Divine Encounters: Unveiling the Power of Evenings and Mornings in Christian Faith

Evenings and Mornings: Understanding Genesis 1

The book of Genesis in the Bible provides an account of Creation, and one of the objections raised by some is the presence of evenings and mornings before the creation of the Sun on Day 4. This has led some to view Genesis 1 as a literary framework rather than a historical narrative. However, there are two plausible explanations that address this concern while maintaining the young-earth, Christian, Creationist perspective.

A Temporary Light Source

On the first day of Creation, God created light without specifying its source. Genesis 1:4 provides a clue when it states that God separated the light from the darkness. Later, on Day 4, God created lights in the sky to distinguish day from night. This suggests that for the first three days, God was directly or indirectly involved in separating light from darkness, which He called "day" and "night" respectively.

It is reasonable to propose that there could have been a temporary, directional light source present before the creation of the Sun on Day 4. In fact, rabbinical interpreters believed that God created a primeval light independent of the Sun, which was later stored up for the righteous in the future. Similarly, Revelation 21:23 and 22:5 imply that God Himself will illuminate the New Jerusalem instead of relying on the Sun. Therefore, it is possible that a temporary light source existed until Day 4.

General Markers of Time

In Genesis 1, the terms "evening" and "morning" may serve as general markers of time rather than describing specific events. These terms can have different meanings depending on the context. While "evening" typically describes the period when the sun is setting below the horizon, it can also refer to the end of the workday before going to bed. Similarly, "morning" can denote any time before midday, not just the period when the sun is rising.

Each day of Creation in Genesis 1 describes God's activities and concludes with the phrase, "And there was evening and there was morning—the nth day." This indicates that God worked for a period of time before finishing (evening) and then began a period of inactivity until the next day's work (morning). In this context, "evening" marks the beginning of God's inactivity, while "morning" signifies the end of His inactivity and the start of the next day's work.

It is important to note that sunset and sunrise can occur at different times depending on the location and season. For instance, regions near the Arctic Circle may experience sunlight for 24 hours during certain months, while darkness prevails during others. Despite the absence of traditional evenings and mornings in these circumstances, the concept of evening and morning as time markers for God's activity still applies.

Why This Matters

Understanding the presence of evenings and mornings before the creation of the Sun helps us appreciate the consistency and accuracy of Scripture while maintaining a young-earth, Christian, Creationist perspective. By exploring possible explanations for these phenomena, we can reconcile apparent contradictions and strengthen our confidence in the biblical account of Creation.

Think About It

Consider how God's ability to separate light from darkness without relying on the Sun highlights His sovereignty over Creation. Reflect on how the temporary light source before Day 4 emphasizes God's intentional design and preparation for each stage of Creation. Ponder how the terms "evening" and "morning" as general markers of time signify God's orderliness and purposefulness in His creative work.