Title: Light of God/Genesis 1:3
Content Source: Gwangju Eunpyeong Church Student Council
◎Genesis 1:3 ◎The light of God
God first created light through His Word.
God said, Let there be light, and there was light (1:3).
When we think of light, we usually think of sunlight. Of course, electric light is used a lot in our lives recently, but we do not know about light other than this physical light fundamentally.
However, the Israelites who left Egypt experienced a light other than the light of the sun.
When Pharaoh of Egypt disobeyed God's command, they witnessed the sun losing its light for days. Until then, the sun was an absolute being. But at the words of Moses, the sun lost its light.
The sun had lost its light, but another light shone upon the Israelites. There was darkness for the pursuing Egyptians and light for the Israelites. This light and darkness were clearly distinct. So, it was not awkward for the Israelites to have a light other than the light of the sun. However, since we do not know any light other than the light of the sun or electricity, the sun was created only on the fourth day, and we cannot understand what kind of light illuminates the world until then, so we are very confused.
I don't know what to call this light. Because it was before the sun, it might be called ‘God’s light’. The sun isn't everything. People all over the world look at the sun and call it the source of all things, and they say, 'The sun is our father'. However, the Bible says that before there was the light of the sun, there was a more fundamental light.
So even if the visible sun goes down, God's people live. Can you guys understand it? When the sun goes down, so do the Egyptians. He is the son of the sun. However, because the people of Israel experienced light other than the sun, even if the sun went down, they said, “There is another light. The light that guided us back then.” The sun was not absolute to them. The Israelites were convinced that they could live without the sun. Now they will be listening to these sermons in the wilderness after the Exodus from Moses.
This light was replaced by the sun, moon, and stars from the fourth day. However, this does not mean that the light is gone. This light is always there, and because of this light, the sun shines and the moon and stars shine.
Let's take an example. We each have one parent. We exist because of these parents. So we must honor our parents. A person who does not honor their parents is not a person. Not knowing your parents is a beast. There is one difficulty for Christians to live while honoring their parents in this world. It follows the biblical teaching about the dead.
We don't bow down to the grave when our parents are dead. Those who do not believe in Jesus do not understand this. “No, aren’t the living parents the only parents and the dead parents not the parents? Why is it an idol to greet my deceased parents?” while protesting. But there is a difference between bowing down to living parents and bowing to dead parents.
In fact, it is not our parents who made us. In some cases, mothers do not even know that they are pregnant for a significant period of time after they become pregnant. If your parents made it, you should know that. But God knows everything. Because God made it. It may sound awkward to you, but God was born through our parents. So, by honoring the parents who directly gave birth to us, we learn human morals and at the same time honor the more fundamental parents behind us.
Children should honor their parents. Only then will we be able to serve the God behind them.
But in reality, God is our parent. That is why Jesus is teaching us a more fundamental Father by telling us to call ourselves “God the Father” over and over again when teaching prayer. More than honoring our visible parents, we must truly honor the God who created my soul and gave me life. I tell my parents every Chuseok, I go to the grave and pour soju and say, “Father, I’m here. The fourth has come.” Those who ignore and do not acknowledge the more fundamental God are those who do not know what to expect. The Bible explains to us how unreasonable and wrong it is to honor our visible parents, but not to truly honor the God who created our life.
The fact that God created light first of all reveals the nature of God.
When we talk about light in the Bible, there are three meanings.
The first is to realize the truth. It is said that when you realize the truth through the Word, the light has shone.
Second, to be morally responsible. To act like children of light means not only to live morally righteously and justly, but also to live as responsible beings.
Third, in the Bible, light is used to express the glory of God. There is nothing unclean or ugly where God is, only joy, thanksgiving, and glory.
conclusion!
What God created on the first day was not a light that meant realization of truth, moral responsibility, or glory, but really visible light. However, this is not entirely irrelevant to this meaning. Because when God led the people of Israel into the light, they had already realized the truth, their sins were forgiven, they were morally responsible, and they experienced the glory of God.
This fact is made clear in verse 4. We will share this part with you next time.
I will pray.
Let me live like children of light^^* Amen!!