"Then God made two great lights: the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night."
Genesis 1:16a
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As I thought about this verse the other morning, an unexpected application occurred to me. I suppose the thought arose because this text uses the word "rule" to denote the activity of the sun and moon. Other translations use the same sort of personification, translating the word "rule" with "govern."
Ruling. Governing. These are positions of authority and privilege. These are offices to which some are called upon and expected to function in for the good of others. Those entrusted with the responsibility to rule and govern are expected to be great leaders, men & women of vision and benevolence, outstanding examples of public service.
But here in this text the Lord assigns one particular - and maybe often overlooked - responsibility to those who rule: Shed Light. The sun and the moon fulfill their office by shedding light upon men. The greater ruler sheds more light. The lesser ruler sheds less light. But either way, their special calling is to make things visible and clear.
