Commentary Upon Genesis 1-3, Commentary on Genesis · Chapter 1 · Verse 3
VERSE 3.
HItherto have been deſcribed the matter, out of which all Creatures were to be framed, the Workman that undertakes the work, with the manner of his working. In the reſt of the Chapter, we have laid before us the deſcription of the ſeverall Creatures, which were made ſucceſſively, with the means whereby, and manner how they were formed, and took their being, expreſſed with wonderfull brevity; yet ſo, that the Holy Ghoſt, in this relation, forgets not to ſhew us diſtinctly,
1. The Order in which they were made ſucceſſively.
2. The Author of the Work, which was God himſelf.
3. The Means, which he uſed in Creating them, His Word.
4. The time, in which every Creature was made, diſtinguiſhed by ſeverall dayes.
5. The Effect, or Work it ſelf.
6. The Approbation of every work in Particular, and of the Whole in General, by the Lord himſelf, the moſt Able, and moſt Impartiall Judge of his own VVork.
In the Order, which God was pleaſed to obſerve, in making the Creatures, we are to take ſpeciall notice, that he firſt Creates thoſe things that were either for General Uſe, to all Creatures, as the Light, Air, Heavens, Seas, and Earth; or for more particular Uſe, to the Creatures afterwards to be made, as the Plants before the beaſts, which vvere to be nouriſhed by them; and not onelyonly of them, but of the beaſts too, before he Created the Man, that was to make uſe of them all, diſcovering therein both his Wiſdome, and Providence, in taking care for the comfortable ſubſiſtence of the Creatures, before he made them. Whence,
1. Obſerve, The General good of the Creature, is Gods Firſt, and Chief care.
Obſerv. 1 AS appears by the largeneſſe of his bounty, in making proviſions for his Creatures in General, that the deſire of every living thing might be ſatisfied, Pſal. 143.16. And by the ſtrange courſe of his Providence, by which he hath ſtill upheld the kinds of the Creature, in the middeſt of the continual decay of ſo many particulars; and is farther evident, by that principle, that he hath planted in the hearts of all men, that States, and Societies of men, muſt be ſupported even with the loſſe, ſometimes, of particular perſons.
Woe be then to thoſe Monſters of men, that take care, and ſeek with all their endeavours, themſelves only, and their own good, without any reſpect at all to the Church, or State; A Common evil, as appears by the Apoſtles complaint, Phil. 2.21. and yet approved as a principle of great wiſdome by too many, Pſal. 49.18. A Sin againſt nature, even in Heathen mens judgment. A ſottiſh ſin, as if any perſon could poſſibly ſubſiſt, or any member continue in any comfortable condition, without the preſervation of the body: And a ſin, that deſervedly deprives a man of all love from men, and reward from God.
Let all that are godly, imitate God, in caring for, and with all their endeavours furthering the General, more than their own private good, according to the Apoſtles direction, 1 Cor. 10.24. and example, verſ. 33. As, 1. More deſireable in it ſelf. 2. Moſt tending to Gods honour. 3. Moſt furthering our own good involved in, and ſupported by the general welfare. 4. And being that, for which we were principally ordained by God. 5. And which God will ſurely reward, and men honour, as they did Jehojadah, 2 Chr. 24.6. which a man may warrantably challenge at Gods hand, Neh. 5.19.
We find but one efficient cauſe of all the Creatures, God himſelf, whom we may withall take notice of in every particular work, as the Spirit of God points him out unto us. The Meanes likewiſe uſed in the production of every Creature, is only Gods VVord, or Effectual decree. For we may not conceive God ſpeaking with an articulate voyce, having none but himſelf, at leaſt no Creature that had eares and underſtanding, to ſpeak unto. This Means, which God made uſe of, in Creating the VVorld; if we take into conſideration once for all, we may warrantably from thence,
2. Obſerve, God needs no other Means to effect any thing, but his own Word, and Will.
Obſerv. 2 AS of it ſelf being mighty in operations, in Natural effects, To create, Pſal. 33.6. to ſuſtain and ſupport, Pſal. 119.89, 91. to prevail upon, and order, all Creatures, Pſal. 29.3, 4. Upon the Sun, to ſtay the courſe of it, Joſh. 10.13. nay to bring it back, … King. 20.10. Upon the Sea, to remand, and haſten it into the Channel prepared for it, Pſal. 104.7. In the works of Grace, the Word of God is quick, and powerful, Heb. 4.12. to caſt down ſtrong holds, 2 Cor. 10.5. to renew, quicken, ſubdue, and comfort the heart, and to work in us both to will and to do, according to Gods good pleaſure. Thus he doth whatſoever he pleaſeth in Heaven and Earth, Pſal. 135.6. ſo that his counſel ſtandeth, and the thoughts of his heart, to all Ages, Pſal. 33.11. and his Word or Decree brings to paſſe whatſoever he will.
