Answer
On the fourth day of creation, God created the sun, moon, stars, and the other heavenly bodies (Genesis 1:14–19). The number of things God created on the fourth day is staggering. Scientists currently estimate there to be 2 trillion galaxies in the universe, with about 100 million stars in each galaxy. That would mean the number of stars is somewhere around 10 to the 20th power (âHow Many Stars Are in the Universe?â by Tia Ghose, Live Science online, updated 5/24/18, accessed 10/28/20).
Sun and moon: âAnd God said, âLet there be lights in the vault of the sky to separate the day from the night.â . . . God made two great lights—the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the nightâ (Genesis 1:14, 16). Among the other âlightsâ God commanded into being on day four of creation, He set the sun and moon in the âvault of the skyâ as the two prominent sources of light for Earth. During the day, the sun provides light and heat to the earth, while the moon reflects light from the sun to illuminate the darkness of night. Like the stars, the sun and moon also serve as âsigns to mark sacred times, and days and yearsâ (verse 14).
Stars: âHe also made the starsâ (Genesis 1:16). Such a simple statement, but such a vast creation. There are trillions of stars in the universe, and God has personally named them all (Isaiah 40:26; Psalm 147:4). Importantly, stars indicate seasons and time (Genesis 1:14) and provide guidance for navigation. The stars also display Godâs glory: âThe heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiworkâ (Psalm 19:1, ESV).
Heavenly bodies: Although Genesis 1 does not refer to other heavenly bodies specifically, the fourth day of creation also includes the many planets, nebulae, galaxies, and other things present in the universe. From a human standpoint, the sheer number of the many planets and galaxies is breathtaking, but creating it all was an easy task for the Lord God (Jeremiah 32:17).
On day four of creation, God continued His creative work. The creation of the sun, moon, stars, and other heavenly bodies distinguished day from night and separated light from darkness (Genesis 1:18). God declared the sun, moon, and stars as âgoodâ as sources of light and as ways to mark the passage of time, and He divinely set them in place for His glory (Genesis 1:18–19; Psalm 74:16).