Origins: The Beginning (Genesis 1–11)Sample

By Pastor Dan Hickling

“Then God said, ‘Let there be lights in the firmament of the heavens . . .’” Genesis 1:14 (NKJV)

As the creation account continues, we see that God goes on to create lights in the firmament of the heavens. We know these “lights” to be the sun, moon, and stars, and the Book of Genesis goes on to give us their exact purpose in greater detail: “To divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs and seasons, and for days and years; and let them be for lights in the firmament of the heavens to give light on the earth” (Genesis 1:14–15 NKJV).

When we look closely, we see that these light bearing bodies have five separate and distinct purposes.

1. “To divide the day and the night”: These lights would be used to establish a pattern of day and night. We see this to this very day, as the sun and moon are the means by which we measure our “day” or twenty-four hour cycle.
2. “For signs”: A sign is something that conveys a message, and God has conveyed messages to mankind through the heavenly bodies above. This isn’t astrology, which is not a biblical concept or practice. But from the star leading the Magi to Christ, to the sun being darkened as He died on the cross, God has given signs in our skies. 
3. “And season”: Our world is seasonal. Nothing stays the same forever. Spring, summer, fall, winter . . . they all play an important part in life both naturally and figuratively. These seasons are only possible through the sun and moon’s influence upon our earth.
4. “For days and years”: Just as days are measured by the sun and moon, so are years. These points of light make it possible for us to measure the passage of time from one year to the next.
5. “And let them be for lights . . . on the earth”: Life is impossible without light. Practically speaking, the sun powers life on our planet. Our natural existence is calibrated based on what the sun does for us.

We need all of the above, and God had them in mind as He created these lights. Keep in mind that this was before a single human had been created, which points to a wonderful truth about God: He knows and takes care of our needs even before we’re aware of them!

The next time you look up above and see the sun, moon, and stars, let them remind you of God’s faithfulness to provide all that’s needed, even before you realize it.

DIG: What needs do these lights meet?

DISCOVER: What does their presence in the sky reveal about God?

DO: Find ways to remind yourself daily of God’s great faithfulness.