In biblical literature, clouds often symbolize the transient nature of life and the fleeting nature of human prosperity and goodness. This imagery is used to remind believers of the impermanence of earthly blessings and the importance of focusing on eternal truths.

The book of Job provides a poignant illustration of this concept. Job, a man once prosperous and blessed, experiences profound loss and suffering. In his lament, he reflects on the ephemeral nature of human life and prosperity, comparing it to clouds that pass away. Job 30:15 states, "Terrors overwhelm me; my dignity is driven away as by the wind, and my prosperity vanishes like a cloud." Here, clouds serve as a metaphor for the swift and inevitable passing of worldly success and comfort.

Similarly, the Psalms often use clouds to depict the fleeting nature of human life and achievements. Psalm 78:39 reminds us, "He remembered that they were but flesh, a passing breeze that does not return." This verse underscores the idea that human life, much like clouds, is temporary and subject to the sovereign will of God.

The New Testament also echoes this theme. James 4:14 warns believers of the brevity of life: "You do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes." This passage encourages Christians to live with an eternal perspective, recognizing that earthly prosperity is as transient as clouds.

In the prophetic literature, clouds are sometimes used to symbolize the judgment and the passing away of nations and their glory. Isaiah 19:1 declares, "Behold, the LORD rides on a swift cloud and is coming to Egypt. The idols of Egypt tremble before Him, and the hearts of the Egyptians melt within them." This imagery conveys the idea that even the mightiest of nations are subject to God's sovereign judgment and can quickly pass away like clouds.

In conclusion, the biblical use of clouds as a metaphor for the passing away of goodness and prosperity serves as a powerful reminder of the transient nature of earthly life. Believers are encouraged to place their trust not in the fleeting clouds of worldly success, but in the eternal promises of God. This perspective calls for a life of faithfulness and reliance on God's unchanging nature, rather than the temporary and often unpredictable nature of human prosperity.Hosea 6:4
O Ephraim, what shall I do to you? O Judah, what shall I do to you? for your goodness is as a morning cloud, and as the early dew it goes away.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Hosea 13:3
Therefore they shall be as the morning cloud and as the early dew that passes away, as the chaff that is driven with the whirlwind out of the floor, and as the smoke out of the chimney.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Surely Goodness and Mercy Shall Follow Me all the Days of My Life ...
... He clutches for the things that are passing, he toils, he ... high that superior vision
which pierces the clouds and sees ... is as dust, which is blown away with the ...
/.../callan/the shepherd of my soul/xi surely goodness and mercy.htm

The Passing and the Permanent
... with its cliffs and hills in the clouds, even while ... the heart and mind, reminding
us how everything is passing. ... hands and saying, 'They have taken away my god ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/the passing and the permanent.htm

Sermons of St. Bernard on the Passing of Malachy
... coming of this blessed man, and his passing, a truly ... because I am unwilling to tear
myself away from the ... floods of waters, no gathering of clouds, no melting ...
/.../sermons of st bernard on.htm

'Fruit which is Death'
... Hence, passing over all other sins for the present, Hosea ... God's 'desire' brushes
away all defences, and the obstinate ... is the only break in the clouds in this ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/fruit which is death.htm

Friendship; Or, David and Jonathan
... thee, David must flee for his life, for the Lord has sent him away. ... 'When gathering
clouds around I ... Passing the love of woman was his love, indeed; and of him ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/david/sermon v friendship or david.htm

Book ii.
... and cause no grief, why should the passing away of man ... should be caught up alive
in the clouds to meet ... Fleeing from strife when he went away from others, ready ...
//christianbookshelf.org/ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/book ii.htm

But Whilst the King Has not that Most Blessed Light...
... takes away the "weariness" from the swift passing days ... affection of the soul"to
"vanish away." The greater ... press round the dismayed spirit; clouds of darkness ...
/.../jennings/old groans and new songs/chapter vii but whilst the.htm

Canaan on Earth
... words of those hymns which describe our passing through Jordan's ... I have clouds up
there, and the clouds are enough ... had not been at all but swept away, like airy ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/canaan on earth.htm

Some Scriptures for Daily Practise.
... is prayer that keeps us up above the clouds and brings ... carefully, they would find
that they trifle away as much ... the golden sun; Another day is passing by, And ...
/.../orr/how to live a holy life/some scriptures for daily practise.htm

Light at Evening Time
... deep the night began to fall, till sable clouds gathered dense ... the world, and left
it to pine away in everlasting ... it to be a blessed way of passing through the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 62 1916/light at evening time.htm

What does it mean that Jesus will come in the clouds (Revelation 1:7)? | GotQuestions.org

What is a glory cloud? Is a glory cloud biblical? | GotQuestions.org

What is the meaning of the rainbow? | GotQuestions.org

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus