This week The Pew will take some time to look at the meaning and significance of the phrase in the Bible, “Let there be light”. The phrase let there be light comes from Genesis1:3 in the Bible. “God said, let there be light, and there was light”. It’s the first recorded spoken word of God in scripture, and it marked the beginning of the creation narrative. So, let there be light is of biblical origin, in Genesis light appears before the sun, moon and stars showing it is something of independent reality rather than a celestial object, which is no more than a fancy way of simply saying it was God’s will that there be light. God brings into reality light, emphasizing his authority and sovereignty. Light in the Bible is not just a physical illumination, It represents goodness, order, truth, and God’s holiness. There’s a separation and order here. God separates light from darkness, and he named them day and night, thus establishing a rhythm and structure in creation, we find in the New Testament that light is linked to Christ as an example, “in him was life, and that life was a light of all mankind”and that is from the book of John 1: 4–5. I believe that would not be out of order to ask why light first? It has been written that placing light in the creation sequence shows that all understanding, more order, and life sustaining energy flow from God.(Bible Hub.) in reality the “Good Book” as we sometimes refer to the Bible set the stage for the rest of scripture’s themes of revelation, salvation, and guidance. But also has become a motto for different organizations, symbolizing new beginnings, enlightenment, and the power of knowledge. So the phrase let there be light is both a literal account of creation and a theological statement about God’s nature, the origin of order, the symbolic role of light as life, truth, and divine presence. The exact phrase “let there be light” appears only once in the Bible and that of course is in the book of Genesis 1:3 so the exact phrase let there be light has only one occurrence but the word light in the Bible appears 236–433 occurrences across the old and new testament, those figures being the courtesy of the Online Bible.

Some quick reminders as we move through this week’s blog. God and Jesus are referred to his light. The Bible states that God is light and in him there is no darkness at all.  1John 1:5 simple meaning for those of us that want to pursue this further is that He is entirely holy pure and true. Jesus calls himself the light of the world in John 8:12, stating that whoever follows him will not walk in darkness because he brings spiritual sight and eternal life. When we look to the word of God for guidance in truth, scripture is described as a light that directs a person’s daily choices, we can read about that in psalm 119:105, “your word is a lamp to my feet.” Light has another very understandable quality it exposes hidden actions and reveals things as they truly are. Ephesians 5:13. And I think we could most likely say with some assurance that it is also the call of believers. It reflects God. Jesus tells his followers in Matthew 5:14 “they are the light of the world meant to let their good shine so others will honor God.”

This week’s block is another example of short, sweet, to the point. Matthew 5:14 Jesus tells and confirms to each one of us that we do have a place in his kingdom and in the kingdom to come. We close this week’s blog with a question…will you answer the call?

Life is Good

jk