Topical Bible: Darkness: Greatness and Unsearchableness of God

◄ Darkness: Greatness and Unsearchableness of God ►

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In the biblical narrative, darkness often symbolizes the profound mystery and incomprehensibility of God's nature and works. The Scriptures frequently employ darkness to convey the greatness and unsearchableness of God, emphasizing His transcendence and the limitations of human understanding.

God's Dwelling in Darkness

The Bible describes God as dwelling in thick darkness, a metaphor for His inscrutable majesty. In 1 Kings 8:12, Solomon declares, "The LORD has said that He would dwell in the thick cloud." This imagery suggests that God's presence is enveloped in mystery, beyond the reach of human perception. Similarly, in Psalm 18:11, it is written, "He made darkness His hiding place, and storm clouds a canopy around Him." These passages highlight the divine majesty that is concealed from human sight, underscoring the idea that God's ways and thoughts are higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8-9).

The Unsearchable Nature of God

The unsearchableness of God is a recurring theme in Scripture, often associated with darkness as a symbol of the unknown. Job, in his discourse on the greatness of God, declares, "He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted" (Job 9:10). This acknowledgment of God's incomprehensible works is echoed in Romans 11:33, where Paul exclaims, "Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable His judgments, and untraceable His ways!"

God's Revelation Amidst Darkness

While darkness signifies the hidden aspects of God's nature, the Bible also reveals that God chooses to make Himself known amidst this obscurity. In Exodus 20:21, Moses approaches the thick darkness where God was, signifying that even in the midst of divine mystery, God communicates with His people. This paradox of hiddenness and revelation is further illustrated in Isaiah 45:3, where God promises, "I will give you the treasures of darkness and hidden riches of secret places, so that you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, who calls you by name."

The Fear of the Lord

The greatness and unsearchableness of God, often depicted through the imagery of darkness, evoke a reverent fear of the Lord. Proverbs 9:10 states, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding." This fear is not a terror of the unknown but a profound respect for the divine majesty that surpasses human comprehension. It is an acknowledgment of God's sovereignty and the limitations of human wisdom.

Conclusion

The biblical portrayal of darkness as a symbol of God's greatness and unsearchableness invites believers to approach Him with humility and reverence. While God's ways may be shrouded in mystery, He graciously reveals Himself to those who seek Him, offering glimpses of His glory and wisdom.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Exodus 20:21
And the people stood afar off, and Moses drew near to the thick darkness where God was.
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2 Samuel 22:10,12
He bowed the heavens also, and came down; and darkness was under his feet.
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1 Kings 8:12
Then spoke Solomon, The LORD said that he would dwell in the thick darkness.
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Psalm 97:2
Clouds and darkness are round about him: righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne.
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Library

"And Hereby we do Know that we Know Him, if we Keep his ...
... that doth not apprehend deeply the unsearchableness of God ... the difficulty of knowledge,
and darkness of men's ... and infinite power and greatness, and infinite ...
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The Second Theological Oration.
... we cannot even represent to ourselves all its greatness. ... what is meant by "He made
darkness His secret ... and the depth, and confesses the unsearchableness of the ...
/.../lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/oration xxviii the second theological.htm