The narrative of creation is beautifully encapsulated in the opening chapters of Genesis, with the Garden of Eden’s tale unfolding in chapter three. The account begins with nothing but the divine presence, marking the commencement of creation, as detailed in Genesis 1. This scripture narrates the formation of the universe, earth, and all celestial bodies, encapsulating God’s initial revelation and His intentions for humanity.
Although Genesis does not explicitly delineate the nature of God, it does intimate a communal divine presence, involving the Spirit and Jesus in the creation saga. Over six days, God meticulously crafted the universe, light, earth, sky, flora, stars, aquatic and avian life, terrestrial creatures, and humans—the latter distinguished by bearing God’s image, as specified in Genesis 1:27, tasked with stewarding the earth.
This divine act culminated in six days, yielding a world of “very good” magnificence and breadth. Genesis 2 concludes God’s creative endeavors with a detailed portrayal of human creation, followed by a day of rest—not from weariness but to mark the completion of His work. This rest set a precedent for a seven-day week, a rhythm of work and rest memorialized by the Sabbath as a sign of divine covenant, as per Exodus 20:8-11.
Genesis 2 provides a deeper dive into the creation of man, emphasizing God’s meticulous care in forming man from dust and imbuing him with life. Placed in the lush Eden, Adam was initially alone until God underscored his need for a companion, leading to Eve’s creation, crafted with equal care from Adam’s rib.
One intriguing question arises: How was there light on the first day when the sun was only created on the fourth day? Genesis 1:3-5 introduces God’s command for light, resulting in day and night before the creation of celestial bodies on the fourth day. This narrative sequence might seem paradoxical unless one acknowledges the omnipotent nature of God, who embodies light itself, as affirmed in First John 1:5.
This divine light prefaced the physical lights (sun, moon, stars) set on the fourth day to regulate time and illuminate the earth. This scriptural depiction reminds us of the future promise in Revelation 22:5, where divine light supersedes physical light in the new creation.
More profoundly, the biblical motif of light transcends physical illumination, symbolizing spiritual enlightenment and salvation through Jesus, described as the “light of the world” in John 8:12. The creation’s initial light exemplifies God’s sovereign power, prefiguring the spiritual light that Jesus brings to every believer’s heart. Thus, the light present before the sun is a testament to God’s eternal nature as the true source of light, illuminating both the cosmos and the human soul.
