And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters. — Genesis 1:6
A new day of creative order begins, and once again the work is done by the Word of God. “And God said.” The same voice that created light now establishes the firmament.
The firmament refers to the expanse or open space between waters below and waters above. God is continuing to order the world for habitation. The earth is still described in terms of being surrounded by water, and now God makes a division. He forms the space that will become the sky or atmospheric expanse above the earth.
Again we see the emphasis on separation and order. God is dividing, arranging, and preparing. He is not adding confusion to creation; He is shaping it with purpose.
This verse reminds us that the world we live in is not an accident. There is intelligence behind it. There is design in it. There is arrangement in it. The air we breathe, the waters above and below, the balance and structure of the world all testify to the wisdom of God.
Firmament-an expanse-a beating out as a plate of metal: a name given to the atmosphere from its appearing to an observer to be the vault of heaven, supporting the weight of the watery clouds. By the creation of an atmosphere, the lighter parts of the waters which overspread the earth's surface were drawn up and suspended in the visible heavens, while the larger and heavier mass remained below. The air was thus "in the midst of the waters," that is, separated them; and this being the apparent use of it, is the only one mentioned, although the atmosphere serves other uses, as a medium of life and light.
A new day of creative order begins, and once again the work is done by the Word of God. “And God said.” The same voice that created light now establishes the firmament.
The firmament refers to the expanse or open space between waters below and waters above. God is continuing to order the world for habitation. The earth is still described in terms of being surrounded by water, and now God makes a division. He forms the space that will become the sky or atmospheric expanse above the earth.
Again we see the emphasis on separation and order. God is dividing, arranging, and preparing. He is not adding confusion to creation; He is shaping it with purpose.
This verse reminds us that the world we live in is not an accident. There is intelligence behind it. There is design in it. There is arrangement in it. The air we breathe, the waters above and below, the balance and structure of the world all testify to the wisdom of God.
Firmament-an expanse-a beating out as a plate of metal: a name given to the atmosphere from its appearing to an observer to be the vault of heaven, supporting the weight of the watery clouds. By the creation of an atmosphere, the lighter parts of the waters which overspread the earth's surface were drawn up and suspended in the visible heavens, while the larger and heavier mass remained below. The air was thus "in the midst of the waters," that is, separated them; and this being the apparent use of it, is the only one mentioned, although the atmosphere serves other uses, as a medium of life and light.