Genesis 1 is the awe-inspiring account of how God created the heavens and the earth. In just six days, the Almighty spoke everything into existence—light, sky, land, seas, plants, animals, and humanity—culminating in the seventh day of rest. This chapter establishes God’s sovereignty, order, and divine purpose in creation. It reminds us that everything exists by His Word and for His glory. Whether you are exploring the origins of life or deepening your faith, Genesis 1 reveals the majesty and intentionality of our Creator.
Genesis 1 Overview
- The Beginning of Creation (Genesis 1:1-2).
- Day 1: Light and Darkness (Genesis 1:3-5).
- Day 2: Sky and Waters (Genesis 1:6-8).
- Day 3: Land, Seas, and Vegetation (Genesis 1:9-13).
- Day 4: Sun, Moon, and Stars (Genesis 1:14-19).
- Day 5: Birds and Sea Creatures (Genesis 1:20-23).
- Day 6: Land Animals and Humanity (Genesis 1:24-31).
The Beginning of Creation
1 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was formless and empty. Darkness was on the surface of the deep and God’s Spirit was hovering over the surface of the waters.
Day 1: Light and Darkness
3 God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. 4 God saw the light, and saw that it was good. God divided the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light “day”, and the darkness he called “night”. There was evening and there was morning, the first day.
Day 2: Sky and Waters
6 God said, “Let there be an expanse in the middle of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.” 7 God made the expanse, and divided the waters which were under the expanse from the waters which were above the expanse; and it was so. 8 God called the expanse “sky”. There was evening and there was morning, a second day.
Day 3: Land, Seas, and Vegetation
9 God said, “Let the waters under the sky be gathered together to one place, and let the dry land appear”; and it was so. 10 God called the dry land “earth”, and the gathering together of the waters he called “seas”. God saw that it was good. 11 God said, “Let the earth yield grass, herbs yielding seeds, and fruit trees bearing fruit after their kind, with their seeds in it, on the earth”; and it was so. 12 The earth yielded grass, herbs yielding seed after their kind, and trees bearing fruit, with their seeds in it, after their kind; and God saw that it was good. 13 There was evening and there was morning, a third day.
Day 4: Sun, Moon, and Stars
14 God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs to mark seasons, days, and years; 15 and let them be for lights in the expanse of the sky to give light on the earth”; and it was so. 16 God made the two great lights: the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night; and he also made the stars. 17 God set them in the expanse of the sky to give light to the earth, 18 and to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness. God saw that it was good. 19 There was evening and there was morning, a fourth day.
Day 5: Birds and Sea Creatures
20 God said, “Let the waters abound with living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth in the open expanse of the sky.” 21 God created the large sea creatures, and every living creature that moves, with which the waters swarmed, after their kind, and every winged bird after its kind. God saw that it was good. 22 God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.” 23 There was evening and there was morning, a fifth day.
Day 6: Land Animals and Humanity
24 God said, “Let the earth produce living creatures after their kind, livestock, creeping things, and animals of the earth after their kind”; and it was so. 25 God made the animals of the earth after their kind, and the livestock after their kind, and everything that creeps on the ground after its kind. God saw that it was good.
26 God said, “Let’s make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the sky, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” 27 God created man in his own image. In God’s image he created him; male and female he created them. 28 God blessed them. God said to them, “Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it. Have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the sky, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”
29 God said, “Behold, I have given you every herb yielding seed, which is on the surface of all the earth, and every tree, which bears fruit yielding seed. It will be your food. 30 To every animal of the earth, and to every bird of the sky, and to everything that creeps on the earth, in which there is life, I have given every green herb for food”; and it was so.
31 God saw everything that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. There was evening and there was morning, a sixth day.
Sermon Themes
Genesis 1 reveals God’s creative power and His intentional design for the world. It reminds us of His authority and our purpose as His image-bearers. How does recognizing God as the Creator influence your faith and daily life? Take a moment to reflect on His handiwork and offer praise for His wisdom and sovereignty.
- In the beginning, God: This highlights God as the initiator and source of all creation (Genesis 1:1).
- God spoke, and it was: Emphasizes the power and efficacy of God’s word in bringing about existence (Genesis 1:3, 6, 9, 11, 14, 20, 24).
- Humanity is created in God’s image: This foundational concept signifies the unique relationship between God and humankind (Genesis 1:26-27).
- God brings order from formlessness: Shows God’s role in structuring and organizing the initial chaos (Genesis 1:2, 6-8, 9-10).
- Creating space: Making room for what’s above and below (Genesis 1:6-7).
- Life flourishes at God’s command: Demonstrates God’s power to bring forth living creatures in diverse forms (Genesis 1:20-22, 24-25).
- Multiplication and growth: Be fruitful and multiply (Genesis 1:22).
- Human dignity: Made in God’s image (Genesis 1:26-27).
- Humanity is given dominion and responsibility: Highlights the stewardship entrusted to humanity over God’s creation (Genesis 1:26, 28).
- Provision of sustenance: Every seed-yielding herb for food (Genesis 1:29).
▷ Scripture taken from the World English Bible (WEB), which is in the public domain.
