In the beginning, when God made the world, it was empty and silent. But God had a wonderful plan! He wanted to fill the earth with life. On the fifth day of creation, God said, “Let the waters teem with living creatures, and let the birds fly in the sky!”
And that’s how the fish and all the animals that live in the water came into being. Large whales and small colorful fish swam happily in the oceans, rivers and lakes. There were so many different species of aquatic life that every river and ocean became a vibrant, bubbling home full of colorful fish and cheerful swimmers.
God also created the birds. They flew high up in the sky and filled the air with their joyful chirping and singing. Large eagles hovered majestically in the air, while little sparrows hopped merrily from tree to tree. God saw the fish in the water and the birds in the sky, and He rejoiced in the colorful life.
On the sixth day, God said: “The earth must bring forth living creatures, each according to its kind: cattle, reptiles and animals of the earth, each according to its kind.” And that’s exactly what happened! God created many different types of animals to live on the land.
There were mighty elephants, cute rabbits and nimble deer playing in the forests. Gentle sheep, proud lions and many small reptiles such as ants and beetles also filled the earth. Each animal had its place and its task in the great garden of the earth.
And God saw all these beasts that He had made. He saw how the fish swam, the birds flew and the animals ran and played over the earth. Everything He had created was good. God rejoiced in the diversity and joy He had brought to the world.
Message of history
God created the whole world and everything that lives in it. His creation is diverse and beautiful, and everything has its place. God loves all that He has made, and we too are a part of His wonderful creation.
Bible passage
Genesis 1:20-25 (Schlachter 2000):
*”And God said, Let the waters swarm with living creatures, and let birds fly over the earth in the firmament. And God created the great sea creatures, and every living creature with which the waters abound, according to their kinds, and all feathered birds according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good. And God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the waters of the sea, and the birds shall multiply on the earth.” And it was evening, and it was morning: the fifth day.
And God said, “Let the earth bring forth living creatures according to their kinds: cattle, creeping animals, and animals of the earth, according to their kinds.” And so it happened. And God made the beasts of the earth after their kinds, the cattle after their kinds, and every creeping thing of the earth after their kinds. And God saw that it was good.” *
