DETAILED STATEMENT OF THE ORDER OF CREATION
“And the earth was waste and void,” literally “desolation and emptiness.” And, on account of the thick vapors in the hot atmosphere, “darkness was upon the face of the deep,” and doubtless had been for ages.
“And the Spirit of God was brooding upon the face of the waters,” and perhaps was calling into being the lowest forms of marine life.
The First Day’s Work. Light Appears.
“And God said, ‘Let the light appear’,” through the thick vapors. And the light appeared, so that the day could now be distinguished from the night. “And there was evening, and there was morning, one day.” This day did not need to be an age or even 24 hours for God’s work. How long did it take light to appear? Many years, and even ages, may have followed between each day’s work as the “days” were not necessarily consecutive, and it is not so stated.
Second Day’s Work. A Clearing Expanse.
“And God said, ‘Let there be a clearing expanse (called heaven) dividing the waters which were on the earth from the waters in the thick clouds above, firmly suspended in the air’.” This may have continued a long time, though begun in 24 hours.
Third Day’s Work. Land, sea and vegetation appear.
“And God said, ‘Let the waters under the expanse be gathered together into one place (seas and oceans), and let the dry land appear’.” The contraction of the cooling earth caused the elevation of the land, and the draining of the waters into the seas. The geologist Lyell says, “All land has been under water.” Hitchcock says, “The surface of the globe has been a shoreless ocean.” “And the earth brought forth grass, herb yielding seed after its kind, and tree bearing fruit, wherein is the seed thereof, after its kind.” Though the sun was not yet visible on account of dense clouds and vapors, the warm, humid atmosphere was suitable for the grass, herbs, and fruit trees,—three great classes which represented the vegetable kingdom. Ages may have again intervened.
The Fourth Day’s Work. Sun, moon and stars made visible.