"...And the evening and the morning were the first day." Gen. 1:5
This terminology is one of the MAIN reasons it was so easy and natural for me to think that the "real" days (24 hour periods) were from "evening to evening", like the modern Jews observe/practice, instead of from "midnight to midnight"-- like our modern time is calculated. I *still* do NOT think our "days" should begin at 12:00 midnight... after all, simple common sense tells you that 12:00pm is in the MIDDLE of the NIGHT (mid-night)-- it is NOT morning OR day. It is STILL NIGHT. That calculation of time began with men, not naturally designed by YHWH. BUT, I *also* do NOT believe that a day begins at EVENING-- going into the NIGHT. Apart from pre-conceived ideas and cultural traditions, I don't think ANYONE would NATURALLY think or assume that when evening comes it is a new DAY. Those ideas come from MEN and TRADITION. The ONLY reason I embraced that idea at ALL was because of the wording of the ENGLISH TRANSLATION of the above verse of Scripture (along with the description of the following five days in Gen. 1:8, 13, 19, 23, and 31). Whether it made sense to me or not, I was going to believe what was written in the Scripture. So, I did-- for quite a while... even though I began to understand that YHWH's ways tend to MAKE REASONABLE AND LOGICAL SENSE in MOST cases. MOST of the time it is VERY EASY to understand the way things were intended to be, because it is SO NATURAL and LOGICAL! Confusion and controversy creep in when we've been influenced by the ideas and philosophies of MEN all our lives, and then when we are introduced to REAL TRUTH it goes against what we've been conditioned to think-- AND what EVERYONE ELSE thinks-- so we USUALLY REJECT it. That's my opinion and experience...
Anyway, if you go all the way back to the beginning, its VERY easy to understand that WHEN THE SUN COMES UP in the MORNING it is A NEW DAY. HOW SIMPLE! :D I know that the sun does not come up at the same time every day, but why does that matter? Why is that an argument or stumbling block? WHY would one think that each day MUST begin at the same "time" (according to a clock) EVERY day? It is NOT necessary, believe it or not. THAT is another preconceived idea. Each day comes and goes in perfect fashion, whether anyone keeps track of it minute by minute or not. It remains constant, no matter the timing of minutes or seconds anyone puts on it. Tracking the sun across the sky each day, during each season of the year, gives one enough of a "rough estimate of time" to work and function efficiently in natural life and living. I know that isn't enough in order to live within the corporate world or our present society of jobs and meetings and events, etc. But, NATURALLY, it IS enough-- just look at other countries that live more simply in villages and use the sun, moon, and stars to calculate "time". They have all they need to calculate daily time, as well as the best times to plant and harvest and fish, or do anything they need to do. It works efficiently! And dare I bring up the animals and even plant life? EVERYTHING functions well-- WITHOUT the use of our modern calendars and clocks. Everything but US, that is! We've been trained to RELY on our man-made calendars and clocks to the extent that very few of us can function or live without them. HOW SAD!
I recently read an explanation of the day beginning with the sun coming up (as one would NATURALLY think), in relation to the above Scripture. It made it understandable to me, as well as confirmed the NARURAL ORDER OF THINGS in my mind. After seeing this man's perspective and comparing it to what I already see and know within myself, it made perfect sense in every way. THAT is important to me. If a "thought" or interpretation cannot AGREE with what makes sense in the NATURAL CREATION of YHWH... then it is very likely in error somehow. Scriptural truth tends to confirm the natural laws we see working in our universe (which is no surprise, considering YHWH created our universe! :) ).
The Scripture lets us know that in the beginning it was dark. YHWH created light... and thus began the "time of work". He established "time" BEFORE he created the sun, moon, and stars for us to keep track of time. So AFTER He created light (which He called "day", Gen.1:5) the evening came (we don't know how "long" it took for the evening to come... but I would imagine it took the same amount of "time" that it does now) --and then the morning came: CONCLUDING THE FIRST DAY. We know that when morning comes the previous day is then OVER and the NEW day has begun. So, on the first "day" (light) there was a time of light-- DAY, then the evening-- which brings the time of darkness for that 24 hour period 'day', and then the morning again-- which brought the new or next day, CONCLUDING "day one". And the pattern continued on in the same way... He "worked" during the light (day) of each day, then the evening came (bringing the darkness) and then the morning came-- signaling the COMPLETION of EACH PREVIOUS DAY. He did that for six days... then rested on the seventh day. Isn't that easy and simple? It's 100% reasonable, logical, and NATURAL :)
Research the calendars and clocks... they have been developed by men and kingdoms for their own benefit. They usually IGNORE the NATUARAL way to calculate and keep track of time. The Jews have picked up practices of the Babylonians from their time of captivity (JUST LIKE WE DO in the countries WE are raised in). The counting of days from evening to evening does NOT match the NATURAL COURSE OF THE CREATION... but counting them from morning to morning DOES.
