THE CREATION AND THE RENEWAL IN GENESIS 1

Bible students have understood Genesis 1 as teaching not only God’s original creation, but also a re-creation (or restoration) following Satan’s rebellion. Let’s carefully walk through the scriptures that support this view.

3 formats of the study are presented here.

1. God created the earth “perfect” in the beginning

• Genesis 1:1 – “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.”
  This is a simple, complete statement of God’s original creation. Other scriptures show that what God creates is good, orderly, and not chaotic.
• Deuteronomy 32:4 – “His work is perfect.”
• Isaiah 45:18 – “For thus saith the LORD that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain [tohu], he formed it to be inhabited.”

God did not originally create the earth “tohu” (waste, desolate). It was created beautiful, perfect, and habitable.

2. Something happened between Genesis 1:1 and 1:2

• Genesis 1:2 (KJV) – “And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep.”
  The Hebrew allows the translation: “the earth became without form and void (tohu and bohu).”

This suggests a change of state — the earth was not created this way but became desolate.

• Jeremiah 4:23–26 uses the exact same Hebrew words tohu va-bohu describing the result of God’s judgment:
  “I beheld the earth, and, lo, it was without form, and void; and the heavens, and they had no light… all the cities thereof were broken down at the presence of the LORD, and by his fierce anger.”
  Jeremiah here is not describing the original creation, but a destruction. This helps us understand Genesis 1:2 as a condition of ruin, not creation.

3. Cause of the destruction: Satan’s rebellion

• Isaiah 14:12–15 – Lucifer (the shining one) fell through pride, sought to exalt himself, and was cast down.
• Ezekiel 28:12–17 – The “anointed cherub” was perfect until iniquity was found in him. Because of sin, he was cast out and brought low.
• Luke 10:18 – Jesus: “I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.”

It is reasonable to see that Satan’s rebellion brought judgment upon the earth, leaving it in chaos and darkness.

4. The 6 days of Genesis are a Re-creation / Restoration

• Genesis 1:3–31 – God brings back light, order, and life step by step. Each day restores what had been ruined.
• Day 1: Light restored.
• Day 2: Atmosphere/firmament set in order.
• Day 3: Dry land and vegetation reappear.
• Day 4: Sun, moon, and stars set for signs, seasons, days, and years.
• Day 5: Sea creatures and birds.
• Day 6: Land animals and finally mankind.

At the end, “God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good.” (Gen. 1:31).

This shows not the first creation of matter, but a renewal and ordering of the earth for man.

• Psalm 104:30 – “Thou sendest forth thy spirit, they are created: and thou renewest the face of the earth.”

5. Summary

• Genesis 1:1 – Original perfect creation.
• Genesis 1:2 – The earth became waste and void (likely because of Satan’s rebellion).
• Genesis 1:3–31 – God restored (re-created) the earth, preparing it for mankind.

Thus, the Bible supports the view that Genesis describes both creation and re-creation: God’s original creation was marred by rebellion, and the 6 days of Genesis were His restorative work to prepare the earth for humanity.

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Here is a verse-by-verse outline of Genesis 1 showing the difference between the original creation and the re-creation (restoration), with Hebrew notes where needed.

Creation & Re-Creation in Genesis 1

Genesis 1:1 – Original Creation

• “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.”
• Hebrew: bara = create (to bring into existence something new).
• Statement of God’s original act of creation.
• Other verses:
• Isaiah 45:18 – He created it to be inhabited, not “tohu.”
• Deuteronomy 32:4 – His work is perfect.

Genesis 1:2 – The Earth Becomes Ruined

• “And the earth was [became] without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep.”
• Hebrew:
• hayah = “became” (not just “was”).
• tohu va-bohu = waste and emptiness, chaos, desolation.
• Darkness covered the earth, not the light of God.
• Cross references:
• Jeremiah 4:23–26 – identical words tohu va-bohu describe judgment and destruction.
• Isaiah 14:12–15; Ezekiel 28:12–17 – Satan’s rebellion and fall caused ruin.

