The Greater Light

Genesis 1 14-19 NetBible
1:14 God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them be signs to indicate seasons and days and years, 1:15 and let them serve as lights in the expanse of the sky to give light on the earth.” It was so. 1:16 God made two great lights – the greater light to rule over the day and the lesser light to rule over the night. He made the stars also. 1:17 God placed the lights in the expanse of the sky to shine on the earth, 1:18 to preside over the day and the night, and to separate the light from the darkness. God saw that it was good. 1:19 There was evening, and there was morning, a fourth day.

Creation is further addressed with attention given to day and night, light and darkness. A source of light is established for the earth, a greater and lesser light. The greater would remain constant, providing the source of light for the earth. The lesser light would wax and wane to mark time, not giving its own light, but reflecting that of the greater.

The lights are created for God’s purposes of life and revelation. They enable life, the reckoning of time, and bring order and rhythm to the earth. They speak to us of the great theme given voice through creation, that of light and darkness, of life and death. Their presence helps us to make sense of creation. They are part of this parable of life that would lead us to true life.

Each day in this account begins with the darkness of night and ends with the light of day. So is it is with our journey here on earth. God plans for all to come to know Him in this way. His Son Jesus came to be the light in the darkness, to bring forth those that would come out of the darkness into the everlasting light. It will come to pass that there will be no need for the lesser light, for all darkness will disappear. The greater light will remain.