~The
Thin Curtain of Earth
~
Who covers
thyself with light as with a garment: who stretched out the
heavens like a curtain - Ps. 104: 2
God made the
firmament Gen 1: 6-8.
Could this thin curtain refer to
the protective covering of the atmosphere, which has just the
right density to sustain life on earth? They tell us that the
sun throws out various kinds of violet rays-some deadly, some
life giving. We are shielded from at least 8 harmful rays by a
layer of ozone about 1/8 inch thick. This seems to be the
proper thickness to allow beneficial rays to come through as
well as to protect us from destructive ones. If this curtain
were removed, life on earth would come to an end, for the
harmful rays would blind, blister, and kill. If it were
thicker it would prevent the needful rays from coming through; and
life would perish thereby.
The
curtain also prevents us from the constant barrage of meteoric
from outer space. Dust in the atmosphere, along with
reflection from the sun, contributes to the making of light,
rain, and snow. Otherwise they say, the heavens would be
black; the protective covering of ozone is about 40 miles up.
We live at the very bottom of an ocean of air that provides us
with life-giving oxygen; and the atmosphere is a perfect
blanket or curtain of insulation against both heat and cold.
God has adjusted the earth atmosphere and the heavens to
sustain life. God is in control of the earth and we need not
worry abut it at all.
God laid the
foundations of the earth. It was the work of God and not the
development of an evolving, self-existent, molecule or any
number of molecules. Job was asked to tell how the earth
was formed under God's hand, if he had understanding, if he
could not do this he was a poor critic of God's government.
God
asked, who has laid the measures of the earth or stretched the
fine line on it. The expression here (verse 5) gives the idea
of a carpenter using a line to lie out his work. The earth is
represented as a building, the plan of which was laid out
beforehand; and it was then made according to the plan.
The earth therefore is not the work of chance or fate; it was
constructed according to certain specifications; and the
method used proves infinite and personal skill. Our Creator
formed the earth on a solid and eternal basis. It is not
the idea of the earth resting on a solid foundation like a
building, but being suspended and rotation is space fully
governed by the law of gravitation. If Job did not
know these things how could he be qualified to criticize God
and His government? The Almighty Creator is in full control of
earth and He has a plan. Why should we worry about earth
resources and atmosphere when He tells us He is in control.
We can trust Him to bring everything concerned to the glory of
His plan.