What Did God Create On Each Day?

In our somber moments, we wonder in awe about the beauty and splendor of the universe. We think of and dwell on our Creator, who possesses the sole power and authority to make all things out of nothing into a work of glory and order. Most importantly, we arrive at the conclusion that God created the heavens and the earth to sustain His ultimate and most beloved creation—humankind.

So, what did God create each day? In the creation story, God is the great designer who made everything in seven days with clockwork precision in an organized and orderly fashion. God sets His purposes for us when we contemplate our existence and the nature around us.

The 7 Days Of Creation

The First Day Of Creation: Light

And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. And God saw that the light was good. And God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light day, and the darkness he called night.

— Genesis 1:3–5

In the beginning, God created light to shine in the darkness. The earth was without form until the Spirit of God hovered over the expanse. On the first day, God separated the light from the darkness and called them day and night.

The Second Day Of Creation: Firmament

“Then God said, ‘Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.”

— Genesis 1:6

On the second day, God created the sky, which separated the water above the earth from the water on the earth. The firmament, or atmosphere, is like a barrier of gases that protects the earth.

The Third Day Of Creation: Dry Ground And Plants

“Let the waters under the heavens be gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear,” and it was so. And God called the dry land Earth, and the gathering together of the waters He called the seas. Then God said, “Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb that yields seed, and the fruit tree that yields fruit according to its kind, whose seed is in itself, on the earth.”

— Genesis 1:9–11

On the third day, God divided the landscape of the earth by gathering all the water into one place and allowing the dry ground to appear. God called the dry land “earth” and the water “seas.” Then, on the third day, God created plant life on earth to sustain the other life forms He had created.

The Fourth Day Of Creation: Sun, Moon, And Stars

Then God said, “Let there be lights in the firmament of the heavens to divide the day from the night, and let them be for signs and seasons, and days and years.” Then God made two great lights: the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night. He made the stars, too.

— Genesis 1:14–16

On the fourth day, God created all the stars and celestial bodies of outer space: the sun to govern and shine the day, and the moon to govern the night. On the fourth day, He also created the stars, planets, and heavenly bodies to keep track of the elements of time—days, seasons, and years.

The Fifth Day Of Creation: Birds And Great Sea Creatures

Then God said, “Let the waters abound with an abundance of living creatures and let birds fly above the earth across the face of the firmament of the heavens.”

— Genesis 1:20

On the fifth day, God created all the birds, fish, and sea-dwelling creatures. God intended them to serve as food primarily for mankind and foster life for all other animals and plants. On the fifth day, the winged bird and all the fish became the two main features of the Earth’s ecosystem.

The Sixth Day Of Creation: Land Animals And Humans

Then God said, “Let the Earth bring forth the living creature according to its kind. Then God said, Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the Earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the Earth.”

— Genesis 1:24–26

On the sixth day, God created all kinds of animals, from the smallest creeping things to the most brute beasts. They include insects, amphibians, reptiles, mammals, and others. According to God’s word, God created them to serve as food and a companion or pet for mankind.

On the same sixth day, God created the most important living thing in the entire universe—humankind. He created mankind in His own image, with a physical body, soul, and spirit. God’s purpose is to have a loving and holy fellowship with mankind. He blessed and mandated humans to rule the earth and exercise authority and responsibility for all other creatures.

The Seventh Day Of Creation: God Rested

And on the seventh day, God ended His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it.

— Genesis 2:2–3

On this momentous day, God took a rest, not because He was tired. It was a day of reflection and celebration because all of His creation, the heavens and the earth, were good and perfect. The Sabbath has its roots in the seventh day of creation, as God sanctified this day to ponder what He had completed.

The Beauty Of God’s Creation

A Grand Design

In God’s creation[1] and the works of man, we see design in every place. Humans are essentially designers. The ability to design is not just a godly trait; it is proof of the very existence of God. Today, we have designer homes, designer clothes, designer cars, and even designer foods.

We are designers by nature because we were created in His image. God blessed us with the ability to invent, develop, and build microprocessors, supersonic jets, space shuttles, skyscrapers, and even exotic laid-out food recipes. God is our master designer, and we are His masterpieces.

The Abode Of Humanity

In the creation account, God made certain that His most important creation would have the most conducive and suitable place to occupy and settle in. He forecasted the essential needs of man for shelter, food, and clothing.

God created the inherent laws of nature, utterly fine-tuned to hold life. Without this precise and precarious balance, life would not exist. God made sure that we could build our homes, walk in the park, swim in the oceans, and trek the high hills.

The Wonders Of Nature

We often gasp in admiration when we behold God’s astonishing works in the heavens and on earth. The radiant sun, cascading waterfalls, and gentle breeze of the wind remind us that He loves us. He wants us to find joy and purpose in our often mundane lives.

In Genesis chapters 1–2, nature reveals to us God’s power, wisdom, and creativity. In the seven days of the creation account, He revealed His perfection. When we look at God’s word and creation, we feel nourished because of His ever-loving presence in our lives.

Summary

When we contemplate our existence on Earth and describe God’s work around us, we are mesmerized by His love and purpose for us. We conclude that we are mere, minute parts of this vast, unfathomable universe. Yet, we are most important in God’s creation.

God is our master planner and a God of order who precisely orchestrates everything from beginning to end according to His purpose and will. We live in a temporary dwelling and an earthly tent. But God has a plan to redeem us and bring us to a place where we no longer count the days or bear the pains and sins of our mortal existence. Let us follow Christ as we look forward to our eternal home.