This transcript is auto-generated
The first view is these opening two verses are describing the original creation. The second view is the original creation followed by the re-creation. The third view, all re-creation. But let me tell you why I personally have settled on the traditional view
For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore, the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy. (Ex 20:11)
I believe this verse when combined with Genesis verse 1 and 2 says, God created the universe (Ex Nilo) a Latin phrase that means “out of nothing”. This tells me the universe did not come about by chance. I believe it came about by creation. And when God created the heavens and the earth out of nothing, let me remind you what it was like before God by His Spirit moved.
And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. (Gen 1: 2) K.J.V.
So, it was without form, and it was void. Void is a much better word used in the K.J.V. than the word “empty” we see in our more modern translations. Void means, empty of everything, even the solid masses of land had not yet been formed. was shrouded in darkness and the Holy Spirit hovered over the face of the dark deep void.
To summarise these two opening verses Gen 1: 1-2, says; God created the entire material universe out of nothing, and this newly created earth was lacking in form and lacking in content. Not only was it unformed, but it was uninhabited. Just a formless, lifeless, mass, it had to be shaped and populated before God could called it good. The remainder of the chapter will then show how God will form it, and how God will inhabit it with living things.
Creation by God will be described for us in the verses that follow. And as we get into them, we shall see in the first three days he will shape and form the earth. And in the 2nd three days He will fill (populate) the earth. All I have said in this episode comes to one thing, one statement of faith for Christians everywhere, That is that God created the universe – and he did it out of nothing.