From Genesis 1:6-8, God made the firmament. Considering we are reading the King James translation in English, the Hebrew word for firmament is râqîyaʻ (King James Version, 1611). The Strong’s Concordance pronounces as raw-kee'-ah, a visible arch in the sky that God according to Genesis 1:8 named “Heaven”. To dig a little deeper in studying the blue letter bible is a great tool that has the Strong’s Concordance built into the application. To discover more, click on word tools to the left of the scripture, scroll down until you see the word firmament. Next to the word firmament, you will see the Hebrew number H7549. It will outline every instance of the word firmament within the old testament. Click on it and it will open within the window and outline the translation, pronunciation, and a lot of information to help study the scripture a little deeper for life application. A friend showed this method in 2016 and I added the strategy to my bible studying methods.
Study Methods
Another study method that is a good tool is the life application study bible which is the New Living Translation (NLT) version. How do you study? I study my life as a tool as well which helps me to mirror (reflect) on the word of God against my life. Everything that has happened to me whether good or bad has worked together for my good which started in 1995 to 2021 which is 26 years, but throughout that time I wasn't aware of the things I know now. This was my path for life from a holistic perspective. So, I approach my studies in a variety of ways based on God's word and my mind must be transformed to align with God and that’s why the Holy Spirit is so important. We have help and when we are still and quiet like a still lake or a deer staring, we can hear what God is saying. He is always speaking. In my experience, I was too noisy with the cares of my life to sit down and listen with my spirit. When I listened, I would fall asleep, but now I have a pen and paper ready because God will surely speak and it has to be written. In the world of the
study of leadership, this is called reflective leadership. Therefore, God urged me to blog. It's a tool to reflect like the moon reflects and appears to be walking on the water. Use it by thinking quietly, writing your thoughts, praying to God for revelation, and waiting on his response. His response will always align with his word.
I have put together more study material on my website at:
Different Translations
I like the different translations, but the Holy Spirit will always guide us back to the original version of the bible which is King James for a full revelation. As God made the firmament on Day 2, other translations will name it differently such as the following:
1. King James Version (KJV) God created the Firmament which was also called “Heaven” 2. New Living Translation (NLT) God created the Space
3. New International Version (NIV) God created the Vault 4. Amplified Version (AMP) God created the expanse of the sky 5. Christian Standard Bible (CSB) God created the expanse 6. Message Bible Version (MSG) God created the Sky 7. Complete Jewish Bible (CJB) God created the Dome
Always go back to the original meaning that was present to understand the context of what God expected us to receive. I like to start from the original meaning, so my preference is the KJV, Authorized King James, and the New King James first, then utilize all others as additional study material.
The Beauty in God’s Firmament
For years I have adored the beauty of God’s creation, and I don’t take any of it for granted. I have seen so many rainbows in the past that I have placed a few of the images in the collage below. We can always see this arch in the sky when we see a rainbow or when we are on a cruise out in the middle of the ocean, we can see the overarching shape
of the firmament like we are in a snow globe. I just thought about the movie Truman Show when I said the snow globe. I movie was great and it really reminded me of how my life changed when I heard God speak to me in 2013. We can also remember that God made a covenant with Noah when he promised not to destroy us by water or flood in Genesis 9:8-17. This covenant was for all future generations as God said in Genesis 9:12. I have seen double rainbows since 2013 around the sun, at my house, randomly driving, so it is not a coincidence that God’s word from Genesis still speaks to us today as signs that man is not capable of creating. Those are the signs that I see consistently that have shown up right on time when I needed them. God was letting me know. No matter what you are experiencing, I will never leave you.
You know the saying, “It's like heaven on earth”. Does anyone know what that looks like? According to the Lord’s prayer, we are praying to our Father in Heaven that his Kingdom would come on earth as it is in heaven in Matthew 6:10. I believe that it is here and will soon be revealed.
A.I.M 4 Change Reflections
1. How do you study?
2. What type of atmosphere are you creating that overarches your life and allows God to speak?
3. Do you journal?
4. Does anyone know what heaven on earth looks like?
Journaling Tools
Notebook
Journey app on cell phone
Scriptures
Genesis 9:8-17
References
The Holy Bible. (1611). King James Version. Blue Letter Bible Online. https://www.blueletterbible.org
Image References
Pixabay. Rainbow Blog cover image. https://pixabay.com/videos/search/rainbow/
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