John Calvin Commentary Genesis 1:16

"And God made the two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: [he made] the stars also." — Genesis 1:16 (ASV)

The greater light. I have said that Moses does not here subtly elaborate, as a philosopher, on the secrets of nature, as is evident in these words. First, he assigns a place in the expanse of heaven to the planets and stars; but astronomers make a distinction of spheres, and, at the same time, teach that the fixed stars have their proper place in the firmament.

Moses makes two great luminaries; but astronomers prove by conclusive reasons that the star of Saturn, which on account of its great distance appears the least of all, is greater than the moon. Here lies the difference: Moses wrote in a popular style things which, without instruction, all ordinary persons endowed with common sense are able to understand; but astronomers investigate with great labor whatever the sagacity of the human mind can comprehend.

Nevertheless, this study is not to be rejected, nor this science to be condemned, because some frantic persons are accustomed to boldly reject whatever is unknown to them. For astronomy is not only pleasant but also very useful to know: it cannot be denied that this art unfolds the admirable wisdom of God.

Therefore, as ingenious men who have expended useful labor on this subject are to be honored, so those who have leisure and capacity should not neglect this kind of exercise. Nor did Moses truly wish to withdraw us from this pursuit by omitting such things as are peculiar to the art; but because he was ordained a teacher of the unlearned and simple as well as of the learned, he could not otherwise fulfill his office than by descending to this more basic method of instruction.

Had he spoken of things generally unknown, the uneducated might have pleaded as an excuse that such subjects were beyond their capacity. Lastly, since the Spirit of God here opens a common school for all, it is not surprising that he should primarily choose those subjects which would be intelligible to all.

If the astronomer inquires about the actual dimensions of the stars, he will find the moon to be less than Saturn; but this is something abstruse, for to the sight it appears differently. Moses, therefore, rather adapts his discourse to common usage. For since the Lord stretches forth, as it were, his hand to us in causing us to enjoy the brightness of the sun and moon, how great would be our ingratitude were we to close our eyes against our own experience?

There is therefore no reason why contentious people should deride the unskillfulness of Moses in making the moon the second luminary; for he does not call us up into heaven, he only proposes things which lie open before our eyes. Let the astronomers possess their more exalted knowledge; but, in the meantime, those who perceive by the moon the splendor of night are convicted by its use of perverse ingratitude unless they acknowledge the beneficence of God.

To rule. He does not ascribe such dominion to the sun and moon as would, in the least degree, diminish the power of God; but because the sun, in half the circuit of heaven, governs the day, and the moon the night, by turns; he therefore assigns to them a kind of government. Yet let us remember that it is such a government as implies that the sun is still a servant, and the moon a handmaid. In the meantime, we dismiss the reverie of Plato who ascribes reason and intelligence to the stars. Let us be content with this simple exposition: that God governs the days and nights by the ministry of the sun and moon, because he has them as his charioteers to convey light suited to the season.