Judaism believes it was on this day, the 25th of Elul, that Creation began. This belief is based on another tradition which assigns the day that Adam was created on as the first day of Tishri, also known as Yom Teruah (the Feast of Trumpets). The Bible tells us that Adam was created on the sixth day and so, assuming that was 1 Tishri on the Hebrew calendar, six days before would be the 25th day of Elul. 

Whether or not this tradition is accurate, no one can be certain but here’s one thing that we can sure of: from the beginning, God determined that there must be light so that those in darkness could see. The Creator’s first utterance, “Let there be light,” is much more than a one-time command; it is a declaration of a fundamental principle that is embedded within His Creation unto this very day. “Let there be light” is also understood to be a prophetic statement because the light that appeared in the beginning is ultimately personified in the Messiah, the Light of the world. Isaiah said:

“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, upon them a light has shined.” (Isaiah 9:2)

Mankind is generally drawn to things that shine and provide light and, for this reason, the Messiah is regarded as the Light of the world. But not only does this light refer to the Messiah, it alludes to His followers as well. From the beginning, God determined that His people were to be a light unto the nations. When Israel was called out of Egypt, it was with the intent that they would serve this purpose. Messiah told His disciples, in every generation, that they are the light of the world. Moreover, He told them to go into the nations and make disciples, thus producing spiritual offspring by being the light that shines in darkness. So then, it should come as no surprise that, in the beginning when darkness was upon the earth, God’s first command was, “Let there be light.”

According to Isaiah 46, God tells us what will happen at the end by telling us what happened in  the beginning. In the Creation account, we see that darkness preceded the light suggesting that, at the end of days, great darkness will be upon the nations. Yet, in that time of great spiritual darkness, God will once again utter the words, “Let there be light.” He will call His people to be the light that shines in the darkness. Isaiah said:

“Arise, shine; for your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you. For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and deep darkness the people; but the Lord will arise over you, and His glory will be seen upon you. The Gentiles shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.” (Isaiah 60:1-3)

In these last few days of Elul, as we approach the Feast of Trumpets, we need to realize that many are still in darkness and are depending on us to be the light, whether they recognize it or not. Because we are called to be the light to the world, it is important that we allow the Creator to  shine a light and expose any darkness that exists in us. If we are to be a light, we must allow the Light to do its work in our life that we may be all He has called us to be. As it was in the beginning, today, He is again summoning the light to appear and dispel the darkness. Let us answer that call!

Shalom.