There are two ways to make a horseshoe:
One way consists of the blacksmith buying bars or rods of steel, cutting them to the correct length to fit around the horse's foot, forging them (heating and hammering) into the correct shape (the familiar U-shape with rectangular edges), punching a nail groove and nail holes in the correct places, and adding the individual features (weights, heel and toe spikes) required by the specific foot of the particular horse in question.
Some would argue that the blacksmith could mine the iron ore, refine it into cast iron, refine and formulate that into steel, cast and fabricate that into the rods or bars specified above, and carry on from there. And they are correct; while these processes are best conducted on a large industrial scale, they can also be done on a small individual scale.
The other way involves the blacksmith buying pre-made horseshoes of various sizes, adding the individual features (if any) to the shoe, and shaping the shoe to fit the horse's foot.
In both cases, the horse ends up with a set of shoes shaped to fit their feet, with characteristics to correct defects in their gait and make their traction and footing more secure.
By now, you know we're not really talking about horses and their shoes; we're talking about the origins of the human species.
In Genesis 1, we have a general day-by-day description of creation, and in Genesis 2 we have a focused description of the creation of man and woman. Genesis 2:7 says "The Lord God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life...". We get the image of God shaping dirt or clay into a human form, then blowing into it CPR-style, and bringing it to life. Shortly thereafter in Genesis 2:21-22 "The Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep and while he was sleeping, He took one of the man's ribs and...made a woman from the rib...".
And maybe that's exactly - literally - the way it happened; iron ore to horseshoes.
It's never a question of could God do it, it's only a question of did He do it that way.
Or, He could have taken an existing primate species (which He had created earlier that "day", however long a day was), forged it into His image and likeness, and made it uniquely human. Pre-made horseshoes custom-fitted by the Master.
My faith doesn't depend on proving one method or the other. Either way, I know Who the Blacksmith is.
One way consists of the blacksmith buying bars or rods of steel, cutting them to the correct length to fit around the horse's foot, forging them (heating and hammering) into the correct shape (the familiar U-shape with rectangular edges), punching a nail groove and nail holes in the correct places, and adding the individual features (weights, heel and toe spikes) required by the specific foot of the particular horse in question.
Some would argue that the blacksmith could mine the iron ore, refine it into cast iron, refine and formulate that into steel, cast and fabricate that into the rods or bars specified above, and carry on from there. And they are correct; while these processes are best conducted on a large industrial scale, they can also be done on a small individual scale.
The other way involves the blacksmith buying pre-made horseshoes of various sizes, adding the individual features (if any) to the shoe, and shaping the shoe to fit the horse's foot.
In both cases, the horse ends up with a set of shoes shaped to fit their feet, with characteristics to correct defects in their gait and make their traction and footing more secure.
By now, you know we're not really talking about horses and their shoes; we're talking about the origins of the human species.
In Genesis 1, we have a general day-by-day description of creation, and in Genesis 2 we have a focused description of the creation of man and woman. Genesis 2:7 says "The Lord God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life...". We get the image of God shaping dirt or clay into a human form, then blowing into it CPR-style, and bringing it to life. Shortly thereafter in Genesis 2:21-22 "The Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep and while he was sleeping, He took one of the man's ribs and...made a woman from the rib...".
And maybe that's exactly - literally - the way it happened; iron ore to horseshoes.
It's never a question of could God do it, it's only a question of did He do it that way.
Or, He could have taken an existing primate species (which He had created earlier that "day", however long a day was), forged it into His image and likeness, and made it uniquely human. Pre-made horseshoes custom-fitted by the Master.
My faith doesn't depend on proving one method or the other. Either way, I know Who the Blacksmith is.