Depend upon that Word with the Prophet David, Pſal. 130.5. as being in it ſelf unchangeable, Iſa. 45.23. as God himſelf is, that utters it, Mal. 3.6. who will not alter the Word that is gone out of his lips, Pſal. 89.34. whether it be for good, Numb. 23.19. or for evil, Numb. 14. comparing verſe 12. with 25.35. And is as effectuall in the event, 2 King. 10.10. much more than the word of Kings, Eccleſ. 8.4. becauſe he is ſtrong, and faithful that utters it. Truſt in it then firmly, it is ſurer than the ſtrongeſt Evidences. And fear it, it is firmer then the Lawes of the Medes and Perſians.
Light, is the firſt of all the Creatures that God makes, as being it ſelf moſt generally uſeful, eſpecially to the end which God principally aimed at, which was to make all the reſt of his works Viſible, and thereby capable of obſervation, which was the principal end wherefore he made them. This Light, being a Creature, muſt needs infinitely differ in nature, from that Eternal brightneſs, which God, who only hath Immortality, is ſaid to dwell in, from all eternity, 1 Tim. 6.16. In what body it was fixed, and how ſpread over the face of this unformed maſſe, it is not eaſie to conjecture, (eſpecially ſeeing at preſent we know not the way where the Light dwelleth, Job 38.19.) nor needful to enquire after, ſeeing the Holy Ghoſt paſſeth it over in ſilence. Only, becauſe all the works following, muſt needs be created in the Light, which was created before them all, We may
3. Obſerve, God loves to do all his Works, in the light.
Obſerv. 3 AS he dwells in the light, 1 Tim. 6.16. The manner indeed of his working is ſecret, and not obſervable or viſible to men; but the work it ſelf is brought forth into the light, and made manifeſt to all. He declares his ſtrength, Pſal. 77.14. and his righteouſneſſe, Pſal. 58.11. & 92.2. and hath therefore publiſhed in his Word, the rule by which he proceeds, and the end at which he aimes, in all that he doth, and hath beſides planted in all men a light of underſtanding, by which they may both comprehend, and judge of all his works.
Reaſon 1. Becauſe his work is Perfect, Deut. 32.4. and therefore able to endure the light, John 3.21. which none hide their works from, but evil doers, verſe 22.
2. Becauſe one ſpecial end of all his works, is that he might be known In, and By them, Rom. 1.20. and be honoured for them, Pſal. 111.2, 3, 4. & 145.10, 11. for which cauſe, he hath alſo left his moſt memorable works upon record, to poſterity, that men beholding all his wayes might know and fear him, and truſt in him, Pſal. 78.6, 7.
Let us then ſearch into, and heedfully obſerve Gods works, which is the duty, and practice of all thoſe that have pleaſure therein, Pſal. 111.2. A ſtudy, 1. Pleaſant. 2. Profitable. 3. Neceſſary, both by Gods Command, and becauſe they nearly concern our ſelves. Unto the true underſtanding whereof, there needs Outwardly the direction of the Word, Pſal. 73.16, 17. and beſides that, Inward light of the Spirit, which diſcovers unto all, the Counſels of God, as far as they concern us.
Let us alſo, after Gods Example, Walk, and Work in the light, 1 Joh. 1.7. as being Children of the Light, Epheſ. 5.8. ordained by God to ſhine as Lights in the world, Phil. 2.15. that our works being ſeen of men, they may glorifie our Father which is in Heaven, Matth. 5.16. doing thoſe things that may abide the light, and be approved by it, Joh. 3.21. and ſetting all that we do before the light of our own conſciences, and before Gods preſence, Pſal. 139.23, 24. Yea, if need be, before the faces of all men, when Gods honour, and our own neceſſary juſtification, and the credit of Religion thereby, require it at our hands. Otherwiſe, even works of the light, are to be done in ſecret, Matth. 6.3. unleſſe the encouragement of other men, or the neceſſity of the work it ſelf require the performance of it in a more publick manner; As even modeſt women chooſe rather to uncover their breaſts before others, than to ſuffer their children to cry for hunger.
