Darkness and Death, Light and Life

Image it: darkness, emptiness…death. Then, Someone spoke in a commanding voice, “Let there be light.” And there was light. God just spoke, and it happened. He spoke, and the sky, the waters, and the land were separated – space was filled. It was good. He spoke, and there were plants and trees – life. He spoke, and there was a light to rule the day and lights to rule the night – more light. He spoke, and there were birds of the air, and animals in the waters and on land – more life. And it all was good. He spoke, and made, in His own image, Man, and Woman, the only living things to whom God gave breath directly, to rule the Earth and everything in it. “And God saw all that he had made, and . . . it was very good.” (Gen. 1:31a ESV).
On Earth, man was to enjoy God and his presence. It was purposed to be the home for humanity as well as a place for God to dwell.  And the man and woman messed it up — but that's another story, for another time. . . .