The Waters Above

Genesis 1:7
“And 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.”

The Scripture tells us that “God made the expanse and separated the waters that were under the expanse from the waters that were above the expanse”. The word translated as “expanse”, or, in some versions, as “firmament”, is raqia. This word is related to the concept of stretching out, rather like metal being beaten with a hammer. As such, it refers to the entire universe and not just to the atmosphere. So, the waters above must be beyond the edge of the universe.

This difficult concept can be understood better when we approach Scripture without preconceptions. Unfortunately, many of us in the creation camp approach this Scripture with one enormous presupposition. Let’s just put it to one side for a moment.

In Genesis 1:14, God said “Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night”. If these lights are in the raqia, then the waters above must be beyond the lights; that is, beyond the Sun, Moon and stars.

Psalm 148:4 says, “Praise him, you highest heavens, and you waters above the heavens!” This psalm was written after the Flood and still holds today. So, whatever theses waters above are – and it is not exactly clear what they are – they are still in place and did not disappear at the time of the Flood. This means that the universe is not infinite, whereas we are used to the evolutionary thinking that suggests that it is. But nothing is infinite except God alone.

When we consider Your heavens, Lord God, the work of Your fingers, we stand in awe of You and worship Your Holy Name. Amen.

Author: Paul F. Taylor

Ref: Creation Answers Book, (CMI) Chapter 12, , accessed 9/20/2017. Image: Adobe Stock Images, licensed to author.