Genesis 1:17 Commentary and Bible Study

It is so emphasised and repeated. ‘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.’ This repetition emphasises the tremendous importance of these creations to the earth, and to man on the earth. When we consider how important the sun is as a means provided by God to support life on earth, we should not be surprised at this. How precisely they were created to serve their purpose! They will last as long as they need to last. They provide just the right amount of light and heat and the distance of the Earth from the sun, and its velocity around the sun is just right to keep it in a steady orbit. All the laws of physics and the physical constants are just right to maintain the earth in a state in which the life that God has created can continue. Of course the Christian sees these laws as nothing other than the description of the constant care of God over his creation. Their functions are massive and yet in a way quite limited. They have a limited range of tasks. You cannot worship these heavenly bodies, they are quite limited in function, although they are very wonderful functions – light and energy and so on. But that is what comes through as we read the account. And that is the fourth day. And it is all so good.