The creation story begins with the opening chapter of the Bible and these words: “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.”
We learn from the text that the earth was formless, empty, and dark, and God’s Spirit moved over the waters preparing to perform God’s creative Word. Then began the seven most creative days of all time as God spoke life into existence. A day by day account follows:
The creation story takes place in Genesis 1:1-2:3.
- Day 1 – God created light and separated the light from the darkness, calling light “day” and darkness “night.”
- Day 2 – God created an expanse to separate the waters and called it “sky.”
- Day 3 – God created the dry ground and gathered the waters, calling the dry ground “land,” and the gathered waters “seas.” On day three, God also created vegetation (plants and trees).
- Day 4 – God created the sun, moon, and the stars to give light to the earth and to govern and separate the day and the night. These would also serve as signs to mark seasons, days, and years.
- Day 5 – God created every living creature of the seas and every winged bird, blessing them to multiply and fill the waters and the sky with life.
- Day 6 – God created the animals to fill the earth. God also created man in his own image to commune with him. He blessed mankind and gave them every creature and the whole earth to rule over, care for, and cultivate.
- Day 7 – God had finished his work of creation and so he rested on the seventh day, blessing it and making it holy.