Ancient Hebrew writers highlighted something by placing it in the centre of a text. So, for example, Leviticus is at the centre of the first five books of the Bible (‘the Pentateuch’). And the day of atonement sits at the centre of the book of Leviticus. It is interesting to note then, what lies in the centre of the seven-day creation narrative, on day four. Here we have the creation of the ‘two great lights’ (the sun and moon are left unnamed here because they were typically deified in the ancient pagan world). These two great lights are to govern the day and the night. ‘Government’ is an important idea in the creation narrative. Human beings are to govern the earth but they themselves are to be governed by God and the sun and moon, as reflectors of God’s light, are also signs of his government. So, to what end are they to govern? They are to “serve as signs to mark sacred times”. This of course refers to the regular seasons of worship from the daily rituals and Sabbath days to the annual festivals. In other words, at the centre of this creation narrative, is an imperative for worship. A life oriented around worship then leads to sabbath rest. What you love most is the object of your worship. Our highest love is what our lives orbit around. If your life does not orbit around God then it will inevitably orbit chaotically around other people. This will undermine your human relationships because only God can be your light and your stable ‘centre’. He alone creates the conditions for us and our relationships to flourish.
Put God and his purpose central in your life.
Read Genesis 1:14-19, Matthew 6:33 and 22:37-38
