God Divided the Light From the Darkness – The Meaning. God’s Light from dark compared to Yin-yang.

Summary

The script delves into the biblical passage Genesis 1:3-5, exploring the profound meaning of God dividing light from darkness. It emphasizes the significance of the Hebrew word 'bawdal' (H914), used in various contexts to mean 'separate' or 'sever'. The discussion contrasts this biblical separation with the yin-yang concept of dualism, highlighting the distinctness of light and dark in the Bible. The narrative underscores God's creation plan and the transformation from darkness to light, culminating in a divine light in the New Jerusalem.

Takeaways

• 🔍 Understanding the deeper meaning of 'divided' in the context of God separating light from darkness in Genesis 1:3-5 is crucial.
• 📜 Different translations of the Hebrew word 'bawdal' (H914) highlight the extent of the separation between light and darkness.
• 🌅 This separation is not just about the appearance of light but indicates a clear distinction between light and darkness.
• 💡 The exercise involves exploring Genesis 1:3-5 and examining various translations to grasp the full meaning of 'divided'.
• 📖 Biblical examples in Leviticus and Ezekiel reinforce the strength and significance of this separation.
• 🌗 Light and dark are distinct and separate entities, with no in-between, as shown in the biblical narrative.
• 🎭 Unlike the yin-yang concept, where opposites are interconnected, God's division of light and dark is absolute with no mixture.
• ✨ God’s separation of light from darkness illustrates a fundamental aspect of His creation and His plan.
• 🌟 The Bible’s narrative begins with darkness and ends in the light of God, demonstrating the journey from darkness to light.
• 🔑 This lesson emphasizes the importance of understanding the biblical concept of separation and prepares for further study on the topic.

Q & A

What is the deeper meaning of 'God divided light from darkness' according to the script?

The deeper meaning is that God's division of light and darkness signifies a clear and powerful separation. It emphasizes that light and dark are two completely distinct entities with no overlap or mixture.

How does the Hebrew word 'bawdal' (H914) contribute to the understanding of this division?

The Hebrew word 'bawdal' (H914) used for 'divided' has various translations such as 'asunder,' 'sever,' and 'separate,' which highlight the strength and decisiveness of the division between light and darkness.

What does the exercise involving Genesis 1:3-5 aim to teach?

The exercise aims to deepen understanding of the concept of 'divided' in Genesis 1:3-5 by exploring different translations and contexts where the word 'bawdal' (H914) is used, emphasizing the powerful and complete separation enacted by God.

What significance does Leviticus 20:25-26 have in this discussion?

Leviticus 20:25-26 reinforces the concept of separation by illustrating how God commands the Israelites to distinguish between clean and unclean animals, highlighting the importance of maintaining distinct boundaries.

How does Ezekiel 42:20 contribute to the understanding of 'divided'?

Ezekiel 42:20 illustrates the physical and symbolic separation between the sacred and the profane, underscoring the clear and intentional division that God established between different states of being.

What is the key difference between the Biblical concept of separation and the yin-yang philosophy?

The Biblical concept of separation presents light and darkness as completely distinct and separate, with no overlap. In contrast, the yin-yang philosophy views opposing forces as interconnected and complementary, with each containing a part of the other.

How does 1 John 1:5 relate to the theme of light and darkness?

1 John 1:5 reinforces the theme by stating that God is pure light and has no darkness at all, underscoring the absolute nature of the separation between light and darkness in God's nature.

What does 1 Peter 2:9 convey about the separation of light and darkness?

1 Peter 2:9 conveys that believers are called out of darkness into God's marvelous light, highlighting the transformative aspect of this separation as part of God's plan for humanity.

How does Revelation 22:5 relate to the ultimate outcome of this separation?

Revelation 22:5 describes the New Jerusalem, where there will be no night and God will provide eternal light, representing the ultimate fulfillment of God's separation of light from darkness.

What is the overall narrative arc from Genesis 1:1-5 to Revelation 22:5?

The narrative arc spans from the creation of light out of total darkness in Genesis to the ultimate state of eternal light in the New Jerusalem, demonstrating God's plan to lead humanity out of darkness into His light.

Outlines

00:00

✨ Understanding the Division of Light and Darkness in Genesis

The first paragraph delves into the deeper meaning behind God's division of light and darkness as described in Genesis 1:3-5. It emphasizes the significance of the Hebrew word 'bawdal' (H914) and its various translations, such as 'asunder' and 'sever.' By exploring these translations, the text highlights the power and intent behind God's action of dividing light from darkness rather than eliminating darkness. This division is seen as a foundational act that sets the stage for the human story, symbolizing a clear distinction between light and dark, holy and unholy.

