In order to understand the Bible, we must have some understanding of Hebrew Cosmology.[1] Genesis, Chapter One was written to contrast Israel’s cosmology with the cosmologies of Israel’s neighbors like Egypt and Babylon. It was never meant to be understood as a scientific cosmology. If it can be correlated in any way to a scientific cosmology, such would have a secondary application, at best. It must be understood spiritually. It must be understood by comparing Scripture with Scripture.
For example, on Day One (before there was a sun, moon, or stars), God said, “Let there be light” (Gen. 1:3). The Bible tells us much about light, and from these numerous passages, we must gain our understanding of “light.” The Apostle Paul explained that the fruit of light consists of all goodness, righteousness, and truth (Eph. 5:9). Paul taught us to walk as Children of the Light (Eph. 5:8). We are required to walk (function) in such a way as to be pleasing to the Lord (Eph. 5:10).
It is natural for us to walk in darkness. To walk in darkness is to walk according to the power of Satan (Acts 26:18). Satan is the god of this world, who has blinded the eyes of the unbelieving (2 Cor. 4:4). The blind also include disobedient believers, who the Bible tells us function as enemies of God (Phil. 3:18). It is natural for us to walk by lust (inordinate desire) (1 John 2:16-17). To walk according to our lusts is to walk in darkness.
To walk in the Light is to walk in a new way of being. This new way of being was manifested by the Spirit of God from the beginning. This new way of being culminated in the appearance of Jesus Christ. David declared that the Lord was his light (Ps. 27:1), and Jesus declared, “I am the light of the world; the one who follows Me will not walk in darkness, but will have the Light of life” (John 8:12). The one who walks in darkness does not see where he is going (John 12:36), but the one who walks in the Day (the light) will not stumble because he sees the light of the world (John 11:9). Jesus came as light into the world (John 12:46). But as stated in Genesis, Chapter One, there was a manifestation of light from the beginning. Job explained that wicked people “rebel against the light; [t]hey do not want to know its ways nor stay in its paths” (Job 24:13). God declared, “As the light approaches, the earth takes shape like clay pressed beneath a seal; it is robed in brilliant colors” (Job 38:14 NLT). The light changes the shape of the earth. The light brings fruitfulness. The light illuminates a new way of being, and a new Earth takes shape. In fact, in the light, the man of dust becomes something new. The light changes him. He learns to walk by the Spirit, wherein the Word is a light to his feet. He learns to trust in Christ Jesus and have no confidence in his fleshly capacity. The light is a way of being and functioning in obedience to God. Jesus Christ modeled this new way of being. We are wise not to fight the light. We must let the light change us.
Isaiah prophesied that those who walk in darkness will see a great light (Isa. 9:2). This prophecy was fulfilled with the coming of Jesus Christ. Isaiah also prophesied that there would be a day in which the moon would be as bright as the sun, and the sun would be seven times brighter (Isa. 30:26). During such a time, the Lord would begin to heal the people (Isa. 30:26). With the coming of Christ, such a time is already happening. We are healed by the light of His goodness, righteousness, and truth. As we draw near, He transforms us. Isaiah prophesied that Christ would be a guide not just to Israel but to all the nations of the world (Isa. 42:6, 49:6). The Lord proclaimed, “I will say to the prisoners, ‘Come out in freedom,’ and to those in darkness, ‘Come to the light’” (Isa. 49:9 NLT). We are invited to live in such a way that the Lord is our everlasting light (Is. 60:20). The Prophet Micah wrote that the Lord was his light (Mic. 7:8), and the Lord will lead us into the light (Mic. 7:9). Sadly, the wicked reject this invitation and rebel.
The Elder John was probably the Bible’s greatest teacher regarding “the light.” “The light” was a major theme of John’s teaching. John taught that the life of Jesus is the light to mankind (John 1:4). This light shines into the darkness, and the lies of the darkness can never extinguish the light (John 1:5). The person and life of Jesus provide light to everyone (John 1:9). Of significant interest, John explained that most of humanity loves the darkness (John 3:19). They refuse to come to the light because they do not want the light to expose their evil (John 3:20). When we come to the light, our true nature is exposed. In our sinful humanity, we prefer to live according to our lusts. We prefer to live in autonomy from our Creator. We prefer to function as the god of our own life. In contrast, by following Jesus (seeking to function as He functioned), we gradually, more and more, learn to walk in the light (John 8:12). Jesus unabashedly stated, “I am the light of the world” (John 9:5). We are required to put our trust in Jesus Christ (John 12:36), but not just at the moment of first believing. We are required to continue to trust as we walk in the light.
John taught that God is light, and in Him is no darkness (1 John 1:5). When we function in the light, we have fellowship with God and every other believer who functions in the light (1 John 1:7). If we function in hate, we are not functioning in the light (1 John 2:9). If we function in the light, we function in love (1 John 2:10).
John’s Book of Revelation also makes mention of the major Biblical theme of “the light.” The great spiritual city called the New Jerusalem is not illuminated by the sun or moon because it is illuminated by the glory of God (Rev. 21:23). The lamb (Jesus Christ) is its light (Rev. 21:23). The nations of the New Heaven and Earth will walk by its light (Rev. 21:24).
From beginning to end, God’s creation of light is a major Biblical theme, but the focus is not on physical light. The material is used to teach about the far greater spiritual reality.
[1] I first wrote about Hebrew Cosmology in my book, Eyes to See The Revelation: A Spiritual Journey. Readers seeking more information regarding Ancient Near East cosmology are encouraged to look at the works of Dr. Michael Heiser (Naked Bible Podcast) and Dr. Tim Mackie (The Bible Project).
