In the Bible, clouds frequently serve as a metaphor for the obscuring of light, both literally and figuratively. They are often depicted as natural phenomena that can block the sun, symbolizing moments of darkness, uncertainty, or divine mystery. The imagery of clouds obscuring the sun is used to convey various spiritual truths and lessons throughout Scripture.

Natural Phenomenon and Divine Presence

Clouds are a common feature in the biblical landscape, often associated with the presence and majesty of God. In Exodus 19:9, the LORD says to Moses, "I am coming to you in a dense cloud, so that the people will hear when I speak with you and will always put their trust in you." Here, the cloud serves as a veil that both reveals and conceals God's glory, illustrating how divine presence can be both near and yet hidden from full human comprehension.

Symbol of Judgment and Mystery

Clouds are also used as symbols of judgment and mystery. In Ezekiel 30:3, the prophet declares, "For the day is near, the day of the LORD is near—a day of clouds, a time of doom for the nations." The imagery of clouds here suggests impending judgment and the obscuring of clarity, as the nations face divine retribution. Similarly, in Joel 2:2, the day of the LORD is described as "a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and blackness," emphasizing the mysterious and fearsome nature of God's judgment.

Obscuring Light and Understanding

The metaphor of clouds obscuring the sun is also used to describe moments of spiritual darkness or lack of understanding. In Job 37:21, Elihu observes, "Now no one can look at the sun when it is bright in the skies after the wind has swept them clean." This passage highlights how clouds can obscure the sun, paralleling how human understanding can be clouded, preventing clear perception of divine truth.

Hope and Restoration

Despite their association with obscurity and judgment, clouds also carry a message of hope and restoration. In Isaiah 44:22, God promises, "I have blotted out your transgressions like a cloud and your sins like a mist. Return to Me, for I have redeemed you." Here, clouds symbolize the temporary nature of sin and the promise of redemption, as God clears away the clouds of transgression to restore His people.

Christ's Return

In the New Testament, clouds are associated with the return of Christ. In Matthew 24:30, Jesus foretells, "Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory." The clouds here signify both the majesty and mystery of Christ's return, as He comes to establish His kingdom.

Conclusion

Throughout the Bible, clouds serve as powerful symbols that convey the complexity of divine interaction with the world. They obscure the sun, representing moments of judgment, mystery, and spiritual darkness, yet they also herald hope, redemption, and the glorious return of Christ.Job 36:32
With clouds he covers the light; and commands it not to shine by the cloud that comes between.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Ezekiel 32:7
And when I shall put you out, I will cover the heaven, and make the stars thereof dark; I will cover the sun with a cloud, and the moon shall not give her light.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

The Obscure Apostles
... They are but the clouds irradiated by the sun and ... We may gather, too, the lesson
of how often faithful work ... no place in the record, and their obscure work is ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/the obscure apostles.htm

"The Sun of Righteousness"
... He comes forth from the vast obscure, as from within a ... Now, brethren and sisters,
I am often afraid lest in ... think that these are only like the clouds to the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/the sun of righteousness.htm

Storming the Battlements
... 1. The first thing, dearly beloved brethren, whereof we often make a fortress wherein
to hide, is"the ... I will make the clouds obscure your sun, and you ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/storming the battlements.htm

That Love in this Life Takes Its Origin but not Its Excellence ...
... the knowledge which moves them, but very often, leaving this ... to the game, so, dear
Theotimus, a knowledge obscure and involved in clouds, like that of ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter iv that love in.htm

Light at Evening Time
... deep the night began to fall, till sable clouds gathered dense ... there are some who
do not often get through a ... and wretchedness of my nature obscure the evident ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 62 1916/light at evening time.htm

The Sleeper.
... the world confronts it, aims to obscure its glories ... if not of sight) pierced through
those clouds of darkness. ... The dead often bury their dead, and remember them ...
//christianbookshelf.org/macduff/memories of bethany/vi the sleeper.htm

Hugh the Builder
... body possesses the earth, man the clouds, the spirit ... the best comment upon this somewhat
obscure account, and ... us, except that its lovely face often looked down ...
/.../marson/hugh bishop of lincoln/chapter viii hugh the builder.htm

Quenching the Spirit.
... and renders its perceptions of truth obscure or fitful ... The Spirit often labors with
sinners here, and many ... setting of storms, and gathering clouds, and rolling ...
/.../finney/sermons on gospel themes/xv quenching the spirit.htm

Psalm LXXXIX.
... of the flesh: for all clouds are obscure, owing to ... Safely then let the clouds go
forth: let them diffuse Thy ... Remember, as much as ye can, how often these two ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm lxxxix.htm

The World, Created by God, Still Cherished and Protected by Him. ...
... pretext of the general, hide and obscure the special ... Prophets he repeatedly declares,
that as often as he ... his ministers;" that "he maketh the clouds his chariot ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 16 the world created.htm

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