October 14, 2025
Welcome to Torah Tuesday! Where every Tuesday we take a passage from Torah and explain its relevance today.
Today we are looking at Genesis 1:14-19
Then God said, “Let there be lights in the firmament of the heavens to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs and seasons, and for days and years; and let them be for lights in the firmament of the heavens to give light on the earth;” and it was so. Then God made two great lights: the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night. He made the stars also. God set them in the firmament of the heavens to give light on the earth, and to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from darkness. And God saw that it was good. So the evening and the morning were the fourth day.
Did you know that God uses a calendar? If you’re a mom, you’re probably pretty good at having the family’s master calendar. Everyone knows when you make plans, ask mom! She knows all the appointments, sporting events, school functions and extracurricular activities the entire family has. Just like mom, God uses His own calendar that is established here in Genesis.
In verse 14, it’s interesting that God chooses to use the phrase “signs and seasons” when referring to the sun, moon and stars. To us, they either light up the sky during the day or give us light at night. But what if there is more to their role than just providing or reflecting light?
Let’s look at the word “sign.” In Hebrew, the word used here is “ot,” meaning a signal, distinguishing mark, banner or warning. God is telling us that the sun, moon and stars that He placed in the sky for us will be used to markings and signals.
Furthermore, the Hebrew word for season here is “moed,” meaning an appointed time or to meet by appointment. The plural form is “moedim.” Right here in Genesis we see that God establishes times based on the lights in the sky. Further in scripture it can also mean “festival.” (Leviticus 23:1) What we see here is that before He even created mankind, God set aside specific times and seasons. This is not referring to spring, summer, fall and winter, but more like baseball season or deer season. He creates His very own seasons! By looking at the moon cycles (months) we are able to determine when these seasons are based on Scripture. Leviticus 23 lays out a pretty great blueprint for us to follow.
So what does this mean to me today? Well, glad you asked. According to Hebrews 13:8 and Malachi 3:6, God never changes. That means what He established back in Genesis still has relevance today. Just like the Scriptures point to future events, we can look back in Scripture and find the original intention.
Just like we have different seasons for sports or hunting, God has specific seasons set aside that are divine appointments with Him. If you have a doctor’s appointment or a job interview, you write it on your calendar so you don’t forget it. God has 7 yearly appointments and 1 weekly appointment written on His calendar. His yearly appointments with you are: Passover, Unleavened Bread, Firstfruits, Shavuot/Pentecost, Yom Teruah, Yom Kippur and Sukkot. As we continue, we will look at each of these in depth as they each have deep spiritual meaning and practical application. These are specific times set aside for us to meet with Him. (See last week’s Torah Tuesday for a further in depth discussion on Sukkot.)
God so loves to meet with us that He even created a weekly meeting called Sabbath. Every Saturday, we are commanded to take the time to meet with Him, and other believers, and do no regular work – to rest. There is so much joy when coming into alignment with His calendar! Not to mention, Sabbath is the 4th commandment. How many of us today think that doing 9 out of the 10 commandments will suffice? Food for thought.
These appointments on God’s calendar are not an issue of salvation, but more about walking in the fullness of the relationship you have with Him. They are invitations to know the Father further which in return create a man or woman after His own heart. I’ve described it to my children this way: a lot of times we throw a party for God (church services and events) and expect Him to show up (and He usually does), but these are God’s parties. He’s throwing them for us. Now who will show up to His party?
The fact that God created His seasons way back in Genesis proves that these are eternal and continual times. He created us with the intention of meeting with us. How amazing is our Father! If you want to walk in the fullness of your salvation, God’s calendar is the best place to start.
Lavah Ministries 