[ a little side-note here= ALSO, beginning the "new year" during the winter time when everything is dead or hibernating/or laying dormant is AGAINST common sense and NATURE. The new year begins in the *spring* when EVERYTHING is coming to life and being born and growing... just like YHWH said! He told Israel that the beginning of their months would be in Abib-- during the Passover season, IN THE SPRING. NOT in the winter like our calendar says (according to men) and NOT in the autumn like most Jews observe (Rosh Hashanna). To make matters even more confusing, I've heard that the Jews observe TWO "years"--an agricultural calendar/year (beginning in the spring-- Abib/Passover) and "another" calendar/year (beginning in the fall-- Rosh Hashanna). But that isn't natural OR scriptural. Look at the NATURAL occurrence around you... WHEN does the NEW year begin? In the SPRING! :) JUST LIKE YHWH SAID IT SHOULD BE :)
[Ex. 12:2 "This month shall be unto you the beginning of months: it shall be the first month of the year to you."... Ex. 13:4 "This day came ye out in the month A'-bib."]
Learning the ways of YHWH, and learning the truth from common human error doesn't have to be as hard or as mysterious as it's been said. Just look around at His CREATION... He created it to work and function in an effective and efficient manner. We can LEARN from that! :D Below is an example in the Scripture that shows the "evening" as being a part of the DAY that it follows and NOT the beginning of the NEXT day...
Genesis 15--
In this chapter the word of YHWH came to Abram/Abraham in a vision... YHWH told Abram that HE would give him land, and an heir to inherit the land (and that Abram's seed would be greatly multiplied). YHWH made a covenant with Abram... he instructed Abram what to do. Abram took some animals and divided them, and two birds (that he did not divide), and laid the pieces down against each other. Fowls came, but Abram drove them away-- we don't know how long all of this took or how long he had to keep the birds away-- but as the sun was going down, a deep sleep and great darkness fell on Abram (Gen. 15: 13). YHWH spoke to Abram again during that time (as the sun was going down). THEN, when the sun WENT down and it was DARK, a smoking furnace and burning lamp passed between the pieces (of animals that Abram had laid out). In the SAME day YHWH made a covenant with Abram (Gen. 15: 17-18). So, when the sun was going down (LATE EVENING) and then it became dark (night), it was STILL the SAME day-- NOT the NEXT day.
Also, in Lev. 23:32--
This is an explanation of the Day of Atonement, which was suppose to be on the 10th day of the 7th month (Lev. 23: 27). In verse 32, YHWH told them to begin their observance on the 9th day at even (evening)-- the evening of the NINTH day. They were to observe it as a Sabbath of rest and a time of afflicting their souls from the 9th evening to the 10th evening. If the evening signaled a NEW day, it wouldn't have been on the evening of the NINTH to the evening of the tenth. The evening FOLLOWS the morning of the SAME day it is a part of (naturally!). This Scripture does not "promote" an evening to evening calculation of days-- or it wouldn't have been the evening of the NINTH, it would have ALREADY "flipped over" to the NEXT DAY and would have been the TENTH day. But that wasn't the case. In the evening it was STILL the 9th day. Also, this instance would be considered a different circumstance than the "norm", which is why it had to be specified to them. If EVERY day began at evening, then they would have ALREADY KNOWN to begin in the evening. They would have already been doing things that way. They didn't know, they had to be told. It was a DIFFERENT observance.
I would also like to add Lamentations 3:22-23--
"It is of YHWH's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.
They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness."
