Clouds: Man: Cannot Number
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In the Bible, clouds often symbolize the divine presence, guidance, and the mysteries of God's creation. They are frequently mentioned in both the Old and New Testaments, serving as a testament to God's majesty and the limitations of human understanding.

Biblical References:

1. Job 36:29 · "Indeed, who can understand how He spreads out the clouds, how He thunders from His pavilion?" . This verse highlights the incomprehensibility of God's creation, emphasizing that the formation and movement of clouds are beyond human understanding. It reflects the broader theme of God's omnipotence and the finite nature of human wisdom.

2. Job 37:16 · "Do you understand how the clouds float, those wonders of Him who is perfect in knowledge?" . Here, the rhetorical question underscores the marvel of clouds as part of God's perfect creation. It suggests that while humans can observe and study clouds, the full extent of their nature and purpose remains a divine mystery.

3. Psalm 147:5 · "Great is our Lord and mighty in power; His understanding has no limit." . Although this verse does not mention clouds directly, it speaks to the broader theme of God's infinite understanding, contrasting with human limitations. The innumerable clouds serve as a metaphor for the vastness of God's wisdom and the boundless nature of His creation.

4. Ecclesiastes 11:4 · "He who watches the wind will fail to sow, and he who observes the clouds will fail to reap." . This verse uses clouds metaphorically to illustrate the futility of overanalyzing and the importance of faith and action. It suggests that while humans may attempt to predict and control, there are elements of creation, like clouds, that remain beyond human mastery.

5. Jeremiah 10:13 · "When He thunders, the waters in the heavens roar; He makes clouds rise from the ends of the earth. He sends lightning with the rain and brings out the wind from His storehouses." . This passage portrays clouds as instruments of God's will, demonstrating His control over nature. It reinforces the idea that clouds, in their vastness and complexity, are part of God's sovereign design.

Theological Implications:

Clouds, in their innumerable and ever-changing forms, serve as a powerful reminder of the divine attributes of God—His omnipotence, omniscience, and omnipresence. They are a visible manifestation of the divine mystery that surrounds God's creation, prompting humility and reverence in the face of His infinite wisdom. The inability of man to number or fully comprehend clouds reflects the broader theme of human limitation in understanding the fullness of God's works.

In the biblical narrative, clouds also play a significant role in divine revelation and guidance. For instance, during the Exodus, God led the Israelites through the wilderness with a pillar of cloud by day (Exodus 13:21). This not only provided physical guidance but also symbolized God's constant presence and protection.

Overall, the biblical depiction of clouds as beyond human numbering serves as a metaphor for the vastness and complexity of God's creation, inviting believers to trust in His divine wisdom and sovereignty.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Job 38:37
Who can number the clouds in wisdom? or who can stay the bottles of heaven,
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Of the Ark and the Deluge, and that we Cannot Agree with those who ...
... of that thicker atmosphere in which winds, clouds, and rains ... number of all those
animals that cannot naturally live ... not, that is to say, by man's effort, but ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 27 of the ark and.htm

Sowing in the Wind, Reaping under Clouds
... shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not ... of God works upon the mind
of man, and transforms ... You cannot make the gospel enter into men's hearts. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 38 1892/sowing in the wind reaping.htm

Number one Thousand; Or, "Bread Enough and to Spare"
... up and down the favored road, but when heaven's clouds would favor the good man's
fields, they ... a parable run on all fours, therefore we cannot find the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/number one thousand or bread.htm

Evil Cannot be Suppressed by the Physical Force of the Government ...
... Directly a man reaches them he sees all their vanity ... They are like clouds which have
form and beauty only ... They become less cruel and so cannot maintain their ...
/.../tolstoy/the kingdom of god is within you/chapter x evil cannot be.htm

Perfect Knowledge Cannot be Attained in the Present Life: Many ...
... conditions requisite for the preparation of clouds, or what ... we reply to him, that
no man understands that ... those things which are invisible, or cannot be placed ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xxviii perfect knowledge cannot be.htm

