What does 'Let there be light' mean as it relates to creation? Why did God say, 'Let there be light'?
God's power and creativity were shown during the creation. When He said, "Let there be light" (Genesis 1:3), He created light to separate from the darkness, and established a spiritual metaphor for His goodness and power and grace.The verb in the Hebrew language here for "let" is yehi, translated to fiat lux in Latin. It is less about allowing something to happen, like let our neighbor in the door, and more like a command: "Light, exist!" God used the same commanding voice throughout Genesis 1 as He created the earth and the sky, the sun and the moon, animals and plants and the sea.
Light is often used as a metaphor of the goodness God brings to a person, group, or situation. For example, in John 8:12 we read, "Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, 'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.'" Second Corinthians 4:6 says, "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."
Physical light, caused by God's creative act and command to "Let there be light," is a demonstration of God's creative power and sovereignty. Light is a vibrant picture of what God does in the hearts of those who trust in Jesus Christ, the true Light. We need never walk in darkness, because He is the light of life. And one day, in the new heavens and new earth, "…night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever" (Revelation 22:5).
What is the meaning of creation 'ex nihilo'?
Did God create the universe?
Is creationism scientific?
What happened on each of the six days of creation?
Do Genesis 1 and 2 record two different creation accounts?
Truth about Creation
