Genesis 1:3

Letters to the Faithful - Genesis 1:3

Berean Standard Bible

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

King James Bible

And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.

Hebrew Test:

וַיֹּ֥אמֶר אֱלֹהִ֖ים יְהִ֣י אֹ֑ור וַֽיְהִי־אֹֽור׃

Transliteration: 

Vayomer Elohim yehi or vayehi-or.

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And God said

This phrase introduces the divine act of creation through speech, emphasizing the power and authority of God's word. In the biblical context, God's word is not only communicative but also creative, bringing things into existence. This concept is echoed in John 1:1-3, where the Word is identified with Jesus, indicating the divine nature and creative power of Christ. The act of speaking creation into existence underscores the transcendence and sovereignty of God over the universe.

“Let there be light,”

The command for light marks the first act of creation, symbolizing the dispelling of chaos and darkness. Light is often associated with God's presence and truth throughout Scripture, as seen in passages like Psalm 27:1 and John 8:12, where Jesus declares Himself the "light of the world." Theologically, light represents order, knowledge, and life, contrasting with darkness, which symbolizes chaos and evil. This phrase sets the stage for the separation of light from darkness, a theme that recurs throughout the Bible.

and there was light.

The immediate fulfillment of God's command demonstrates His omnipotence and the effectiveness of His word. The creation of light without a physical source, such as the sun, which is created later, highlights the supernatural aspect of this event. This act prefigures the ultimate victory of light over darkness, a theme that culminates in the New Testament with the coming of Christ, who brings spiritual illumination and salvation. The presence of light signifies the beginning of time and the ordering of creation, laying the foundation for the subsequent acts of creation.

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Beloved, hear the call of the eternal, the voice that resonates through the ages, stirring the depths of every heart and soul. In the beginning, when all was formless and void, when darkness cloaked the face of the deep, a command resounded—a word of power, a decree of hope, a proclamation that shattered the silence: Let there be light! And light was born, radiant and unyielding, a gift to pierce the shadows and reveal the beauty of creation’s dawn.

This light is no mere fleeting glow, no transient spark that fades with the turning of time. It is the very essence of divine presence, the breath of the Almighty, who spoke and brought forth order from chaos, purpose from emptiness, and life from nothingness. This light is the foundation of all that is, the cornerstone of existence, the eternal flame that burns in the heart of the cosmos and within each of you. It is a light that does not waver, does not falter, does not yield to the darkness that seeks to encroach upon it. It is the light of truth, of love, of hope unending.

You, beloved, are children of this light. You were not fashioned for despair, nor crafted for fear, nor destined to dwell in the shadows of doubt. You were called forth from the same divine voice that spoke light into being, created to reflect its glory, to carry its warmth, to shine as beacons in a world that so often gropes in darkness. Do you not feel it stirring within you? That spark, that flame, that unquenchable radiance placed within your soul by the hand of the Creator? It is yours, a sacred inheritance, a holy charge to bear.

Yet, we live in an age where shadows loom large. The world around us groans under the weight of division, of strife, of hearts grown cold and eyes grown dim. There are those who would snuff out the light, who would shroud the truth in lies, who would trade hope for despair and love for indifference. But hear this, beloved: the light within you cannot be overcome. It is not a fragile thing, easily extinguished. It is the same light that burst forth at the dawn of creation, the same light that has guided the faithful through trials and triumphs, the same light that even now calls you to rise, to stand, to shine.

So, I beseech you, do not hide your light. Do not let it be dimmed by fear, by doubt, or by the fleeting cares of this world. You are called to be luminaries, to walk boldly in the radiance of truth, to love fiercely with the warmth of compassion, to live with the courage of those who know their purpose is divine. Let your words be seasoned with grace, your actions clothed in mercy, your lives a testament to the One who first spoke light into being. For in your shining, the world sees hope. In your love, the broken find healing. In your courage, the fearful find strength.

