In this chapter we will give answers to the questions regarding the days of creation and also give an overview of the creation week. Understanding the six literal days of creation is foundational to our faith.
Exodus 20:11 says, “For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day, and hallowed it.” We understand that the Bible is inspired by God. Holy men were moved by the Holy Spirit to write the words of scripture that was revealed to them by God. However, there is even a greater significance when it comes to this verse. These words in Exodus twenty were inscribed on tablets of stone by the very finger of God. The children of Israel were instructed to work for six days and then rest on the seventh day just as God created the world in six days and rested on the seventh day. A clear understanding of this verse alone leaves no doubt that God created the world in six literal days.
There are many more reasons for us to believe that God created the world in six literal days. One is the simple understanding of the Hebrew word for day, ‘yom’. This word is used to describe a day and night cycle. It can also be used to describe a length of time or age. However, in the case of Genesis one it is very clear that God meant for us to understand that He created the world in six literal days as we would know of a day today. Every time in the Old Testament when this word for day is associated with a number, it always refers to a literal day. Why would it be any different in Genesis one? If we are going to be consistent in our interpretation of scripture, we cannot deny the fact that God created the world in six literal days. Also, the terms ‘evening’ and ‘morning’ are also used to describe a literal day. Why would God put those words in the creation account if the days were not literal days? Then we have Genesis 1:14 where it uses the same word for day to describe the division of day and night and a measurement of time for days, seasons, and years. When you follow a consistent method of interpreting scripture, you must consider the context of the entire chapter. Why would ‘day’ mean one thing in one part of the chapter, but something else in another part of the chapter? It also should be noted that outside of Genesis one the word ‘day’ is used with a number 359 times, each time it refers to a literal day. 38 times we find the terms ‘evening and morning’ without the word ‘day’ and every time it refers to a literal day. 23 times we find the terms ‘evening and morning’ with the word ‘day’ and each time it refers to a literal day. 53 times we have the word ‘night’ with ‘day’ and each time it refers to a literal day. So, the question again would be, why would the word ‘day’ mean something different in Genesis one?
One objection to the literal days of creation in Genesis six that is often raised, and rightly so, is how can the days be literal when God did not create the sun until the fourth day? This is a very good question, however, there is also a very logical explanation. First of all, we must understand that when you take the scripture at face value and you just simply read it without any bias or outside influences, you will come to the conclusion that God created the world in six literal days. We must also begin with our understanding that God says what He says and means what He says, even when may not understand it. When there does seem to be some confusion, as in this case with the fourth day of creation, we can assume that because God’s Word is true then there must be some explanation. The explanation to this question may be more simpler than you think. Concerning this question it needs to be understood that the sun is not needed for day and night. What is needed for a day is light and a rotating earth. God made light on the first day and the structure of the earth on the first day. The terms ‘evening’ and morning’ implies a rotating earth. So, if we have light from one direction and a spinning earth, there can be day and night. The next question that is raised would be, ‘where did the light come from’? This is another very good question, but it has a logical explanation. We do not have an exact answer, because we not told directly in Genesis 1:3. But, consider Revelation 21:23, which tell us that one day the sun will not be needed because the glory of God will light the heavenly city. Perhaps God did it this way to show us that the sun did not have the priority in the creation that some may propose. God also knew that some will try to worship the sun as the Egyptians did, therefore the priority in creation is not given to the sun. Notice what the early church father Theophilus said, “On the fourth day the luminaries came into existence. Since God has foreknowledge, He understood the nonsense of the foolish philosophers who were going to say that the things produced on earth came from the stars, so that they might set God aside. In order therefore that the truth might be demonstrated, plants and seeds came into existence before stars. For what comes into existence later cannot cause what is prior to it.” The consideration of this question is a prime example that there are answers to all of man’s speculations.
Another objection that is given to God creating the world in six literal days is what it is found in 2 Peter 3:8 which tells us that ‘one day is with the Lord as a thousand years’. It first must be understood that in the context of this verse there is no talk of creation. It is not referring to the days of creation. This verse is not saying that a day is a thousand years; instead it is comparing a real day with a real thousand years. Read Psalms 90:4. In this verse we find a thousand years being compared to a short period of time. Also, if a day is a thousand years in the Bible then you must be consistent and interpret it the same way throughout the entire Bible. So, what is the explanation? We need to understand that God is omnipresent. He is everywhere at all times and He surpasses all time. God is eternal, time does not matter, so, a day is as a thousand years to God.
Do you see how easy it is to be deceived? God’s word is very plain, we just have to read it and interpret it correctly. Every question that men pose concerning the Bible, there is always an answer. Satan knows that we are easily deceived; therefore, his number one tactic to destroy the church is to cause us to question God’s Word. If there is something in the Bible you don’t understand, search it out, pray, and follow the leading of the Holy Spirit, because there is an answer.
We will now turn our attention to the creation week itself. When you read Genesis one you find a very clear account of how God created the world. The first day of creation is very fascinating. On this day God creates the basic structure or the foundation of the heavens and the earth and He also creates the light. I love the reading throughout Genesis one: “And God said…” God is such a powerful God that all He must do is speak and things are created. We are not sure exactly what the light that He created is but we do know the source of that light and that is God Himself. On this first day, God also divided the darkness and light and created what we know as a ‘day’. On the second day God created the firmament or the atmosphere. The firmament is the heaven or the sky. At this time it is used to separate the waters on the earth from the waters above the earth. What that looked like, we do not really know. However, it is understood to be sort of a greenhouse effect where there was a natural mist and no need of rain. On the third day God creates the dry land. He forms the seas and the dry land appears. It must be understood that the dry land appeared after the gathering of waters which would have an impact on the appearance of the land as did the world-wide flood of Noah’s day. Also on the third day, we have the appearance of grass, seed, and fruits. On the fourth day, we have the creation of the lights in the heavens. The sun to rule over the day and the moon to rule over the night were created in addition to the lesser lights or the stars and planets. What is interesting here is that the sun comes after grass and fruit is growing upon the earth, once again showing that the sun was not the priority of creation. Now on the fifth day we see the creation of animal life. There appears in an instant full grown sea creatures and birds of the air. On the sixth day we have the creation of beasts of the earth. Full grown animals appear all over the planet including the dinosaurs. Then, here is where we come in. On the sixth day God creates male and female. In chapter two of Genesis we find that man is formed by the very hands of God from the dust of the ground and the woman is created from a rib taken from the side of the man. After the creation of man, God steps back and looks upon His master piece and says, ‘this is very good.’ On the seventh day, God rested from the work of creating the world. Another interesting note is how God creates the days and there is exactly seven days in the week just as we have today; perhaps another small tidbit of information for those who oppose six literal days of creation.
In all of this we find that the ultimate purpose of creation is to display the glory and power of God. For us, it is our duty to worship Him and obey Him. The question for mankind to consider is, will we submit to our creator or will we go our own way?