How Long Is a Day?

            And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day. Genesis 1:5 (KJV) 

 

            When questioned about the creation account in The First Book of Moses, Genesis, Christians who are unsure of the authority of scripture will say some interesting things. For instance: When asked how long it took for God to create everything they will say something like, “We’re not sure. It could have been thousands of years. After all the scripture says,’. . . one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day’ (2 Pet. 3:8 KJV).”

            Can we actually interpret this quote from Peter as a literal answer to that question or should we understand it as a figure of speech that reveals the eternal dwelling of God. What would you say? The scripture also records the Psalmist saying, “For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night” Psalms 90:4 (KJV). Well now, a watch in the night is only four hours long. So, is a thousand years a “watch in the night,” a “day,” or “as yesterday?”

            Why is it so difficult to believe that God knew what He was saying when He “called the light Day, and the darkness He called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day” (Gen. 1:5). The word day, Mwy yowm, simply means “day:” a twenty four hour period of time that includes light and darkness (day and night). How difficult is that to understand?

            Those who practice true science understand that it is the earth’s rotation that causes night and day as it faces or turns away from the sun. Its rotation has been consistent since its creation. It rotates at the perfect speed to sustain life. There never was a time when the earth only rotated once every thousand years!

            Beloved, we do not need to defend the Bible. Science must defend its findings by being present at an event, recording and observing the many facets of the event. That is why God asked Job: “Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding” Job 38:4 (KJV).

            Only God, Himself, can prove or disprove, scientifically, how the earth was created and how long it took. He said “six days.”

 

 

George

 

Copyright (c) 2009 George M. Stover Jr.