SUN AND EARTH​—A PRECISE RELATIONSHIP

13, 14. How does the sun give evidence of a powerful, benevolent Master Architect? (Psalm 74:16)

¹³ Men have made atomic powerhouses​—thermonuclear reactors—​and their output of energy is greater than that by any other means. But they have to be monitored constantly for fear of a devastating explosion. Even so, some accidents have already happened. Now, the man-made reactors are puny, insignificant, compared to our sun. If the mighty, explosive processes in the sun were to go out of control, the earth could be burned up in an instant. Yet for billions of years, with apparently little or no change, the sun has steadily produced light and heat. It has been calculated that the conversion of only one percent of the sun’s mass into energy would maintain its present intensity of light for at least a billion years.

¹⁴ How reasonable is it, then, to conclude that man-made reactors required intelligent design, but that the vastly greater and far more dependable solar reactor, the sun, came into existence by mere chance? Should we not instead give the credit to a benevolent Master Architect for designing a solar “reactor” that safely transmits just the right amount of its enormous energy through some 93,000,000 miles (150,000,000 kilometers) of space to our earth?

15. How is purposeful design shown in the earth’s distance from the sun?

¹⁵ Let us consider more closely the factors that make it possible for the earth to utilize the sun’s energy in a way that ensures the continuance of life. Earth’s distance from the sun is just right. If the sun were any closer the earth would be too hot for life; if farther away it would be too cold.

16. (a) What does the turning of the earth on its axis have to do with providing food for mankind and animals? (Psalm 104:14, 19-22) (b) What purpose is served, for our benefit, by the tilt of the earth’s axis in its orbit around the sun? (Genesis 1:14; 8:22)

¹⁶ Earth’s rate of rotation provides the whole earth with alternate day and night periods of the proper length for plant growth. Plants, utilizing sun power, change water and carbon dioxide into sugars. This process, known as photosynthesis, is vital in producing food for animals and man. (Genesis 1:29, 30) The tilt of the earth’s axis in a fixed direction at an angle of about 23 ¹⁄₂ degrees from an upright position brings about the seasons. The time the earth takes for a trip around the sun makes the seasons just the proper length. While lengths of day and season vary somewhat in different parts of the earth, the abundant varieties of vegetation, nevertheless, get the required energy for growth.

OUR ATMOSPHERE​—IDEAL MEDIUM IN WHICH TO LIVE

17. How do the sun and the earth’s atmosphere work together to provide protection from a deadly feature of the sun’s radiation?

¹⁷ If any of the aforementioned features were significantly changed, it would mean disaster to life on earth. Yet they are only a fraction of the things essential for life. In fact, without an atmosphere surrounding our earth, the sun’s light and energy would be useless, even dangerous. The earth’s extensive atmosphere shields life from deadly rays. And the sun’s radiation itself helps the atmosphere to produce a layer of ozone, a form of oxygen that filters out death-dealing ultraviolet rays.

18. Does it just “happen” that there is plenty of oxygen in earth’s atmosphere and that it is highly diluted with nitrogen? Explain.

¹⁸ The makeup of earth’s atmosphere is also very important if life is to continue. For example, we humans cannot live without oxygen. When deprived of it for just a few minutes, the brain is severely damaged. Usually death ensues. Is it not a very fine thing that oxygen exists in plentiful amounts in the atmosphere? But, then, oxygen is also what makes fire possible. So the vast quantity of this gas all around us could be destructive to life; we could be in danger of burning up. Why does this not happen? Because the oxygen in our atmosphere is greatly diluted with nitrogen, a relatively inactive gas.

19. What conclusions may we reach from a comparison of the atmosphere of the sun with that of the earth?

¹⁹ Furthermore, the atmosphere has been prepared just as by a fine “recipe,” with other essential ingredients in the right proportions​—carbon dioxide, water vapor, and so forth. On the sun an atmosphere made up mainly of hydrogen is necessary, but in earth’s atmosphere hydrogen, because of its explosive properties, would be a constant menace. Unless there is a Master Architect with a purpose, why would such a balance, a “cooperation,” as it were, come about in the atmospheres of both sun and earth, so that the earth is so admirably fitted for life, while the sun, so far away, is equipped to sustain that life?

