Question: Genesis 1:6 seems to indicate that there
is a body of water in space, if it is taken literally. Hasn’t this watery
canopy over the earth been disproved, demonstrating Genesis should not be understood
literally?
Here’s the
passage in question:
Gen.
1:6-8 And God said, “Let there be a vault between the waters to separate
water from water.” So God made the vault and separated the water under the
vault from the water above it. And it was so. God called the vault “sky.” And
there was evening, and there was morning—the second day. (NIV 2011)
Actually, the concept presented
in Genesis 1:6 is far more exotic and intriguing than a water canopy
surrounding the earth. Taken literally, combined with the further information
provided in Genesis 1:7-8, 14-18, here is a more accurate description of the
universe at its birth from a biblical perspective.
Day one saw the beginning of time:
“In the beginning…” (1:1). Next, the basic
matter of the universe came into existence as a shapeless blob of water
containing the elemental ingredients of “the
heavens and the earth.” Then God began agitating this newly created
material—a process described in verse two as “the Spirit ”— (Hebrew: ruach,
which also translates as “breath,” or
“wind,” depending on the context) —“hovering” — (Hebrew: rachaph, which also indicates “shaking,” or “agitating,” depending on the context) — “over the surface of the deep” (1:2). The “deep”
was a common Hebrew term for a large body of water. Completing day one of
creation, God also provided light, independent of a physical source (1:3-4). So
the blob of water and elements were agitated into a rotation equivalent to that
of the current earth spinning on its axis, providing a dayside and nightside—“the first day” (5).
Genesis 1:6-8 picks up this
account on day two with what appears to be an explosive separation of the
watery mass into two parts. One portion of this mass is propelled outward from
the other, creating a massive “vault”
(or “expanse”) between them. This vast
expanse is usually translated as “sky”
or as “the heavens,” but verses 14-18
make it abundantly clear that the entire expanse we loosely describe as “space”
is what Genesis has in view.
The time frame involved in stretching the vastness of space relative to earth seems to be no more than forty-eight hours (days two and three of creation). Populating this expanse with stars, solar systems and galaxies was virtually
instantaneous, "set" in place from the region of earth within the twenty-four hour period (far beyond the speed of light) of day four (1:14-18).
Some fascinating facts emerge
from this. First, the most fundamental building block of life (chemically
speaking) that is found on earth—water—should also be discoverable throughout
the universe. It should come as no surprise to find indications of water on
comets, asteroids and planets. Second, while we do not know how much
water was ejected outward on day two of creation, we do know that the universe
has an outer limit. And even if space is still expanding, water will be at its
outer boundary like the thinning skin of an expanding balloon.
Scientists frequently express
shock and surprise when elements common to the earth, including water, are
discovered on the moon, Mars, asteroids or distant planets.
2Pet.
3:5-6a But they deliberately forget
that long ago by God’s word the heavens came into being and the earth was
formed out of water and by water.
What is “forgotten” is that
Genesis is God’s revelation to humanity as to how and, more importantly, why
He brought the universe and mankind into existence. That’s why…
Heb.
1:2 …in these last days he has spoken
to us by his Son, whom he
appointed heir of all things, and through
whom also he made the universe.
