Karl Priest
Regarding the creation of insects, “God made the beast of the earth after his kind, and cattle after their kind, and every thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind: and God saw that it was good (Genesis 1:25).
Let’s take an in depth look at what is meant by “saw” and “good” using a dictionary.
“Saw” is the past tense of “see”. To “see” means to perceive (become aware of in the mind) with the eye, but there is a deeper meaning of “see” that, I think, applies to this passage. “See” also means to apprehend which means to understand or comprehend. From there the meaning becomes even more significant.
When God “saw” His creation he was able to know His creation through first hand experience and to understand the true character of it.
From there the meaning of “saw” gets more detailed as we consider (with the limitations of the human mind) just what God meant when He said, “It (His creations—including the insects) was good”.
Almighty God gazed (looked intently), comprehended the significance of, had a real awareness of what He “saw”, paid close attention to, examined closely, and understood the significance and importance of what He had done, He considered His creation intently (firmly fixed concentration), and focused upon it. God had a clear, sharply defined (referring to the basic qualities) image. God was favorably disposed (receptive to) His creation. He took the view in and considered it advantageous, propitious (auspicious—attended by favorable circumstances).
He held his creation in his (metaphorical) hands, asserted (expressed positively which is characterized by certainty or established beyond doubt), retained (kept in His mind or the totality of His consciousness—His intelligence), His mental powers concentrated on His creation, He “saw” deliberately with cognition (careful, deep thought and reasoning) and with knowledge. He thoughtfully (with contemplation—deep thoughtfulness), observed (watched intently, even systematically and scientifically), pondered (considered carefully) and concentrated upon His creation. His creative act was well founded (based upon sound judgment and reasoning—the capacity of rational and logical thought). He had used good judgment and intelligence (thought and reasoning). He understood (comprehended—knew thoroughly with clarity and certainty) His creation.
God knew He would possess (control), maintain (preserve) and sustain (keep in existence) what He had created. He would keep His creation in His mind and heart because it was absolute (perfect and complete) and distinct (not like anything else). He knew He would make sure, take care of, and attend to His creation.
There can be no doubt that God completed His creation on Day Six and was totally pleased with what he “saw”.
Note: Please see my article “A Dragonfly’s Demise” for some thoughts on why insects cause pain and destruction.
Strong’s Concordance (Note: The number in parenthesis is the key to the Hebrew word.)
SAW (7200) ra’ah raw-aw’
a primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative):–advise self, appear, approve, behold, X certainly, consider, discern, (make to) enjoy, have experience, gaze, take heed, X indeed, X joyfully, lo, look (on, one another, one on another, one upon another, out, up, upon), mark, meet, X be near, perceive, present, provide, regard, (have) respect, (fore-, cause to, let) see(-r, -m, one another), shew (self), X sight of others, (e-)spy, stare, X surely, X think, view, visions.
GOOD (2896) towb tobe
from ‘towb’ (2895); good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good or good thing, a good man or woman; the good, goods or good things, good men or women), also as an adverb (well):–beautiful, best, better, bountiful, cheerful, at ease, X fair (word), (be in) favour, fine, glad, good (deed, -lier, -liest, -ly, -ness, -s), graciously, joyful, kindly, kindness, liketh (best), loving, merry, X most, pleasant, + pleaseth, pleasure, precious, prosperity, ready, sweet, wealth, welfare, (be) well ((-favoured)).
(2895) towb tobe a primitive root, to be (transitively, do or make) good (or well) in the widest sense:–be (do) better, cheer, be (do, seem) good, (make) goodly, X please, (be, do, go, play) well.
Sources:
(1) American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language (1975)
(2) http://www.sacrednamebible.com/kjvstrongs/
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From http://www.dictionary.com/browse/see:
see: to perceive with the eyes; look at…to perceive (things) mentally; understand
perceive: to recognize, discern, understand
discern: to distinguish mentally; recognize as distinct
distinguish: to make prominent, conspicuous, or eminent
conspicuous: easily seen or noticed; readily visible or observable
