Clouds: Man: Ignorant of the Spreading of
Jump to: Torrey'sLibrarySubtopicsTerms
Topical Encyclopedia
In the Bible, clouds often symbolize the divine presence and the mysteries of God's creation. The natural phenomenon of clouds is used metaphorically to illustrate human limitations in understanding the works of God. One particular aspect highlighted in Scripture is man's ignorance of the spreading of clouds, which serves as a reminder of the vastness of God's wisdom compared to human understanding.

Biblical Reference:

The book of Job, known for its exploration of human suffering and divine sovereignty, addresses the theme of human ignorance in the face of God's creation. In Job 36:29, Elihu, one of Job's friends, speaks of the mysteries of God's creation, including the clouds: "Indeed, who can understand how the clouds spread out, how the thunder roars from His pavilion?" . This rhetorical question emphasizes the limitations of human knowledge and the grandeur of God's handiwork.

Theological Implications:

1. Divine Wisdom vs. Human Understanding:
The spreading of clouds is presented as an example of God's incomprehensible wisdom. Humans, despite their advancements and knowledge, remain unable to fully grasp the intricacies of God's creation. This serves as a humbling reminder of the Creator's superiority and the finite nature of human understanding.

2. Symbol of God's Presence:
Throughout the Bible, clouds are often associated with the presence of God. For instance, during the Exodus, God led the Israelites by a pillar of cloud by day (Exodus 13:21). The mysterious and majestic nature of clouds reflects the divine presence that is both near and yet beyond full human comprehension.

3. Mystery and Revelation:
The inability to understand the spreading of clouds points to the broader theme of mystery in God's revelation. While God reveals Himself and His will to humanity, there remain aspects of His creation and purposes that are beyond human understanding. This invites believers to trust in God's wisdom and sovereignty, even when they cannot fully understand His ways.

Practical Reflections:

· Humility in Knowledge:
Recognizing human ignorance in the face of God's creation encourages humility. Believers are called to acknowledge their limitations and to seek wisdom from God, who alone understands all things.

· Trust in God's Sovereignty:
The mystery of the clouds serves as a metaphor for the many unknowns in life. Believers are encouraged to trust in God's sovereign plan, knowing that He is in control, even when circumstances are unclear or beyond understanding.

· Worship and Awe:
The beauty and complexity of clouds can inspire worship and awe for the Creator. As believers observe the natural world, they are reminded of God's majesty and are moved to praise Him for His wondrous works.

In summary, the biblical reference to man's ignorance of the spreading of clouds serves as a profound reminder of the limitations of human understanding and the infinite wisdom of God. It calls believers to a posture of humility, trust, and worship in response to the mysteries of God's creation.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Job 36:29
Also can any understand the spreading of the clouds, or the noise of his tabernacle?
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Hugh the Builder
... was built remarkably by a holy man, the first ... straitened, guides her wandering, teaches
her ignorant, heals her ... daring the wall flies to the clouds, the roof ...
/.../marson/hugh bishop of lincoln/chapter viii hugh the builder.htm

The Best of Masters
... fancy to be springs of water, and spreading palm trees ... Nay, and when the clouds have
emptied out their horrors ... or whether thou be a poor, ignorant man, the worms ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/the best of masters.htm

God Alone the Salvation of his People
... You see the fortress standing on a high rock, up which the clouds themselves can
scarcely climb, and up whose precipices ... I find man to be ignorant of what ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/god alone the salvation of.htm

A Simple Sermon for Seeking Souls
... sins away, just as easily as he could move the clouds. ... to speak English, to get to
heaven; the ignorant and rude ... name of the Lord shall be saved." Man of eighty ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/a simple sermon for seeking.htm

The Birth of a Movement.
... treated as a sect composed of ignorant and illiterate ... the hymn, "Lo, He comes with
clouds descending." It ... Walsh, whom Wesley called, "that blessed man," and of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclean/william black/i the birth of a.htm

In the Present Crusade against the Bible and the Faith of ...
... An ignorant man might in like man-nor be of opinion ... immortality, dwelleth in the
Light which no man can approach ... up the waters in His thick clouds [112] ," and ...
/.../burgon/inspiration and interpretation/v in the present crusade.htm

The Life of Mr. Thomas Hog.
... which was of long continuance, whole clouds of sin ... free dealing was blessed, the
good man in his ... neglected in their examination, became very ignorant; but he ...
/.../howie/biographia scoticana scots worthies/the life of mr thomas.htm

The War of Truth
... against the seeming error; in their ignorant bigotry they ... Hur is supporting it, and
the good old man changes his ... of Amalek are broken like thin clouds before a ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/the war of truth.htm

Meanwhile Cardinal Bonpre had once More Reached his Own Apartments ...
... in the young, in the old, in the wise or the ignorant I give ... in positive speech the
words, "Then shall ye see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great ...
/.../corelli/the master-christian/xxx meanwhile cardinal bonpre had.htm

A Blast of the Trumpet against False Peace
... throne is even now coming on the clouds of heaven ... for the exercise of your judgment
to man, but you ... neglect this Word of God, and remain ignorant, your sins of ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 6 1860/a blast of the trumpet.htm

Resources
Is there any truth to the chemtrail conspiracy? | GotQuestions.org

What is the rapture of the church? | GotQuestions.org

What are the strongest biblical arguments for the divinity of Christ? | GotQuestions.org

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
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 Disposing of
Top of Page
Top of Page