I have just discovered some fascinating facts about the
order of creation in the Genesis 1 account. Though having studied this section
of Scripture many times over the years, I realize once again the impossibility of
completely exhausting any passage for meaning and application. In most cases I’m sure I’ve just begun to
scratch the surface.
After the heavens and the earth were created, it says, “The earth was without form and void…” (Gen 1:2). Therefore, the first three days of creation God used to give form to the earth and the second three were about filling the void. In day one He made light and separated the light from the darkness. During the second day He made an expanse (we call it the “air” or “sky”) to separate the waters below it from those above. Finally, on the third day He caused the waters to be gathered together so that dry land appeared. Then, He also caused the land to produce all kinds of vegetation: plants bearing seed and trees bearing fruit.
Having thus given form and structure to the earth, He then began to fill the void on the fourth day. First it was the placing of the specific light sources in the sky: sun, moon and stars. Their purpose was to govern the day and the night and to be there for signs and seasons and to mark days and years. On the fifth day He created all types of sea life and birds. Then, on the sixth day, God caused the earth to produce all types of living creatures, including livestock, beasts and everything that moves. Finally, the last and supreme act of His plan was to create man (male and female) in His own image.
Here is where my latest discovery comes in. Notice, the correlation between the first set of three days and the second set of three. Light, in general, made on day one became a whole population of specific lights: sun, moon and stars that fill the sky on day four. Next, the sky above and the waters beneath that had appeared on day two became filled with birds and every living form of sea life, respectively, on day five. Then, the dry land that had appeared on day three and had produced vegetation and trees became filled on day six with all kinds of land animals and every form of moving creature. And finally, once everything was in place, God created humans and put them in charge of it all.
It’s nice to see this correlation and to realize how detailed, orderly and logical was God’s entire creation plan. It certainly should cause us to see the magnificence and beauty in His design. But for those who don’t think like an engineer and can’t appreciate the beauty of a well designed project, there is another lesson for all of us. We may think we comprehend a story or teaching in the Bible, but there is often more that we are not prepared or even in need of understanding at a given time. God’s Word remains fresh and the Holy Spirit can bring us new insights, revealing to us who God is and His plans regarding us who trust in Him.
Even as God has general plans (like salvation and resurrection) for all who believe in Jesus, He also has unique plans for each of us that are just as magnificently designed and crafted for our good and His glory. And even though the now-well-known verse, Jeremiah 29:11, was spoken to Israel in exile, it reveals the unchangeable character of a God of love and mercy toward His people that we can rightly, I believe, understand to be applied to all who have learned to put their trust in God through the only one who can provide access to the Father, Jesus Christ our Lord.
So, when you read or study familiar passages in the Bible, be alert for and ask Him to show you something new He wants you to understand. He has more for you than you know!
After the heavens and the earth were created, it says, “The earth was without form and void…” (Gen 1:2). Therefore, the first three days of creation God used to give form to the earth and the second three were about filling the void. In day one He made light and separated the light from the darkness. During the second day He made an expanse (we call it the “air” or “sky”) to separate the waters below it from those above. Finally, on the third day He caused the waters to be gathered together so that dry land appeared. Then, He also caused the land to produce all kinds of vegetation: plants bearing seed and trees bearing fruit.
Having thus given form and structure to the earth, He then began to fill the void on the fourth day. First it was the placing of the specific light sources in the sky: sun, moon and stars. Their purpose was to govern the day and the night and to be there for signs and seasons and to mark days and years. On the fifth day He created all types of sea life and birds. Then, on the sixth day, God caused the earth to produce all types of living creatures, including livestock, beasts and everything that moves. Finally, the last and supreme act of His plan was to create man (male and female) in His own image.
Here is where my latest discovery comes in. Notice, the correlation between the first set of three days and the second set of three. Light, in general, made on day one became a whole population of specific lights: sun, moon and stars that fill the sky on day four. Next, the sky above and the waters beneath that had appeared on day two became filled with birds and every living form of sea life, respectively, on day five. Then, the dry land that had appeared on day three and had produced vegetation and trees became filled on day six with all kinds of land animals and every form of moving creature. And finally, once everything was in place, God created humans and put them in charge of it all.
It’s nice to see this correlation and to realize how detailed, orderly and logical was God’s entire creation plan. It certainly should cause us to see the magnificence and beauty in His design. But for those who don’t think like an engineer and can’t appreciate the beauty of a well designed project, there is another lesson for all of us. We may think we comprehend a story or teaching in the Bible, but there is often more that we are not prepared or even in need of understanding at a given time. God’s Word remains fresh and the Holy Spirit can bring us new insights, revealing to us who God is and His plans regarding us who trust in Him.
Even as God has general plans (like salvation and resurrection) for all who believe in Jesus, He also has unique plans for each of us that are just as magnificently designed and crafted for our good and His glory. And even though the now-well-known verse, Jeremiah 29:11, was spoken to Israel in exile, it reveals the unchangeable character of a God of love and mercy toward His people that we can rightly, I believe, understand to be applied to all who have learned to put their trust in God through the only one who can provide access to the Father, Jesus Christ our Lord.
So, when you read or study familiar passages in the Bible, be alert for and ask Him to show you something new He wants you to understand. He has more for you than you know!
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