![[#12] Genesis 1:14-19 (Part 2) – The Sun, Moon, and Stars are not Gods](https://redeeminggod.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/One-Verse-Podcast-Jeremy-Myers-150x150.jpg)
Many ancient religions were focused around the worship of the sun, moon, and stars. Annual religious holidays and festivals were often guided by the length of the days and the movements of the sun. The twelve months of the year are based upon the waxing and waning of the moon. Even the names of our weekdays are named after certain celestial bodies.
So it is no surprise that when Moses sets out to differentiate the worship of Yahweh from the various religions of his day, he specifically targeted the worship of the sun, moon, and stars. This is what we see today in our second look at Genesis 1:14-19.
This is Part 2 of our 3 Part look at Genesis 1:14-19. Previously, we saw on the fourth day of creation, Moses was not writing a scientific account of how the sun, moon, and stars came into existence.
Today, we see what Moses was writing, which was a polemic against the religious beliefs and practices of his day. Specifically, Moses wanted the Israelites to see that Yahweh was different and better than the gods of Egypt, the gods of Babylon, and the gods of Canaan. This truth was important for the Hebrew people to understand for they were coming from Egypt, were headed toward Canaan, and had been influenced by the beliefs and practices from Babylon. In fact, that region is where their forefather Abraham came from!
So they needed to know who Yahweh was, whether or not He could be trusted, and why they should serve and worship Him alone. You and I have similar questions, which is why today’s study is so important.
The Text of Genesis 1:14-19
Genesis 1:14-19. Then God said, “Let there be lights in the firmament of the heavens to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs and seasons, and for days and years; and let them be for lights in the firmament of the heavens to give light to the earth”; and it was so.
Then God made two great lights: the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night. He made the stars also. God set them in the firmament of the heavens to give light on the earth 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.
So the evening and the morning were the fourth day.
In this discussion of Genesis 1:14-19 we look at:
- How Genesis 1:14-19 is a polemic against the religions of Moses’ day.
- How Yahweh is superior to the Canaanite chief deity, El.
- Why “Elohim” is not a reference to the Trinity.
- How Moses sets Yahweh above the Babylonian god Marduk.
- How Moses shows that Yahweh is superior to the Egyptian sun god.
Resources:
- Theology.fm – Helping you and your Theology Look Like Jesus
- Connect with Jeremy on Facebook
- Connect with Jeremy on Twitter
- Hasel Article on Genesis 1
- Johnston Article on Genesis 1
- Miller and Soden, In the Beginning – Amazon or CBD
- Walton, Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds – Amazon or CBD
- Subscribe and Leave a Review on iTunes
Downloadable Podcast Resources
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This is precisely why so many of the so-called “Christian” traditions are suspect. Sometime in the early Christian period, Yehoshua somehow became conflated with Helios / Apollo / Sol Invictus (the invincible sun). Perhaps it was done to ease the sun worshipers into the new religion, just as so many of the Roman holidays were given new “Christian” meanings (such as St. Valentine’s Day being substituted for Lupercalia and Christmas being substituted for Saturnalia). It doesn’t matter why it was done but if we want to have authentic Christianity, we need to focus on the “Jewish Jesus” and actively avoid the pagan observances.
I look at it differently. What we have in Jesus is not a stamp of approval on the Jewish traditions, but rather an example of how God redeemed them. With this example as our guide, all things “pagan” can also be redeemed, which is exactly what we have in Christmas, Easter, etc.
I didn’t mean to sound like I was suggesting that Christians should keep Jewish observances. We do not need to adhere to the Jewish Law because Yehoshua fulfilled the old covenant and brought us a new covenant. I simply don’t believe that the new covenant includes adopting pagan observances, such as Easter (which isn’t even a Christian name!) and Nativity dressed up with new “Christian” meanings. There are probably only three or four (at most) events that should be celebrated under the new covenant: Epiphany, Resurrection, Ascension, and Pentecost (when the Holy Spirit descended).
It is so interesting how much these stories in scripture sound similar to pagan myths. I thank God it doesn’t shock me anymore – I am free from that. This weekend I listen to a teaching on easter and christmas and pagan origins. I always thought that well that is not what it means to me. Then this pastor said – which makes you think: It doesn’t matter what it means to me it only matters what it means to Him! He also referred to Deuteronomy 12 – that says God wanted them not to change their place of worship to their gods into place to worship our God – but destroy it all – doesn’t that then go for those holiday as well – we just changed it up a bit?
Close enough on the pronunciation. ANcois instead of anCOIS or like Francois without the FR.LOL
WoooHoooo! Grama, here, figured out how to find an app for Android, “subscribe” to Jeremy’s One Verse series, and download one episode at a time to listen to on the bus, etc! Yaaay!