Genesis 1:2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep… I. EMPTINESS OF GOOD. Chaos was absolutely unproductive. Not a single tree, bush, or flower. Not even the seeds of any useful herbs. So is man as a spiritual being till God's Spirit begins to work on his fallen nature. "In me, that is, in my flesh, dwelleth no good thing." II. DARKNESS. A meet covering for such an unsightly spectacle. The wicked man is said to "walk in darkness" (1 John 1:6); "darkness blindeth his eyes" (1 John 2:11); his "understanding is darkened" (Ephesians 4:18); his "foolish heart is darkened" (Romans 1:21); he "loves darkness rather than light" (1 John 3:21); "he knows not nor understands, but walks on in darkness" (Psalm 82:5); and if he repent not he "shall be cast into outer darkness" (Matthew 25:30). The children of God were "at one time darkness, but now are light in the Lord; " "they walk as children of light" (Ephesians 5:8); they are "called out of darkness into marvellous light" (1 Peter 2:9); they are "delivered from the power of darkness" (Colossians 1:13); they "cast off the works of darkness, and walk honestly as in the day" (Romans 13:12, 13). III. CONFUSION. The chaos was a hideous mixture of all. discordant materials — earth and water; mud and rock; vegetable and mineral; mire, slime, lees, scum, clay, marl, crag, and pool. This is but a faint image of the turmoil, struggle, and strife that go on continually in the heart of a man who is under the dominion of "lusts and passions that war against the soul." Was there a visible form? If so it may have been some white cloud like the Shechinah. But if cloud there were, there was no vitality in that; it was only a symbol made use of by the vitalizing Agent to intimate that He was present. This power was — 1. Silent in its operation. 2. Efficacious. 3. Instantaneous.In one word, the chaotic state of man's soul before God can only be restored to light, warmth, order, beauty, and life by the working of the Divine Spirit, through applying "the truth as it is in Christ Jesus" as the means. This work is done silently and gently. Zaccheus was thus awakened (Luke 19:5-8); Nathanael (John 1:47-49); the woman of Samaria (John 4:9-29). Parallel Verses KJV: And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. |
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