The rising and setting of the sun is a recurring theme in the Bible, symbolizing the passage of time, the constancy of God's creation, and the rhythm of life ordained by the Creator. The sun's daily journey from east to west is often used metaphorically to convey spiritual truths and divine principles.

Creation and Order

The sun's role in creation is established in Genesis 1:14-18, where God sets the greater light to govern the day. This passage underscores the sun's importance in marking time and seasons, reflecting God's orderly design for the universe. The sun's rising and setting are part of the divine order that God declared as "very good" (Genesis 1:31).

Symbol of God's Faithfulness

The regularity of the sun's rising and setting is a testament to God's faithfulness and unchanging nature. In Lamentations 3:22-23, the prophet Jeremiah writes, "Because of the LORD’s loving devotion we are not consumed, for His mercies never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness!" The daily renewal of the sun's light serves as a reminder of God's steadfast love and mercy.

Human Life and Mortality

The sun's cycle is also used to illustrate the brevity and transience of human life. Ecclesiastes 1:5 states, "The sun rises and the sun sets; it hurries back to where it rises." This verse highlights the repetitive nature of life and the fleeting existence of humanity in contrast to the enduring creation of God.

Divine Sovereignty

The sun's movement is under God's sovereign control, as seen in Psalm 104:19, "He made the moon to mark the seasons; the sun knows when to set." This verse emphasizes that the sun's path is not random but is directed by the Creator, who governs all aspects of the natural world.

Judgment and Righteousness

The sun is also associated with God's judgment and righteousness. In Malachi 4:2, the prophet declares, "But for you who fear My name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings." Here, the rising sun symbolizes the coming of God's justice and the restoration of His people.

Eternal Light

In the eschatological vision of the new creation, the need for the sun is transcended by the presence of God Himself. Revelation 21:23 states, "And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb." This imagery points to a future where God's presence provides eternal illumination, surpassing the temporal light of the sun.

The rising and setting of the sun in the Bible serves as a powerful metaphor for God's creation, faithfulness, and ultimate sovereignty over all things. Through these daily occurrences, believers are reminded of the divine order and the hope of eternal life in God's presence.Ecclesiastes 1:5
The sun also rises, and the sun goes down, and hastens to his place where he arose.
Nave's Topical Index

Concerning Light, Fire, the Luminaries, Sun, Moon and Stars.
... day is made: for it is day when the sun is above the earth, and the duration of
a day is the course of the sun over the earth from its rising till its setting. ...
/.../john/exposition of the orthodox faith/chapter vii concerning light fire the.htm

John Chapter viii. 12
... And perhaps there may not be wanting some one too who says with himself: Whether
perhaps the Lord Christ is that sun which by its rising and setting causes the ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate xxxiv john chapter viii.htm

What the Stable Creation Teaches
... of means. Darkness and light, sun rising and setting, storm and sunshine,
summer and winter, all serve one end. As a horizontal ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/what the stable creation teaches.htm

Meditations of the True Manner of Practising Piety on the Sabbath ...
... time, called either a day natural, consisting of twenty-four hours, or a day artificial,
consisting of twelve hours, from sun rising to sun setting; and withal ...
/.../bayly/the practice of piety/meditations of the true manner.htm

From the First Chapter.
... Doubtless on account of its rising and setting, and rising again, that ... the Scripture
gave this similitude, likening His face to the glory of the sun. 15. ...
/.../commentary on the apocolypse of the blessed john/from the first chapter.htm

Of the Priesthood of Aaron.
... I do not now describe, lest it should be troublesome to my readers; but incense
[19] was to be offered twice a-day, both before sun-rising and at sun-setting. ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 8 of the priesthood.htm

When Diamond Went Home to Breakfast, He Found his Father and ...
... blue sea. "Is the sun rising or setting?" asked Diamond. "Neither or both,
which you please. I can hardly tell which myself. If ...
/.../macdonald/at the back of the north wind/chapter 9 when diamond went.htm

Abraham
... goeth astray.' But when he saw the sun rising, he said ... all that Abraham
believed"that the sun and moon ... on them and defeat them utterly, setting the captives ...
/.../kingsley/the gospel of the pentateuch/sermon v abraham.htm

Of the Advantage and Use of the World and of the Seasons.
... The sun, with its ceaseless courses and unequal intervals ... its annual circles, and
either at his rising draws forth ... day for labour, or at his setting brings on ...
/.../chap xiii of the advantage and.htm

Christianity a Light.
... appointed meeting, we observed the moon rising in the ... the spiritual moon reflecting
the light of the Sun. ... scepter over the works of Satan, setting at liberty ...
//christianbookshelf.org/orr/the gospel day /chapter i christianity a light.htm

How could there be light on the first day of Creation if the sun was not created until the fourth day? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean that there is nothing new under the sun? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean that the Shulammite had dark skin (Song of Solomon 1:6)? | GotQuestions.org

Sun: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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