The Fourth Day in Genesis: God’s Plan to Create Eve and Adam's World

When we read the Bible, we tend to use normal reading comprehension and common sense. However, if we encounter something that seems problematic, we must ensure that our understanding of the words used in the Bible is correct. This often means considering the relevant context or looking at previous statements on the same topic or those using the same words.

When discussing the Genesis creation story, it is crucial to remember that the context focuses on God's actions to deal with the rebellion of Lucifer and the fallen angels. Understanding this context provides clarity on what God accomplished during the creation week.

Understanding Heaven and Earth

Before diving into the creation of the Sun, Moon, and stars on the fourth day, we need to grasp what Moses understood by "heaven" and "earth." By comparing the descriptions of days 2 and 5, we can deduce that 'heaven' refers to the atmosphere where birds were flying, not the vast universe or where God's throne is located.

On day 2, the earth is described as the dry land that emerged when the seas gathered into one place, leaving a boundary where the lower waters flowed. The air of 'heaven' dried this dry land, marking it as the earth as Moses understood it.

Thus, the description in verses 1 and 2 implies: 'At the start of the week, God made air and dry land because water covered the land He wanted to place Adam and Eve on.'

Light and Darkness

Examining verse 2, we see that the darkness is at the bottom of the water, and the face of the deep is the surface of the land. This arrangement suggests that sunlight was present in the upper layers of the water, similar to what we observe at the end of a jetty.

On day 1, the sequence of evening and morning is clear, indicating that our rotating planet already existed and was receiving light from the Sun.

The Fourth Day: Reconfiguration for Humanity

The fourth day (Genesis 1:14-19) is significant because only two lights, the Sun and the Moon, were created. The text explicitly states that God was present to create the rest of the stars but did not do so on this day. This indicates that the Sun was already present before the creation week.

Since the Sun was already there, God on the fourth day must have been reconfiguring the movements of the Moon and Earth in relation to the Sun to support the changes happening so far. The light of the first day likely came from the activation of the visible light spectrum, necessary for living beings.

The Genesis Week and the Seventh Day

The creation week in Genesis is often misunderstood. While the Sun, Moon, and stars were created on the fourth day, the Bible does not suggest that the entire universe was created during the week. The Bible states that God simply made one of His water-covered planets inhabitable for Adam and Eve.

Jesus Himself confirmed the sanctity of the Sabbath, stating, "The Son of Man is lord of the Sabbath" (Matthew 12:8). This points to the Saturday Sabbath from Friday sunset to Saturday sunset, as opposed to the Sunday observance promoted by the Papacy.

Conclusion

The creation narrative in Genesis is rich with symbolism and deeper meaning. Understanding the roles of the Sun, Moon, and stars in relation to Adam and Eve's world provides clarity on the purpose of the Genesis week and the significance of the Seventh Day. The creation story is not just a description of the physical world but a narrative of God's plan and purpose for His creation.