17.
Verse 2 And the earth was a void and an emptiness, and there was thick darkness over the facea of the deep; and the Spirit of God was hovering over the facea of the waters. The person who has yet to
be regenerated is called 'a void and an empty earth', and also 'ground', in which no good or truth at all has been sown - 'void' where there is no good, and 'empty' where there is no truth. Consequently
there is 'thick darkness', or stupidity and lack of knowledge about anything that has to do with faith in the Lord and so anything that has to do with spiritual and celestial life. This kind of person
is described by the Lord through Jeremiah, My people are foolish, they know Me not; they are stupid children, having no understanding; they are wise to do evil, and know not how to do good. I
looked to the earth, and, behold, a void and an emptiness; and towards the heavens, and they had no light. Jer 4:22, 23, 25.
Notes
a lit. the faces