Particular Redemption
... Dwell in my head and eyes; come, clouds and rain! ... secured the salvation of a multitude
that no man can number ... but are saved, must be saved, and cannot by any ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/particular redemption.htm

The Emperor and Empress
Gathering Clouds: A Tale of the Days of St ... [8] Between and behind them were massed
a number of courtiers ... Man cannot do the work of Providence, but he can do his ...
/.../chapter xviii the emperor and.htm

Of the Name of God
... all the syllogisms of such men, "Who art thou, O man! ... If our eyes of flesh cannot
see any thing almost when ... civ.2, and yet "clouds and darkness are round about ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/lecture vii of the name.htm

The Tests of Love to God
... Love cannot be silent; we shall be as so many trumpets ... A wicked man who is
self-condemned, is afraid of ... Christ, are joyful to think of His coming in the clouds. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a divine cordial/the tests of love to.htm

Revelation of John.
... but to the sinners not at all; they cannot in the ... and great glory, and every eye
in [2587] the clouds shall see ... As big a stone as a man of thirty years old can ...
//christianbookshelf.org/unknown/revelation of john/revelation of john.htm

Resources
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

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Subtopics

Clouds

Clouds are Garment of the Sea

Clouds of Hostile Armies

Clouds of Judgments of God

Clouds of Multitudes of Persons

Clouds of Sins of Men

Clouds of Unsearchableness of God

Clouds: (A Morning Without) of Wise Rulers

Clouds: (Carried Away by a Tempest) of False Teachers

Clouds: (Passing Away) the Goodness and Prosperity of

Clouds: (Riding Upon) the Power and Greatness of God

Clouds: (When Seasonable) the Favour of Good Rulers

Clouds: (Without Rain) the Fraudulent

Clouds: (Without Water) False Teachers

Clouds: Called The: Bottles of Heaven

Clouds: Called The: Chambers of God

Clouds: Called The: Clouds of Heaven

Clouds: Called The: Dust of God's Feet

Clouds: Called The: Waters Above the Firmament

Clouds: Called The: Windows of Heaven

Clouds: Different Kinds of, Mentioned: Black

Clouds: Different Kinds of, Mentioned: Bright

Clouds: Different Kinds of, Mentioned: Great

Clouds: Different Kinds of, Mentioned: Small

Clouds: Different Kinds of, Mentioned: Swift

Clouds: Different Kinds of, Mentioned: Thick

Clouds: Different Kinds of, Mentioned: White

Clouds: Formed from the Sea

Clouds: Frequently the Instrument of God's Judgments

Clouds: from the West, Bring Rain

Clouds: God: Balanced in the Air

Clouds: God: Binds Up

Clouds: God: Brings Over the Earth

Clouds: God: Disposed in Order

Clouds: God: Established

Clouds: God: Scatters

Clouds: God: Spreads Out

Clouds: Made for the Glory of God

Clouds: Man: Cannot Cause to Rain

Clouds: Man: Cannot Number

Clouds: Man: Cannot Stay

Clouds: Man: Ignorant of the Balancing of

Clouds: Man: Ignorant of the Disposing of

Clouds: Man: Ignorant of the Spreading of

Clouds: Often Cover the Heavens

Clouds: Often Dispersed by the Wind

Clouds: Often Obscure the Sun

Clouds: Power and Wisdom of God Exhibited in Condensing

Clouds: Power and Wisdom of God Exhibited in Forming

Clouds: The Rainbow Appears In

Clouds: Though Small, often Bring Much Rain

Clouds: Thunder and Lightning Come From

Clouds: Uses of To Give Rain

Clouds: Uses of To Moderate Heat

Clouds: Uses of To Supply Dew

Related Terms

Cloudy (6 Occurrences)

Clouds (99 Occurrences)

Darkness (177 Occurrences)

Clouds: Man: Cannot Cause to Rain
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