Day 2

And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters…. And God called the firmament, Heaven.

When the light had separated the darkness, and day and night had been created, there followed a second fiat of the Creator, the division of the chaotic mass of waters. He accomplished this by the insertion of a firmament.  But the lessons in this for our life are astounding! Understanding them will give hope and peace like you may have never experienced before.

Where the first day focused on identifying and separating opposites (light and darkness, good and bad), and providing the power necessary for other aspects of creation, this second day focuses on sorting out similars (waters from waters, good from good). But it is not enough to get the “bad” out. The “good” that is left must be organized and put in circulation. That’s what the firmament provided.

In our world light was not sufficient to give life but only to enhance and empower it, once created. Our existence was not to be dependent on power alone. We would need to be sustained by the gracious provisions of Day 2.

WHAT IS THE FIRMAMENT?

The firmament is what we call our atmosphere. It surrounds our earth like the peeling on an orange. This protective “skin” is brightened by sunlight, makes flight possible, and contains vital elements necessary for life. Though our atmosphere separates two similars, the space between also unifies them into a workable system where together they can do good.

The firmament introduces a second characteristic of the Messiah. Besides being the Light of the world, a teacher of righteousness, obedient to the truths He taught, He will also be a worker of righteousness, His life filled with benevolent acts [the inclination to do good]. Notice how He announced His messiahship.

Luke 4:17-21 >The book of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. He opened the book, and found the place where it was written, “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, Because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim release to the captives, Recovering of sight to the blind, To deliver those who are crushed, and to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.” [Isaiah 58] He closed the book, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fastened on him. He began to tell them, “Today, this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”

In the providence of God benevolence is to be our canopy of life. God gave us Isaiah 58 to understand the kind of ministry that will bring life into the churches. The work of the gospel is to be carried out through our liberality and generosity as well as by our labors. When we meet someone hurting we are to help them. When we find someone who is hungry we are to feed them. It is this benevolence that characterized our Master’s work, and it should also characterize ours.¹ Benevolence is to surround us as the atmosphere surrounds our globe, bringing with it life, healing, and joy.

HOW IT WORKS

In the language of Creation we are told that the firmament came into the midst of the waters and divided the waters from the waters, so we have waters above the firmament and waters below. From that we are to understand how benevolence works?

That’s right! We should not underestimate simplicity, especially when God is making a statement!

First of all notice what the firmament divided. Waters [Hebrew: mayim]. That which went up was mayim. That which stayed on the earth was mayim. There was no “good” mayim and “bad” mayim. The water that “went up” was not holier, more righteous, or Godly. Neither was the water that “stayed behind” fleshly, materialistic, or worldly. In the context of Genesis 1:6-7 the mayim was considered all the same. There was nothing to feed a proud spirit.

When we are in a benevolent work there is no labeling on God’s part. One type of benevolence does not get more “points” than another. A couple builds and operates orphanages. Another ministers to street people. An elderly man sends get-well cards to the sick. A young mother is making sure her four children are properly clothed before playing in the snow. Each is performing in his or her own capacity. And each could hear the “well done” at the end of the day – and receive the same pay.

1Sa 30:24 As his share is that goes down to the battle, so shall his share be that protects the baggage: they shall share alike.

Consider also the positioning of the mayim. When the firmament divided the waters, some was above it and some below. In Scriptures any increase in elevation or height was considered an approach to God or the gods. This was why mountaintops were preferred for worship and why taller people were considered better prospects for leadership. In the cycling of the waters, it was in the providence of God that some time is spent closer to Him.

As light energized the water to rise into the air, the water was cleansed and purified in the process. So it is in benevolent work. To the receptive heart the light of Truth enters and cleanses us from all unrighteousness. We find ourselves drawing closer to God. Then from our vantage point God points to some needy spot on earth and says, Go. The Christian life is a constant cycling between drawing close to God and serving man.

But it is not always known when we are closer to God in our desire to do others good.

Mat 25:37-39 Then the righteous answer, ‘When, Lord, did we ever see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and gave you a drink, or a stranger and welcomed you in our homes, or naked and clothed you, or in prison, and visited you?”

It is just in the nature of benevolent service that we are drawn into His presence.

The firmament itself also adds to our depth of understanding about benevolence. It is often used to illustrate the working of God’s Spirit (John 3:8; Acts 2:2). The firmament not only divided the waters, but also united them in a new and different way. An example of noble benevolence is mentioned in Acts. It shows us a binding of heart and soul into a common interest—the success of the work entrusted to them.

Act 4:36-37 And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus, having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet. ²

Before the creation of air, the waters were a chaotic mess, a blessing to no one. With the addition of the atmosphere, the waters had room to move and were given purposeful activity. This is the effect of God’s Spirit on the heart. When divine light shines into our heart it warms it and softens it, and (when drawn upward) purifies it. This clearness and power often overcomes the feelings of our natural and self-centered inclinations, and selfishness loses its hold upon us, and desires are awakened to imitate Christ’s pattern of self-denial and benevolence.³

When Christ announced His work as the Messiah, and the benevolent work He was to do, He read what empowered Him to do it. The Spirit of the Lord . . . has anointed Me to proclaim the Gospel to the poor. He has sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim deliverance to the captives, and new sight to the blind. . . (Luke 4:18) We operate by the same power and influences. It’s not a glory trip for man, to show others how “good” we are.

