There are Bible teachers who say that Genesis 1 and Genesis 2 are two different accounts of creation. Some even say that there is a long period of time between these chapters which allows for the standard evolutionary time frame.
However, there is a much simpler explanation which fits better with the text. Genesis 1 is a sequential, step-by-step account of creation. Genesis 2 is a complementary summary account, which also gives additional details. Continue reading
On the fifth day, God creates all those things which live in the water and all birds.
Genesis 1:20-23 And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, and fowl that may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven. 21 And God created great whales, and every living creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and every winged fowl after his kind: and God saw that it was good. 22 And God blessed them, saying, Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let fowl multiply in the earth. 23 And the evening and the morning were the fifth day.
Notice that God does not say “fish” or “crustaceans” or anything specific. He simply commands that the waters “bring forth abundantly the moving creature”. The Hebrew verb translated “bring forth abundantly” is a cognate of the Hebrew word translated “moving creature”. They both have to do with teeming or swarming. Continue reading
After creating light on the first day, God focuses His attention on completing the Earth.
Genesis 1:6-8 And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters. 7 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. 8 And God called the firmament Heaven. And the evening and the morning were the second day.
The Hebrew word translated “firmament” means “expanse” or “spreading out”. It refers to the space above the surface of the Earth, which is why it is also called “heaven” in this verse. The Hebrews thought of it as being where the birds fly or the “first heaven”. We would call it our atmosphere or sky. Continue reading
Psalm 1:1-3 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. 3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
These verses have a simple, yet profound message. First, stay away from ungodliness (vs. 1). Second, delight in God’s Word (vs. 2). Third, enjoy the benefits that right living brings (vs. 3). Continue reading