In Genesis 1, the phrase "it was evening and it was morning" is used to conclude each day’s creative work, emphasizing the cyclical nature of the biblical day. The structure of time in the Bible differs from our modern understanding: while contemporary culture often marks a new day at midnight or at sunrise, the biblical day begins at sunset, as the sun dips below the horizon. This concept reflects the Jewish understanding of time, where the evening (nightfall) signifies the start of a new day.

The Biblical Meaning of Sunsets

In biblical thought, the sunset carries significant symbolic and practical meaning. The moment the sun disappears marks the transition from one day to the next, aligning with the natural rhythm of creation. Unlike the modern secular day, where daylight hours are framed by night, the Jewish day begins with darkness and progresses into light. This order reflects a recurring biblical theme: light emerging from darkness, echoing the creation narrative itself when God called forth light out of the chaos.

In a deeper sense, this transition from night to day signifies renewal and restoration. In many spiritual traditions, including Judaism, nighttime is a time for rest and reflection, while daylight represents work and activity. The day starting with night serves as a reminder that rest precedes work, and creation began in the quiet stillness of darkness before light was introduced. The sunset, therefore, symbolizes not an end, but the beginning of a new cycle, a divine rhythm that underscores the relationship between humanity and creation.

The Structure of a Biblical Day: From Sunset to Sunset

According to biblical reckoning, a full day extends from one sunset to the next. This method of timekeeping, deeply rooted in ancient Jewish tradition, was practical and consistent with the agrarian lifestyle of the time. The day was not only divided from sunset to sunset, but it was also further subdivided into watches and hours, which helped people measure time during the night and day.

These watches and hours had particular significance, especially in relation to prayer, watchfulness, and divine intervention.

The Watches of the Night

In the Bible, the nighttime was divided into four distinct watches, each lasting roughly three hours. These watches were critical for various practical and spiritual reasons, including keeping guard, offering prayers, and watching for God's action in times of need.

First Watch – Sunset to 9 PM

The first watch begins at sunset, marking the official end of the previous day and the start of a new one. This period was usually a time for resting after the day’s work.

Second Watch – 9 PM to Midnight

Mentioned in Luke 12:38, the second watch was a time of heightened alertness for guards and watchmen. Spiritually, it can symbolize a period of preparation, vigilance, and awaiting divine guidance.

Third Watch – Midnight to 3 AM

Also noted in Luke 12:38, the third watch often symbolizes a time of spiritual warfare or heightened intercession. In biblical stories, this is a critical time where many divine interventions happen. Midnight itself is often seen as a spiritually significant hour, associated with deliverance, as seen in the stories of the Israelites leaving Egypt (Exodus 12:29) and Paul and Silas being freed from prison (Acts 16:25-26).

Fourth Watch – 3 AM to Sunrise

Referred to in Matthew 14:25 and Mark 6:48, the fourth watch is the darkest and quietest time before dawn, but it is also when many of God’s miracles took place. Jesus walking on water during this watch is an example of divine intervention coming at a time when human strength is weakest, but God’s power is most visible. It is a time when hope is renewed, and dawn—representing new beginnings—is on the horizon.

The Hours of the Day

Similarly, the daylight hours were divided into smaller units known as hours, which marked specific moments for prayer, sacrifice, and daily activity in biblical times. These time divisions shaped daily rhythms of life and worship in ancient Jewish culture, setting a pattern for regular intervals of devotion and mindfulness.

In summary, the biblical day is a profound structure that starts with rest (evening) and moves into work (morning), symbolizing the journey from darkness into light. The division of time into watches and hours underscores the importance of spiritual alertness and divine timing, encouraging believers to live with a sense of expectation, waiting on God's action in every part of the day.

God showed me that this year 5785 will be a year of Sunsets.

"Sunset years" refers to the later stage of a person's life, often after retirement, when they are nearing the end of their journey. It is a poetic way of describing the period when individuals reflect on their experiences, slow down, and enjoy the fruits of their labor. Just as the setting sun marks the end of the day with a sense of closure and peace, the sunset years symbolize the winding down of life, often with a focus on rest, fulfillment, and tranquility.

No horse in the race after 85