1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
2 Now the earth was without shape and empty, and darkness was over the surface of the watery deep, but the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the water.
The states of the earth in v.2:
1. without shape-nothing has been done to fashion the earth in any useable format,
2. empty-nothing on it
3. darkness-no light
the watery deep-no air
In the mind of the readers, this is an inhabitable earth.
Question: Why the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the water? Why the subject changed from God to the Spirit of God?
3 God said, “Let there be light.” And there was light!
From Spirit of God the subject changed now back to God. The Creator now starts. Or the narrative begins! And it begins with an command.
Out of the 3 states of the earth, God chose the last one to deal with first. Light is important. When light was created, time starts v.5.
4 God saw that the light was good, so God separated the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light “day” and the darkness “night.” There was evening, and there was morning, marking the first day.
saw=(NET) Heb “And God saw the light, that it was good.” The verb “saw” in this passage carries the meaning “reflected on,” “surveyed,” “concluded,” “noted.” It is a description of reflection of the mind—it is God’s opinion.
separated= (NET) The idea of separation is critical to this chapter. God separated light from darkness, upper water from lower water, day from night, etc. The verb is important to the Law in general. In Leviticus God separates between clean and unclean, holy and profane (Lev 10:10; 11:47 and 20:24); in Exodus God separates the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place (Exod 26:33). There is a preference for the light over the darkness, just as there will be a preference for the upper waters, the rain water which is conducive to life, over the sea water.
called=(NET) sn God called. Seven times in this chapter naming or blessing follows some act of creation. There is clearly a point being made beyond the obvious idea of naming. In the Babylonian creation story Enuma Elish, naming is equal to creating. In the Bible the act of naming, like creating, can be an indication of sovereignty (see 2 Kgs 23:34). In this verse God is sovereign even over the darkness.
Summary: God is the main character in creation. God changed the states of the earth by giving an command. What He said came true. He did not made things, He took the time to reflect. When He saw that it was good He separated or made the chose of preference over the other. Finally, He sealed His creation with His authority. The phenomenon of day, night, and even time were all under His sovereignty.
When the original readers read this passage. 1. They might realize the origin of everything. 2. They might appreciate the change of the states/creation of the earth 3. They might praise the power and authority of God over all things. 4. They might feel the love of God (good) 5. They might know God regarding His selection 6. We are still under His authority today.
Reflection: God is the Creator of everything. Yet, He created the world for our good. Thank God for His love. Learn to trust in Him.
God chose, separate good and bad. I need to live in a way to reflect "separation." In what way, today that I need to separate? What is good/holy/pleasing to God and what is not?
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