Genesis 1:13

Passage

13 And there was evening, and there was morning—the third day.

The phrase ‘And there was evening, and there was morning—the third day.’ from Genesis 1:13 represents the culmination of one phase of God’s creative work, reflecting His power and intentionality. In the ancient Hebrew context, a day beginning at evening illustrates a transition from darkness to light, symbolising the ordered nature of God’s creation. Creation itself is shown as a structured act, with God establishing a pattern and rhythm that defines time. This not only conveys God’s sovereignty but also His intricate design. The repetitive cycle of evening to morning serves as a constant reminder of God’s faithful work, encouraging believers to embrace divine order and timing in their lives. As mirrored in 2 Corinthians 4:6, God’s creative act transcends to spiritual illumination and transformation through Christ, who brings ultimate restoration. Reflecting on this, we are invited to trust in God’s timing and recognise His order as a model for our lives, reminding us of the depths of divine purpose embedded in creation itself.

Study

Context

The phrase describes the completion of one of the creation days in the Genesis narrative, which outlines God's ordered creation of the world. This reflects the ancient Hebrew understanding of a day beginning at evening, following the sequence from darkness to light. In the cultural context, this timeframe reinforced the structured rhythm and intentionality behind creation.

Verse-by-Verse

“

13 And there was evening, and there was morning—

This language reflects the Jewish understanding of a day beginning in the evening, suggesting a cycle starting in darkness and moving to light, symbolising order and divine creation.
“

the third day.

This marks the completion of this phase of creation, corresponding with God's sovereign act to establish time and order.

Cross References

  • 2 Corinthians 4:6: Paul references God's act of creation to describe divine illumination and new creation in Christ.
  • Genesis 1:1-31: The entirety of Genesis 1 reflects the ordered creation process, specifying each day's works.

Highlights

  • The completion of the third day reflects an orderly progression in the creation account, emphasizing God's sovereign control over time and events.

Insights (Christ-Centred)

  • The ordered structure of creation prefigures Christ, the Logos, who brings order and restoration to creation.

Key Themes

  • Creation: God's methodical and purposeful creation of the universe is emphasized here.
  • Order and Rhythm: The structure of the creation days showcases an intentional order, moving from chaos to creation.
  • Divine Sovereignty: God's power and authority are displayed as He establishes time and creation according to His will.

Takeaways

Personal Applications

  • Embrace Divine Order: Recognising God's orderly creation should inspire us to embrace order and purpose in our lives.
  • Understand God's Timing: The rhythm of 'evening and morning' encourages patience and trust in God’s timing.

Reflections

  • How does understanding creation's order affect your view of God's nature?
  • What personal areas require embracing the rhythm and order God established in creation?