Genesis:1

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* Verse 1 ,2 - The first verse of the Bible gives us a satisfying and useful account of the origin of the earth and the heavens . The faith of humble Christians understands this better than the fancy of the most learned men . From what we see of heaven and earth , we learn the power of the great Creator . And let our make and place as men , remind us of our duty as Christians , always to keep heaven in our eye , and the earth under our feet . The Son of God , one with the Father , was with him when he made the world ; nay , we are often told that the world was made by him , and nothing was made without him . Oh , what high thoughts should there be in our minds , of that great God whom we worship , and of that great Mediator in whose name we pray ! And here , at the beginning of the sacred volume , we read of that Divine Spirit , whose work upon the heart of man is so often mentioned in other parts of the Bible . Observe , that at first there was nothing desirable to be seen , for the world was without form , and void ; it was confusion , and emptiness . In like manner the work of grace in the soul is a new creation : and in a graceless soul , one that is not born again , there is disorder , confusion , and every evil work : it is empty of all good , for it is without God ; it is dark , it is darkness itself : this is our condition by nature , till Almighty grace works a change in us . * Verse 3-5 - God said , Let there be light ; he willed it , and at once there was light . Oh , the power of the word of God ! And in the new creation , the first thing that is wrought in the soul is light : the blessed Spirit works upon the will and affections by enlightening the understanding . Those who by sin were darkness , by grace become light in the Lord . Darkness would have been always upon fallen man , if the Son of God had not come and given us understanding , 1st John strkjv @5:20 . The light which God willed , he approved of . God divided the light from the darkness ; for what fellowship has light with darkness ? In heaven there is perfect light , and no darkness at all ; in hell , utter darkness , and no gleam of light . The day and the night are the Lord 's ; let us use both to his honour , by working for him every day , and resting in him every night , meditating in his law both day and night . * Verse 6-13 - The earth was emptiness , but by a word spoken , it became full of God 's riches , and his they are still . Though the use of them is allowed to man , they are from God , and to his service and honour they must be used . The earth , at his command , brings forth grass , herbs , and fruits . God must have the glory of all the benefit we receive from the produce of the earth . If we have , through grace , an interest in Him who is the Fountain , we may rejoice in him when the streams of temporal mercies are dried up . * Verse 14-19 - In the fourth day 's work , the creation of the sun , moon , and stars is accounted for . All these are the works of God . The stars are spoken of as they appear to our eyes , without telling their number , nature , place , size , or motions ; for the Scriptures were written , not to gratify curiosity , or make us astronomers , but to lead us to God , and make us saints . The lights of heaven are made to serve him ; they do it faithfully , and shine in their season without fail . We are set as lights in this world to serve God ; but do we in like manner answer the end of our creation ? We do not : our light does not shine before God , as his lights shine before us . We burn our Master 's candles , but do not mind our Master 's work . * Verse 20-25 - God commanded the fish and fowl to be produced . This command he himself executed . Insects , which are more numerous than the birds and beasts , and as curious , seem to have been part of this day 's work . The Creator 's wisdom and power are to be admired as much in an ant as in an elephant . The power of God 's providence preserves all things , and fruitfulness is the effect of his blessing . * Verse 26-28 - Man was made last of all the creatures : this was both an honour and a favour to him . Yet man was made the same day that the beasts were ; his body was made of the same earth with theirs ; and while he is in the body , he inhabits the same earth with them . God forbid that by indulging the body , and the desires of it , we should make ourselves like the beasts that perish ! Man was to be a creature different from all that had been hitherto made . Flesh and spirit , heaven and earth , must be put together in him . God said , "Let us make man ." Man , when he was made , was to glorify the Father , Son , and Holy Ghost . Into that great name we are baptized , for to that great name we owe our being . It is the soul of man that especially bears God 's image . Man was made upright , Ecclesiastes strkjv @7:29 . His understanding saw Divine things clearly and truly ; there were no errors or mistakes in his knowledge ; his will consented at once , and in all things , to the will of God . His affections were all regular , and he had no bad appetites or passions . His thoughts were easily brought and fixed to the best subjects . Thus holy , thus happy , were our first parents in having the image of God upon them . But how is this image of God upon man defaced ! May the Lord renew it upon our souls by his grace ! mhcc @Genesis:1:29 ,30 @ Verse 29 ,30 - Herbs and fruits must be man 's food , including corn , and all the products of the earth . Let God 's people cast their care upon him , and not be troubled about what they shall eat , and what they shall drink . He that feeds his birds will not starve his babes . * Verse 31 - When we come to think about our works , we find , to our shame , that much has been very bad ; but when God saw his work , all was very good . Good , for it was all just as the Creator would have it to be . All his works , in all places of his dominion , bless him ; and therefore , bless thou the Lord , O my soul . Let us bless God for the gospel of Christ , and when we consider his almighty power , let us sinners flee from the wrath to come . If new-created unto the image of God in holiness , we shall at length enter the "new heavens and new earth , wherein dwelleth righteousness ." **** Matthew Henry 's Commentary ****

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