Topical Bible: Clouds: God: Binds Up

◄ Clouds: God: Binds Up ►

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In the biblical narrative, clouds often symbolize the presence and majesty of God, serving as a medium through which He reveals His power and glory. The imagery of God binding up the clouds is a testament to His sovereign control over creation and His ability to orchestrate the natural world according to His divine will.

The concept of God binding up the clouds is vividly illustrated in the book of Job, where the discourse on God's omnipotence and wisdom is central. In Job 26:8 , it is written, "He wraps up the waters in His clouds, yet the clouds do not burst under their own weight." This verse highlights God's miraculous ability to contain the waters within the clouds, demonstrating His mastery over the elements. The clouds, which carry the potential for both life-giving rain and destructive storms, are held in balance by God's command.

This imagery is further reinforced in Job 37:11-12 , where it states, "He loads the clouds with moisture; He scatters His lightning through them. They swirl about, whirling at His direction, accomplishing all that He commands them over the face of the whole earth." Here, the clouds are depicted as instruments of God's will, moving and acting according to His purposes. The passage underscores the idea that the natural phenomena we observe are not random but are under the precise control of the Creator.

The binding of clouds also serves as a metaphor for God's provision and protection. In the wilderness journey of the Israelites, God used a cloud to guide and shield His people. Exodus 13:21 recounts, "And the LORD went before them in a pillar of cloud to guide their way by day and in a pillar of fire to give them light by night, so that they could travel by day or night." The cloud was a tangible sign of God's presence, offering guidance and comfort to His people.

Moreover, clouds are often associated with divine revelation and theophany. In the New Testament, during the Transfiguration of Jesus, a cloud envelops Him and the disciples, and a voice from the cloud declares, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Listen to Him!" (Matthew 17:5). This event signifies the cloud as a medium through which God communicates His divine approval and authority.

In summary, the biblical portrayal of God binding up the clouds serves as a powerful reminder of His omnipotence and the intricate care with which He governs the universe. The clouds, under His command, become symbols of His presence, guidance, and revelation, reflecting His glory and sovereignty over all creation.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Job 26:8
He binds up the waters in his thick clouds; and the cloud is not rent under them.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Knowledge of God
... Dost thou know the balancing of the clouds; the wondrous works of him that is ... brings
out the indictments and reads them in court; so God binds up men's sins in ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/2 the knowledge of god.htm

Sky, Earth, and Sea: a Parable of God
... His past binds Him to certain conduct in His future. ... 'Thy faithfulness reacheth
to the clouds.' Strange that God's fixed faithfulness should be ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/sky earth and sea a.htm

This the More Striking, if we Consider the Opposing Forces Out of ...
... air, and the weight of the waters bound up in the clouds, can but perceive Him that
binds them up ... that there is One that has made and ordered it, even God? ...
/.../athanasius/select works and letters or athanasius/section 36 this the more.htm

Christ's Hospital
... who makes it his boast that he binds up the broken ... thanksgiving; sing praise upon
the harp unto our God.". 8. Who covereth the heaven with clouds, who prepareth ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 38 1892/christs hospital.htm

Of Creation
... Then, fourthly, Look upon the power of God in making all ... What is it, I pray you,
that supports the clouds? Who is it that binds up their waters in such a way ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/lecture xvii of creation.htm

Putting God to Work
... So God binds men to pray by the most solemn obligations ... Can any one doubt that this
man of God, who later on shut up and opened the rain clouds by prayer ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bounds/the weapon of prayer/ii putting god to work.htm

God's Fellow-Workers
... the words suggest, my exegetical conscience binds me to ... for one summer millenniums
ago, or clouds of insects ... have gone against the rush of God's will through ...
/.../maclaren/romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/gods fellow-workers.htm

The Holy Spirit and the one Church
... the thunder; thou knowest not where the clouds are balanced ... heavenly the ointment
with which he binds up our sores ... Spirit of the living God, when thou dost blow ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/the holy spirit and the.htm

The Noachic Covenant
... the rain and thunder, that He brings the clouds over the ... of Noah, so surely this
covenant which binds us is ... tenants of this world for the great God who made it ...
/.../kingsley/twenty-five village sermons/sermon xi the noachic covenant.htm

Psalm 147
... 8,6,8,6. ^1Praise ye the Lord; for it is good. praise to our God to sing: ... he tenderly
up-binds. ... 8Who covereth the heav'n with clouds,. who for the earth below. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/anonymous/scottish psalter and paraphrases/psalm 147.htm