Jesus: In the beginning, as recounted in Genesis, God embarked on the creation of the heavens and the earth. On the second day, He declared, “Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.” This is what Genesis 1:7 speaks of, when God made the firmament and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament. And it was so. God called the firmament Heaven. And there was evening and there was morning, the second day.
Thomas: Lord, what exactly does ‘firmament’ mean in this context?
Jesus: Thomas, the term ‘firmament’ refers to the expanse or the sky that God created to separate the waters above the earth from the waters on the earth. It’s a way of describing the sky above us, the dome that separates the heavens from the earth, establishing the atmospheric heavens where the birds fly and where the clouds gather.
Andrew: So, this division of waters… does it signify something beyond the physical creation?
Jesus: Indeed, Andrew. Every act of creation carries deeper spiritual significance. The separation of the waters symbolizes God’s authority and power to bring order out of chaos. Just as He separated the waters, He also separates light from darkness, the sacred from the profane, and the righteous from the unrighteous. It teaches us about God’s intentionality in creation and His desire for harmony and balance in the world and in our lives.
John: This reminds us of the importance of harmony and order in our own lives, does it not?
Jesus: Precisely, John. Just as God brought order to the creation, we are called to seek harmony in our lives and in our relationship with God and with one another. It’s a call to live according to His design, recognizing His sovereignty over all creation and our place within it.