WATER​—LIFE-SUSTAINING FLUID

20, 21. (a) Earth is unique among the planets in that it has great quantities of what vital substance? (b) What are some valuable purposes served by the mighty oceans?

²⁰ Besides an atmosphere with just the right mixture of gases, water in its normal liquid form​—lots of it—​is essential for physical life. Of all the planets, earth is unique in this respect. The enormous volume of the oceans is the basis for the rain cycle, which makes plant growth possible. The oceans also prevent extreme temperature fluctuation.

²¹ Without the oceans another cycle​—the oxygen and carbon-dioxide cycle—​would fail. Oxygen is used by animal life, carbon dioxide by plant life. The oceans absorb and release billions of tons of carbon dioxide as needed to keep the supply balanced at all times. Of course, the oceans are also a source of abundant mineral and animal wealth.​—Deuteronomy 33:19.

22. Why is water so valuable for the nourishment of plant and animal life?

²² Water is a unique, almost “miraculous” fluid. It has the greatest solvent power of any liquid. For this reason it can store the chemical compounds needed to support plant life. Water penetrates the soil and dissolves the life-sustaining chemicals found there. It then carries these nutrients as it circulates to the various parts of the plants. (Isaiah 55:10) Water is the primary constituent of blood that carries life-giving nourishment to human and animal body cells. Our bodies are, in fact, about 70 percent water.

23. Why is water’s stability as a liquid under a wide range of temperatures important to our lives?

²³ Remarkable, too, is the fact that water remains liquid under a wide range of normal temperatures. If it evaporated faster, rain could not stay on or in the ground to dissolve the minerals and transport these to the plants. Vegetation would lose its moisture too rapidly, and large areas would become desert land. If the boiling point of water were much lower than it is now, there would be the danger that our blood would boil when we were exposed to the hot sun. If water froze or solidified too readily, rainfall would be negligible and plants would die.

24. What purposes are served by water’s unusual property of expansion when freezing?

²⁴ Additionally, water expands slightly on becoming ice, therefore floating instead of sinking to the bottom. This prevents lakes and other large bodies of water from freezing solid, with consequent damage to life. This property of expansion plays a part in soil making, for water runs into cracks and crevices in rocks, then expands as it freezes, breaking the rocks into fine, tillable soil​—all of this without man having to be concerned about it.

25. If we reason on the fact that the earth has such an abundant supply of water, what conclusion are we moved to reach? (Jeremiah 10:12, 13)

²⁵ How does it happen that, of all liquids, there is so much of this valuable water on earth? Surely it did not just happen. Its provision must be the work of a Master Architect​—one who really cares for his living creation on earth!

THE EVIDENCE IS UNMISTAKABLE

26. Though God is invisible to human eyes, how can we know that such a Master Designer and Creator exists?

²⁶ Truly, the person who takes a penetrating look at the visible evidence around him can see that there must be a supremely intelligent Personality, a Master Designer and Creator. Though this benevolent Designer cannot be seen with natural eyes, “his invisible qualities are clearly seen from the world’s creation onward, because they are perceived by the things made, even his eternal power and Godship.”​—Romans 1:20.

27. Why is it not reasonable that we should demand to see God to believe that he exists?

²⁷ Some demand to see God before they will believe that he exists. But does it make sense to expect to see the One who created all these marvelous things? We can hardly bear to look directly at the sun, and certainly would be blinded and burned up if some of the larger suns were as close to earth as ours is. Then, what brilliance the Creator of these suns would display if he should reveal himself to human eyes! To Moses, who asked to see His glory, God replied: “You are not able to see my face, because no man may see me and yet live.”​—Exodus 33:20.

28. In harmony with Romans 1:20, how can we see evidences of a Master Architect of love and care as we observe the universe?

