Genesis 1:3-5: Let There Be Light

Read: Genesis 1:3-5

In many ancient myths, creation begins with a battle with gods warring over the cosmos, forcing order from chaos. But the Bible's account is strikingly different. There is no struggle, no conflict, just a spoken word: "Let there be light." In these other stories, light is often associated with the luminaries of the sky, like the sun and the moon. In Genesis, these are not created until the fourth day when God starts filling creation, meaning that the first day and night are created before the creation of the luminaries. This structuring is a theme throughout Genesis 1, where creation is methodically organized over six days, three for forming and three for filling, again contrasting with the more chaotic or cyclical conceptions of time that often involve a pantheon of gods interacting and often battling one another in chaotic wars in other Ancient Near Eastern creation stories.

What’s more interesting though is that the creation of light is not just about God flinging photons to fly through the universe. It is about God pronouncing order into the fabric of a chaotic cosmos, which was previously a formless, dark, and deep void, Hebrew imagery for chaos. (Chaos in Hebrew thought often refers to a state of disorder or the absence of order, rather than evil. Though chaos and evil can be related, they are not synonymous. Chaos can be seen as a lack of divine order, while evil is more about moral rebellion or corruption within the established order.) In a manner of speaking, God is seeding the cosmos with the very essence of His character, which is light. There are numerous references to light in the Bible. It embodies wisdom, knowledge, purity, holiness, life, vitality, revelation, truth, hope, and salvation. In short, it’s all about the attributes of God. In Western thought, these attributes can be thought of as both moral and propositional truth, but in Hebrew thought, factual statements about the world (propositional truth) and moral or ethical statements (moral truth) are not sharply distinguished. Truth is perceived holistically, encompassing fidelity to God, ethical behavior, and correct understanding of reality. The Hebrew word often translated as "truth" is "emet," which carries a sense of reliability, faithfulness, and stability. It's not just about factual accuracy but also about loyalty and steadfastness. Thus, when the Hebrew Bible speaks of truth, it often refers to faithfulness or reliability, whether in God's actions, in human relationships, or in speech, and light is an embodiment of that.

Paul discusses the attributes of God being evident in the created world in Romans 1:20. Paul is asserting that certain aspects of God, specifically His eternal power and divine nature, can be understood and perceived through the observation of the natural world. This concept suggests that the creation itself is a testament to the Creator, providing evidence of God’s existence and attributes even without direct revelation. This idea is foundational to what is known in theology as "Natural Theology" or "General Revelation," which posits that God can be known through His creation, independent of the special revelation provided through scripture and the person of Jesus Christ. Paul's assertion here underlines the idea that the created world reflects and points to its Creator, thus giving humans a way to have light about God's character just by observing nature.

Moreover, the New Testament talks about there being a “light of the world.” (John 8:12) namely Jesus. He declares, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." Jesus is the light that brings life and overcomes the darkness of sin and ignorance. Interestingly though, In Matthew 5:14-16, during the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus says, "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. [...] let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." Here, Jesus is teaching His disciples that they, through their actions and lives, should be a light to the world, reflecting God’s truth and love.

The scriptures and Jesus Himself are the special revelations of God. God, though, makes Himself known through the created world and through the lives of those who follow Him. For Christians, embodying this light involves more than mere outward expressions of faith. It encompasses a deep commitment to living out the teachings of Jesus, which includes loving one’s neighbor, seeking justice, showing mercy, and walking humbly with God. In doing so, they not only navigate through confusion and chaos but also help others to see and be drawn to the ultimate Light, which is Christ Himself. In this way, the Christian journey is seen as a continual movement towards greater understanding, compassion, and connection with God, illuminating the world with the light of divine truth.

Lord, You are the Light that brings order to chaos.

Help me to walk in Your truth and reflect Your light to the world.