What Are the Two Lights of Genesis 1?
Posted November 1, 2011
Hi,
I know you are always striving for truth. It seems that something is not right in the young earth theory.
From here: http://www.iswasandwillbe.com/Earth_age_and_astrology.phpI won’t repeat what you said, but will simply say that it doesn’t seem to me that the concept of time started until after the sun and moon and they weren’t created until the fourth day. So the concluding statements about “evening and morning” may not be literal or may have some other significance. One thing to also keep in mind is that we now know that our universe is ever expanding and it expands exponentially. When God first created this universe, the size was much smaller than presently, so the expansion at that point would have been much more rapid. I’m not an astronomer or physicist, but simply searching and praying for understanding, knowledge, wisdom, love, forgiveness, obedience and more that only He gives.
Gen 1:14 And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years:
Gen 1:15 And let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth: and it was so.
Gen 1:16 And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also.
Gen 1:17 And God set them in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth,
Gen 1:18 And to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness: and God saw that it was good.
Gen 1:19 And the evening and the morning were the fourth day.God is good. I’m thankful he has sent you.
J____
Hi J____,
Thank you for taking the time to communicate your concern to me.
You make this statement:
"I won’t repeat what you said, but will simply say that it doesn’t seem to me that the concept of time started until after the sun and moon and they weren’t created until the fourth day. "
I hope you will not mind reading this URL to get the answer to your concerns. If after reading that you still have a question, then please feel free to let me know.
I make no claim of being a scientist. I do claim to have been granted faith in the Word of God. That does not mean that I check my brain at the door when I open my Bible, but neither do I check my brain at the door when I read about scientific conclusions, which are often based upon false premises, as has been proven over and over again in my 64 years on this earth.
When I was in grade school, scientists were concerned that we were headed into another ice age. Today they are just as certain that the earth is on the verge of becoming too hot.
It was not long ago that scientists explained fruit flies with something they called spontaneous generation. So I am not overly impressed with "what we know now" whenever what we know now contradicts the clear statements of scripture like "In six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth and all that in them is..."
I first look for the spiritual meaning behind the words of scripture, but even I have to accept that when a word like the word 'day' is qualified with the statement "the evening and the morning were the 1st day, 2nd day, etc., or "are there not twelve hours in the day", then maybe it means "evening and morning", and that the spiritual lesson is to be understood through accepting that God made this earth "suddenly", which is better translated 'instantly'. That is how He plainly states He accomplished the Creation, and that is what our vast interdependent creation demands.
Every part of God's creation demands a food source without which it could not survive one month. Every part of God's creation demands the skills and means for requiring that food be in place instantly, not through completely unverifiable evolutionary theories of millions of years, which completely contradict the laws of science and of logic.
Here is what the scriptures say, and this is what God has given me the faith and the logic to believe:
Exo 20:11 For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.
It was neither a mental challenge nor a physical challenge. God was not tired. The word 'sabbath' means 'to cease'. It has nothing to do with God being tired. Here is Strong's definition of the word:
shabbâth
shab-bawth'
Intensive from H7673; intermission, that is, (specifically) the Sabbath: - (+ every) sabbath.
When we look at #7673, from which the word 'shabbath' comes, this is what we learn:
שׁבת
shâbath
shaw-bath'
So the Creator did not even break a sweat when 'instantly' speaking this universe into existence. He just told His spirit to manifest itself as such, and there it is.
Isa 48:3 I have declared the former things from the beginning; and they went forth out of my mouth, and I shewed them; I did them suddenly, and they came to pass.
God has declared everything "from the beginning". I have no problem believing that. He did it all "suddenly", not over long eons of time. Now here is what the Hebrew word translated 'suddenly' means:
פּתאם פּתאום
pith'ôm pith'ôm
pith-ome', pith-ome'
From H6621; instantly: - straightway, sudden (-ly).
Here is how this same word is used elsewhere in scripture:
Jos 11:6 And the LORD said unto Joshua, Be not afraid because of them: for to morrow about this time will I deliver them up all slain before Israel: thou shalt hough their horses, and burn their chariots with fire.
Jos 11:7 So Joshua came, and all the people of war with him, against them by the waters of Merom suddenly; and they fell upon them.
Successful battles take place 'suddenly'. They do not drag out for millions of years.
Two thousand years ago Christ said there were 12 hours in a day, and there are still 12 hours in a day, even as "the universe expands exponentially", according to science. I for one will simply believe God and let every man be a liar. If I am to be chastened for being foolish then so be it, but I suspect that by "becoming a fool" I will be proven to be very wise indeed.
Rom 3:4 God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.You conclude by saying:
1Co 3:18 Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.
Rom 1:20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
Rom 1:21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
Rom 1:22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
"God is good. I’m thankful he has sent you."
I pray that you still feel that way. I must stand on the only Truth there really is.
Your brother in Christ who is that Truth.