Clouds: Man: Ignorant of the Disposing of
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In the Bible, clouds often symbolize the divine presence and the mystery of God's ways, which are beyond human understanding. The Scriptures frequently highlight the limitations of human knowledge, particularly concerning the natural world and God's sovereign control over it. This theme is evident in the context of clouds, as they serve as a metaphor for the inscrutable nature of God's plans and actions.

Job's Discourse on Divine Wisdom

The Book of Job provides a profound exploration of human ignorance in the face of divine wisdom. Job, in his suffering, questions the justice and order of the world, leading to a series of discourses on the nature of God's governance. In Job 37:16, Elihu, one of Job's friends, challenges Job's understanding, asking, "Do you understand how the clouds float, those wonders of Him who is perfect in knowledge?" . This rhetorical question underscores the vast gap between human comprehension and God's omniscience. The clouds, in their complexity and beauty, are a testament to God's perfect knowledge, which remains largely hidden from human eyes.

God's Response to Job

When God finally responds to Job out of the whirlwind, He further emphasizes human ignorance regarding the natural order. In Job 38:34-37, God questions Job, "Can you raise your voice to the clouds and cover yourself with a flood of water? Do you send the lightning bolts on their way? Do they report to you, ‘Here we are’? Who has put wisdom in the heart or given understanding to the mind? Who has the wisdom to count the clouds? Or who can tilt the water jars of the heavens?" . These questions highlight the divine control over creation, including the clouds, and the inability of humans to comprehend or influence such matters.

The Psalms and Prophetic Literature

The Psalms and prophetic books also reflect on the theme of clouds as a symbol of divine mystery and majesty. Psalm 97:2 declares, "Clouds and darkness surround Him; righteousness and justice are His throne's foundation" . Here, clouds are associated with the hiddenness and holiness of God, suggesting that His ways are shrouded in mystery, yet founded on righteousness and justice.

In Isaiah 55:9, the prophet conveys God's message: "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so My ways are higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts" . This passage reinforces the idea that God's plans, like the clouds high above, are beyond human understanding and control.

New Testament Reflections

The New Testament continues this theme, with clouds often accompanying significant divine revelations. At 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). The cloud here signifies the divine presence and authority, reminding believers of the mystery and majesty of God's revelation in Christ.

In Acts 1:9, as Jesus ascends into heaven, "a cloud hid Him from their sight" . This event marks the transition from Jesus' earthly ministry to His exalted position, with the cloud symbolizing the divine mystery surrounding His ascension and future return.

Conclusion

Throughout the Bible, clouds serve as a powerful symbol of the divine presence and the limitations of human understanding. They remind believers of the vastness of God's wisdom and the mystery of His ways, encouraging humility and trust in His sovereign plans.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Job 37:15
Do you know when God disposed them, and caused the light of his cloud to shine?
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Summary view of the Pre-Existence and Divinity of Our Saviour and ...
... They were ignorant even of the name of laws and of justice, of virtue ... I saw," says
he, "and behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter ii summary view of the.htm

Being Made Archbishop of Armagh, He Suffers Many Troubles. Peace ...
... appeared to Malachy"far away and ignorant [of Cellach's ... holy Elijah did, at one time
bringing clouds and rain ... own place Gelasius,[492] a good man, and worthy ...
/.../chapter iv being made archbishop.htm

Book iv Thus Gently Sang the Lady Philosophy with Dignified Mien ...
... above the sphere of this vast atmosphere, sees the clouds behind her ... of wonder in
the order of Fate, when a wise man does that which amazes the ignorant. ...
/.../boethius/the consolation of philosophy/book iv thus gently sang.htm

Texts Explained; Sixthly, the Context of Proverbs viii. 22 Vz. 22 ...
... us afterwards, lest He should appear ignorant of our ... of the knowledge of God; for
a man entering, as it ... the Father prepared the heaven or the clouds above (for ...
/.../chapter xxii texts explained sixthly the.htm

Impiety of Attributing a visible Form to God. --The Setting up of ...
... Jews to derision for worshipping the thin clouds and firmament. ... all modes of worship
devised by man are detestable ... 5. I am not ignorant, indeed, of the assertion ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 11 impiety of attributing.htm

The Worst Things Work for Good to the Godly
... "We are not ignorant of his ... beasts get over the hedge and hurt the corn, a man will
make ... enjoy His smiles for ever, when there shall be neither clouds in His ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a divine cordial/the worst things work for.htm

The First Book
... were outside the true faith and were ignorant of the ... a holy sound, the fires, mists
and clouds filled with ... First the man who had sinned was arrested, then he ...
//christianbookshelf.org/salvian/on the government of god/the first book.htm

The Prophecies
... forth thorns, and I will forbid the clouds from raining ... cried in this manner, 'Gabriel,
make this man to understand ... few words, to a hundred million ignorant men ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pascal/pensees/section xi the prophecies.htm

Of Justification by Faith. Both the Name and the Reality Defined.
... of salvation, and hurrying us into the clouds, tries to ... And, indeed, no man, moderately
verdant in the Hebrew ... is also of sedate brain), is ignorant that this ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 11 of justification by.htm

The Pharisee and the Publican
... again, hath not thy thus doing charged God with being ignorant of knowing ... of thy
traditions, righteousness had been imperfect, not through man's weakness, but ...
/.../bunyan/the pharisee and publican/the pharisee and the publican.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: Ignorant of the Balancing of
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