In this Relation, although the way where the light dwelleth be not diſcovered unto us, yet the Author who Created it, is expreſly mentioned. Light, as well as all other Creatures, was the effect of Gods decree. Whence,
4. Obſerve, Light, as well as all others Creatures, is the Work of God himſelf.
Obſerv. 4 IN many reſpects reſembling him that made it, as being Glorious, Spiritual, Pure, diffuſed in an inſtant, ſearching all places, and uſeful for Direction, and Comfort. Thus both the light it ſelf, and the Sun that carries it are both prepared by God, Pſal. 74.16. Iſa. 45.7. How much more is God the Author of VViſdom, and Underſtanding, the Inward light of the ſoul? ſeeing he is the Light that enlightens every one that comes into the world, John 1.9. but more of his own children, whom he enlighteneth with that true knowledge of the glory of God, in the face of his Son Jeſus Chriſt, 2 Cor. 4.6.
Let all men then ſeek the Light of VViſdom at Gods hand, as we are directed, Jam. 1.5. Epheſ. 1.17, 18. and that by the meanes which he hath ordained, his VVord eſpecially, which is a light, Prov. 6.23. ſhining in a dark place, 2 Pet. 1.19. enlightening the eyes, Pſal. 19.8. and directing the ſteps, Pſal. 119.105. and yet not comprehended by the darkneſſe, John 1.5. which reſts upon the hearts of all them that remain in their natural condition; and that this light may be diſcerned, the eyes of the mind muſt be opened by the Spirit, which muſt be begged of God, by fervent and frequent prayer, as David prayes God to open his eyes, Pſal. 119.18.
Let us acknowledge the light, as a ſpeciall bleſſing from God, without which our life were both Uncomfortable, and Unprofitable, and all the Creatures to us, for the moſt part unſerviceable: as we ſee in the Egyptian darkneſſe, which fixed men to their places, that they moved not for three dayes, Exod. 10.22, 23. and was an immediate fore-runner of a greater plague. Much more let us acknowledge the light of our minds, to be his bleſſing, who hath opened our eyes, and ſhined into our hearts, when he hath left the reſt of the world to periſh in their ignorance. Our thankfulneſſe for ſo great a mercy ought to be manifeſted, by walking in that light, and perſwading others to walk in it with us, Iſa. 2.5.
We cannot but take notice, that God brought this Light out of Darkneſſe; for there was nothing but darkneſſe upon the face of the Deep, when God commanded this light to ſhine forth; as there was nothing but deformity, till God brought beauty into the world. Whence,
5. Obſerve, God can, and often doth, bring Light out of Darkneſſe.
Obſerv. 5 AS he doth daily by renewing the light of the day, after the darkneſſe of the night. Thus he changeth the darkneſs of Affliction and Miſery, into the light of Proſperity, and Peace, according to his promiſe, Iſa. 58.10. and the darkneſs of ignorance into the light of knowledge, 2 Cor. 4.6. as being able to do whatſoever pleaſeth him in heaven and earth, Pſal. 135.6. nay, he makes miſery, to yield comfort; and Errours, direction and Wiſdome to walk warily for time to come.
1. Admire his Work, and compare his Power, with mens weakneſs. We can bring one body to borrow light of another, as the candle of the fire; but where is he that can make light, where there is none? And we can bring light into dark places, but who is he that can turn darkneſſe into light, and cauſe light to ſhine out of darkneſſe, not onelyonly where it was not before, but where it was not at all? This is a Wonder of all wonders, ſufficient to aſtoniſh all men, to ſee ſalvation brought out of deſtruction; one contrary out of another: theſe wonders God doth alone, Pſal. 136.4.
2. Deſpair not in the greateſt outward Evils, Mic. 7.9, 10, 11. ſee that wonderful change of the Jewes condition, reſembled by Ezechiel's dryed bones, of which themſelves concluded, that their hope was loſt, Ezek. 37.11. Let us be of like comfort, in the inward agonies of our ſpirits, when our ſoul refuſeth comfort, when God, hiding, for the preſent, his face from us, we doubt that his Promiſes fail for evermore, Pſal. 77.2, 8. Remember, in ſuch a condition, Chriſts promiſe, Joh. 16.20. and his Commiſſion from God, Iſa. 61.1. who creates peace, Iſa. 57.19. and comes with healing in his wings, changing Gods wrath into love, and the ſentence of death into a gracious promiſe of Life.