09:11

🔍 Exploring the Concept of Division versus Unity

The second paragraph contrasts the biblical notion of God dividing light from darkness with the concept of yin-yang from Ancient Chinese philosophy, which emphasizes balance and interdependence. Unlike the yin-yang symbol, where light and dark are interconnected and complementary, the biblical narrative portrays light and darkness as completely separate entities with no overlap. The text references several Bible verses, including 1 John 1:5, 1 Peter 2:9, and Revelation 22:5, to reinforce the idea that in God's creation, there is a clear, unambiguous division between light and darkness, with no possibility of mixture.

14:14

📘 Preview of the Next Lesson

The third paragraph serves as a teaser for the next lesson, which will continue the exploration of Key 1. It promises further confirmation of the concept of God dividing light and darkness, focusing on the 'cutting separation' described in Genesis 1:4. The lesson aims to provide a deeper understanding of this foundational biblical concept.

Keywords

💡Divided

The term 'divided' refers to God's action of separating light from darkness in Genesis 1:3-5. It emphasizes a clear and powerful distinction, as seen in the examples from Leviticus and Ezekiel where God separates clean from unclean and sacred from profane. This concept highlights the absolute nature of God's separation, contrasting with the blending of yin and yang.

💡Light and Darkness

'Light and Darkness' symbolize the first act of creation by God. Light represents goodness, holiness, and God's presence, while darkness signifies the absence of these qualities. The script explores the profound implications of this separation, emphasizing that light and darkness are distinct and opposite entities.

💡Sever

'Sever' is a translation of the Hebrew word H914, used to describe God's action of dividing light from darkness. It implies a strong, forceful separation, reinforcing the idea that light and darkness are completely distinct. This term is also used in other biblical contexts to describe significant separations made by God.

💡Bawdal (H914)

'Bawdal' is the Hebrew word translated as 'divided,' 'sever,' or 'separate.' The script encourages exploring its various translations to understand the depth of the separation God made between light and darkness. This word highlights the power and significance of God's actions in creating order from chaos.

💡Genesis 1:3-5

These verses describe the initial act of creation where God commands, 'Let there be light,' and then divides the light from the darkness. This passage sets the foundation for the biblical narrative, emphasizing the distinct and purposeful acts of God in creation. It is used in the script to explore the profound implications of this separation.

💡Leviticus 20:25-26

These verses illustrate God's command to the Israelites to distinguish between clean and unclean animals and to remain holy by separating themselves from other peoples. They reinforce the concept of 'divided' as a powerful and meaningful separation, which is used to deepen the understanding of God's actions in Genesis.

💡Ezekiel 42:20

This verse describes the measurement of a wall that separates the sanctuary from the profane place. It exemplifies the strong, physical separation that reflects the spiritual separation of light and darkness. The script uses this to illustrate the completeness of God's division.

💡Yin-Yang

Yin-yang is an ancient Chinese concept of dualism where seemingly opposite forces are interconnected and interdependent. The script contrasts this with the biblical separation of light and darkness, emphasizing that, unlike yin-yang's blend, God's division creates two entirely separate entities.

💡1 John 1:5

This verse declares that 'God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all,' reinforcing the absolute nature of the separation between light and darkness. It supports the script's message that God's light is pure and untainted by darkness.

💡1 Peter 2:9

This verse speaks to the believers being called out of darkness into God's marvelous light, emphasizing the transformative power of God's separation. It is used in the script to illustrate the ultimate purpose and plan of God's division between light and darkness.

Highlights

God divided light from darkness, emphasizing the deeper meaning of 'divided' in Biblical Hebrew.

The word 'bawdal' (H914) has various translations such as 'separate', 'sever', and 'asunder', reflecting the power of the division.

The first action of God in Genesis 1:3-5 inaugurates the fascinating story of humankind.

God did not eliminate darkness but divided it from light, indicating they are two distinct entities.

Understanding the division of light and darkness helps grasp God's nature as all Light.

Leviticus 20:25-26 and Ezekiel 42:20 use H914 to highlight the strong division between clean and unclean, and holy and profane.

The division between light and darkness is not a smooth transition but a clear distinction.

God’s division means there is no mixture of semi-darkness or semi-light.

The separation of light from dark is compared to a clear, sudden switch, like in a movie theater.

God's division of light and dark is in opposition to the yin-yang concept of balance and interdependence.

In God, there is no darkness at all, as stated in 1 John 1:5.

Believers are called out of darkness into marvelous light, as described in 1 Peter 2:9.

Revelation 22:5 describes the New Jerusalem where there is no night, only God's light.

The Bible narrative begins in total darkness in Genesis and ends in total light in Revelation.

God's plan involves taking humans out of darkness and placing them in His Light.

Transcripts

The meaning of God divided Light and darkness

- another translation understatement God

divided light from darkness. Learn the deeper meaning of divided.

