Topical Encyclopedia In the Bible, darkness often symbolizes affliction, suffering, and the absence of God's presence or favor. This metaphorical use of darkness is prevalent throughout Scripture, illustrating the trials and tribulations faced by individuals and nations. Old Testament Context In the Old Testament, darkness is frequently associated with divine judgment and the consequences of sin. For instance, in Exodus 10:21-23, one of the plagues that God sends upon Egypt is a palpable darkness: "Then the LORD said to Moses, 'Stretch out your hand toward the sky so that darkness spreads over the land of Egypt—a darkness that can be felt.' So Moses stretched out his hand toward the sky, and total darkness covered all Egypt for three days." This darkness signifies God's judgment against Pharaoh and the Egyptians for their oppression of the Israelites. The Book of Job provides a profound exploration of darkness as a metaphor for personal affliction. Job, a righteous man, experiences intense suffering and describes his plight in terms of darkness: "He has blocked my way so I cannot pass; He has shrouded my paths in darkness" (Job 19:8). Here, darkness represents Job's overwhelming grief and the sense of being cut off from God's favor. Prophetic Literature The prophets often use darkness to depict the coming judgment and calamity upon nations. In Isaiah 8:22, the prophet warns of impending doom: "Then they will look to the earth and see only distress and darkness and fearful gloom, and they will be thrust into utter darkness." This imagery underscores the severity of God's judgment and the resulting despair. Similarly, in Amos 5:18-20, the Day of the Lord is described as a day of darkness: "Will not the Day of the LORD be darkness instead of light, even gloom with no brightness in it?" This prophetic warning serves as a call to repentance, highlighting the dire consequences of turning away from God. New Testament Insights In the New Testament, darkness continues to symbolize spiritual affliction and separation from God. Jesus Himself uses the imagery of darkness to describe the spiritual state of those who reject Him. In Matthew 8:12, He warns, "But the sons of the kingdom will be cast into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." This outer darkness represents the ultimate separation from God's presence and the resulting anguish. The Apostle Paul also employs the metaphor of darkness to describe the spiritual condition of humanity apart from Christ. In Ephesians 5:8, he writes, "For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light." Here, darkness signifies the former state of sin and alienation from God, contrasted with the transformative light of Christ. Symbolism in Revelation The Book of Revelation uses darkness to depict the heavy afflictions that accompany the end times. In Revelation 16:10, the fifth bowl judgment results in darkness: "And the fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and its kingdom was plunged into darkness. Men gnawed their tongues in agony." This apocalyptic imagery emphasizes the severity of God's final judgments and the suffering of those who oppose Him. Conclusion Throughout the Bible, darkness serves as a powerful symbol of heavy afflictions, divine judgment, and spiritual separation. It is a reminder of the consequences of sin and the absence of God's light. Yet, amidst the darkness, Scripture also offers hope, pointing to the light of Christ as the ultimate remedy for spiritual affliction and separation from God. Torrey's Topical Textbook Job 23:17Because I was not cut off before the darkness, neither has he covered the darkness from my face. Torrey's Topical Textbook Psalm 112:4 Ecclesiastes 5:17 Isaiah 5:30 Isaiah 8:22 Isaiah 59:9 Library Psalm 143 Complaint of Heavy Afflictions in Mind and Body. Psalm 143. Complaint of Heavy Afflictions in Mind and Body. The Christian Struggling under Great and Heavy Affliction. The Psalms of David An Index to Find a Psalm Suited to Particular Subjects or ... Darkness Before the Dawn The Psalms and Hymns of Isaac Watts Christian Stewardship. Sermon for the First Sunday in Advent How Important and Necessary it Is, to the Interiour Soul, to ... Resources What is the witching hour, and is it in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean that God is light? | GotQuestions.org What does it mean that Satan masquerades as an angel of light? | GotQuestions.org Darkness: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Darkness of Spiritual Blindness Darkness the Following Scriptures Darkness: Abstruse and Deep Subjects Darkness: Called the Swaddling Band of the Sea Darkness: Cannot Hide Us from God Darkness: Caused by the Setting of the Sun Darkness: Degrees of, Mentioned: Great Darkness: Degrees of, Mentioned: Gross Darkness: Degrees of, Mentioned: Outer or Extreme Darkness: Degrees of, Mentioned: That May be Felt Darkness: Degrees of, Mentioned: Thick Darkness: Effects of Causes Us to Go Astray Darkness: Effects of Causes Us to Stumble Darkness: Effects of Keeps Us from Seeing Objects Darkness: Exhibits God's Power and Greatness Darkness: Greatness and Unsearchableness of God Darkness: Inexplicable Nature of Darkness: Miraculous: At Mount Sinai Darkness: Miraculous: At the Crucifixion Darkness: Miraculous: At the Death of Christ Darkness: Miraculous: Before the Destruction of Jerusalem Darkness: Miraculous: On Mount Sinai Darkness: Miraculous: Over the Land of Egypt Darkness: Originally Covered the Earth Darkness: Over the Face of the Earth Darkness: Separated from the Light Darkness: The Punishment of Devils and Wicked Men Darkness: The Wicked are Full of Darkness: The Wicked: Perpetuate Their Designs In Darkness: The Wicked: The Children of Related Terms |
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