness of creation is part of a larger divine plan, awaiting the ultimate restoration and renewal.

Symbolism and Imagery

Throughout Scripture, the wildness of creation is used symbolically to convey spiritual truths. The roaring of the sea, the fierceness of storms, and the majesty of mountains all serve as metaphors for God's power and presence. In Isaiah 55:12-13 , the prophet uses the imagery of nature to describe the joy and peace of God's salvation: "You will indeed go out with joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. Instead of the thornbush, a cypress will grow, and instead of the brier, a myrtle will spring up. This will be a memorial to the LORD, an everlasting sign, never to be destroyed."

The wildness of creation, therefore, is not merely a backdrop for human activity but an integral part of the biblical narrative, reflecting the character of God and His purposes for the world.