The Fifth Day
Genesis 1:20-23
And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, and fowl that may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven.(Genesis 1:20)
And God created great whales, and every living creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and every winged fowl after his kind: and God saw that it was good. (Genesis 1:21)
And God blessed them, saying, Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let fowl multiply in the earth. (Genesis 1:22)
And the evening and the morning were the fifth day. (Genesis 1:23)
The Blessing of God
There is so much in these four small verses (20-23), but the one thing that stands out in a powerful message are the words God blessed them. This is the first time that we see the message of blessing, God’s divine care and protection over His creatures. This is very striking as Chapter 1 of the Book of Genesis is not a treatise on how the world, the earth and the universe was made, but it is all about the Creator. As I have written many times before the message of Genesis 1 is who and what God is in character, in action, in His attributes, and in power. Get over the thought that Chapter 1 of the Book of Genesis is all about us, it’s not about us, it’s about Him, our Creator. This book, the Bible, begins with an introduction. We are introduced to God. He desires that we should know Him before He pens the words (by God the Holy Spirit) to set before us His plan and purpose for His creation.
The following is what we have learned up to day 5 in God’s creatorial actions: God exists, God communicates, God is Creator, God is light, God is good, God divides, God is divine life, God’s power rules, and God has set man into a frame of existence in time and space. We are now privileged to be drawn into another aspect of God, He exhibits divine care and favor over His creation, even to what mankind would consider the unimportant life forms around us: that which flies over our heads (and not noticed), and that which is unseen under the water and seas. If God cares so much for these, how much more would His care apply to mankind. Yes, God is blessing, and God blesses. It is not a coincidence that He is revealed to be the giver of blessings in day 5. Why?
The Number 5 in Day 5
The number 5 is associated with grace, God’s favor, and God’s blessing. This is not an exhaustive treatise on the number 5, however, let us look at this number briefly. (For more information on this number, click on the following link.) The first time that we see God’s favor or grace is in verse 5 of Genesis 1. The Spirit of God brings God’s blessing to the forefront here, and purposely uses the word ‘grace’ for the first time in Scripture in reference to Noah. But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD. (Genesis 6:8)
God the Holy Spirit specifically uses the word ‘blessed’ in His introduction of ‘elohiym (God), as it is His divine care and protection over His creatures of the air and the seas. Blessing, favor and grace are three words that are connected, yet have different sides, as a triangle, they enclose, protect, and shield the objects of God’s blessing, favor, and grace.
Another instance of connection can be seen in what is referred to as the Beatitudes. The Lord’s sermon on the mount as recorded in . . . . . drum roll please . . . Matthew, Chapter 5. Remember, nothing in Scripture is mere coincidence. Here is God’s blessing to come in His kingdom on earth in the millennial time structure under the rule of Christ. Also, do not forget that Matthew presents the Lord Jesus Christ as the King of Israel. Each gospel present the Lord in a different aspect; there is never any conflict between the gospels.
Blessed [are] the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:3)
Blessed [are] they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. (Matthew 5:4)
Blessed [are] the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. (Matthew 5:5)
Blessed [are] they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. (Matthew 5:6)
Blessed [are] the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. (Matthew 5:7)
Blessed [are] the pure in heart: for they shall see God. (Matthew 5:8)
Blessed [are] the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. (Matthew 5:9)
Blessed [are] they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:10)
Blessed are ye, when [men] shall revile you, and persecute [you], and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. (Matthew 5:11)
Day five is the day of divine blessing for His creatures in the creation. Five in Chapter 5 of the Gospel of Matthew is the divine blessing for His people Israel in the kingdom of His earthly blessing. The sermon on the mount is also recorded in the Gospel of Luke, Chapter 6.
And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God. (Luke 6:20)
Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh. (Luke 6:21)
Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake. (Luke 6:22)
Luke is the gospel of the son of man, the number of man is 6, and where else would we find the blessing of God to his disciples than in Chapter 6. Also, notice the verses that we find His blessing to us: verses 20, 21, and 22 (there is a correlation between these verses and the verses in Genesis 1:20, 21, and 22).
A Side Note:
To those who say that the blessings in Luke 6:20, 22 were only meant for Christ’s twelve disciples, read the following:
By this shall all [men] know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. (John 13:35)
Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. (John 15:8)
As he spake these words, many believed on him. (John 8:30)
Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; (John 8:31)
Blessing in a Specific Environment
Let’s tie this all up in a nice little bow. Genesis 1:20-23 is the fifth day. Day 5 God blesses His creation that exists in a special environment set for their beings. In day 6 (you will see in coming articles) that God blesses His creation of mankind who also exists in a special environment set for their beings. Then fast forward to the blessings recorded in the New Testament; in Matthew, Chapter 5, God blesses His people Israel who will exist in a special environment set up in the millennial age; then in Luke, Chapter 6, the Lord Jesus Christ (God incarnate) blesses His disciples and all those who will be disciples in the age of grace, and who will exist in a special environment set up in the eternal state. This is seen in Luke 6:23 Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.
The Tapestry
Numbers like most sub-topics in Scripture can not be forced into a doctrine, or be followed as an obsessive subject. Anything that will detract you and cause you to venture outside of the main purpose and plan of God is to be avoided. It is God the Father, and God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit who is the center of our focus. Numbers, like eight music notes, can be played to hear many tunes. God uses many categories of voices: words, numbers, types, nature, symbolism, systems of galaxies, stars, etc. I personally use numbers mainly as a means to remember verse locations, it’s just a memory tool for me, but it also allows me to see connections as colored threads in a huge tapestry.
To The God of Blessing, Favor and Grace
The phrase Bless the LORD, O my soul occurs only four times in the entire Bible. It is a call for the entire world (Jew and Gentile) to praise Jehovah for His abundant blessings.
Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, [bless] his holy name.(Psalm 103:1)
Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: (Psalm 103:2)
Bless the LORD, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the LORD, O my soul. (Psalm 103:22)
Bless the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, thou art very great; thou art clothed with honour and majesty. (Psalm 104:1)
Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.(Revelation 5:12)
And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, [be] unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. (Revelation 5:13)
Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, [be] unto our God for ever and ever. Amen. (Revelation 7:12)
© Copyright 2017, Mary Haigh
Article may be used, but not for gain. Freely ye have received, freely give.
All Scripture references are from the Authorized King James Bible. (KJV)