Genesis 1:7 - Homiletics

The atmospheric firmament.

I. THE CREATURE OF GOD .

1. From God it received its being ( Genesis 1:7 ). Not here alone, but in other parts, Scripture declares the firmament to be the Divine handiwork ( Psalms 19:1 ; Psalms 104:2 ). Whence we may note—

2. From God it received its function ( Genesis 1:6 ),—to divide between the upper and the lower waters,—which was—

3. From God it received its name.

II. THE SERVANT OF MAN .

1. Indispensable . Without the air, man could not live. His physical being would perish without its oxygen. Without its pressure his bodily structure would fall to pieces.

2. Valuable . The uses of the atmosphere to man as a resident on earth are manifold. It supports animal and vegetable life around him. It conveys, refracts, and decomposes light. It transmits sound. It draws up noxious vapors from the soil, and disperses them by its winds. It assists him in a variety of his mechanical, chemical, commercial, and scientific enterprises.

3. Willing . Great as are its powers of service and its capacities of rebellion when excited with tempest, for the most part it is meek and docile, ever ready to acknowledge man as its master, and to execute his slightest wish.

4. Unwearied . Eve, since it received its appointment from God to minister to the happiness of man is has unrestingly performed that task, and betrays no more signs of weariness to-day than it did at the first.

5. Gratuitous . It gives its services, as its great Creator gives his blessings, without money and without price.

Let us learn—

1. To be thankful for the air we breathe.

2. To admire God's wisdom in the wonderful adjustments of the air.

3. To make the best use we can of that life which the air supports and subserves.