Genesis 1:3–31 – Six Days of Restoration

Day 1 (vv. 3–5): Light Restored

• “Let there be light.”
• God separates light from darkness.
• Not the creation of the sun, but the return of illumination and order.
• 2 Corinthians 4:6 – God shining light out of darkness as a parallel.

Day 2 (vv. 6–8): Atmosphere Restored

• God makes the firmament (expanse/sky), dividing waters above from waters below.
• Order established again.

Day 3 (vv. 9–13): Land and Vegetation Restored

• Waters gathered so dry land appears.
• Earth brings forth grass, herbs, trees.
• Re-populating vegetation after destruction.

Day 4 (vv. 14–19): Sun, Moon, and Stars Set in Order

• Lights appointed for signs, seasons, days, and years.
• Heavenly bodies already existed (Genesis 1:1); now their function and visibility restored.

Day 5 (vv. 20–23): Sea Creatures and Birds

• Life in waters and air restored/created anew.
• God blesses them to multiply.

Day 6 (vv. 24–31): Land Animals and Man

• Cattle, creeping things, and beasts of the earth.
• Man created in God’s image (bara again = new creation).
• Dominion over earth given to man.
• God declares it “very good.”

Genesis 2:1–3 – Completion

• The heavens and the earth are finished, restored, and set in order.
• God rests the 7th day, sanctifying it.

Key Takeaway

• Genesis 1:1 – Original perfect creation.
• Genesis 1:2 – The earth became ruined (through Satan’s rebellion).
• Genesis 1:3–31 – Six days of God’s re-creation/restoration, preparing the earth for mankind.

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Creation & Re-Creation in Genesis 1

Genesis 1:1 – Original Creation

“In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.”

Hebrew: bara = create (to bring into existence something new).

Statement of God’s original act of creation.

Other verses:

- Isaiah 45:18 – He created it to be inhabited, not 'tohu.'

- Deuteronomy 32:4 – His work is perfect.

Genesis 1:2 – The Earth Becomes Ruined

“And the earth was [became] without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep.”

Hebrew:

- hayah = 'became' (not just 'was').

- tohu va-bohu = waste and emptiness, chaos, desolation.

Darkness covered the earth, not the light of God.

Cross references:

- Jeremiah 4:23–26 – identical words describe judgment and destruction.

- Isaiah 14:12–15; Ezekiel 28:12–17 – Satan’s rebellion and fall caused ruin.

Genesis 1:3–31 – Six Days of Restoration

Day 1 (vv. 3–5): Light Restored

“Let there be light.”

God separates light from darkness.

Not the creation of the sun, but the return of illumination and order.

2 Corinthians 4:6 – God shining light out of darkness.

Day 2 (vv. 6–8): Atmosphere Restored

God makes the firmament (expanse/sky), dividing waters above from waters below.

Order established again.

Day 3 (vv. 9–13): Land and Vegetation Restored

Waters gathered so dry land appears.

Earth brings forth grass, herbs, trees.Re-populating vegetation after destruction.

Day 4 (vv. 14–19): Sun, Moon, and Stars Set in Order

Lights appointed for signs, seasons, days, and years.

Heavenly bodies already existed (Genesis 1:1); now their function and visibility restored.

Day 5 (vv. 20–23): Sea Creatures and Birds

Life in waters and air restored/created anew.

God blesses them to multiply.

Day 6 (vv. 24–31): Land Animals and Man

Cattle, creeping things, and beasts of the earth.

Man created in God’s image (bara again = new creation).

Dominion over earth given to man.

God declares it 'very good.'

Genesis 2:1–3 – Completion

The heavens and the earth are finished, restored, and set in order.

God rests the 7th day, sanctifying it.

Key Takeaway

Genesis 1:1 – Original perfect creation.

Genesis 1:2 – The earth became ruined (through Satan’s rebellion).

Genesis 1:3–31 – Six days of God’s re-creation/restoration, preparing the earth for mankind.