Origins: The Beginning (Genesis 1–11)Sample

By Danny Saavedra

“Then God said, ‘Let the earth produce every sort of animal, each producing offspring of the same kind—livestock, small animals that scurry along the ground, and wild animals.’ And that is what happened. God made all sorts of wild animals, livestock, and small animals, each able to produce offspring of the same kind. And God saw that it was good.” Genesis 1:24–25 (NLT)

About a week ago, we explored the set of laws that governs the universe: the natural law. As the account of the origins of the universe continue to unfold here in Genesis, we see the establishment of the natural order more and more with each passing verse. 

Today, we’ll unpack the work of God on the sixth day. Before the creation of mankind, God brought “every sort of animal” into existence. Having already created the creatures of the sea and of the air, the Lord turned His attention to the land. And from it sprung up creatures big and small: from beetles and bees, snakes and dinosaurs, to lions and tigers and bears, oh my! 

But, notice that in the second part of His creative work, the Lord says that these creatures will produce “offspring of the same kind.” You see, in His natural law, the Lord deemed it necessary that males and females of a certain species could only reproduce with one another, and could only reproduce a creature of their own species. A rabbit cannot reproduce with an orangutan; a male cow cannot reproduce with another male cow; and a male dog and female dog cannot produce a lion—though two different “breeds” of dogs can reproduce and make something beautiful and natural. This natural law prevents unnatural, potentially horrifying mutations from being bred and also ensures that the animal kingdom operates within a logical order. 

God created an ordered universe that operates within natural laws, which exist to hold everything together. He didn’t create a universe of chaos and disorder. He created the laws of the universe, nature, species, procreation, and all other natural order for our good and His glory. Imagine the horrors mankind could have wrought had these naturals laws not been put in place. 

The importance of this is that God has created a universe that, despite our inability to truly and fully understand, works and holds together perfectly. Even with the introduction of sin and death (and everything that came with them), God is still in control and by His hand, and according to the laws He established, it all still works and beautifully points us to Him. 

DIG: What does this passage tell you about the character and mind of God?

DISCOVER: Why do you believe God established these natural laws? 

DO: Spend some time today reflecting on how the natural order impacts modern life. Consider the various messages, philosophies, lifestyles, and even technological trends in the world today that try to combat God’s order, and consider how you can speak the truth in love and share the love of Jesus in these areas.