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Bereisheet

In the Beginning
“Let There Be Light”

Genesis 1:1-6:8
Isaiah 42:5-43:10 (A); 42:5-21 (S)

excerpted from TorahScope, Volume I

The Bible begins with words we are all too familiar with, “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was formless and empty. Darkness was on the surface of the deep and God’s Spirit was hovering over the surface of the waters. God said, ‘Let there be light,” and there was light’” (Genesis 1:1-3, WMB). What do you think about when you read this?

The beginning of the weekly Torah cycle includes a tremendous amount of information which has been preserved down through the ages. When you consider that in these opening chapters of the Scriptures, the text takes readers from the beginning of the universe all the way to the introduction of the generation of Noah, the amount of material covered is quite overwhelming. So many critical, foundational aspects of our faith are mentioned, that one could easily spend a lifetime considering the topics discussed. Contemplating the concept of Creation, cosmic and human origins, the Fall, and the future New Creation—and their implications for simply living a blessed life today—has generated voluminous material which can fill countless libraries.

One of the challenges which presents itself when a Torah student approaches the opening chapters of the Bible, and the beginning of the annual Torah cycle, is to ask the Lord just what to focus your attention upon. Perhaps this is why Psalm 1 reminds readers of the simple and practical benefits of meditating upon God’s Torah, and making reflection upon it an integral part of one’s discipline:

“Blessed is the man who doesn’t walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand on the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the LORD’s law. On his Torah he meditates day and night. He will be like a tree planted by the streams of water, that produces its fruit in its season, whose leaf also does not wither. Whatever he does shall prosper” (Psalm 1:1-3, WMB).

As I have considered the text of Bereisheet many times, and have meditated upon the significance of all the different verses, one aspect of it still keeps coming to my mind. For some reason, each time I read the words, “Let there be light,” the image of the benefits of illumination is something which grabs my attention. Our Creator is so powerful that He simply spoke the word “Light,” and there was light dispelling darkness. Additional statements from the Psalmist may remind us of how “Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light for my path” (Psalm 119:105, WMB).

Here, the Psalmist asserted that the Word of God was indeed a lamp to one’s feet and a light to one’s paths. Without the Word of the Lord, just where would we be headed? How would we view life? What would life be like if our Creator had not given us His Word? What would we know about Creation? Would we all be evolutionists, thinking that we are a part of some random, cosmic accident with no Creator? How would we know about Him?

A Light Unto the Nations

As I consider these questions—and a multitude of others—the corresponding Haftarah portion introduces us to the concept of light. In Isaiah 42:5-43:10, the Prophet Isaiah declared what the Most High was communicating to him about the Creation. The opening statement parallels the beginning parts of the Genesis account:

“God the LORD, he who created the heavens and stretched them out, he who spread out the earth and that which comes out of it, he who gives breath to its people and spirit to those who walk in it, says: ‘I, the LORD, have called you in righteousness. I will hold your hand. I will keep you, and make you a covenant for the people, as a light for the nations, to open the blind eyes, to bring the prisoners out of the dungeon, and those who sit in darkness out of the prison’” (Isaiah 42:5-7, WMB).

After the Creation account is briefly summarized, the Lord turned to His people, and reminded them of His protective hand and the covenant He had established with them. He described Israel in a very powerful way as “a light to the nations,” l’or goyim, meaning that this chosen community had the responsibility of bearing the love and truth of the Creator to the rest of Creation. Throughout history, Israel as a nation was able to preserve the illumination of truth which came forth from the pages of the Holy Writ, and in particular, the Torah of Moses. Isaiah declared more of this reality, and how both Israel and Israel’s Messiah were to be involved in the redemption of the world:

“Indeed, he says, ‘It is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel. I will also give you as a light to the nations, that you may be my salvation to the end of the earth” (Isaiah 49:6, WMB; cf. Luke 2:32).

“Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the LORD’s glory has risen on you! For behold, darkness will cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the LORD will arise on you, and his glory shall be seen on you. Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising” (Isaiah 60:1-3, WMB).

The Apostle Peter reiterated this concept centuries later, when he communicated the principles of being a holy nation to the Messianic community, which had been given an understanding of who and what “light” truly was to compose:

“But you are a chosen race [Isaiah 43:20, LXX; Deuteronomy 7:6; 10:15], a royal priesthood [Exodus 19:6; Isaiah 61:6], a holy nation [Exodus 19:6], a people for God’s own possession [Isaiah 43:21, LXX; Exodus 19:5; Deuteronomy 4:20; 7:6; 14:2], that you may proclaim the excellence of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9, WMB).

Light of the World

In pondering the subject of light, I recognize how light or illumination is a concept absolutely foundational to our faith. In fact, when considering the various aspects of light, I am reminded of some of Yeshua’s most memorable words. In His Sermon on the Mount, Yeshua—the Light of the World—classified His followers as also being the “light of the world”:

“You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill can’t be hidden. Neither do you light a lamp and put it under a measuring basket, but on a stand; and it shines to all who are in the house. Even so, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:14-16, WMB).

Juxtaposed between the Beatitudes[1] and a description about the validity of the Torah,[2] Yeshua reminded His audience that they were indeed the light, shining in a world darkened by the consequences of sin. In John’s Gospel, readers see further explanation concerning Yeshua, the Light of the World, and those who testify of Him:

“In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness hasn’t overcome it. There came a man sent from God, whose name was Yochanan. The same came as a witness, that he might testify about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but was sent that he might testify about the light. The true light that enlightens everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, and the world didn’t recognize him” (John 1:4-10, WMB).

Yeshua Himself reiterated this theme about the Light, is in His conversation with Nicodemus:

“This is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the light, for their works were evil. For everyone who does evil hates the light and doesn’t come to the light, lest his works would be exposed. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his works may be revealed, that they have been done in God” (John 3:19-21, WMB).

“Let There Be Light”

As you consider Bereisheet, you can focus on a great number of profound subjects which have their roots in these opening chapters of the Bible. The details of the six days/yamim/phases of Creation,[3] and the institution of the Shabbat (Sabbath) rest, are recalled.[4] The creation of Adam and Eve and their Fall from grace are articulated.[5] Aspects of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, contrasted to the Tree of Life, can be contemplated.[6] The admonitions to be fruitful and multiply, and to take dominion over the created order, can be discussed.[7] The particulars of the introduction of sin, and the judgments brought upon Adam, Eve, and the serpent can be diagnosed.[8] The arrival of offspring in Cain and Abel, and the conflict which ensued between these brothers with contrasting sacrificial offerings, can be debated.[9] The birth of Seth and the promised seed which will carry the blessings promised to Adam and the generations which follow, could be discussed.[10] Finally, the birth of Noah and God’s regret that humanity had devolved into great debauchery, could be analyzed.[11]

As important as each one of these things is—in order to even begin to properly analyze these profound foundational subjects related to our faith—you are required to have the light and illumination of the Holy Spirit. Without the Spirit, you will certainly be in the dark. The more time you spend in the light of God’s Word, the more you will be able to understand the profound aspects of it.

It is beneficial for you to spend a specified period of time in His Word every day, to receive the benefits of spiritual illumination. Perhaps this is why our Jewish brethren have developed a system of study which annually takes people through the Torah, to be taught more and more about our Creator, and the light He is dispensing to His people. Perhaps as we study the Torah—especially knowing that Yeshua is the Messiah—we will have our hearts and minds illuminated in such a way that when we hear His voice proclaim, “Let there be light!” it will take on many profound dimensions. The light of Yeshua dispels the darkness of sin. Because of the Father’s mercy toward us, we can then become a bearer of truth and good news to all we encounter!