Genesis

Lesson 5 w/AnswersGenesis 1:9-19

As we continue our study of creation, we will examine what happened on the third and fourth days of creation. In Genesis 1:9-19, we see a continuation of God’s work in creating and dividing. On Day One, He divided (or separated) the light from the darkness. On Day Two, He divided (or separated) the waters above from the firmament below; and on Day Three, He separated the dry land from the waters.

Beginnings

God’s approach to creation, as we can readily observe, is well-thought-out and planned — not chaotic and by chance or random event — and every step has a purpose. So it is for our lives as well. The Bible tells us that God’s plan for us is to prosper; and we can live in peace with Him through His Son Jesus, knowing that no matter our circumstance, God is in control.

Read Genesis 1:9-19, and consider the following:

  1. What an awesome scene it must have been on the Third Day, when God commanded the separation of dry land from the waters and the seas were created! How long did this process take?
    1. ANSWER: Although we do not know the exact amount of time that it took, we can infer that it did not take an entire day, unlike previous singular events in the prior days of creation. This time, after the separation of land and seas, God went on to create the trees, plants, and herbs — all in the same day. This means that the separation of dry land and seas took somewhat less than a day, so that the other things could also be created in the same day.
  2. In Genesis 1:11-13, what three things are created?
    1. ANSWER: Vegetation, seed-bearing plants, and trees bearing fruit.
  3. In addition to the vegetation, God created the plants and trees with some things in common. What were they?
    1. ANSWER: They both contained seeds, and the seeds were "according to their kind".
  4. How long did it take for the trees that God planted on Day Three of creation to actually bear their first fruit?
    1. ANSWER: God created the trees already bearing fruit on Day Three. All of creation was made or created in its mature state from the beginning.
  5. Considering the event recounted in Genesis 1:11-13, what proofs do we see that indicate to us that the Theory of Evolution is incorrect?
    1. ANSWER: Two fundamental issues surface relative to the Theory of Evolution on Day 3. The first of these are that no sun, moon, or stars had been created yet to kick off the cellular process that "starts" evolution. In fact, no life form had yet been seen on the new earth. Secondly, we know that fruit-bearing trees and seed-bearing plants require pollination; however, no insects, bees etc., had been created. Nevertheless, we observe that fruit-bearing trees were already in existence. If life began as a cell and evolved over time, the bees, etc. would have to have been created first, in order to start the fruit and plant growing cycle. Evolution has the cycle as animal first, then vegetation; this is opposite of the Biblical account.
  6. Further to our discussion regarding Evolution versus the Day Three events described in Genesis 1:11-13, how the events described in the following passages relate to, or support, the Genesis account?
    1. 1 Corinthians 15:38-39
      1. ANSWER: In this passage, Paul points out that God specifically created each species by its "kind".
    2. Leviticus 11:13-32
      1. ANSWER: Similarly in this passage, we observe very specific species of animals. We do not see any evolving animals, or half-man/half-animal beings, etc. From the beginning of creation, God created each thing according to its kind. The theory of evolution breaks down within this context.
  7. List the specific purposes given by God for creating the sun, moon, and stars; as described in Genesis 1:14-19.
    1. ANSWER 1: To separate the day from the night
    2. ANSWER 2: To provide signs to mark seasons, days, and years
    3. ANSWER 3: To serve as lights to illuminate the earth
    4. ANSWER 4: The sun was to serve as the greater light to govern the day, and the moon was to serve as the lesser light to govern the night.

Again, it is evident from our study that God is a God of purpose and of specificity. His creation was created with a specific plan and purpose in mind, and did not emerge out of random chance or evolve from formless goo. We also observe that God is a God of complexity and variety, with everything following its "own kind" as a consistent pattern; and all fitting and integrating perfectly within His overall creation.

Clearly our God has a plan that is being carried out exactly as He intended, and we as followers of Christ can take comfort knowing that God’s eternal plan for us is to live and reign with Him. How awesome is our God, who can create everything from nothing, and who through His only Son — Jesus, The Christ — has made a way for each of us to have eternal life. What a blessing beyond measure!

Thanks for studying with us.

Yours in Christ,

Wes

[2010]

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