Genesis 1:14-23

Genesis 1:14-23

14 And God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night. And let them be for signs and for seasons, and for days and years, 15 and let them be lights in the expanse of the heavens to give light upon the earth.” And it was so. 16 And God made the two great lights—the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night—and the stars. 17 And God set them in the expanse of the heavens to give light on the earth, 18 to rule over the day and over the night, and to separate the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good. 19 And there was evening and there was morning, the fourth day.

20 And God said, “Let the waters swarm with swarms of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the expanse of the heavens.” 21 So God created the great sea creatures and every living creature that moves, with which the waters swarm, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. 22 And God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.” 23 And there was evening and there was morning, the fifth day.

This morning we turn to the account of creation found in Genesis 1:14-23, a passage that shows the creative power and sovereign design of our Almighty God. In these verses, we are reminded of the beauty of God's handiwork and the purposeful order He establishes in the universe. As we unpack this text, let us reflect on its theological significance and consider how it shapes our understanding of God and our daily lives as His people.

Days one through three of creation are spent constructing the heavens and the earth with the express intent of making spaces for creation to fill. Day one God begins creation by establishing a way for reality to exist and a means by which order is set out of disorder. Day two God separates the water above from the water below with the expanse. Day three God called the waters into their proper places and the dry land appears. On that same day God created all the vegetation that would sustain life with its ability to reproduce according to it’s kind. This morning we continue with day four…

Vv. 14-15

14 And God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night. And let them be for signs and for seasons, and for days and years, 15 and let them be lights in the expanse of the heavens to give light upon the earth.” And it was so.

On the fourth day of creation, God creates the sun moon and stars. Take note that day one God created light and now on day four we have the lights in the expanse. Also there were plants present on day three without the sun. Some struggle with the ordering because we know that the sun emits the light that is needed for these things to be but that is an assumption from creation and not from the creator. When we rightly understand who God is, as light, then we also know that if it is His desire to make things then they will be made. It reads that the lights will be signs for seasons and the keeping of time, days and years. God did not need the lights to grow things nor does he need them to interact with His creation. We would be wise not to read backwards into scripture. God has an intentionality to the order of creation and here we witness God's design. He is not a God of chaos but a God of order. He creates the sun to rule the day, the moon to rule the night, and the stars to adorn the heavens. These heavenly bodies are not simply random; they serve a purpose, marking time and seasons, pointing to the rhythms of life that God establishes for His creation.

Instead of creation needing created things, God sustains it by His Word and decree. In light of scripture, we affirm that God is sovereign over all creation, including its time and seasons. This truth is comforting in the ebb and flow of our lives, reminding us that nothing happens outside His divine decree. When we see the sun rise, it reminds of His faithfulness; when the stars shine at night, we are invited to marvel at His glory.

Vv. 16-19

16 And God made the two great lights—the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night—and the stars. 17 And God set them in the expanse of the heavens to give light on the earth, 18 to rule over the day and over the night, and to separate the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good. 19 And there was evening and there was morning, the fourth day.

There are several things happening in the implication of this text. Firstly, when Moses was given this orderly account and was inspired to write this down it is believed that it was while he was on Mount Sinai. Being raised in Egyptian society Moses knew the religious practices of Egypt well. They believed that Pharoah was born from the sun god, Ra. By giving the true origin of creation, God is dismantling the pagan practices of the day. Pharoah was the guy in all of creation and God showed that even the sun is a creature. Nothing in all of creation can even come close to the majesty and power of God… not even the sun, who can burn out our retinas if we aren’t careful. The plagues were a dismantling of the gods of Egypt and the creation account was a complete dismantling of their worldview. The importance of the sun, moon, and stars is no less significant but they are only created things that God has purposed according to His will. It was in this purpose that God saw that it was good. Day one God creates the space and day four He filled it to His own glory… He will not allow anything to steal His glory.

Vv. 20-21

20 And God said, “Let the waters swarm with swarms of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the expanse of the heavens.” 21 So God created the great sea creatures and every living creature that moves, with which the waters swarm, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.

On the fifth day, God speaks again, and His word brings forth life: “Let the waters swarm with swarms of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the expanse of the heavens.” God purposes the skies and the seas to be suitable places for creatures to thrive. Before the creation of man we find God taking special interest in the birds and the fish. Remember day two, the waters separate and the skies are formed… God fills them on day five. What is interesting here is that this is only the second time that the text tells us that God created something. God said let there be light and there was light… God separated the water and made an expanse… God gathered the waters into seas and the land appeared… God demanded vegetation and it sprouted… God said let there be lights in the expanse and He made the sun, moon, and stars. Day one, God made the stuff to build a suitable space for creatures. Remember the word for this is ex nihilo, making something that had no prior existence. The work on the fifth day begins a special creating on God’s part. Paired with the word create is the phrase living creatures. Finally there will be something living in the created order. These things, along with day 6, will be something wholly different from what we have seen up to now… they are living. The Hebrew word here is nephesh which we translate as soul. These creatures are animated and breathing… they have the ability to move independently on their own power.

Here God demonstrates His power to create life in abundance and variety. From the depths of the seas to the heights of the skies, every creature bears witness to the Creator's delight in His work.

Vv. 22-23

22 And God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.” 23 And there was evening and there was morning, the fifth day.

God's blessing follows His creation: “Be fruitful and multiply and fill…” This command, coupled with His blessing, reveals God’s intention for creation to flourish. As Christians, we see in this act the unmistakable fingerprints of a covenant God, who not only creates but also sustains His creation through His providence.

Our text this morning invites us to marvel at the sovereignty of God, who orders the cosmos and breathes life into the world. The psalmist declares,

Psalm 19:1-6

1 The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. 2 Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. 3 There is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard. 4 Their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them he has set a tent for the sun, 5 which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber, and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy. 6 Its rising is from the end of the heavens, and its circuit to the end of them, and there is nothing hidden from its heat.

When we reflect on Genesis 1, we cannot help but join in this proclamation.

This text reminds us of the power of God's Word. When He speaks, creation obeys. This same Word that brought forth light and life is the Word that sustains us today. It is the Word made flesh, Jesus Christ, who redeems us and calls us to live in obedience to His sovereign will.

As we read scripture we should always ask ourselves then how should we respond to this? First, we ought to cultivate hearts of worship. The beauty and order of creation are a testimony to the Creator's glory. Let us not take for granted the daily reminders of His faithfulness—the rising sun, the change of seasons, the flight of a bird. Each moment is an opportunity to worship Him.

Second, we are called to stewardship. As creatures made in God's image, entrusted with the care of His creation, we must honor this responsibility with humility and diligence. Let us care for the earth and its creatures, recognizing that they are not ours to exploit but His to glorify.

Finally, let us place our trust in God's providence. The God who ordered the heavens and filled the seas is the same God who holds your life in His hands. In moments of uncertainty or trial, remember that His sovereign plan is perfect and His purposes are good.

Brothers and sisters, scripture presents us with a God who is both majestic and intimate—a Creator who orders the stars yet blesses the creatures of the earth. As we leave this place today, may we carry with us the assurance that our God is sovereign, His Word is powerful, and His creation is a testament to His glory. Let us worship Him, care for His creation, and trust His divine plan in all things. Amen.

Soli Deo Gloria!