AND GOD SAW THAT IT WAS GOOD

On Day 3 God gathers the waters into one place, implying that the land occupies its own separate place. He then causes grass to appear on the earth along with herbs and trees with fruit possessing seeds by which they would reproduce after their kind. It is on this day that God first describes what He has done as good. This also implies that “bad” was already in existence for there to be a contrast.

It is not until Day 4 that God speaks into existence the sun, moon and stars. They were created to serve as signs and to mark the seasons, days and years. Though man has not yet been created, God is preparing the creation specifically for his benefit. Man is a creature that operates in time and space. The marking of time is a necessary tool for successful agricultural practices. God would use the designation of time in establishing worship practices intended to teach His people and in declaring prophecy pertaining to the working out of His plan of redemption.

Wayne Walter, www.lampresource.com, makes a beautiful observation regarding verse 17.

Genesis 1:16–17 “And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also. And God set them in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth….”

“The Hebrew word for set means enhance, show off as a jeweler might magnify the brilliance of his diamond by placing it in a case of black velvet. The firmament surrounding the earth enhanced the beauty of the luminaries even as a magnifying glass.” [end quote]

Again, God pronounces His creative work on this day to be good.

It’s interesting that even in the night God provides a measure of light. The obvious parallel is to His presence in our lives even when we feel surrounded by sin/despair. Christ, the light of this world, separates good from bad. Only the presence of His light in our lives can separate us from the power of evil/dark/Satan.

All the sea creatures and flying creatures were created on Day 5. Point is made that the waters brought forth abundantly and that just as with the vegetation, the living creatures were of different kinds. It is significant to note that God created with variety in His creation according to kinds. He didn’t create using the process of evolution from a big bang that would eventually result in the different kinds of vegetation or creatures.

We are also told that God blessed these creatures and caused them to be fruitful and multiply so as to fill the seas with what we now know to be a multitude of amazing and beautiful creatures. The flying creatures were to be just as fruitful. Again, the more we learn about the natural instincts of these creatures, the more amazed we are by the Creator who made them to be so unique. I never cease to be amazed at the variety and beauty and wonder revealed in creation that continues to be evident even after the impact of the curse of sin on creation.

Again, God pronounces His creative work on this day to be good.

I don’t think I have a made a point of the fact that all God did was speak to accomplish His work of creation. It is simply stated but impossible to understand. God is certainly a God of authority and power far beyond our human understanding. If we could understand all about Him, He wouldn’t be God.

Isaiah 55:8–9 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

Deuteronomy 3:24 “O Lord GOD, thou hast begun to shew thy servant thy greatness, and thy mighty hand: for what God is there in heaven or in earth, that can do according to thy works, and according to thy might?”

Jeremiah 32:17 “Ah Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee….”