Creation

I. Perspective

A. Geocentric- from Earth, as if seen with the naked eye.

B. Factual

II. Sections

A. Six days

B. Eight acts- The third and sixth days have two acts, displaying their importance for the creation week.

C. Two sets

1. The first three days change a barren Earth into a land that produces vegetation.

2.The final three days inundate the empty terrain with life above and below.

D. Three sets

1. Days 1 and 4 regard to light and light bearers vs. 3, & 14

2. Days 2 and 5 speak of the skies and waters that are filled with fowl and fish. vs. 6-7, & 20-23

3. Days 3 and 6 concern the productivity of the land that sprouts its flora for the sustenance of the created beast and human. vs. 9-13 & 24-31

III. DAY 1

A. The First Act

1. Creation

This act was the beginning of the earth. The word create, as defined by webster (1828), means: To produce; to bring into being from nothing; to cause to exist.

a. This is the same authoritative voice that God used to bring about the affairs of human history.

b. This was done without the exertion of any energy.

2. Light

This first step was remedying the dark earth. God’s command shattered the primal cosmic silence and signals the birth of a new cosmic order.

This light was none other than God himself.

This was similar to the light used in the Tabernacle Menorah with its perpetual light. It signified God’s guidance and way for Israel. Leviticus 24:1,2

And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, 2 Command the children of Israel, that they bring unto thee pure oil olive beaten for the light, to cause the lamps to burn continually.

B. Source of light

The Bible does not specifically mention the source of the light. That is that it does not attribute it to the Sun or any celestial body.

For the New Testament believer this light is the Gospel of Jesus

II Corinthians 4:1-6

1 Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; 2 But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. 3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. 5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake. 6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

This is also seen in Jesus at His ascension.

Matthew 17:1,2

And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, 2 And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.

C. Goodness of the light

1. The goodness of God’s nature

V.31 says that everything God created was very good.

Pagan deities were pictured as threatening whereas God was pictured as good and kind.

2. The goodness of God’s moral law.

Even Satan, in 3:5, recognized the goodness of God’s moral law.