What does Genesis 1:5 reveal about God's authority over time? “God called the light ‘day,’ and the darkness He called ‘night.’ And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day.” (Berean Standard Bible) What We Notice Right Away • God is the One who names light and darkness. • A daily rhythm—“evening” followed by “morning”—is set in place. • The phrase “the first day” marks a literal, measurable unit of time. God Establishes the Clock, Not Humanity • By naming Day and Night, God exercises the right of ownership; in Scripture, naming signifies authority. • Time begins only after God speaks—He is not subject to an existing timeline but creates it. • The deliberate order (evening, then morning) signals that time’s flow follows God’s pattern, not human convention. Authority Displayed in Three Dimensions 1. Origin: Time itself has a birthday—Day One—declared by God. 2. Structure: The sequence of darkness and light is fixed by His command, establishing 24-hour cycles. 3. Measurement: Calling it “the first day” sets a standard unit that will govern calendars, seasons, and human labor. Why This Matters for Us Today • Our hours, days, and years belong to the Creator; they are entrusted, not self-owned. • Because God stands outside time yet rules within it, His promises are never late and never early. • Recognizing His sovereignty invites us to steward our schedules—work, rest, worship—in alignment with His design. • The same voice that launched the first sunrise still directs history’s final sunset, assuring believers that every moment is under His purposeful care. |
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