Consider the stars that pierce the night sky, each one a testament to the enduring power of that first command. They do not strive to shine; they simply are. So too must you be—unapologetically radiant, steadfastly true, unwaveringly kind. The light within you is not yours alone; it is a gift to the weary, a beacon to the lost, a fire to warm those who shiver in the cold of despair. Share it freely, generously, without reserve, for the more you give, the brighter it grows.

And when the shadows press close, when the weight of this world feels heavy, remember this: the light was spoken into being by a voice that cannot be silenced, by a power that cannot be undone. That same voice speaks to you now, calling you to rise, to walk, to shine. It is a call to live not for yourself alone, but for the One who made you, for the world He loves, for the purpose He has woven into the fabric of your being.

Therefore, beloved, go forth as bearers of light. Let your lives proclaim the goodness of the Creator, the beauty of His creation, the hope of His promise. Let your words and deeds be a reflection of that first radiant dawn, when light overcame darkness and the world was forever changed. Shine, beloved, for you are children of the light, and through you, the world shall see the glory of the One who spoke it into being. Amen.

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O Eternal One, Creator of all that is, was, and ever shall be, we stand before You in awe, our hearts lifted by the memory of that sacred moment when Your voice pierced the formless void, when Your command brought forth light to scatter the darkness. We come to You now, a people diverse yet united, seeking Your presence, yearning for the radiance of Your truth to illuminate our souls and guide our paths.

You, who spoke and set the heavens ablaze with light, who called forth order from chaos and beauty from nothingness, we beseech You to pour out that same light upon us. Let it flood the hidden places of our hearts, where shadows of doubt, fear, and sorrow linger. Dispel the darkness that clouds our minds, that dims our hope, that blinds us to Your love. Kindle within us a flame that burns with the fervor of Your divine purpose, unquenchable and steadfast, a beacon to shine in a world that so often wanders in twilight.

We pray for Your people everywhere, for those who walk in joy and those who stumble in grief, for those who stand tall in faith and those who falter under the weight of trial. May Your light envelop them, O Creator, warming the weary, guiding the lost, and strengthening the weak. Let it shine through the divisions that fracture Your creation, through the walls of pride, hatred, and indifference that separate us from one another. Unite us, we pray, in the radiance of Your love, that we may reflect Your glory as one family, bound by Your eternal truth.

O Giver of Light, we lift before You this world You have made, so beautiful yet so broken. We pray for those who dwell in the shadows of injustice, whose cries go unheard, whose burdens grow heavy. Let Your light break forth like the dawn, exposing what is hidden, healing what is wounded, restoring what has been torn asunder. Grant wisdom to those who lead, compassion to those who serve, and courage to those who seek to mend what is broken. May Your light flow through their hands, their words, their hearts, bringing hope where despair has taken root.

For the young, whose eyes are bright with dreams, and for the old, whose lives are rich with wisdom, we ask Your light to guide their steps. For the seeker, searching for meaning, and for the faithful, steadfast in devotion, let Your radiance be their compass. For the stranger, the outcast, the forgotten, let Your light be a welcome, a refuge, a promise that they are seen, known, and cherished by You.

O Source of all light, we confess that we have sometimes turned from Your brilliance, choosing the dimness of our own ways, hiding from the truth that calls us to live fully in Your presence. Forgive us, we pray, and draw us back to You. Renew within us the fire of Your Spirit, that we may shine as You intended—boldly, humbly, joyfully—as bearers of Your light in a world that longs for it.

Teach us to walk as children of light, to love without reserve, to serve without counting the cost, to hope without ceasing. Let our lives be a testament to Your creative power, a reflection of that first radiant word that brought forth light from darkness. May we carry Your light into every corner of our days, into our homes, our work, our communities, that all may see and know the One who is the source of all goodness, all beauty, all life.

We offer this prayer in humble adoration, trusting in Your unending mercy, resting in the assurance that Your light will never fail, never fade, never be overcome. May it shine upon us, within us, and through us, now and forevermore. Amen.