Epaggelia

One of the strangest statements here is that God “separated the light from the darkness” v4. The light is obviously divine, because the stars, sun & planets are not made until the fourth day. Separating divine light from darkness results in defining the first day, so God designed time as we know it, and then made the universe to fit time. In v18 the phrase is used again, but in the context of physical light, placed in certain areas, this causes the separation from darkness simply by distance. But the mystery around light before stars are illuminated, leaves us to conclude that it is a spiritual light, as in 1Jn. 1:5. In the New Testament we have 3 miraculous events with light. First, the miraculous star over Bethlehem during Christ’s nativity. Secondly, the transfiguration of Jesus before his sacrifice. Thirdly, the Lord’s glory blinding the sinner Saul after he ascended. There is no physical light that fits the description each passage gives. In the new Jerusalem, God’s light comes from the Lamb replacing any need for the sun or moon, Rev. 21:22-23.

Genesis spans more years (appx 2,300) than any other book in the Bible, from before Adam’s day to the days of Joseph. The repetitive word ‘begat’ is the theme throughout Genesis, the origin of a family into a nation is reminding us of how successful God is, in bringing life into the world against all the odds of so much sin & death. The story of relationships here shows us that God wants to relate to his creation, especially us, being made in His image. Although God created all things good and was pleased, we abused our God given power to choose and used our freedom to sin, destroying our relationship with God, each other and also damaging the physical world. However, God’s grace was shared with humanity, He did not forsake us and leave us in sinful rebellion and the corruption of sin. Instead, God promised to act directly to solve the human predicament of sin & death, by announcing the coming of the Promised One, (Gen. 3:15). God began his plan of restoration and redemption by choosing the family of Abraham to start over afresh. He made a covenant with Abraham and relates to His family many blessings, proving to them His promises of life are being fulfilled in the face of death spreading to all of us, Romans 5:12

God gave Moses reflection on history and revelation on the future. His law was decreed in writing with blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience. Most Jewish theologians and scholars of Scripture put the date of writing at between 1440 through 1400 BC. One of the highlights of Genesis is when God calls Abraham to leave his home of Ur (in ancient Iraq) to travel to the land of Canaan. God makes clear to Abraham that He is the designer of a planned promise (covenant) wherein Abraham should fulfill by walking in faith, Gen. 12:1. Archaeological remains from Ur prove the city’s prominent importance, as with many cities of our ancient world, Ur was a center for many idols including their main god being the moon deity. Abraham was approached by God with a background of a lunar god in Iraq, and Moses was approached by God with a background of a solar god in Egypt, so it is not a mystery as to why God used both types of calendars in establishing the Hebrew nation. The middle-east languages and religions of today are rooted in Genesis, are you?