The Word and Decree of God for creating light we have heard, the Effect followes immediately, There was Light; as he had Commanded, ſo it came to paſſe. Whence,
6. Obſerve, Gods Word and Deed are all one.
Obſerv. 6 HE ſpake the word, and it was done; he commanded, and it ſtood faſt, Pſal. 33.9, 11. Sometimes the word and effect go together, as in the Judgment upon Dathan and Abiram, Numb. 16.31. and upon Ananias and Sapphira, Act. 5.5, 10. Or at leaſt the Word is fulfilled in the appointed time, as in the Judgment denounced, Numb. 14.33, 34, 35. then it ſhall come, and not tarry, Hab. 2.3.
Reaſon 1. Gods Truth, and Power, neither of which can fail, he cannot lye, Tit. 1.2. nor faint, Iſa. 40.28.
Let us then reſt confidently upon his VVord, which is firmer then the earth. Tremble at his threatenings, ſometimes executed as ſoon as they are uttered, as we have ſeen in Dathans caſe; or perhaps the next day, as in the Plagues of Egypt; or after a few years, as the flood came upon the old world after 120 years; and be no more mockers, with thoſe, 2 Pet. 3.4. leſt your bonds encreaſe. And truſt in his promiſes, which are Yea and Amen, 2 Cor. 1.20. ſeeing God cannot repent, Numb. 23.19. nor fail in power, Numb. 11.23. but ſpeaks Righteouſneſſe, Iſa. 45.19. failing none of thoſe that wait for him, Iſa. 49.23. in the way of his Judgments, Iſa. 26.8.
That God by his VVord made the light, is evident in the letter of the Text, how he carried and ſpread it over the world, and in what body he fixed it, is much diſputed. That it could not be the Sun, which now carries the light about the world, it is evident; ſeeing the light was made the firſt day, and the Sun not till the fourth. It could not be planted in the element of fire, which ſome imagine compaſſeth the VVorld, for then it muſt have ſhined night and day, and then how came the darkneſſe of the three nights following? But ſince it is expreſly ſaid, that where was light, but where, and in what body it vvas fixed, is not expreſſed, why doth it trouble our thoughts? ſobriety is beſt, where the Scripture is ſilent, and thereby, in effect, commands us ſilence. Sure we are, that though it pleaſe God now, to make uſe of the Sunne, to carry the light of the VVorld, he had povver to ſpread it abroad, and to take it in again, without the help of a Creature, and it is here expreſly affirmed, that he ſent out the light in the day, and withdrew it in the night, before there was any Sun. VVhence,
7. Obſerve, Though God be pleaſed, ordinarily, to make uſe of ſecond means, yet the want of them cannot hinder his work.
Obſerv. 7 HE could give rain, without clouds, 2 Kings 3.17. Provide bread for his people, without corn; and fleſh without flocks, or herds, or the fiſhes of the Sea, Numb. 11.22, 31. VVhen there was no man to help, he could help vvithout man, Iſa. 63.5. as he ſhall be able, and vvill hereafter ſupply all things to his ſervants, without any means at all, Rev. 21.23.
Reaſon 1. Even the means themſelves are, not only created by him, but receive all their ſtrength to work any effect, from him, Iſa. 54.16, 17. which therefore he can as eaſily conveigh, and put forth without them, as by them, if he pleaſe.
2. It is fit for God to work without means ſometimes, that his povver may be the more clearly ſeen, and acknovvledged, as he tells Gideon, Judg. 7.2. which, where means are uſed, men are more apt to aſcribe unto them, than to him that works by them.
Let not want of means, or Inſufficiency of means, be any impediment to our faith, and dependance upon God; no more than it was to Abraham, to believe that he ſhould have a ſon by Sarah, though it were beyond the courſe of nature; or to the bleſſed Virgin, to believe the Angels promiſe, that ſhe ſhould conceive a Child, though ſhe had known no man. This is indeed to give glory unto God, to believe in hope, againſt hope, Rom. 4.18. And is of the very nature of Faith, to be an Evidence of things not ſeen, Heb. 11.1.
Hitherto of the Creation of the Light: The Approbation of the Goodneſſe of it by God himſelf, and the diſtinction of the Light from the Darkneſs, both in ſucceſſion of time, and in name and appellation followes.