the ex nihilo paradox

Genesis 1:1-3

1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. 3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.

“ Ex nihilo”, a Latin phrase meaning "out of nothing," refers to the theological concept that God created the universe without using any pre-existing materials. This idea implies that everything that exists came into being solely through the will and power of the Divine. This notion also emphasizes the sovereignty and omnipotence of God, who, by His will alone, brought everything into existence. In many religious traditions, “ex nihilo” serves as a foundational principle, highlighting the belief that all of creation is ultimately dependent on the Divine for its origin and sustenance, underscoring the relationship between the Creator and the created.

A brief example of this would be my giving you a plain piece of paper and asking you make a paper airplane. And much like many of our childhood experiences, most of us would happily reply. Now further imagine, I asked you to make another paper airplane, however, this time, you were given no paper and weren’t allowed to use the original piece of paper. Most of us would reply, “That’s an impossibility!” and you would be correct. It is one thing to make something out of something, however, making something out of nothing (ex nihilo) is an entirely different proposition as well as inherently impossible.

And the notion of “ex nihilo” leads to a more important idea. In the Jewish tradition, the concept of night preceding day is deeply rooted in the creation narrative found in the Book of Genesis. The scriptural account emphasizes that God created light and separated it from darkness, proclaiming the evening and the morning as a single day. This understanding stems from the Hebrew phrase "erev v’boker," which translates to "evening (a lack of light) and morning (light)." As a result, Jewish tradition has adopted this framework, marking the beginning of each day, as well as all Jewish holidays at sunset.

So the the question then becomes, “Which comes first, day or night?” And the not so obvious answer is “If the day leads to night, then all is going from light to darkness”. Which even more obviously, is the way of the world. We go from young to old, from strength to weakness, and ultimately from life to death. Clearly, the old Hebrew tradition, the sequence of day following night reflects a deeper theological understanding of creation and time. This order signifies the belief that darkness is not merely an absence of light but a necessary phase that precedes illumination. The Genesis creation narrative emphasizes that God created light and separated it from darkness, marking the first day with the declaration, "And there was evening, and there was morning." Consequently, this structure serves as a reminder of the transformative power of faith and the belief that every night eventually yields to the dawn.

As noted earlier, not only do all Jewish holidays begin at sunset, but each and every biblical day. In a biblical sense, the day beginning at sunset holds profound significance, symbolizing the transition from darkness to light, both literally and spiritually (which is clearly, the antithesis of the world). Just as creation began with darkness before God called forth light, we are reminded that periods of uncertainty and hardship can serve as a backdrop for transformation and growth. In other words, when the world moves from light to darkness, God moves from darkness to light. Those of faith are born of darkness into light. Consequently, we move from weakness to strength, sadness and despair to joy and our lives begin to move from darkness to light. Problems, challenges and difficulties in our lives will be seen as opportunities to learn and grow from. In this rhythm, believers find hope and reassurance that even in the darkest moments, light is on the horizon, and new beginnings are always within reach. This belief invites contemplation on the nature of existence and the relationship between the Creator and the created, reminding believers of the profound mystery surrounding the origin of all things.

Prayerful Thought:

14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.“ Matthew 5:14-16

And Remember…….

“ When we are breaking generational curses, things won’t come easy for us. Know that we are who our future heritage has been waiting for!”

“May the peace and grace of the Lord always be with you” - Dr. Lee