²⁸ However, if we use our powers of reason, we can see, in creation, an expression of unlimited power and control. Chance or blind forces cannot exercise purposeful control, or establish any laws. Law and control are evidences of the invisible qualities of a Master Architect. Also, the care with which the universe (including our solar system and planet earth) is put together, providing every good thing for the life of humankind, indicates great love and great concern. These are traits that can belong only to an intelligent and compassionate personality.

Chapter 2

God​—The Generous Householder

1, 2. Considering our fine dwelling place, the earth, what would be our normal reaction, as “guests” on this planet?

SUPPOSE that you are traveling, looking for a suitable place to spend a vacation. After going a considerable distance in an isolated region, you come across a beautiful garden. You see a house and approach it to ask about accommodations. To your surprise a sign on the door reads: ‘Welcome. Make yourself at home’! On entering the house, you find that it has everything desirable for comfortable living​—water, heating, lights, plus a well-stocked pantry with a sign, ‘Help yourself.’ What would your reaction be? Would you say, ‘This is unbelievable! What a kind, generous person the owner of this house must be!’?

² Really, this illustration fits man’s position in relationship to the Maker of the earth, God. Consider how the Creator, like a generous householder, has provided for those who have come to inhabit this planetary “home,” the earth:

3, 4. How is our fine “home” equipped for light, heat and power?

³ A fine home has a light, usually in the ceiling, and a soft night-light so that its inhabitants are not in utter darkness all night. The earth has the sun for its primary light source, and the soft light of the moon to ‘dominate the night.’​—Genesis 1:14-18.

⁴ A house has a power source for heating, operating appliances, and so forth. Earth has the sun. Not only does the sun bathe earth with energy that can be harnessed by man and by plant life, but its action over the centuries has provided an enormous supply of fuel, particularly fossil fuels such as coal and oil. These are stored, just as in a well-provisioned home, in earth’s “cellar” for use when needed.

5. What other things for our comfort and delight are stored in the “cellar” of our “house“? (Job 28:1-6)

⁵ In this “cellar” the Creator also kindly placed a rich store of metals, and he gave man the ability to find ways of extracting these from the ores. For the special delight of men and, particularly, of women, He also placed in this “cellar” precious jewels that add to the joy of living, as well as chemicals that are essential to life.

6. (a) How does the “plumbing system” of our planetary “home” give evidence of a Creator who cares for us? (b) Compare God’s hills and mountains with man-made heaps of rock and dirt. (Psalm 104:10, 11)

⁶ A house also needs a good plumbing system. The “plumbing system” of our earthly “house” is a marvel. If man could build a mountain by amassing a great pile of rocks and dirt, would people living on it be able to get clear, cold, refreshing water out of springs on its slopes? We have seen huge man-made heaps in the vicinity of mines, and they are only unsightly blots upon the landscape. Consider, then, the marvelous engineering principles involved in the intricate system of channels and underground pressures by which the earth, even in the high mountains, has a water supply. And where there is little or no rain, such as in the Sahara Desert, there are places where it is necessary to dig only a relatively few feet to find water.

7. How has the Creator provided a self-repairing “carpet” for our “home“? (Genesis 1:11, 12)

⁷ As in many fine homes where the floors are covered for beauty and comfort, the Creator also “carpeted” the earth with vegetation, flowers and forests. And with only a little landscaping, how quickly a desolate place can be made into a park! Places marred by man’s activities soon are covered with a grass “carpet.” Polluted streams, if the source of the pollution is stopped, soon cleanse themselves.

8. What foresight and care were shown by our generous “Householder” in stocking the “pantry” of our “home”?

⁸ Just as a good home has a well-stocked pantry, in earth’s “pantry” there is every form of food, in the fields and orchards, and in the oceans. Ponder over the wisdom that was needed to arrange, in advance, for vegetation in the sea and on land, for grains, and for fruit and nut trees to produce regularly, bountifully, for thousands and thousands of years, so that animals, insects, sea life and finally human life could all continue in existence. The supply never runs out. And earth can produce plentifully to feed yet many more, until God declares it to be ‘filled’ to a comfortable limit.​—Genesis 1:28.

