11 Then God said , "Let the earth sprout [1] vegetation : [2]plants yielding seed , and fruit trees on the earth bearing fruit after [3]their kind [4]with seed in them"; and it was so . 12 The earth brought forth [5]vegetation , [6]plants yielding seed after [7]their kind , and trees bearing fruit [8]with seed in them, after [7]their kind ; and God saw that it was good . 13 There was evening and there was morning , a third day .
14 Then God said , "Let there be [10] lights in the [11] expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night , and let them be for signs and for seasons and for days and years ; 15 and let them be for [12]lights in the [13]expanse of the heavens to give light on the earth "; and it was so . 16 God made the two [14]great lights , the greater [15]light [16]to govern the day , and the lesser [15]light [16]to govern the night ; He made the stars also. 17 God placed them in the [19]expanse of the heavens to give light on the earth , 18 and [20]to govern the day and the night , and to separate the light from the darkness ; and God saw that it was good . 19 There was evening and there was morning , a fourth day .
20 Then God said , "Let the waters [21]teem with swarms of living creatures , and let birds fly above the earth [22]in the open [23]expanse of the heavens ." 21 God created the great sea monsters and every living creature that moves , with which the waters swarmed after their kind , and every winged bird after its kind ; and God saw that it was good . 22 God blessed them, saying , "Be fruitful and multiply , and fill the waters in the seas , and let birds multiply on the earth ." 23 There was evening and there was morning , a fifth day .
24 Then God said , "Let the earth bring forth living creatures after [24]their kind : cattle and creeping things and beasts of the earth after [24]their kind "; and it was so . 25 God made the beasts of the earth after [26]their kind , and the cattle after [26]their kind , and everything that creeps on the ground after its kind ; and God saw that it was good .
26 Then God said , "Let Us make man in Our image , according to Our likeness ; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the [28]sky and over the cattle and over all the earth , and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth ." 27 God created man in His own image , in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. 28 God blessed them; and God said to them, " Be fruitful and multiply , and fill the earth , and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the [29]sky and over every living thing that [30]moves on the earth ."
29 Then God said , "Behold , I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the [31]surface of all the earth , and every tree [32]which has fruit yielding seed ; it shall be food for you;
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Genesis 1:11-29
Commentary on Genesis 1:6-13
(Read Genesis 1:6-13)
The earth was emptiness, but by a word spoken, it became full of God's riches, and his they are still. Though the use of them is allowed to man, they are from God, and to his service and honour they must be used. The earth, at his command, brings forth grass, herbs, and fruits. God must have the glory of all the benefit we receive from the produce of the earth. If we have, through grace, an interest in Him who is the Fountain, we may rejoice in him when the streams of temporal mercies are dried up.
Commentary on Genesis 1:14-19
(Read Genesis 1:14-19)
In the fourth day's work, the creation of the sun, moon, and stars is accounted for. All these are the works of God. The stars are spoken of as they appear to our eyes, without telling their number, nature, place, size, or motions; for the Scriptures were written, not to gratify curiosity, or make us astronomers, but to lead us to God, and make us saints. The lights of heaven are made to serve him; they do it faithfully, and shine in their season without fail. We are set as lights in this world to serve God; but do we in like manner answer the end of our creation? We do not: our light does not shine before God, as his lights shine before us. We burn our Master's candles, but do not mind our Master's work.
Commentary on Genesis 1:20-25
(Read Genesis 1:20-25)
God commanded the fish and fowl to be produced. This command he himself executed. Insects, which are more numerous than the birds and beasts, and as curious, seem to have been part of this day's work. The Creator's wisdom and power are to be admired as much in an ant as in an elephant. The power of God's providence preserves all things, and fruitfulness is the effect of his blessing.
Commentary on Genesis 1:26-28
(Read Genesis 1:26-28)
Man was made last of all the creatures: this was both an honour and a favour to him. Yet man was made the same day that the beasts were; his body was made of the same earth with theirs; and while he is in the body, he inhabits the same earth with them. God forbid that by indulging the body, and the desires of it, we should make ourselves like the beasts that perish! Man was to be a creature different from all that had been hitherto made. Flesh and spirit, heaven and earth, must be put together in him. God said, "Let us make man." Man, when he was made, was to glorify the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Into that great name we are baptized, for to that great name we owe our being. It is the soul of man that especially bears God's image. Man was made upright, Ecclesiastes 7:29. His understanding saw Divine things clearly and truly; there were no errors or mistakes in his knowledge; his will consented at once, and in all things, to the will of God. His affections were all regular, and he had no bad appetites or passions. His thoughts were easily brought and fixed to the best subjects. Thus holy, thus happy, were our first parents in having the image of God upon them. But how is this image of God upon man defaced! May the Lord renew it upon our souls by his grace!
Commentary on Genesis 1:29,30
(Read Genesis 1:29,30)
Herbs and fruits must be man's food, including corn, and all the products of the earth. Let God's people cast their care upon him, and not be troubled about what they shall eat, and what they shall drink. He that feeds his birds will not starve his babes.