How the earth was made

At some point in time a person may wonder how the earth was made? After all, from what we hear from scientists is that this planet is unique in the solar system. It contains life in abundance, one study suggesting that the earth could contain more than 1 trillion different species. And of course it having all the systems and safety features to allow life to flourish. Take for example the earths water cycle which moves from the ocean by means of rain across the land and then follows back again into the sea. This perpetual cycle moving over and over again and again while producing clean fresh drinkable water.  Meanwhile in the background we have the earths magnetic field shielding all forms of life on earth from damaging cosmic radiation. There are many more other special and unique features that make this planet perfect for life.

Can scientists and astronomers tell us how the earth was made? With their insights and knowledge of other known planets in our solar system they say that those are uninhabitable environments comprising of extreme heat or cold. They say that the numerous favorable conditions that make the earth a hospitable planet for life are not known to exit on any of these other planets.

When the time comes that scientists can correctly explain in detail how these other planets were physically made then humanity will no doubt know the intricate details of how the earth was made. 

It is interesting to note that in mankind's oldest book the bible, it reveals that our planet earth first started it's life as a formless land mass fully covered by water. It was basically a barren water world. Much in accord with all the other planets in our solar system - "one not fit for human life in its current form".

How was the earth turned into a hospitable planet? The bible explains the process as to how the earth was made in Genesis chapter one.

Genesis 1:2  "Now the earth was formless and desolate, and there was darkness upon the surface of the watery deep, ...."

And then as we continue to read the next words in that verse we find out how the earth was made. It says that God's active force (or holy spirit) was at work in developing this planet.

.... "and God’s active force was moving about over the surface of the waters."

You may be asking the question - What exactly is God's active force (or holy spirit)? Learn more by visiting this link What Is the Holy Spirit? | Bible Questions (jw.org).

And then what follows in the next verses shows how God commands his holy spirit to transform the barren water world into a habitable planet, ready for the creation of living life forms.

The Genesis account explains that there were six separate periods of time (called days - which means in the original language a unspecified period of time which could have been thousands of years each not just a 24 hour period). Thus, just one day or one time period could have been equal to thousands of years or longer?

• Six periods for preparing the earth (vs 3-31) 
• Day 1: light; day and night (Genesis 1 vs 3-5)

In verse 3 God says, 'let there be light'. We could only assume how this light appeared because no exact information is provided. Was it that there was a thick cloud covering the 'ball of water' as earth was at that time, and this cloud began to lift and let light shine onto the watery surface?

It should be noted that during the time period called day 4, that is when the luminaries were created. Referring to the sun, moon and stars. 

Then verse 4 goes on to say that "God began to divide the light from the darkness, vs5 God called the light Day, but the darkness he called Night".

Arranging for the division between night and day would have involved setting the earth into its rotation. The earth spins around in one cycle per 24 hour time period. The amount of day light on the surface of the earth depends on the location on the earth.

• Day 2: expanse (Genesis 1 vs 6-8)
  

During the second period of time God needed to get rid of some of the water that was covering the entire planet. The account says that he did this by moving some of the water to a position above the atmosphere.

At this point, you may be wondering if that was the case should we not see a water canopy above us right now? The reason this water canopy is no longer there is because that water was used to bring an end to a world of disobedient mankind during Noah's time. (Almost all ancient civilizations make reference to a great global flood in the past - read more here). God used this water to flood the entire inhabited earth, except for Noah, his family and animals with the ark.

That has been a question for some thinking people, wondering where all the water came from to provide some form of validity to the global flood of Noah's time - and here is the answer - that water was above the earth as explained at vs 6-8 and rained down for 40 days and nights. (Refer Genesis 7:12)

And another follow through question may be asked of where did the water go after the global flood ended? The account says that the whole earth was covered with water once again. There was no dry land anywhere. (Genesis 7:19-20). We know that the water did not move back again above the earths atmosphere, instead it would have ended up as permanent oceans, ice at the north and south poles, ground water just below the earths surface, lakes, rivers etc. For a comprehensive consideration read more How Much Water is There on Earth? (usgs.gov).

• Day 3: dry land and vegetation Genesis 1 vs (9-13)

Vs 9 says God commanded that the waters under the heavens be collected together into one place and for the dry land to appear. vs 10 God calling the dry land Earth and the collected waters being called Seas.

To achieve this division between land and sea, would have involved volcanic activity and a change in the earths tectonic plates to push land upwards to create mountains and deep valleys.

• Day 4: heavenly luminaries (14-19)

Then God said : Let there be luminaries in the expanse of the heavens to make a division between the day and the night, and they will serve as signs for seasons and for days and years. They will serve as luminaries in the expanse of the heavens to shine upon the earth."

This would have involved creating or moving the sun, moon and stars into place as further explained in verse 16.

• Day 5: fish and birds (20-23) 

During this period of time God created the sea creatures and those that fly in the skies above.

• Day 6: land animals and humans (24-31).
  

The final creative period of time referred to as day six, God created the wild, domestic and other animals. After this in verse 27 man was created in God's image meaning we have his qualities such as love, justice, wisdom etc.

To gain a better understanding as to the details it is always best to read this information directly from the Bible itself. It is interesting to note in verse 4, chapter 2 Genesis a summary is made as follows;

Genesis 2:4  "This is a history of the heavens and the earth in the time they were created, in the day that Jehovah * God made earth and heaven"

* Footnote

The first occurrence of God’s distinctive personal name, יהוה (YHWH). Read more here.

The Tetragrammaton, YHWH: “He Causes to Become”

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