Many ancient religions were focused around the worship of the sun, moon, and stars. Annual religious holidays and festivals were often guided by the length of the days and the movements of the sun. The twelve months of the year are based upon the waxing and waning of the moon. Even the names of our weekdays are named after certain celestial bodies.

So it is no surprise that when Moses sets out to differentiate the worship of Yahweh from the various religions of his day, he specifically targeted the worship of the sun, moon, and stars. This is what we see today in our second look at Genesis 1:14-19.

This is Part 2 of our 3 Part look at Genesis 1:14-19. Previously, we saw on the fourth day of creation, Moses was not writing a scientific account of how the sun, moon, and stars came into existence.

Today, we see what Moses was writing, which was a polemic against the religious beliefs and practices of his day. Specifically, Moses wanted the Israelites to see that Yahweh was different and better than the gods of Egypt, the gods of Babylon, and the gods of Canaan. This truth was important for the Hebrew people to understand for they were coming from Egypt, were headed toward Canaan, and had been influenced by the beliefs and practices from Babylon. In fact, that region is where their forefather Abraham came from!

So they needed to know who Yahweh was, whether or not He could be trusted, and why they should serve and worship Him alone. You and I have similar questions, which is why today’s study is so important.

The Text of Genesis 1:14-19

Genesis 1:14-19. 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 to 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.

In this discussion of Genesis 1:14-19 we look at:

* How Genesis 1:14-19 is a polemic against the religions of Moses’ day.

* How Yahweh is superior to the Canaanite chief deity, El.

* Why “Elohim” is not a reference to the Trinity.

* How Moses sets Yahweh above the Babylonian god Marduk.

* How Moses shows that Yahweh is superior to the Egyptian sun god.

Resources:

* Theology.fm – Helping you and your Theology Look Like Jesus

* Connect with Jeremy on Facebook

* Connect with Jeremy on Twitter

* Hasel Article on Genesis 1

* Johnston Article on Genesis 1

* Miller and Soden, In the Beginning – Amazon or CBD

* Walton, Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds – Amazon or CBD

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