You’ve probably seen or heard this verse countless times.

“And God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light.”

But what is the light really referring to in this famous verse?

Some people will say that the light on the first day of creation is the sun without paying attention to the fact that the sun was created on the fourth day of creation.

“Let there be light-bearers in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night, and let them be useful for signs, and for marking the seasons, days, and years…God made two great lights…the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night…”

The creation events in Genesis 1 occurred in chronological order during six consecutive days, with day seven being the day of rest.

Summary of First 6 Days of Creation

If the sun wasn’t created until day four, then what is the light that God willed onto the earth on day one?

Science believes that a star (e.g. the sun) must be present before a planet (e.g. Earth) is created. When a star is first formed, particles leftover from the star’s formation collide and eventually form planets that orbit the star due to its gravity.

Again, according to Genesis 1, earth was made before the sun was created. It sprouted vegetation, other plants, and fruit trees all without sunlight. How is this possible? The laws of science deem this as impossible, but with God anything is possible. God did not need a star as a light source to create Earth because He was the light source. In fact, God references this same capability in other scriptures.

In Isaiah 60:19–20 God is referencing a time when there will be no more darkness and evil. This is when He will create a new heaven and earth.

19 “The sun will no longer be your light by day,
Nor shall the bright glow of the moon give light to you,
But the Lord will be an everlasting light for you;
And your God will be your glory and splendor.

20 “Your sun will no longer set,
 Nor will your moon wane;
 For the Lord will be your everlasting light,
 And the days of your mourning will be over.

Revelations 22:5 is another example.

5 And there will no longer be night; they have no need for lamplight or sunlight, because the Lord God will illumine them…

God is light (1 John 1:5) and He has more than enough energy to sustain our planet. He caused the earth to sprout vegetation and fruit with His light. If God has the ability to do these things in the future, then He had the same ability to do it in the past. When God was ready, He created the sun and the moon to take on the responsibilities they have today.

This should give every Christian believer a hope.

“Let there be light” was not a command of creation. God’s light already existed. It was the beginning of God willingly giving Himself to us and His earth. And one day we will have His light forever when we make it back to Him.