Day 4: Then God said, “Let there be lights

... in the firmament of the heavens to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs and seasons, and for days and years (Genesis 1:14 NKJV).  On day one light penetrated for the first time (verse 3). This gave enough light for photosynthesis  to take place on the plants that arrived on day 3. Photosynthesis,  is the process by which light energy is transformed into chemical energy. In addition to dividing day and night given in verse four, a further reasons for lights in the heavens is given, namely that the are for  “signs and seasons, and for days and years.”  These things would be useful to the coming birds and humanity for such things as navigation, and  to regulate biological clocks of other species that would appear on days five and six.

Some are puzzled,  and scoffers have a field day,  with the fact that it is only on day four we read  that “God made” the sun,  moon and stars (verse 16).  But the strange Hebrew tense of the verb “made” implies completed action as in “had made.”  In other words they are already made. In addition, the “then” of verses 14 and 16 in the NKJV is missing from the Hebrew. It is also interesting that the Hebrew word bara (to create) is not used here. In fact this word is only used in Bible as something God does.  The emphasis with bara, is that something new is brought into being that did not exist before.  On the other hand the use of asa (made) implies God had a hand in it, but does not exclude it being part of the process He set in motion on day one. This is not inconsistent with the current view of science.

I mentioned  Stephen Myer in last days post.  Myer helped found the  Discovery Institute which,  according to the internet,  “advocates the pseudoscientific concept of intelligent design.” Don't believe everything you read on the internet!  It's deemed pseudoscientific, because it doesn't exclude the possibility of the universe being designed. They do not mention God! Intelligent design is excluded,  not because science has disproved it, but rather as a prior pre-supposition. But the important point about the Discovery Institute, is that it looks for evidence of design rather than assuming it.  It's an important distinction. I have mentioned Hugh Ross and Dr. Morris in these posts. Ross is part of “Reasons to believe,” and Morris is part of “Creation institute.”   Both organizations speak much about the Bible. The Discovery Institute does not speak about it at all. I am confident that Discovery Institute would agree with my assessment that rejection of the “god hypothesis” out of hand and without evidence, is in and of itself, profoundly unscientific.  

We need to realize that earth is the battleground between the forces of good and evil.  At the forefront of this battle, is the battle for the mind. In the end, the battle is spiritual, for our struggle is not ultimately against people against flesh and blood (Ephesians 6:12). The enemy uses people of course, and the primary tactic is insult, ridicule and for the most part a refusal to debate.

Father,  we are be ready to give an answer of the hope within us with gentleness and respect (1 Peter 3:15). As part of this help us to be informed in mind  (2 Timothy 2:15),  and to be being transformed  in character (2 Corinthians 3:18).  And I ask this morning for help in both areas,  in Jesus Name Amen