I KNOW this verse does not SAY a "day" begins in the morning... I just thought it was very interesting that it says every morning-- not every evening! ;) *Think about it*
*My* conclusion-- "Days" are to be calculated/determined/counted from "Morning to Morning", meaning from the time the sun rises each day until it rises the next day. I do not see any reason to think a day begins at 12:00am (midnight) or at 6:00pm in the evening (or even "when the sun goes down"-- or begins to go down). As with almost everything, I'm *still* learning and seeking... so this is an on-going process. There may be more added to this in the future~
*Shalom*
Anyway, if you go all the way back to the beginning, its VERY easy to understand that WHEN THE SUN COMES UP in the MORNING it is A NEW DAY. HOW SIMPLE! :D I know that the sun does not come up at the same time every day, but why does that matter? Why is that an argument or stumbling block? WHY would one think that each day MUST begin at the same "time" (according to a clock) EVERY day? It is NOT necessary, believe it or not. THAT is another preconceived idea. Each day comes and goes in perfect fashion, whether anyone keeps track of it minute by minute or not. It remains constant, no matter the timing of minutes or seconds anyone puts on it. Tracking the sun across the sky each day, during each season of the year, gives one enough of a "rough estimate of time" to work and function efficiently in natural life and living. I know that isn't enough in order to live within the corporate world or our present society of jobs and meetings and events, etc. But, NATURALLY, it IS enough-- just look at other countries that live more simply in villages and use the sun, moon, and stars to calculate "time". They have all they need to calculate daily time, as well as the best times to plant and harvest and fish, or do anything they need to do. It works efficiently! And dare I bring up the animals and even plant life? EVERYTHING functions well-- WITHOUT the use of our modern calendars and clocks. Everything but US, that is! We've been trained to RELY on our man-made calendars and clocks to the extent that very few of us can function or live without them. HOW SAD!
I recently read an explanation of the day beginning with the sun coming up (as one would NATURALLY think), in relation to the above Scripture. It made it understandable to me, as well as confirmed the NARURAL ORDER OF THINGS in my mind. After seeing this man's perspective and comparing it to what I already see and know within myself, it made perfect sense in every way. THAT is important to me. If a "thought" or interpretation cannot AGREE with what makes sense in the NATURAL CREATION of YHWH... then it is very likely in error somehow. Scriptural truth tends to confirm the natural laws we see working in our universe (which is no surprise, considering YHWH created our universe! :) ).
The Scripture lets us know that in the beginning it was dark. YHWH created light... and thus began the "time of work". He established "time" BEFORE he created the sun, moon, and stars for us to keep track of time. So AFTER He created light (which He called "day", Gen.1:5) the evening came (we don't know how "long" it took for the evening to come... but I would imagine it took the same amount of "time" that it does now) --and then the morning came: CONCLUDING THE FIRST DAY. We know that when morning comes the previous day is then OVER and the NEW day has begun. So, on the first "day" (light) there was a time of light-- DAY, then the evening-- which brings the time of darkness for that 24 hour period 'day', and then the morning again-- which brought the new or next day, CONCLUDING "day one". And the pattern continued on in the same way... He "worked" during the light (day) of each day, then the evening came (bringing the darkness) and then the morning came-- signaling the COMPLETION of EACH PREVIOUS DAY. He did that for six days... then rested on the seventh day. Isn't that easy and simple? It's 100% reasonable, logical, and NATURAL :)
Research the calendars and clocks... they have been developed by men and kingdoms for their own benefit. They usually IGNORE the NATUARAL way to calculate and keep track of time. The Jews have picked up practices of the Babylonians from their time of captivity (JUST LIKE WE DO in the countries WE are raised in). The counting of days from evening to evening does NOT match the NATURAL COURSE OF THE CREATION... but counting them from morning to morning DOES.
[ a little side-note here= ALSO, beginning the "new year" during the winter time when everything is dead or hibernating/or laying dormant is AGAINST common sense and NATURE. The new year begins in the *spring* when EVERYTHING is coming to life and being born and growing... just like YHWH said! He told Israel that the beginning of their months would be in Abib-- during the Passover season, IN THE SPRING. NOT in the winter like our calendar says (according to men) and NOT in the autumn like most Jews observe (Rosh Hashanna). To make matters even more confusing, I've heard that the Jews observe TWO "years"--an agricultural calendar/year (beginning in the spring-- Abib/Passover) and "another" calendar/year (beginning in the fall-- Rosh Hashanna). But that isn't natural OR scriptural. Look at the NATURAL occurrence around you... WHEN does the NEW year begin? In the SPRING! :) JUST LIKE YHWH SAID IT SHOULD BE :)
[Ex. 12:2 "This month shall be unto you the beginning of months: it shall be the first month of the year to you."... Ex. 13:4 "This day came ye out in the month A'-bib."]
