According to the book of Genesis, on the third day of creation God formed the dry land and seas and created all plant life. This marked a major milestone in the creation process, as dry land emerged from the waters and the first living things were brought into being. Let’s take a closer look at what the Bible tells us about this important day.
Separating the Waters
The account of the third day opens with the statement, “And God said, “Let the waters under the heavens be gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear.” And it was so” (Genesis 1:9 ESV). On the second day, God had created an expanse to separate the waters above from the waters below. Now, He gathered those waters together into seas and other bodies of water, so that dry ground could emerge.
This created space for God to fill with plant life. It also established the basic geography of the earth, with oceans, seas, and continents formed as the water drained off the land. The emergence of dry ground set the stage for many of the creative events to follow during the rest of creation week.
Appearance of Plant Life
After separating the water from the land, God immediately began filling the earth with plant life. Genesis 1:11 states, “And God said, “Let the earth sprout vegetation, plants yielding seed, and fruit trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind, on the earth.” And it was so.”
On this third day, God made plants that bear seed according to their kind. This implies that God created mature plants capable of reproduction. The plants were complete with seeds, so that they could propagate themselves across the landscape. The Bible emphasizes this point by stating that plants yielded seed and trees bore fruit with seed in it.
It’s significant that the first living things God created were plants. Plants form the base of earth’s food chain and provide food for humans and animals. By creating plants first, God laid the foundation for sustaining biological life that would come later in creation week.
Categories of Plant Life
The Bible indicates that God made plants to reproduce “according to their kinds.” This suggests that God created plants in well-defined categories that reproduced faithfully within their created kinds. Though variation was possible within a kind, there were built-in limitations preventing the crossing from one kind of plant to another. The “kind” represents the level where genetic variability ceases and reproduction is no longer possible.
The passage divides plant life into three basic categories. First, it refers to vegetation in general, encompassing all types of plant life. Second, it mentions plants specifically that bear seed according to their kind. Finally, it refers to trees bearing fruit with seeds, according to their kinds. This suggests that from the very beginning, God created plants in a vast array of species within broader plant “kinds.” The earth was carpeted with all forms of vegetation from the very start.
Purposes of Plant Life
On the third day, God created the first living organisms on this planet. Plants serve many crucial functions, without which life on earth would be impossible. Here are some of the key purposes plants serve:
- Providing food through their fruits, vegetables, seeds, leaves, roots, and nectar
- Producing oxygen through photosynthesis
- Supporting the food chain as a primary food source
- Preventing soil erosion through their roots
- Supporting other forms of life as habitats and shelters
- Contributing beauty to the earth through flowers, trees, etc.
- Providing ingredients for medicine, clothing, fuel, and more
As a life-sustaining foundation of the created order, plants show wisdom, intent, and loving care in God’s work of creation. Even before creating the first humans, God laid the groundwork to support them richly through abundant plant life.
A World Ready for Life
The creation of plants was a vital step in preparing an inhabitable world for the creatures to follow. With the emergence of dry land and the blanket of vegetation covering the landscape, the earth began taking shape as a place suitable for life.
The environment provided everything the plants would need to thrive and reproduce—sunlight, air, water, soil. God created the conditions to sustain biological life, then elaborately filled that world, showing His creativity and love.
The process also displayed God’s orderly, systematic approach in creation. He carefully laid the proper foundations at each stage before moving to the next phase of creative work. Each step built on what came before it, as God progressively filled the void and emptiness with life and light.
Foreshadowing the Sabbath
The first three days of creation clearly parallel one another: on day one God created light and separated it from darkness, forming day and night. On day two, He created the sky to separate the waters above from the waters below. Then on the third day, He separated the seas from the dry land.
Many Bible scholars see this pattern as a poetic framework, with days one through three preparing key realms for what would be created on days four through six. In this view, the emergence of dry land on day three foreshadowed God’s filling of the land with plant and animal life on subsequent days.
In addition, forming the land and seas only to fill them immediately with plant life parallels God’s creation followed by cessation on the seventh day. This sets the tone for the Sabbath pattern observed throughout Scripture, involving work followed by rest.
Plant Life and the Sabbath
The creation of plant life on day three is also significant in light of what would follow on day seven—the Sabbath. Plants show God’s ability to create living things that constantly carry out creative work without any effort or rest on His part. As theologian P.J. Wiseman writes, “The plant world, in which growth and reproduction occur without fatigue, illustrates the living Creator’s ability to originate life which can multiply itself indefinitely.”
Unlike the animals God was about to create, plants work continuously day and night to facilitate growth. They receive their energy from the sun and water, rather than through effort and labor. In them, God displayed His ability to create living things that reflect His own tireless power and care.
In fact, plants keep working even when people stop on the Sabbath. Jesushighlighted this, pointing out that His Father causes plants to grow even on the Sabbath (Matthew 6:28-30). Though humans require rest, God continuously upholds plant life through His divine power.
Lessons from the Third Day
The events of the third day teach us important truths about God and how He works in the world:
- The methodical order in creation reflects God’s orderly, purposeful approach to His work.
- God laid the necessary foundations before bringing forth life.
- God created plants to be fruitful and multiply—He is life-giving.
- The plant kingdom displays God’s creative power and sustaining care.
- The third day foreshadowed the later creation of land animals and the Sabbath rest.
The appearance of dry land and plant life marked a new phase in God’s creative work. It set the stage for Him to fill this new world with living creatures to enjoy the habitats He had made for them. The creation of plants on day three revealed the beginning of God’s elaborate plan for managing and sustaining biological life.
Significance for Humanity
The provision of plant life shows God’s care and concern for humans, even from the very beginning of creation. As the pinnacle of God’s creative work, humans need air, food, beauty, and their other life sustaining benefits. By making plants on day three, God laid the groundwork for sustaining human life through fruit, vegetables, seed, oxygen, medicines, fibers, and more.
In His infinite wisdom and foresight, God established these provisions for mankind long before He created the first human. This reflects His love and care for people, even before their existence. It also shows the key role plants play in supporting human life and civilization.
The abundance and richness of creation reflected in plant life also reveals God’s unnecessary generosity. God provided profuse variety and beauty through flowers, trees, seeds, fruits and vegetables. He created far more than would ever be needed, showing that God gives in overflowing abundance because of His loving nature.
Conclusion
The emergence of dry land and the creation of plant life marked a critical development as God progressively filled the void with fruitful abundance. On day three, God laid the foundation necessary to support biological life in the seas and on land. By preparing proper environments and creating plant life, God displayed His orderly approach and His loving care for the creatures yet to come.
The provision of plants established a world fully supporting life both now and into the future. Their vast array, reproductive capacity, beauty, oxygen production, and other benefits manifest God’s creative power while providing for innumerable human needs. As the account concludes, “And God saw that it was good” (Genesis 1:12). The third day stands as a testament to God’s wise preparation and generous provision for His creation.