Then God said, “Let the waters below the heavens be gathered into one place, and let the dry land appear”; and it was so. God called the dry land earth, and the gathering of the waters He called seas; and God saw that it was good. (Genesis 1:9-10)
The third days is about the gathering of the waters below –the seas– and the emergence of dry land –the earth. Although not as obvious as in the preceding days, this day had another separation. The waters were on one side and dry land was on the other.
The Allegories…
Jesus’ death on the cross paid the penalty for mankind’s rebellion –that in turn brought about reconciliation (Romans 5:10-11). He rescued us from being condemned forever. But it didn’t take us to being eternally alive with Him. The dry ground was established as a place for mankind to dwell. It’s slightly closer to life than death –symbolizing that we have been reconciled. We’re not trapped in the inescapable waters below (death) –and we have an opportunity to enter the waters above (eternal life). There’s no longer an uncrossable barrier between us and God.
The first day showed Jesus’ entrance –His birth. The second day, His death. This third day describes the emergence of dry ground from the water. It represents His resurrection –when He lingered as a witness to the way to life in the kingdom of God.
Then God said, “Let the earth sprout vegetation, plants yielding seed, and fruit trees on the earth bearing fruit after their kind with seed in them”; and it was so. The earth brought forth vegetation, plants yielding seed after their kind, and trees bearing fruit with seed in them, after their kind; and God saw that it was good. There was evening and there was morning, a third day. (Genesis 1:11-13)
Our food grows on the dry ground. In fact, everything we need is found here –and it was here before mankind came into existence on the sixth day. It’s another picture. Not only has God provided everything we need for our time on this earth –He has also put eternal life within our reach. “For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!” (Romans 5:10)
When Jesus called Simon Peter and his brother Andrew, He said “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” (Matthew 4:19) They later preached about the cross –that God’s own Passover Lamb paid the price. Essentially, the disciples were tasked with pulling men, who were steeped in religion, out of condemnation.
His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. (2 Peter 1:3)
