The thread that @SFV linked contains multiple proposed explanations for how we should interpret those ordinal numbers, and even gives specifics on why they would be ordered in a non-temporarily accurate way.
Here is a rundown of that entire thread post by psst:
[ 1 ] If we assume the light mentioned on day one is figurative and the light mentioned on day four is literal, how do we interpret the day one light? The Jewish interpretation is that the light in day 1 is of God.
[ 2 ] Day 1: creation of time / Day 4: creation of objects in the sky. This is a departure from other theologies where these objects were consider gods themselves.
[ 3 ] The first three days were when realms were created, and the next three days talk about filling those realms with things.
[ 4 ] God created light once on day 1 and created light-giving objects on day 4.
[ 5 ] God created light twice like he created Adam and Eve twice. Gen 1 and 2 were from different sources and different versions of events.
[ 6 ] Day 1: Big bang / Day 4: Coalescing of stars
[ 7 ] The light that was created on day 1 was unseen by those on Earth until day 4 due to clouds.
[ 8 ] The light in day 1 is Jesus.
[ 9 ] Correcting nmgauss’ citation as to which source relates to which chapter of Genesis.
[ 10 ] The purpose of the 2 versions is to refute other religions, show that God and creation are good, and that God created everything from nothing.
[ 11 ] The source of Gen 1 was written after Gen 2 and not written to be accurate but to propagate a theology.
[ 12 ] Talking about how post 11 is a modern-day conspiracy theory.
[ 13 ] Were the lights of day 4 created knowing that the light of day 1 (Jesus) would someday be withdrawn “as a consequence of a departure from Gpd?”
[ 14 ] Pondering over post 13 as to if the sun and moon relate to Mary.
[ 15 ] Jewish commentraries point out that Gen 1 is highly poetic and that it’s focused on the number 7. A Catholic author refers to Gen 1 as “a great hymn of introduction”. One commentary says both accounts/traditions were include so there’d be no need to decide. The days are grouped as 1-3 and 4-6 (not explaining why the order within those groups is wrong). Scripture is poetry.
[ 16 ] It’s curious how light was created before light generating sources.
[ 17 ] The light created in day 1 can’t be Jesus because Jesus wasn’t created.
[ 18 ] Agrees with 17 that Jesus was not created and thinks the Jewish explanation is the best.
[ 19 ] Disagrees with 18 on the Jewish interpretation since very often it runs counter to Catholic interpretation.
[ 20 ] Off-topic, talking about three centuries of differing Christian doctrine after Pentecost.
[ 21 ] Jesus is light.
[ 22 ] Asks 21 then what is the message.
[ 23 ] Tells 19 to reread what he wrote earlier.
[ 24 ] Tells 22 that Jesus is the message.
[ 25 ] Tells 24 that it sounds like one is to give us things like the creeds to focus solely on Jesus.
[ 26 ] Tells 25 that he misinterpreted what he wrote in 24.
continued…
