If a creation day is 1000 years why didn't the grass and vegetation which needs photosynthesis to survive die by day 4 when the sun moon and stars were created?

Answer 1

This question highlights some of the many problems when Genesis is not understood as the writer clearly intended it to be understood. The Hebrew word for day, yom, can mean an indefinite period of time (this could possibly include the 1000 year idea). When coupled with 'evening and morning' as it is in Genesis 1 it can only mean a 24-hour day as we know it today.

The idea of a 1000 years comes primarily from the verses below. It must be recognized that this is a metaphor and not literal. Note the word 'as' in 2 Peter. Moses in Psalm 90 is demonstrating the greatness of God in referring to His timelessness and sovereignty over even time itself. Neither of these have any bearing on the days of Genesis 1 which is primarily a historical narrative of the creation event.

8But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 4For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night. Further to this it must also be noted that light was created on day 1 as per the verses below.

3And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. 4And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness. 5And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day.

12And the earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind: and God saw that it was good. 13And the evening and the morning were the third day.

The plants were created on day three, in the presence of light which already existed from day 1. Even if it argued hypothetically that it didn't, there is only one day of 24 hours between day 3 and 4 when the sun etc was created.