What I'm Studying: The Parallels of Genesis 1 and Genesis 8
Like we said last post, it is interesting to play the game, “Where have I heard that before?” When you do, you find that the Bible begins to echo itself. Check this out.
Let’s quickly compare the days of creation in Genesis 1 to the flood story in Genesis 8.
This account goes on to describe the seven days of creation:
in the beginning - God started creation
the first day - light was created
the second day - the sky was created
the third day - dry land, seas, plants and trees were created
the fourth day - the Sun, Moon and stars were created
the fifth day - creatures that live in the sea and creatures that fly were created
the sixth day - animals that live on the land and finally humans, made in the image of God were created
by day seven - God finished his work of creation and rested, making the seventh day a special holy day.
In the flood story, check out the comparisons.
the first day- “God caused a wind to pass over the earth” (8:1). Compare the hovering Spirit of Day 1.
the second day- “Also the fountains of the deep and the windows of the heavens were closed, and the rain from the heavens was restrained” (8:2). Compare the separation of the deep from the waters above the firmament in Day 2, and recall that the firmament was called “heaven.” The closing of the windows of heaven after the Flood was simply the re-sealing of the firmament-boundary between the heavenly and earthly oceans.
the third day- the ark rested on dry land, just like the dry land that was created on Day 3. He also sends out a dove and it returns with an olive branch. Plant life has returned.
the fourth day- they have been shut up in the ark and now the sun comes out again.
the fifth day- he sends out the dove and it doesn’t return. Birds are in the world once again.
the sixth day- Noah opens the ark and the animals return to the earth once more, as do humans.
the seventh day- Noah worships God…a day of rest.
So, now the questions become…
Is this for real?
And if it is for real, why would the flood story mirror the creation story?
Stay tuned and keep studying!
Blessings,
Paul