March 16, 2021

Mar 16, 2021    Jim Osmond

… And there was evening and there was morning, one day. Genesis 1:5B NASB

In Genesis 1:5, we read that God created day one. It’s interesting to point out the days that follow adhere to the ordinal numbering of days, such as a “second” day, a “third” day, and so forth. However, in Genesis 1:5, the word in Hebrew that is used is not the ordinal form for “first” (רִאשׁוֹן) as you might think, but rather the cardinal form for “one” (אֶחָֽד). (I’ve highlighted the NASB version in the introduction that notes this difference.) Why is this? Perhaps the difference in numerical expression in Genesis 1:5 is to convey the introduction of a day, which was something that had not yet been created. It was literally “DAY ONE”!

I think there is something significant to this idea as it highlights God’s propensity for new beginnings, particularly when it comes to His plan of salvation. In John 3, Jesus introduces this concept of being “born again” to Nicodemus, and that being born again was necessary to enter the kingdom of God. Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 5:17a (ESV), “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation…”

Consequently, the Christian can reflect back when the personal decision was made to trust in Jesus Christ as their Savior and say it was then that God created for them “day one” (“yom echad”), spiritually speaking. “Day one” of a new life with Him. “Day one” that brought new hope, fullness of joy and a peace that passes understanding. “Day one” where the bondage of sins was broken and deliverance was found. A day that brought a new beginning, a new chapter of a new book whose pages will turn throughout eternity with Him.

In closing, we may think of the expression of “day one” as a point ordained by God, created for His purposes and for His glory; whether that is expressed in the creation narrative of Genesis or your personal rebirth as an heir of God. It is a point at which what follows will be forever changed. Now as we think of Easter during this Lenten season, I can’t help but imagine on that Easter morning filled with all spiritual anticipation during that first moment when Jesus Christ arose with new life, there might have been a whisper somewhere among the halls of heaven saying, “Day One…”

Jim Osmond