The Lesser Light to Rule the Night
“And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night” (Genesis 1:16).
The Sun dominates our daytime sky. Without its warming rays, life could not exist on Earth. It produces energy that supports life through the process of photosynthesis. The Sun has been used by God as a symbol of the Gospel message, a message of life and prosperity. As sunlight is used in the growth of terrestrial life, so the light of Gospel truth contributes to spiritual development. The prophet Malachi added to the symbol by describing our Lord as “the Sun of Righteousness” who will “arise with healing in his wings” (Malachi 4:2). Jesus also described the church as, “the righteous” who “shine forth as the Sun in the kingdom of their Father” (Matthew 13:43). The wonderful power of the Sun is aptly used to illustrate the life‑giving influence of Jesus and the Gospel message.
“And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the Sun, and the Moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars” (Revelation 12:1).
In this passage the woman represents the early church. Being clothed with the Sun shows that she had the Gospel message to cover her as a robe of righteousness. The twelve stars on her head are the twelve apostles who guided the church. Under her feet was the Moon. This indicates that the early church was primarily Jewish and supported by the Law. However, it was not her main source of light, just as the Moon merely reflects sunlight. (See Reprint 306 paragraph 4, and Volume 4 page 591).
THE MOON – A SYMBOL OF THE LAW
Just as the Moon is described as a “lesser light” than the Sun, so the Law of Moses was not the full light from God. Much of Israel’s Law contained symbols of greater things to come. The typical sacrifices of the Tabernacle pointed to the actual sacrifices of Jesus, the church, and the future offerings of the world. So the Law was a lesser light to the reality of the Gospel and Millennial Ages.
Moses at Mount Sinai
The Jewish system is based on lunar cycles. The beginning of the Jewish religious year was determined by the first new moon after the spring equinox. The slaying of the Passover Lamb on the 14th of Nisan occurred when the moon was full. As the antitypical Passover Lamb, Jesus was also slain on the 14th of Nisan. Upon his death the moon began to wane, showing how the Mosaic Law was supplanted by the Gospel. For the Jews who came into Christ, the Law accomplished its purpose of being a schoolmaster, bringing them to Christ (Galatians 3:24, 25).
PHYSICS OF THE MOON [1]
Earth’s Moon is relatively large in comparison to Earth. No other planet in our solar system has a moon as large in proportion to its host planet. There are some interesting facts about the physical qualities of the Moon that may relate to the Law and its effect upon society.
For example, the Moon steadies the rotational axis of the Earth and helps create a more stable, life‑friendly climate. Our Moon keeps the tilt of the Earth from varying over a large range. A larger tilt would cause greater climate fluctuations. Our planet’s tilt is currently 23.5 degrees and varies from 22.1 to 24.5 degrees over several thousand years. If our Moon were as small as the moons of Mars, Earth’s tilt would vary, not 2½ degrees, but 30 degrees, based on the proportional mass between the two bodies. Should the Earth tilt by that amount when leaning toward the Sun, the northern hemisphere would experience months of scorching daylight. High northern latitudes would be subjected to searing heat. The other half of the year would see viciously cold months of perpetual night.
Earth’s tilt is adjusted thoughtfully.
But it is not just an extreme tilt that would cause devastating results. A significantly smaller tilt of Earth’s axis would also create problems. The resulting milder seasons would prevent the wide distribution of rain, an important part of making a hospitable place for life. With the current 23.5‑degree tilt, Earth’s wind patterns change throughout the year, bringing seasonal monsoons to areas that would otherwise remain parched. A planet with little or no tilt would likely have much larger areas of arid land.
STABILIZING EFFECT OF THE LAW
The natural effect of the Moon upon our planet suggests that God’s Law has had a similar stabilizing effect upon Jewish society. Throughout history, Jews have benefited from the influence of God’s Law above other nations. It provided the proper constraints for an orderly society. Their advanced dietary and sanitary laws helped shield them from some of the devastating diseases the world has seen. Laws, such as those listed in the Ten Commandments (thou shalt not murder, thou shalt not steal, etc.), created a safer and more prosperous environment than societies without such laws. The pinnacle of human interaction described in the Mosaic Law was, “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself” (Leviticus 19:18). This alone could create a healthy and happy environment for all who lived by it.
When encouraging Israel to obey God’s laws, Moses said, “Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, ‘Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people’ … and what nation is there so great, that hath statutes and judgments so righteous as all this Law, which I set before you this day?” (Deuteronomy 4:6,8). Moses understood that it was God’s Law that could make Israel a great nation.
An important aspect of the Mosaic Law was how it affected Israel’s relationship with God. By legislating rules that recognized His superiority, they were taught to respect His moral authority and goodness. Through the Law they could see certain qualities in God that provided a standard for them. If acted upon properly, this would naturally avoid the wide swings from righteous living to idolatry and immorality.
The principle of how laws create a stable social structure is not limited to Jewish society. The Apostle Paul urges Christians to respect the rule of law, even in an imperfect world. “Obey them that have the rule over you and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account” (Hebrews 13:17).