Unlock Bible Meaning with Key 1 to master Biblical Hebrew is the same Hebrew word has

various meaning. Those other translations bear on the extent of how God divided light

and dark.

This is your first exercise, and it involves the very first action of God in Genesis 1:3-5.

It is the inauguration of the fascinating story of humankind. It's like breaking a bottle

of classy champagne on the hull of the majestic cruise liner Queen Elizabeth II and launching

a grandiose vessel. Where there was pitch black, now there's light. However, in this

narrative it's not just the appearance of light, it's much more. God divided the light

and darkness, He didn't eliminate the latter; He divided them one from the other. If God

is all Light, which He is, why didn't He dispose of darkness completely?

Go to UnlockBibleMeaning.com Find Genesis 1:3-5 where God divided light

from dark

You've checked Strong's Concordance and seen the other translations used to render bawdal,

(H914). Let's feel the depth of divided.

Mouseover the space below H914. Click on Hebrew Concordance for H914.

All the verses containing H914 will display in the left column.

Search (ctrl-F, command-F) for asunder. Read the verses highlighting asunder.

Repeat for the KJV translations: sever, separate.

Notice the strength, the power, of the words in English, asunder and sever. What are your

conclusions?

Here are a couple of contexts to reinforce the strength of what divided should mean to

us.

Leviticus 20:25-26

25 You shall therefore put difference (H914) between clean beasts and unclean, and between

unclean fowls and clean: and you shall not make your souls abominable by beast, or by

fowl, or by any manner of living thing that creeps on the ground, which I have separated

(H914) from you as unclean.

26 And you shall be holy to me: for I the Lord am holy, and have severed (H914) you

from other people, that you should be mine.

Ezekiel 42:20

20 He measured it by the four sides: it had a wall round about, five hundred reeds long,

and five hundred broad, to make a separation (H914) between the sanctuary and the profane

place.[/box]

The narrative when God divided light from dark is not merely witnessing dawn and dusk

with their smooth, calm, and often romantic transition. This division makes a clear distinction;

light and dark have nothing in common; it shows they are two very different and separate

entities. As we understand in Ezekiel, above, there’s a literal barrier separating darkness

and light, the profane and saintly places.

What we see here is this dividing means God doesn’t have a mixture of semi-darkness

or semi-light or twilight. He has divided it into deep dark and bright light: complete

opposites, there’s no in-between. It's like the dark in a movie theater and then, suddenly,

the stage, spot and house-lights snap on.

God divided the light from the dark. He severed it asunder. God is telling us not to confound

light and dark, they are two totally distinct and separate entities.

Here's something to think about.

How does the term "God divided light and dark" connect with the yin-yang balancing act of the black

and white symbol flowing into each other? The commentary below is from Wikipedia.

Yin-yang can be thought of as complementary (rather than opposing) forces that interact

to form a dynamic system

In Ancient Chinese philosophy, yin and yang (/jɪn/ and /jɑːŋ, jæŋ/; Chinese: 陰陽

yīnyáng pronounced [ín jǎŋ], lit. "bright-black", "positive-negative") is a concept of dualism,

describing how seemingly opposite or contrary forces may actually be complementary, interconnected,

and interdependent in the natural world, and how they may give rise to each other as they

interrelate to one another.

The notion of duality can be found in many areas, such as Communities of Practice. The

term "dualistic-monism" or dialectical monism has been coined in an attempt to express this

fruitful paradox of simultaneous unity and duality. Yin and yang can be thought of as

complementary (rather than opposing) forces that interact to form a dynamic system in

which the whole is greater than the assembled parts.

According to this philosophy, everything has both yin and yang aspects (for instance, shadow

cannot exist without light). Either of the two major aspects may manifest more strongly

in a particular object, depending on the criterion of the observation. The yin yang (i.e. taijitu symbol)

shows a balance between two opposites with a portion of the opposite element in each

section.

God divided in opposition to yin-yang

God severed asunder the light and the dark. With God there is no light in the dark and

no dark in the light. The very first Creation act portrays God's plan.

1 John 1:5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare to you,

that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar

people; that you should show forth the praises of him who has called you out of darkness

into his marvellous light:

Revelation 22:5 And there shall be no night (darkness) there (New Jerusalem); and they

need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God gives them light: and they

shall reign for ever and ever.

Genesis 1:1-5 starts the story of humankind in pitch black, in total darkness. The end

of the story of humankind is in total light, the light of God. The Bible reveals how God

takes humans out of the darkness and puts them in His Light. How God divided light from

darkness.

The next lesson will complete our survey of Key 1

Further confirmation of God divided; this cutting separation of light and dark with

the missing word between in Gen. 1:4.