“God made the expanse, and separated the waters which were below the expanse from the waters which were above the expanse; and it was so.” (Genesis 1:7)
This is the first time we are told that God “made” something. On the first day, He called light into existence and “there was light”. On the second day He first says and then we are told He “made” the expanse. We cannot determine much from this difference. But it appears that God is more involved here. This appears several more times, the difference between God speaking and God speaking as well as making. There is also a third – speaking and creating, which we will see later.
This verse is the second time God separates. He separated the light and darkness on the first day. Now He separates the waters. As creation continues there are several other separations and gatherings we will see.