Topical Bible: The Sun: Clearness of Its Light Alluded To

◄ The Sun: Clearness of Its Light Alluded To ►

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The sun, as the primary source of light and warmth for the earth, holds significant symbolic and literal importance in the Bible. Its clearness and brilliance are often alluded to in Scripture, serving as a metaphor for divine truth, righteousness, and the glory of God.

Symbol of Divine Illumination and Truth

The sun's clear light is frequently used to symbolize the purity and clarity of God's truth. In Psalm 19:4-6 , the psalmist extols the sun's role in the heavens: "In the heavens He has pitched a tent for the sun. Like a bridegroom emerging from his chamber, like a champion rejoicing to run his course, it rises at one end of the heavens and runs its circuit to the other; nothing is deprived of its warmth." Here, the sun's path across the sky is likened to the all-encompassing reach of God's truth, illuminating all creation.

Representation of Righteousness and Justice

The sun's light is also a representation of righteousness and justice. In Malachi 4:2 , the prophet speaks of the "sun of righteousness" that will rise with healing in its wings for those who fear the name of the Lord. This imagery conveys the idea of God's righteous judgment and the healing and restoration that come with His justice.

Manifestation of God's Glory

The sun's brilliance is a reflection of God's glory and majesty. In the New Testament, the transfiguration of Jesus is described with imagery reminiscent of the sun. Matthew 17:2 states, "There He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light." This event underscores the divine nature of Christ, with the sun's radiance serving as a metaphor for His divine glory.

Guidance and Protection

The sun's light is also associated with guidance and protection. In Psalm 84:11 , it is written, "For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD gives grace and glory; no good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly." Here, the sun is a metaphor for God's guidance and protective presence, offering light to navigate the path of righteousness.

Eternal Light in the New Creation

In the eschatological vision of the new creation, the sun's light is surpassed by the glory of God Himself. Revelation 21:23 describes the New Jerusalem: "The city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God illuminates it, and the Lamb is its lamp." This passage highlights the ultimate fulfillment of God's presence, where His glory provides eternal light, rendering the sun's light unnecessary.

Throughout Scripture, the clearness of the sun's light serves as a powerful symbol of God's truth, righteousness, glory, and guidance. Its consistent presence in the biblical narrative underscores the enduring nature of these divine attributes.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Songs 6:10
Who is she that looks forth as the morning, fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners?
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Converting Sinners a Christian Duty.
... causes the mind to see it with great clearness and to ... as he soars on past the moon,
the sun, and other ... They would live religion"would hold up its light as a ...
/.../finney/sermons on gospel themes/xx converting sinners a christian.htm

Oration on the Holy Lights.
... must coin a word for the sake of clearness [3955] ); for ... mythus of the Rape of
Persephone and its consequences ... connected it is said with the worship of the Sun. ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/oration xxxix oration on the.htm

CHAPTER III.
... in both of these prophecies with remarkable clearness; and hence we ... exposition is
quite correct as to its substance, but ... would last as long as the sun and moon ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/chapter iii.htm

Christ Glorified as the Builder of his Church
... the sunshine in the lands where the sun is rising ... distinct and separate, and governed
by its own bishop ... too low; they bring out with great clearness the great ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/christ glorified as the builder.htm

Introduction
... We realise the evil which Kant first in clearness pointed out ... That the sun does not
move about the earth, that ... We have no need to set forth its own achievements ...
/.../chapter i introduction.htm

Israel and Britain. A Note of Warning
... morning star is lost at the rising of the sun. ... law of God, and proclaim with trumpet
clearness the gospel ... haply our land may be purged of its present defilement ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 31 1885/israel and britain a note.htm

The Maniac
... the housemaid become of a sparkling and crystal clearness. ... we look at everything"
Like the sun at noonday ... everything else by the blaze of its own victorious ...
//christianbookshelf.org/chesterton/orthodoxy/ii the maniac.htm

The Paradoxes of Christianity
... east than another demonstrated with equal clearness that it ... is called "Christian,"
especially in its attitude towards ... soaked the earth and smoked to the sun. ...
/.../chesterton/orthodoxy/vi the paradoxes of christianity.htm

Solomon's Temple Spiritualized
... enjoined on others, are dead, may minister light to us ... 2. It was set also with its
face towards the east ... worshipping the host of heaven, and the sun whose rising ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/solomons temple spiritualized.htm

The Old Testament and Archeology
... the great sea of the setting of the sun (Mediterranean Sea ... the figures makes us doubt
somewhat the clearness of the ... 17] Francis Brown, Assyriology"Its Use and ...
/.../the christian view of the old testament/chapter iv the old testament.htm