Bob,
The stars were not necessarily "formed" on the fourth day. The term “let there be” is not necessarily a term for creation. Rather, there is a more commonsensical way in which to view the “days” of Genesis 1.
The logical usage of terms "night" and "day", "evening and morning" in verse 5 of Genesis 1 (by Moses, by revelation) assumes the regular day that the Bible uses for 24 hours (I know you know this, but please hear me out…), but it also assumes a sun; one providing a morning and setting in order for there to be an evening. With the simple reading of verse 1, that the "heavens and the earth" were created and that God set to work on earth in verse 2 (you of all people note that the heavens are not in need of work), as it also logically and progressively states, the work on the stars on the fourth day isn't creation, but rather visibility. Let me explain.
If Job 38 be believed, then there is comment on the beginnings there: In verse 4 God says to Job, “ Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth?” Then He says, “ Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof; When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy? (verse 6 and 7) We see that we are at the beginning of all things and that it is established when God says of the earth, “ When I made the cloud the garment thereof, and thick darkness a swaddling band for it,” (verse 9) Do we not see the “birth” of the earth and its swaddling in darkness reminiscent of Genesis 1:2 (that’s rhetorical, BTW)? The “darkness upon the face of the deep” could not be more clear; it was a band, a covering over the whole of God’s already created earth.
The part that throws off or confuses most Christians when reading the Genesis account is the point of view of the author, Moses. The logical viewpoint is one who is ON the surface of the planet (certainly Moses had to have been “caught away” in the spirit, like many of the prophets, to write about such matters which were not personally experienced by him). If this be so then when the words are uttered, “Let there be light” we can see that the swaddling band had to have been dissipated somewhat for there to be an “evening and a morning”, else why use the words. You wouldn't if it were not so! Truth is truth.
Bob, I contend that the account in verses 14 through 18 are not creation of heavenly bodies, but their appearance to someone ON the earth. So it is for the activities of the other days (literal days, BTW, as I’m sure you agree). What usually skews the Christian understanding is verse 16 where the English is translated, “And God MADE two great lights…” The semantic range of the Hebrew word for “made” is so great and yet we have squeezed it to mean, “create”. That is just not so ( I don't think it was ever translated "create" in the KJV....haven't checked other versions). It is better handled with the English verb “do” or “accomplish something”. The accomplishment here, in the context, was to “give” (the actual better translation for “set them” in verse 17) the lights in the firmament of heaven for “signs and seasons, for days and years”. They were to “rule” (most recent translation have “govern”, which is OK).
This context is not about creating them, but (and pardon the pun) creating a more perfect role for the lights as God prepared (not created) the earth for the coming human population. I think you will see a more consistent thread of thought here when you translate things according to all the information that the Word provides.
Bob
