‘And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters. And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so. And God called the firmament Heaven. And the evening and the morning were the second day. And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so. And God called the dry land Earth; and the gathering together of the waters called he Seas: and God saw that it was good. And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so. And the earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind: and God saw that it was good. And the evening and the morning were the third day (Genesis 1:6-13)’
In this next section of Genesis 1, we see more of God’s creative activity in the creation of the universe. The activity of both days two and three can be described as further acts of separation, or if you like, bringing more order out of disorder. On day one there was the separation of light from darkness and the establishment of the day-night cycle. On day two there was the separation of the waters from the firmament. On day three there was the separation of the land from the waters. In short, these days were days of separation and order. The last three days of creation are then given to filling the earth, or removing its emptiness.
Verses 6 and 7: This verse marks the beginning of God’s creative activity for day two of creation. The chaotic, formless and empty creation of verse two is now rendered into a degree of order by God. Yet again the means of His creative activity is that of His Word, for He spake and it was so.
The King James Version tells us that God now created the firmament, which is probably better translated as expanse (according to Calvin). It is that which appears above us as we look upward, including not only the immediate atmosphere, but also the heavens beyond (Ps 104:2). Where before there was some sort of ‘chaotic mix,’ there are now very defined boundaries for the expanse and the waters.
It is interesting to note that the expanse was to be between the waters. What is being referred to here by the waters below and above the expanse (Ps 104:31; 148:4)? This is an interesting question and probably it refers to the waters we see upon the earth and the water vapour within the atmosphere. However, we must not rule out the possibility that these waters above were significant in the destruction of the world by the deluge in Noah’s time (cf Gen 2:5,6; 9:13), the appearance of the world having significantly changed since that cataclysmic event. This area of ‘waters above’ is a subject therefore, of much speculation and the exact nature of these waters may never be known to us in this day.
Verse 8: The expanse was called by God, ‘Heaven.’ It is the area that we see above us, both the sky and space.
At the conclusion of this period of creative activity, we are told that the evening and morning in which these acts took place were the second day of time.
Verses 9 and 10: In these verses we see the further provision of boundaries for the terrestrial waters (Job 38:1-11; Ps 33:7; 74:13; 78:13; 104:5-11; Pr 8:23-29; Jer 5:22) and the appearance of dry land in the creative activity of God. To this point the terrestrial waters covered the land. But now further order and structure is given to God’s creation, and the dry land appears with the command of God.
God names these two areas of creation ‘Earth’ and the ‘Seas.’ He also saw that His creation was good. It was good because it realised the purpose of God, and as some commentators mention, it had now become habitable for living creatures.
NOTE: INDIVIDUAL DISCOVERY QUESTION HERE: Are verses 11, 12, 20 and 24 evidence of God using an evolutionary process in creation? Explain your answer.
Verses 11 and 12: In these verses we see God creating further matter, now beginning to fill (Ps 33:6) what had become an empty structured world through His creative activity. Now the scene painted in verse two of an ‘empty chaotic mix’ is no more.
How was this plant life brought into being? The Scripture leaves us in no doubt, for once again He spake and it was done. Here was no work of evolution, but the creation of plants through the Word of God. Some see the possibility of evolution in these words, but when seen in the context of the entire creation account, as well as other Scriptures which speak to the subject of creation, it is clear that the great periods of time required in evolution are not testified to in the Bible.
It should also be noted here that God not only created plant life, but also provided the plant life with the means for further propagating their kind for perpetual occupation of the earth and seas. This perpetual propagation of the various species of plants has come about by the Word of God, for He provided them with the means for perpetual propagation at the very time of their creation. The passage would also seem to indicate therefore, that these plants were created in their mature state and also that there was no possibility of them developing into any other form or kind of plant (hence no evolution).
It is interesting to note at this point that the plants were created prior to the creation of the sun, which we now understand is necessary for their survival. Light had already been created however, not that the various forms of vegetation could not survive for a further day without the provision of the sun.
Verse 13: Once again the Genesis account reminds us that the creative activity of this third period occurred during a 24-hour period, with its evening and morning. In fact this period marked the third day of time (history).
INDIVIDUAL DISCOVERY
Is there any evidence of the Big Bang theory of creation in this passage (Genesis 1)? Does the Bible provide any evidence of such a beginning?
© All Bible Studies by the webmaster may be freely copied, printed and distributed. We ask only that they remain unedited (unless approved by Kevin Matthews) and contain the Aussie Outpost name and site URL: http://particularbaptist.com/index.html. This Bible Study is by Kevin Matthews. It is suggested that this notice be included as is. Thankyou.
To assist in the study of Genesis Aussie Outpost is developing The Outpost Study Bible and other Bible Study Aids. Links to these further resources are listed below:
http://particularbaptist.com/library/biblecontents.html
http://particularbaptist.com/library/bible_genesis1.html
http://particularbaptist.com/library/matthewhenry_comcontents.html
http://particularbaptist.com/library/matthewhenry_genesis1.html
http://particularbaptist.com/library/calvin_comcontents.html
http://particularbaptist.com/library/calvin_comcontents_genesisvol1_ch01.html
Outpost Homepage
GENESIS BIBLE STUDIES
BIBLE STUDIES PAGE
NEXT STUDY IN SERIES
TOP
17/06/2007
AN OUTPOST PRODUCTION