Learning the ways of YHWH, and learning the truth from common human error doesn't have to be as hard or as mysterious as it's been said. Just look around at His CREATION... He created it to work and function in an effective and efficient manner. We can LEARN from that! :D Below is an example in the Scripture that shows the "evening" as being a part of the DAY that it follows and NOT the beginning of the NEXT day...
Genesis 15--
In this chapter the word of YHWH came to Abram/Abraham in a vision... YHWH told Abram that HE would give him land, and an heir to inherit the land (and that Abram's seed would be greatly multiplied). YHWH made a covenant with Abram... he instructed Abram what to do. Abram took some animals and divided them, and two birds (that he did not divide), and laid the pieces down against each other. Fowls came, but Abram drove them away-- we don't know how long all of this took or how long he had to keep the birds away-- but as the sun was going down, a deep sleep and great darkness fell on Abram (Gen. 15: 13). YHWH spoke to Abram again during that time (as the sun was going down). THEN, when the sun WENT down and it was DARK, a smoking furnace and burning lamp passed between the pieces (of animals that Abram had laid out). In the SAME day YHWH made a covenant with Abram (Gen. 15: 17-18). So, when the sun was going down (LATE EVENING) and then it became dark (night), it was STILL the SAME day-- NOT the NEXT day.
Also, in Lev. 23:32--
This is an explanation of the Day of Atonement, which was suppose to be on the 10th day of the 7th month (Lev. 23: 27). In verse 32, YHWH told them to begin their observance on the 9th day at even (evening)-- the evening of the NINTH day. They were to observe it as a Sabbath of rest and a time of afflicting their souls from the 9th evening to the 10th evening. If the evening signaled a NEW day, it wouldn't have been on the evening of the NINTH to the evening of the tenth. The evening FOLLOWS the morning of the SAME day it is a part of (naturally!). This Scripture does not "promote" an evening to evening calculation of days-- or it wouldn't have been the evening of the NINTH, it would have ALREADY "flipped over" to the NEXT DAY and would have been the TENTH day. But that wasn't the case. In the evening it was STILL the 9th day. Also, this instance would be considered a different circumstance than the "norm", which is why it had to be specified to them. If EVERY day began at evening, then they would have ALREADY KNOWN to begin in the evening. They would have already been doing things that way. They didn't know, they had to be told. It was a DIFFERENT observance.
I would also like to add Lamentations 3:22-23--
"It is of YHWH's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.
They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness."
I KNOW this verse does not SAY a "day" begins in the morning... I just thought it was very interesting that it says every morning-- not every evening! ;) *Think about it*
*My* conclusion-- "Days" are to be calculated/determined/counted from "Morning to Morning", meaning from the time the sun rises each day until it rises the next day. I do not see any reason to think a day begins at 12:00am (midnight) or at 6:00pm in the evening (or even "when the sun goes down"-- or begins to go down). As with almost everything, I'm *still* learning and seeking... so this is an on-going process. There may be more added to this in the future~
*Shalom*
Added---
I thought the wording in Judges 6 & 7 was interesting (KJV)...
*recommended that the entire chapters or "event context" be read... I didn't print it all out here for sake of space and time.
Judges 6:38- "for he rose up early on the morrow"
Vs.40- "And God did so THAT night"
So... what happened in vs. 40 obviously happened AFTER what happened in vs. 38, meaning the NIGHT that followed the day was the SAME DAY and NOT the NEXT day. The next day had NOT begun in the evening that followed the day of vs. 38.
Judges 7:1- "rose up early"
Vs. 9- "And it came to pass the SAME night"
This is pretty much the same situation as above-- same point, the night that followed the day was the SAME day-- not the NEXT day.
I thought the wording in Judges 6 & 7 was interesting (KJV)...
*recommended that the entire chapters or "event context" be read... I didn't print it all out here for sake of space and time.
Judges 6:38- "for he rose up early on the morrow"
Vs.40- "And God did so THAT night"
So... what happened in vs. 40 obviously happened AFTER what happened in vs. 38, meaning the NIGHT that followed the day was the SAME DAY and NOT the NEXT day. The next day had NOT begun in the evening that followed the day of vs. 38.
Judges 7:1- "rose up early"
Vs. 9- "And it came to pass the SAME night"
This is pretty much the same situation as above-- same point, the night that followed the day was the SAME day-- not the NEXT day.