Light or Darkness: Divine Presence Contradictions?
In this article, you will learn how Genesis 15:17 contradicts Genesis 1:3, Exodus 20:21, 1 Kings 8:12, John 1:5 and 1 Thessalonians 5:5. Find the translations at the bottom of the page..
In exploring the symbolism of light and darkness in biblical texts, we encounter intriguing contradictions regarding how God's presence is depicted. Genesis 15:17 offers a compelling scene where God makes a covenant with Abraham, symbolized by a "smoking furnace and a burning lamp" passing between sacrificial pieces. This imagery suggests light as a guiding and covenantal presence, reminiscent of a solemn torch illuminating a sacred path.
However, when we turn to Genesis 1:3, the narrative shifts significantly. This verse illustrates God's creation of light, bringing order out of chaos at the dawn of the world. Unlike the sparse illumination in Genesis 15:17, here, light is a powerful, creative force establishing life itself. This contrast raises questions about the roles light plays in different divine engagements.
Similarly, in Exodus 20:21, the scene describes God's presence shrouded in "thick darkness" as Moses approaches Him on Mount Sinai. This portrayal favors a mysterious, concealed divinity, which challenges the clarity the burning lamp in Genesis 15:17 might suggest about God's communication.
Further emphasizing this theme, 1 Kings 8:12 states, "The LORD said that he would dwell in thick darkness." This depiction aligns with Exodus, portraying God residing in an enigmatic, obscured state rather than illuminated, diverging from the luminous covenant with Abraham.
Conversely, John 1:5 introduces a thought where "light shineth in darkness," portraying light as a revelation in obscurity. Yet, Genesis 15:17’s duality of smoke and light complicates this straightforward confrontation between light and darkness.
Lastly, 1 Thessalonians 5:5 addresses believers as "children of light," symbolizing enlightenment and truth. This differs from the nocturnal setting in Genesis 15:17, where darkness frames the sacred moment.
These contrasts provoke us to ponder whether divine encounters inherently fluctuate between illumination and obscurity, continually reshaping human understanding of God's communication and presence.
| # | Verse | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Genesis 15:17 | And it came to pass, that, when the sun went down, and it was dark, behold a smoking furnace, and a burning lamp that passed between those pieces. [a burning...: Heb. a lamp of fire] |
| 2. | Genesis 1:3 | And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. |
| 3. | Exodus 20:21 | And the people stood afar off, and Moses drew near unto the thick darkness where God [was]. |
| 4. | 1 Kings 8:12 | Then spake Solomon, The LORD said that he would dwell in the thick darkness. |
| 5. | John 1:5 | And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. [comprehended: or, did not admit, or, receive] |
| 6. | 1 Thessalonians 5:5 | Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. |