THE MILLENNIUM

If in truth the aspects of Creation do represent the work of Redemption, then when that redemptive work is accomplished, and the redeemed are risen from their tombs and taken to heaven while the rest of the dead remain in their graves, leaving only the devil and his angels to contemplate the direction of their lives⁴ we could expect actual physical changes on this earth – changes that would reflect the spiritual condition of the earth left behind (the result of the misuse of the powers Satan had been entrusted with).

It is interesting to note what happens to the firmament at the end of the world, when grace and benevolence are ended. It appears to collapse, to disappear, as it was before Day 2 of Creation.

Jer 4:23, 25 WEB I saw the earth, and, behold, it was waste and void; and the heavens, and they had no light . . . . and all the birds of the sky were fled.

The heavens had no light. The “brightness” of the firmament (Daniel 12:3) was gone. It would be like standing on the moon during daytime. The sun may light the ground, but the sky would be dark. You could look up and see the stars in “broad daylight”.

And the birds of the sky were fled. There was no atmosphere to support their wings… or give life to their blood. It was gone!

BUT WHY THEN?

This is such a precious lesson. I left it till last so, hopefully, it will stick in your mind long after the article is put away.

If we think of Creation Week being a counterpart of our recreation into God’s image, then what lessons are in Day 2?

It just doesn’t make sense. This would be like the beginning of the Covenant Promise given to Abraham. God first brought a separation into his life. For many years he had lived what would appear as a normal life. He learned to love God, and God blessed him materially. But the Sovereign Ruler of the Universe had higher plans for him, so He asked Abram to leave his comfortable life, his friends and family members, his familiar associations, and move to a land of God’s choosing. Though the record states simply, “So Abram departed, as the LORD had spoken unto him” (Gen. 12:4), I expect there were many questions going through his mind then.

What for? Why me?

Why now? I am already getting old and my wife is beyond child-bearing age.

Can’t we work out something here?

But all such discussion is left out of the story. God had spoken and His servant obeyed.

Separation is often a painful process. It is one thing to choose to leave behind us things or people or experiences that have proven hurtful or useless. But when things are going well, when life is happy and the Lord  brings a division in our life, or a loss or separation, that can hurt. Especially when no reason is given!

This is what happened on Day 2. Before Day 1 the earth was cold and dark. Then God brought light and warmth. Ohhh, how nice! Now we can see the undulating waves, the variations of color in the waters. And the warm light is so relaxing! Then God brings in something to disrupt our thoughts and tears from us what is familiar. We see what we loved and enjoyed being pulled from us. No reason. He just does it.

What’s even worse is the constant pounding all day long! In the original language,  Hebrew defines “firmament” as an expanse. But the word comes from a primitive word meaning “to pound,” or “expand by hammering.” Imagine you are looking out over the majestic waters and enjoying the light reflections and just basking in the warm light, when you start feeling a pounding sensation. At first it is just curious, but then gets annoying. Soon, you feel like you are getting a throbbing headache. No more can you concentrate, for all you can sense and feel now is that incessant pounding… all day long. Until finally, toward the close of day, it ceases, and the Creator proudly shows you what He has been working on—a firmament!

“What’s THAT for?” you ask.

“Just watch,” He answers.

It is then you see what has been familiar to you being jostled and then slowly moving away.

“Wait! Wait! That was my favorite thing!” you shout.(In reality, it was the ONLY thing you knew.)

The Creator smiles and says, “Oh, you will like the finished results, I promise.”

All this for that? Finally, the firmament is complete and fulfilled its purpose. The Creator explains its purpose now.

“This expanse is now energized to provide life-giving oxygen. The other elements will be used, with the power of the light, to construct sugars and other vital nutrients so we can build many tall and beautiful things. The firmament provides an atmospheric pressure that actually gives a ball-like shape to the water and keeps your blood from boiling. It will also protect you by burning up any harmful objects hurling to the earth from outer space, and will make sound possible. We also have added buoyancy to the air, to support things that can fly in it. And…”

“Hold on, Lord!” I don’t understand. I know NOTHING of what you are talking about. I look around and see no reason for oxygen. There is no life here. Sugars? Tall? Blood? I don’t know what those are. Objects from space? I’ve never seen any. Sound? Something else I don’t know. What’s it for? And tell me, please, what does ‘fly’ mean?”

Everything, everywhere you look gives no reasons for all that irritating pounding. Yet God just stands there proudly as He says,

“It is very good.”

Have you ever experienced this in your life? Have you felt God’s pounding? Maybe it was an unresolved argument, or a freak accident, or a huge financial loss, or a stabbing incessant pain that would not go away, or a heart-wrenching bereavement or overwhelming sadness, or the loss of one of your senses, or a frightening experience, or an unprovoked assault, or some other terrible disruption in your life, and though you cry out for relief and help, God seems to ignore you. You are experiencing Day 2 of your new creation!

Day 2 tells us that these times will come, and no sense can be made of them (at the time). But they are necessary for the new and exciting life ahead of us! Soon we will see and understand. And when our Creator asks if we would want anything changed, we would say, without the slightest question or hesitation, “Nothing, Lord. Nothing!”

One last note. When we get into the Sanctuary study, we find that the number 2, and its division into two parts, is a number God uses to define the Covenant He will make with us. The Covenant requires a “calling out,” a division or separation from those things He determines will slow or impede our growth into or service for Him. There is a second number (the number 10) to help us understand the last part of the Covenant Promise, a seed as numerous as the stars, that will become the inheritors of eternal life and glory. The number 10 helps us see the quality of that seed, which become a likeness to our Saviour. (A fascinating study… but for later. 😉 )

Go to Day 3, First Part.

Lesson for Day 2: Good choices need freedom to be expressed in acts of benevolence.