In the Book of Genesis what was God's motivation for creating the world?

Answer 1

I don't believe Genesis answers it, but here's an interesting verse as to God's own motivation for doing something:

for at this time I will send all My plagues to your very heart, and on your servants and on your people, that you may know that [there is] none like Me in all the earth.

--Ex 9:14

So the short answer to your question is "self glorification."

Please read the context of the verse quoted above

Exodus 9:13: Then Jehovah said to Moses: "Get up early in the morning and take a position in front of Phar′aoh, and you must say to him, 'This is what Jehovah the God of the Hebrews has said: "Send my people away that they may serve me. 14 For at this time I am sending all my blows against your heart and upon your servants and your people, to the end that you may know that there is none like me in all the earth. 15 For by now I could have thrust my hand out that I might strike you and your people with pestilence and that you might be effaced from the earth. 16 But, in fact, for this cause I have kept you in existence, for the sake of showing you my power and in order to have my name declared in all the earth. 17 Are you still behaving haughtily against my people in not sending them away.

As you can see God was directing this comment at Pharaoh, a wicked man, who was holding God's people as slaves, stubbornly refusing to let them go. His words were not directed to mankind in general.

The Biblical answer to the original question:Isaiah 45:

18 For this is what Jehovah has said, the Creator of the heavens, He the [true] God, the Former of the earth and the Maker of it, He the One who firmly established it, who did not create it simply for nothing, who formed it even to be inhabited:

Answer 2

Why do humans respond emotionally to beautiful sights? And why are painters, sculptors, or musicians motivated emotionally (even beyond monetary need) - to create works of beauty? We are created in the image of God (Genesis ch.5), and God himself is a master artist, who (we intuit) enjoys beauty and has made this beautiful world (see Genesis 1:31). The best human efforts to create beauty are a pale reflection of God's own designs. We respond to them because we are made in the Creator's image.
God made the Earth for people: "He did not create [the earth] simply for nothing," but "formed it to be inhabited" (Isaiah 45:18). He wanted people to exist in order to have someone to love, and to give us an opportunity to achieve godliness. All people are tested concerning their use of free-will. We possess a soul which lives on after the body dies and is held responsible for the person's actions. Anyone who is worthy can merit reward in the afterlife. When the righteous use their free-will to obey God despite His being hidden, they have shown that they deserve His love. Their reward will never cease. But even the undeserving are given the kindness of life in this world, and the lifelong ability to draw near to Him.See also:

God's wisdom seen in His creations

More about God's wisdom

Can you show that God exists