Regarding the subject of Cosmology, the Dictionary of Biblical Imagery explains, “The goal of any creation story is to explain the events by which the gods (or God in the case of the Hebrews) brought order out of chaos, and to elaborate on the ongoing struggle against the forces of chaos and evil that continually attempt to subvert order and uncreate the universe.”[1] Human beings and fallen angels are inclined to chaos and self-destruction. On Day One, God created light (spiritual illumination) to guide His created beings. God called the light “good” (tob);[2] however, most rebel against the light (Job 24:3). They prefer autonomy from God. The Hebrew word tob means that which is “good, pleasant, best, right, and agreeable.”[3] To live in obedience to God is tob (good). To rebel against the light is evil.
The Hebrew word yom means “day,”[4] and should be metaphorically understood as a new disclosure of light or illumination from God about God’s ordering of His Cosmos. Days One, Three, Four, Five, and Six received God’s pronouncement and summation of “good,” but not Day Two. On Day Two, God separated the waters of chaos (mayim)[5] (Gen. 1:6). A raqia was formed between the waters, effectively dividing the waters above and below the cosmological barrier (Gen. 1:7). Raqia is most often translated as “an expanse, firmament or extended surface,”[6] but it is best understood as a cosmological barrier or boundary. Interestingly, God called the raqia Heaven (samayim)[7] (Gen. 1:8). Heaven is the abode of God and His obedient angels, and it functions as a limitation upon and boundary to the cosmic waters of chaos. Great numbers of created extra or supernatural beings (along with many natural creatures) inhabit the cosmic waters. Heaven is a place of order and obedience. On the other hand, the cosmic waters are places inclined to chaos, disorder, and disobedience. The waters below Heaven are in close proximity to the Earth. The Earth is, likewise, in a place separated from Heaven.
The famous Heavenly throne room scene described in the Book of Job helps us to understand the limitations placed by God upon the disobedient extra or supernatural creatures. Certain angelic beings came to present themselves before the Heavenly Throne of God. Satan was among them (Job 1:6). In Job, we read the following:
The Lord said to Satan, “From where do you come?” Satan answered the Lord and said, “From roaming about the earth and walking around on it.” The Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant, Job? For there is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, fearing God and turning away from evil.” Then Satan answered the Lord, “Does Job fear God for nothing? Have you not made a fence around him and his house, and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the works of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land….”
(Job 1:7-10).
Thereafter, Satan was allowed to test the faith of Job. However, it must be understood that the disobedient extra or supernatural creatures can only interact with the humans on Earth according to certain rules of engagement. Each phase and increment of testing endured by Job was monitored and ultimately controlled by God. God never lost overriding control. God was always working out His purposes. It should also be understood that when angels disregard the rules of engagement, they can be severely punished, which includes imprisonment (2 Pet. 2:4; Jude 1:6). The demonic beings who encountered Jesus Christ during His earthly ministry manifested great fear and reverence to the Son of God (Luke 4:33-36). They feared God’s power to destroy them (Mark 1:24; Luke 4:33-36). As James (the Lord’s brother) explained, God has the power to save and destroy (Jas. 4:12).
So, why was Day Two not declared to be “good”? God does not want His creation splintered and divided. God’s ultimate goal is that His creatures will live in obedience and harmony under God’s right and just authority. Amazingly, God has declared “that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth, and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Phil. 2:10-11). And the Psalmist stated, “Everything that has breath shall praise the Lord” (Ps. 150:6) and “All Your works will give thanks to You, LORD” (Ps. 145:10). It is the Father’s pleasure to reconcile all things to Himself through Jesus Christ (Col. 1:20). The writer of Hebrews declared, “For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet” (1 Cor. 15:25). When considering all of His disobedient creatures, it is hard to imagine how He will bring it about. Yet, we are told to pray, “Your Kingdom come. Your will be done. On earth as it is in heaven” (Matt: 6:10).
[1] “Cosmology.” Dictionary of Biblical Imagery, edited by Leland Ryken, et al, InterVarsity Press, 1998.
[2] “H2896 – ṭôḇ – Strong’s Hebrew Lexicon (nasb20).” Blue Letter Bible. Web. 16 Jul, 2021. <https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/h2896/nasb20/wlc/0-1/>.
[3] “H2896 – ṭôḇ – Strong’s Hebrew Lexicon (nasb20).” Blue Letter Bible. Web. 16 Jul, 2021. <https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/h2896/nasb20/wlc/0-1/>.
[4] “H3117 – yôm – Strong’s Hebrew Lexicon (nasb20).” Blue Letter Bible. Web. 16 Jul, 2021. <https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/h3117/nasb20/wlc/0-1/>.
[5] “H4325 – mayim – Strong’s Hebrew Lexicon (nasb20).” Blue Letter Bible. Web. 16 Jul, 2021. <https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/h4325/nasb20/wlc/0-1/>.
[6] “H7549 – rāqîaʿ – Strong’s Hebrew Lexicon (nasb20).” Blue Letter Bible. Web. 16 Jul, 2021. <https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/h7549/nasb20/wlc/0-1/>.
[7] “H8064 – šāmayim – Strong’s Hebrew Lexicon (nasb20).” Blue Letter Bible. Web. 16 Jul, 2021. <https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/h8064/nasb20/wlc/0-1/>.