Topical Bible: Darkness: Caused by the Setting of the Sun

◄ Darkness: Caused by the Setting of the Sun ►

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In the biblical context, darkness is often associated with the absence of light, both in a physical and metaphorical sense. One of the most straightforward causes of darkness mentioned in the Bible is the setting of the sun, marking the transition from day to night. This natural phenomenon is a part of God's creation and order, as established in the Genesis account.

The creation narrative in Genesis 1:14-19 describes the establishment of celestial bodies to govern the day and the night: "And God said, 'Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark the seasons and days and years, and let them serve as lights in the expanse of the sky to shine upon the earth.' And it was so. God made two great lights—the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night. He also made the stars. God set these lights in the expanse of the sky to shine upon the earth, to govern the day and the night, and to separate light from darkness. And God saw that it was good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the fourth day."

The setting of the sun, leading to darkness, is a daily reminder of the order and rhythm established by God. This cycle of day and night is a testament to His sovereignty over creation. In Psalm 104:19-20 , the psalmist acknowledges this divine order: "He made the moon to mark the seasons; the sun knows when to set. You bring darkness, and it becomes night, when all the beasts of the forest prowl."

The setting of the sun and the ensuing darkness also serve as a metaphor for the end of a period or the closing of a chapter. In the New Testament, Jesus uses the imagery of day and night to convey urgency and the need for action before darkness falls. In John 9:4 , He states, "While it is daytime, we must do the works of Him who sent Me. Night is coming, when no one can work."

Furthermore, the setting of the sun and the resulting darkness can symbolize the trials and challenges faced by believers. Yet, it is also a time for rest and reflection, as seen in the practice of evening prayers and the acknowledgment of God's protection through the night. Psalm 91:5-6 reassures believers: "You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the calamity that destroys at noon."

In summary, the darkness caused by the setting of the sun is a natural and divinely ordained part of creation. It serves as a reminder of God's order, a metaphor for life's transitions, and an opportunity for rest and reliance on God's protection.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Genesis 15:17
And it came to pass, that, when the sun went down, and it was dark, behold a smoking furnace, and a burning lamp that passed between those pieces.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

John 6:17
And entered into a ship, and went over the sea toward Capernaum. And it was now dark, and Jesus was not come to them.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Concerning Light, Fire, the Luminaries, Sun, Moon and Stars.
... is not the essence of air that is darkness, but the ... It is caused by the sun rising
in the middle ... affairs are controlled by the rising and setting and collision ...
/.../john/exposition of the orthodox faith/chapter vii concerning light fire the.htm

In Joseph's Tomb
... The darkness that had mantled the earth at the ... and their bodies be removed before
the setting of the ... already extinct, this wound would have caused instant death ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 80 in josephs tomb.htm

Letter i. --To Eusebius .
... after taking the place of the sun at its setting, she does ... by day and night, without
any break whatsoever being caused by the interposition of darkness. ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/letter i to eusebius.htm

Chapter xv
... what has long burdened his soul and caused fear (v ... upon Abram and, lo, terror and
great darkness was falling ... about as a man might dream he sees the sun setting. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xv.htm

Whether the Movement of the Heavenly Bodies Will Cease?
... in some part of the earth's surface there will be perpetual darkness, which is ... Now
the setting of the sun and the phases of the moon are caused by the ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the movement of the 2.htm

An Era of Spiritual Darkness
... false light in which he had thus caused it to be ... men, nay, more, to the prince of
darkness himself, who ... the corruption that ever results from setting aside the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the great controversy/chapter 3 an era of.htm

The "Demonstrations" of Aphrahat.
... Him even unto the ninth hour there was darkness in all ... by faith he divided the sea,
and caused his people ... His hands continued in faith till the setting of the ...
/.../aphrahat/aphrahat select demonstrations/the demonstrations of aphrahat.htm

Revelation of Paul.
... the place, I saw that well filled with darkness and gloom ... And I saw towards the setting
of the sun, where ... the prophet, who prayed to God, and He caused that no ...
//christianbookshelf.org/unknown/revelation of paul/revelation of paul.htm

He was Transfigured
... The light of the setting sun still lingers on the mountain ... As the darkness of the
coming trial pressed upon ... God speak in awful majesty that caused the mountain ...
/.../white/the desire of ages/chapter 46 he was transfigured.htm

Light at Evening Time
... As God caused revelation to arise gradually, and, growing ... When darkness veiled your
mind, you looked to Christ ... world so magnificent as the setting sun, when all ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 62 1916/light at evening time.htm