BIBLE LESSON 3
INTRODUCTION:
Curious minds have researched these questions over the years, and God has discovered the answers to some of these questions to scientists who spend their lives studying them. However, the purpose of this lesson is not to give a scientific explanation to these, but rather to see what the Bible says about the origin of the firmament, and what it teaches us about its creator, the Lord Jesus Christ.
LESSON:
1. In Genesis 1:6 the word used for firmament means simply "expansion." It may denote the space or expanse like an arch appearing immediately above the earth or reference to the entire expanse of space. Since the Bible uses simple language to describe God and creation, sometimes it may not always be scientific, but nonetheless true, i.e. “the sun rising and setting,” Psalm 113:3.
a. Genesis 1:7- the firmament is likened to something solid that divides the water above from the water below. Scientifically, the word atmosphere comes from the Greek word “vapor” and “sphere.”
i.
“The waters under the firmament”- The hydrosphere
is the layer of water that, in the form of the oceans, covers approximately
70.8 percent of the surface of the earth.
ii. “The waters which were above the firmament”- The atmosphere is the gaseous envelope that surrounds the solid body of the planet. Although it has a thickness of more than 700 miles, about half its mass is concentrated in the 3.5 miles. These waters may well have been preserved for the flood in the days of Noah, since there is apparently no longer any water in liquid form that may be traced there today, Genesis 7:11; 8:2; 2 Peter 3:6.
b.
The Bible speaks of the firmament as
supporting the upper reservoir- Psalm 148:4. It was the support also of
the heavenly bodies, Genesis
2. What does the firmament teach us
about the Lord Jesus Christ?
a.
He is the sustaining source and power of the
heavens and the earth as Sovereign King- Colossians
i. All the hosts of heaven are His to command
ii. Nothing moves but what He commands
iii. He determines the bounds and limits of angels, men, and nature.
b. He gives or withholds according to His will- Ephesians 1:11
i. With regard to wicked men and nations- Proverbs 21:1
1. Restraining and preventing them from doing what they are naturally inclined to do- Genesis 20:6; Numbers 23:8,20; 2 Thessalonians 2:7
2. Softening them contrary to their natural inclinations- Gen. 39:21; Ex. 2:6.
3. Directing them so that good comes even from their evil intentions- Gen. 45:7; Isaiah 10:5-7. The supreme example is the CROSS of Christ- Acts 2:23.
ii. With regard to God’s elect- chosen to salvation
1. He quickens and makes alive, opening the ”windows of heaven” and causing to fall His ‘raindrops’ of mercy; showers of blessing.
2. He exerts upon His own a preserving influence or power. Just like atmospheric pressure can affect how you feel, what you do, and what you accomplish, so Christ exerts His sovereign influence on those He has redeemed- directing, guiding, and keeping them by His grace- 1 Peter 1:5.
CONCLUSION:
Some have tried to speculate what the world would be like without the firmament above to shield the earth.
1. The spin of the earth would make it uninhabitable since there would be no pressure to keep you here.
2. The rays of the sun would most certainly destroy every living thing, since the atmosphere deflects its rays evenly, allowing a controlled climate.
What we do know is that ‘the firmament’ is the handiwork of the Sovereign Creator of the universe, and in the ‘book of Creation’ speaks forth His glory! Psalm 19:1