Wrested Scriptures

The Miraculous
Science
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  Uniformity
   of Nature
  Genesis 1:16
  Genesis 3:1
  Joshua 10:13
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Genesis 1:16
"And God made two great lights . . . "

Problem:
In an effort to show the mythical character of the first eleven chapters of Genesis, clergymen of the United and Anglican Churches cite this passage. They point out that on the first day, God made light (Gen. 1:3-5), but God did not make the sun and moon until the fourth day (Gen. 1:16-19). Therefore, it is argued, the days in Genesis 1 cannot be understood as literal days.

Solution:
  1. The Hebrew word "asah"1 translated "made" can be rendered "appoint" or "ordain". It is translated this way in Psa. 104:19 - "He appointed the moon for seasons." On the basis of this translation, God did not literally make the sun and moon on the fourth day. These were formed in the "beginning" (an unspecified period of time in the past - Gen. 1:1).

  2. The sun, moon and stars were "appointed" on the fourth day to give light upon the earth. It is likely that prior to the fourth day light was diffused on the earth. Light could be distinguished from darkness but not until the fourth day did the atmosphere become sufficiently clear for the appearance of the heavenly bodies.
Footnotes:
  1. "Asah" is also translated "appoint" in Job 14:5. It is translated "ordain" in Num. 28:6, 1 Kings 12:32, 33. Return