As He did on days one and two, God named what He had made. “And God called the dry land Earth, and the gathering together of the waters He called Seas” (v. 10). There is now earth, sea, and heaven—a tripartite eco–system, now ready for life.[1] John Calvin says, “It also is an illustrious miracle that the waters by their departure have given place for people to live. Let us, therefore, know that we are dwelling on dry ground because God, by his command, has removed the waters, so they do not flood the whole earth.”[2]
Verse ten ends with a very familiar phrase. It says “And God saw that it was good.” This phrase shows up nine more times in the creation account. Some believe that this pronouncement in verse 10 doesn’t belong here. There are some scholars, both Jewish and Christian, that suggest God was wrong in pronouncing the dry land and the seas as “good.” Cassuto writes, “In so far as our verse is concerned, the Rabbinic Sages already (Bereshith Rabba 4:8, according to one of the opinions cited) noted correctly—and their view is shared by some modern exegetes (e.g. Gunkel and Budde)—that the words it was good were not appropriate at this stage, in as much as the work of the water had not yet been completed. The situation was not yet good…”[3] But God knows the end at the beginning. His declaration makes it good as he knows what’s coming. Some ancient writer puts it this ways, “The Judge of the water, of the whole universe, foreseeing what was going to be in the future, now praises things that are yet in the beginning of the initial work as if they were already perfected; nor should we marvel that in the one for whom the perfection of something is not in the completion of the work but lies in the predetermination of his own will.”[4]
The New Testament calls all believers “saints.” We’re not “canonized” so to speak when our lives reflect a set of standards. No, all believers are referred to as saints, now! Paul tells the Romans in chapter 5 and verse 1, as he speaks to us as well who believe, “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” And then he also speaks to the Philippians in chapter 1 and verse 6, saying, “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” I don’t know about you, but I don’t feel very saintly most of the time! I need reminders that my righteousness is not based on my performance! Thank you, Lord. It’s based on His declaration! Yea!
[1] MacArthur, John. 2001. The Battle for the Beginning: The Bible on Creation and the Fall of Adam. Nashville, TN: W Pub. Group.
[2] Calvin, John. 2001. Genesis. Crossway Classic Commentaries. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books.
[3] Cassuto, U. 1998. A Commentary on the Book of Genesis: Part I, From Adam to Noah (Genesis I–VI 8). Translated by Israel Abrahams. Jerusalem: The Magnes Press, The Hebrew University.
[4] Severian of Gabala and Bede the Venerable. 2010. Commentaries on Genesis 1–3: Homilies on Creation and Fall and Commentary on Genesis: Book I. Edited by Michael Glerup, Thomas C. Oden, and Gerald L. Bray. Translated by Robert C. Hill and Carmen S. Hardin. Ancient Christian Texts. Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic: An Imprint of InterVarsity Press.