The Bible provides a detailed account of God’s creative work over six days in the first chapter of Genesis. On the first day, God created light and separated it from the darkness. Here is what Genesis 1:1-5 (ESV) says:
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. And God saw that the light was good. And God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.
So on the first day, God created light and separated it from darkness. He called the light “day” and the darkness “night”. This marked the beginning of time itself, with evenings and mornings. Prior to this, the earth was described as being “without form and void”, covered in darkness. So the light represented the initiation of order and structure in God’s creative work.
Some key points about what God created on the first day:
- Light itself was created, penetrating the darkness that was over the surface of the deep waters.
- God separated the light (day) from the darkness (night).
- This separation established the first “day” as God created days and nights.
- The light was good, showing it had positive moral qualities.
- This was the very first creative act of God recorded in the Bible.
The creation of light marked the beginning of God’s creative activity during the six days. God would go on to create various elements to construct and populate the heavens and the earth. But it started with the inception of light on that first day.
The light indicated the presence of God invading the darkness. As John 1:5 states: “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” The sovereign power of God pierced through the darkness to initiate His new creation.
The Genesis account does not specify exactly what the source of this primordial light was on day one. It may have emanated from God’s own glory and radiance. This light source would later be replaced by the creation of the sun, moon and stars on the fourth day (Genesis 1:14-19).
Various Old Testament verses also link God’s creative power with light, such as Psalm 74:16, Isaiah 45:7, and Jeremiah 4:23. The New Testament further ties Jesus as God incarnate to being “the light of the world” (John 8:12).
Beyond the physical properties of light, the spiritual and symbolic implications include righteousness, purity, wisdom, joy and the blessings of God. As opposed to darkness, which represents evil, sin, ignorance, despair and death.
The creation of light marked the introduction of God’s order, structure, goodness and blessings into the formless void. The light and darkness were then separated into the repeating cycles of day and night that we know today. So in review, on the first day of creation, the Bible records God spoke light into existence to initiate His creative work and begin the ordering of the cosmos.
Now that we have covered the biblical account, here are some additional details on what exactly light is and its significance in relation to God’s creation:
The Properties of Light
Light is a form of radiant electromagnetic energy that stimulates sight and makes things visible. It travels through space in waves or particles at incredible speeds of 299,792,458 meters per second. The wavelength and frequency of light determines its color properties as perceived by the human eye and optical sensors.
Visible light is just a small portion of the full electromagnetic spectrum, which ranges from radio waves to gamma rays. The visible light spectrum runs from violet (shorter wavelengths) to red (longer wavelengths). White light contains the full spectrum of visible wavelengths.
In addition to visible light, other parts of the electromagnetic spectrum include infrared radiation, ultraviolet radiation, X-rays and microwaves. So light consists of more than just the colors we can see with our eyes.
Light displays properties of both waves and particles (known as wave-particle duality). It can diffract, refract, interfere with other waves and travel in straight lines. Light particles are called photons, which have no mass but contain energy proportional to their wavelength/frequency.
When light interacts with matter, it can be absorbed, scattered, cause emission, or continue to travel through transparent material. Materials appear colored based on which light wavelengths they absorb and reflect.
The speed, wavelengths, and quantum properties of light are foundational components of modern physics. Light allows us to see color, illuminates the world, provides energy for biological processes, and enables modern technology through lasers, fiber optics, LEDs, and more.
The Significance of Light in Creation
Given what we know about the properties of light, we can reflect on its significance in relation to God’s creative work:
- Light’s speed is a universal physical constant that enables processes across vast distances in the cosmos.
- Light waves/particles exhibit order, mathematical predictability, and precision.
- Vision relies on light to see the diversity of God’s creation.
- Light energizes ecosystems through photosynthesis in plants.
- Light reveals knowledge of the natural world through its interactions with matter.
- Light facilitates biology, technology, and discovery as a catalyst for flourishing.
- Light’s presence embodies illumination, energy, and hope.
Overall, the creation of light first and foremost allows God’s revelation to shine through the darkness upon His creation. Light continues to make life possible through its many properties that enable order in the universe.
Biblical Imagery of Light
Beyond its physical properties, the Bible uses light as powerful metaphorical imagery:
- Light represents truth, revelation, and God’s Word (Psalm 119:105, 130, Proverbs 6:23, 2 Corinthians 4:6).
- God dwells in inapproachable light (1 Timothy 6:16).
- Jesus is the light of the world (John 1:9, 8:12, 9:5).
- Believers are called children of light (Ephesians 5:8).
- Heaven/New Jerusalem are places of eternal light (Revelation 21:23).
So Scripture uses the concept of light to convey spiritual truths about God, His word and salvation. Darkness analogously represents sin, evil, ignorance and separation from God.
God’s light brings hope, righteousness, and the promise of redemption. As we walk in the light of Christ, our lives are transformed and we possess the light of life.
Controversies Related to Light and Day One of Creation
While the Genesis account is clear that God created light on the first day, there are differing views about how to interpret the text:
- 24-Hour Literal Days: Each creation day was a normal 24-hour day. God instantly created light on day 1, which had a morning and evening.
- Day-Age View: The days were long epochs of time. Light appeared as the earth formed over billions of years.
- Framework View: The days are figurative to convey God’s logical order, not chronological duration. Light symbolizes the creation of order from chaos.
- Analogical Days: The days communicate God’s work in an analogical fashion. There is theological meaning in the order, not precise duration or chronology.
How God created light on the first day depends on whether one takes the Genesis account as literal 24-hour periods or as symbolic frameworks to make a theological statement about God’s creative work. There are sincere evangelical believers on both sides of this debate.
Conclusions
In closing, Scripture reveals some key truths about the first day of creation:
- God originally created light to penetrate the darkness that was over the surface of the deep.
- This light marked the beginning of God’s creative activity and ordering of the cosmos.
- God separated this light from the darkness, initiating cycles of day and night.
- Light remains essential for natural revelation through vision and processes of life.
- The Bible uses light as a rich metaphor for God’s truth, revelation, and redemption through Christ.
The creation of light on day one began the progression of God’s creative work over six days to fashion the heavens and the earth. Light remains a universal constant that makes life possible and reveals truth to humankind. As we walk in the light of God’s Word, may we grow in the knowledge of His salvation and the hope of eternal light in heaven.