In the beginning (1st day), God made light. He also separated darkness and light into day and night. But on the 4th day, Genesis says that God made the sun and the moon. What was lighting all the previous days if the sun wasn't created yet? Does it mean the light on the first 3 days was not literal but just representing the light of God/Jesus?
If you look at Genesis carefully, you'll notice creation is divided into two broad categories:
1. Location 2. Inhabitants
The locations are created on days 1-3:
Day 1: Light and Dark
Day 2: Sea and Sky
Day 3: Fertile Eath
Day 2: Sea and Sky
Day 3: Fertile Eath
The inhabitants, dwelling in these locations, are created on days 4-6:
Day 4: Lights of the day and night (i.e. sun, moon & stars)
Day 5: Fish and birds
Day 6: Land animals (including human beings)
Day 5: Fish and birds
Day 6: Land animals (including human beings)
Day 7, of course, is the day of rest.
On the first day, God created a location - in which the light could exist. When God spoke the words, "let there be light," he was creating the day-night cycle. "Let there be light" indicates the dawn of a new day. On the fourth day, God created the sun, moon and stars to occupy the "sky" at different times of this day-night cycle.
Hope this makes sense! Very insightful question, btw.
[Answered by Pastor HM]
