The Days of Creation Lesson 04: The Sun, Moon, and Stars
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; and let them be for lights in the firmament of the heavens to give light on the earth"; and it was so. Then God made two great lights: the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night. He made the stars also. God set them in the firmament of the heavens to give light on the earth, and to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good. So the evening and the morning were the fourth day.
--Genesis 1:14-19
When I first read the story of God’s creation in Genesis chapter 1, I wondered why God made light first, then the celestial bodies three days later. Wouldn’t it have made more sense to make light and the celestial bodies on the same day? Let’s study together and see if we can make sense of this mystery.
Let’s turn to John 8:12; 9:5.
- According to these verses, who is the light of the world?
- Answer: Jesus
Let’s turn to Matthew 5:14.
- According to this verse, who is the light of the world?
- Answer: We are the light of the world.
Wait, we are the light of the world? How can this be? Before we try to figure this out, let us read on.
Let’s turn to Matthew 5:15-16.
- According to these verses, what is the purpose of a lamp?
- Answer: To give light to all those who are in the house.
- According to these verses, what happens when we let our light shine before men and they see our good works?
- Answer: They will glorify God.
Let us think about this for a moment. We learned from the first lesson that Jesus is the true Light (John 1:1-17). Just as the moon’s light is a reflection of the light of the sun, as followers of Jesus, we are to reflect His light upon others.
Let’s turn to Galatians 2:20.
- According to this verse, what happens when you are crucified with Christ?
- Answer: Christ lives in you and you live by faith in Him.
Let’s turn to Psalms 148:3.
- According to this verse, what are the sun, moon, and stars called to do?
- Answer: Praise God.
Let’s turn to Daniel 12:3.
- According to this verse, what happens to those who turn many to righteousness.
- Answer: They shall shine like the stars.
Friend, when we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we are given a commission to make share the Gospel to everyone (Matthew 28:19-20). We can preach Jesus to others, we can share literature, and we can teach Bible studies. We can also fulfill the Gospel commission by living our lives in such a way that people see Jesus Christ reflected in us.
Let us close the lesson with a final story. Let’s turn to Matthew 2:1-11.
- According to these verses, what were the wise men following?
- Answer: A star
- According to these verses, who did it lead the wise men to?
- Answer: Jesus
Can you imagine this scene? The wise men wanted to meet the Messiah and all they apparently had were the writings of the apostate prophet Balaam (Numbers 24:15-19). They traveled from the East to Israel, guided only by a star shining in the night. Yet, that star led them right to Jesus!
Friend, God is calling you and me to shine brightly before everyone around us to lead them to Jesus Christ. We may be the only Bible a person may ever read in their entire life. Will you shine your light for Jesus?
