Genesis-separated light from dark; Light (Jesus) from Dark (Satan)
Genesis 1:1-5 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. And God said, “let there be light,” and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. God called the light “day” and the darkness he called “night.” And there was evening and there was morning–the first day.
Psalm 27:1 The LORD is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
Psalm 119:130 The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple.
Proverbs 13:9 The light of the righteous rejoices, but the lamp of the wicked will be put out.
John 8:12 Again, Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
John 12:46 “I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness.”
2 Corinthians 4:6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
It amazes and pleases me how my understanding of the bible grows each time I read it. For the past several years I have read the bible in a year’s time. I have used various methods, initially reading a section from OT, Psalms, and a couple Proverbs, and then sections of the New Testament. However, last year, I found a plan that had you reading it chronologically, and I found my understanding of the history of the time period increased, made more sense, and it was easier for me to find other information to increase my understanding. For me, the chronological read has helped me find better correlation, better comprehension. Even though the books, say 1 Kings compared to 1 Chronicles has been written by different people, the versions are dealing with something happening in Israel or Judah at the same time, so I can see the sameness and gain a better, more clear perspective. Jeremiah is credited with authoring 1 Kings, while Ezra was originally thought to write 1 Chronicles. Basically, the same time period and circumstances, but I find it wonderful that both authors stress the disobedience and no longer honoring and revering God. So different perspectives slightly, but the same messages.
I did not correlate the light being made in Genesis with the Light of Christ, the never ending Son/Sun–he is always shining. He is the Light, the Truth and the Way. Then once God was finalizing, after He had separated the land and waters, the sky and earth, he then further created the bright light for day and the lesser for night, as well as the stars. It was awesomely put together and I didn’t fully grasp it even reading it on my own over the years, but am in a bible study now on the first several books of Genesis, and presently, on our third week, we are still reading and studying the first two chapters. And I love it. But certainly, am realizing that light truly defeats darkness, and Jesus is the Light that has beaten Satan’s darkness.
There is SO much in these chapters, these verses, these words inspired by God the Creator for us, His chosen people. He loves us and wants our understanding and to have us realize He wants to have a relationship with us. I want that too. My eyes discover new lessons each time now that my brain has been opened. I am so amazed that so many people authored these books, all inspired by God, and therefore one runs into the same messages, by different speakers, sometimes many years apart.
For instance, there are many verses stating that the Israelites, the persons He chose to love and care for, and gave rules for them to obey, and to serve Him only as God, not idols, not handmade talismans. He alone is Creator. But those verses on He chose the ones, BEFORE we were born. For years, I did not see that He CHOSE us; I thought I chose to follow Him.
Wow! Must be true since it is repeated often and in several different books, but several different authors. And what of all the prophecies of Jesus coming, a Messiah would lead and free them. And He did, but certainly not in the manner us blood-thirsty people thought. He freed with love and with sacrificing His life to atone for OUR sins.
How often is Jesus referred to as Shepherd, and then explains how a good shepherd loves and cares for His sheep, and he knows each of them, and they all know their shepherd. It’s repeatedly commanded to not fear, have courage, and go forward. (Is 41:10, Joshua 1:9, 11:6, Numbers 13:20 to list a few) How many references to not being angry and holding grudges and judgment on others is mentioned? (Psalm 37:8, Prov 14:29, Prov 15:18, Ecc 7:9 to list a few). God repeats the same things because it is important for us to know and realize these things; it is important for us to know and realize He remains steady for always. God doesn’t change, He does not bow to pleading, begging or bargaining. What He says and has commanded these various authors to say is important. It helps us realize the message does not change; none of it has changed in 2000 years. He loves, He chose us, He wants us to be free of chains and to follow Him wholeheartedly. Only doing some things, obeying some of His commands, is not obeying. It must be fully obeyed, or it is disobedience.
But His word becomes clearer to me each time I read it, each bible study I take, and eventually my mind is cleared to answer questions I may have as I read. But they get answered after a time.
I am so happy I continued reading even when I did not understand much in the beginning. God lead me in directions where I learned more, found bible based teaching churches, encouraged me to attend bible studies, and things opened. I’m so grateful for Your words, my salvation and all the blessings for me and ‘mybellaviews.’
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