Although light came into existence on the first day (Gen. 1:3-5), it was not until the fourth day that God made the sun, moon, and stars (vss. 14-15). Moses summarizes the event, saying, “God made the two great lights—the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night—and the stars” (Genesis 1:16, ESV). The last phrase is strikingly simple and worthy of closer attention.

God’s creative design for the celestial lights, as revealed in the context, includes “signs… seasons…days and years” (vs. 14). But one is left with the impression that the greater emphasis centers around the “two great lights—the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night…” (vs. 16). Perhaps, they are given greater focus because they are more directly connected to human affairs.

Simply put, stars are “celestial bodies visible at night from Earth as stationary, usually twinkling points of light” (American Heritage Dictionary). Aside from the Sun, our nearest star is nearly 25 trillion miles away. If we could travel at the speed of light, it would take over four years to reach the nearest star.

How long did Adam have to wait to see the stars? All indications point to the fact that the stars were already visible in the night skies over the Garden of Eden even before Adam made his appearance. This speaks powerfully for the apparent age of the universe at the time of creation. Adam was created fully grown as was Eve. So also, in the world around them, trees were producing fruit and plants yielding seed after their kind (vss. 11-13). Air, land, and sea—creatures of all kinds were thriving on our planet by the sixth day of creation (vss. 20-25). If the earth was fully grown, why not the universe? This explains why we can see the light of stars billions of miles away. Thus, in a moment of time and in a single spoken word, God created the stars and all the light transmitted from each star so that we might be immediately benefitted by its creation.

Far from being an afterthought, “and the stars” pushes our thoughts in a heavenly direction. With David, we humbly inquire, “When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, The moon and the stars, which You have ordained; What is man that You take thought of Him And the son of man that You care for him?” (Ps. 8:4). We are truly blessed.

–Glen Elliott–