9. Can mankind take credit for his beautiful “home” and its equipment? (Job 38:4, 26, 27)

⁹ Surely none of us had anything to do with making this fine “house.” The Bible tells us that to God “the heavens belong, but the earth he has given to the sons of men.” (Psalm 115:16) The way our home, the earth, is equipped with everything needed for the enjoyment of life shows thoughtful preparation. And it is given to us free! What more convincing evidence could we want as testimony to the existence of a Maker who is not only powerful and wise but also kind and generous? He has, in effect, said to all, ‘Help yourself,’ letting “his sun rise upon wicked people and good and [making] it rain upon righteous people and unrighteous.” (Matthew 5:45) Really, if it were not for man’s mismanagement and misuse of the earth’s potential and resources, people in all lands could find real pleasure in living on this beautiful planet.

10. In view of the foregoing discussion, what can be said of the theory that the earth came to be as a result of blind forces?

¹⁰ The fact that the earth, with little attention from man, has supplied his every need for centuries, calls into serious question the theory that it came into existence as a result of blind forces. If a person accepted that theory, how could he explain earth’s potential to provide for all its population, animal and human, millennium after millennium? Moreover, purpose and design are evident here. Blind forces are not capable of either purpose or preconceived design.​—Jeremiah 10:12.

11. What factors indicate that the earthly creation is not a mere experiment​—a temporary thing or toy in the Creator’s hands? (Isaiah 45:18)

¹¹ The excellence of our earthly home certainly is convincing evidence that it was created, yes, more than this, that it was created for a definite purpose and is not just an experiment or a toy in the hands of some superior being. It is also designed to exist forever. “[The earth] will not be made to totter to time indefinite, or forever,” says the inspired psalmist.​—Psalm 104:5.

12, 13. What pronouncement of God shows that no improvement on the earthly creation was needed?

¹² What the Bible says about the preparation of the earth as a home for man is in full harmony with this conclusion as to God’s purpose for it. We learn that, as God completed the primary steps in the formation and preparation of the earth, he pronounced his creation “good.” At the complete end of the work he declared it to be “very good.” (Genesis 1:4, 10, 12, 18, 21, 25, 31) This divine pronouncement means that the work was perfect and fully adequate for its purpose​—having an excellence beyond the power of imperfect man to comprehend.​—Psalm 145:3-5, 16.

¹³ The earthly creation being declared “very good” also means that God does not need to intervene periodically to ensure that the earth will produce the necessary things for mankind. No, thousands upon thousands of years ago he spent much time in preparing and equipping this planet to fulfill its assigned role into the indefinite future. That fact magnifies the wisdom of the Creator. In what way?

GOD’S FORESIGHT

14, 15. How was extraordinary foresight shown by God at the time the earth was created?

¹⁴ Well, think what insight, yes, foresight, it took on God’s part to arrange for the earth to continue supporting life indefinitely. Before man came upon the scene, full provision was made for animal life, an ample supply of food being available in the form of vegetation. Then, the first human pair were told to “become many and fill the earth.” (Genesis 1:28) This meant that the population of the human race would grow into the billions. Still the earth would continue to sustain plant, animal and human life. And it has done so despite the fact that millions of acres of land lie uncultivated and men have done much to ruin still other areas. Regarding the grand way in which God has provided, the appreciative psalmist wrote:

¹⁵ “[Jehovah] is making green grass sprout for the beasts, and vegetation for the service of mankind, to cause food to go forth from the earth, and wine that makes the heart of mortal man rejoice, to make the face shine with oil, and bread that sustains the very heart of mortal man. How many your works are, O Jehovah! All of them in wisdom you have made. The earth is full of your productions.”​—Psalm 104:14, 15, 24.

16. Need we fear that earth will at some time fail to produce food sufficient for all? (Psalm 65:9)

¹⁶ How great is the ability of the earth to produce food? The director of the United Nations Office of Inter-Agency Affairs and Coordination said that, if earth’s agricultural potential were maximized, it could feed at least 38 billion people (ten times earth’s present population). This would, of course, require better international cooperation than now exists.