Although this world can never offer perfect laws, their efforts still help stabilize society. A world without laws would be chaotic and dangerous. The English philosopher John Locke recognized this when he wrote, “The end of law is not to abolish or restrain, but to preserve and enlarge freedom … Where there is no law, there is no freedom.”[2]
EARTH’S MAGNETIC FIELD [3]
Sitting 93 million miles from the Sun keeps the Earth at a temperature perfect for life. However, sitting so close to the Sun also poses a threat. Along with sunlight and heat, there is a steady stream of destructive ionized high‑energy particles. If this “Solar wind” poured down on us as does the sunlight, it would kill most of the plant and animal life as we know it. To make things more challenging, these ionized particle streams are punctuated by occasional solar “storms” that emit large bursts of even more energetic particles.
By divine wisdom, we are protected from this solar wind. The Earth’s magnetic field deflects this “solar wind” much like an automobile windshield deflects wind. During severe solar storms, bright displays of light, known as auroras, are created at Earth’s poles when solar wind particles collide with elements in our atmosphere. This lovely display of colors is a reminder of the Lord’s forethought and loving protection.
The Danish Physicist Hans Christian Orsted discovered that the movement of electricity through a wire creates a magnetic field around that wire. This principle helps scientists understand how Earth’s own magnetic field is created. In simple terms, the outer core of the Earth contains a strata of molten iron alloy, an excellent conductor of electricity. As the molten iron circulates, its movement creates electricity, which, in turn, forms a magnetic field. However, recent computer models and geochemical studies of rock formations have suggested the Earth alone cannot generate enough energy to maintain our magnetic field.
The magnetic shielding of Earth
Researchers from the National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS) have suggested that the Moon could be the missing source of energy. The Earth has a slightly flattened shape and bulges at the equator. This is caused by the centrifugal force of Earth’s rotation. The Moon contributes to this as its gravity helps deform the liquid mantle. It is the same force that causes our ocean tides. These forces together stimulate motion of the liquid iron in the outer core, which in turn increases the electrical charge, which then strengthens the magnetic field. So, the Moon is now believed to contribute to the strength of Earth’s magnetic field.
GOD’S PROTECTIVE CARE AND DIRECTIONS FOR LIFE
By creating the physical laws on which the universe operates, God provided the protection needed for life to exist on Earth. But He also knew that scientific principles were not enough for man to exist on the highest level of life. Science cannot provide spiritual protection from sin or the moral direction to live in a perfect society. Any form of sin contaminates, not only the individual, but society as a whole. Unless it is first identified, it cannot be dealt with. The Apostle Paul wrote, “I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, ‘Thou shalt not covet’” (Romans 7:7).
As the Law of Israel provided protection and guidance, so even the laws of this world provide similar help for its citizens. However, the laws of man are imperfect and inferior to the laws that will be established in the Kingdom. As a compass directs the traveler and points to magnetic north, so God’s laws will give moral direction which will contribute to the work of the Kingdom. As Earth’s magnetic field shields the entire planet, so the Kingdom of God will be universal, bringing humanity the direction needed to reach perfection, both on an individual basis as well as a society.
NO NEED FOR SUN OR MOON
Laws are an essential part of a functioning civilization. Without them the unruly would have free hand in dominating others. However, there will come a time when written laws may no longer be necessary. Once God’s kingdom has accomplished its work of writing God’s Law in the heart of each individual, outward conduct will be guided by the ingrained principles of God. This is described in the promise to Israel, “I will put My law in their inward parts and write it in their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people” (Jeremiah 31:33). This does not mean laws will not exist, but everyone will be so in tune with the principles of righteousness that written laws will likely be unnecessary.
This is described in the Book of Revelation, “And the city had no need of the Sun, neither of the Moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof” (Revelation 21:23). The Sun, as a symbol of the Gospel, and the Moon as a symbol of the Law, are external influences. When the message of God’s love is fully etched into every heart, these external messages will no longer be needed. What a glorious prospect!
CONCLUSION
As we begin to learn the scientific principles on which our universe exists, our thoughts turn to our wonderful Creator. As our tiny planet hangs in space it is as if God is cradling us in His mighty hand, or, as the Psalmist describes, under the shadow of His wings (Psalm 91:1,4). The brilliance and harmony of creation leaves us in awe.
The protection He has provided for this tiny jewel that is man’s home reflects the heart of a father who desires only good for His children. How can we do other than worship and praise Him for all we see? Our hearts again join with the Psalmist. “When I consider thy heavens, the work of Thy fingers, the Moon and the stars, which Thou hast ordained; What is man, that Thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that Thou visitest him? For Thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honor. Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of Thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet … O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the Earth! (Psalms 8:3-6, 9)
[1] Information gleaned from The Privileged Planet, by Guillermo Gonzalez and Jay W. Richards
[2] Locke, John, The Second Treatise of Civil Government.
[3] Scientific Information gleaned from https://astronomynow.com/