Topical Bible: The Sun: God: Appointed to Divide Seasons

◄ The Sun: God: Appointed to Divide Seasons ►

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The sun, as described in the Holy Scriptures, is a celestial body created by God to serve multiple purposes, one of which is to divide the seasons. This function is part of the divine order established by God at the creation of the world. The sun's role in marking time and seasons is a testament to God's sovereignty and meticulous design in the universe.

Creation and Purpose

In the account of creation found in Genesis, the sun is introduced as a great light appointed by God to govern the day. Genesis 1:14-18 states: "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 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 them 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."

This passage highlights the sun's primary function as a timekeeper, marking the passage of days and the changing of seasons. The sun's consistent cycle is a reflection of God's faithfulness and order.

Symbolism and Significance

Throughout the Bible, the sun is often used symbolically to represent God's glory, righteousness, and the illumination of truth. In Psalm 19:4-6 , the sun is depicted as a bridegroom emerging from his chamber, rejoicing like a champion to run his course. "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."

The sun's daily journey across the sky is a metaphor for the constancy and reliability of God's presence and His provision for creation. It serves as a reminder of the divine order and the natural laws established by God.

The Sun and the Seasons

The division of seasons is a critical aspect of the sun's appointed role. The cyclical nature of the seasons—spring, summer, autumn, and winter—demonstrates the sun's influence on the earth's climate and agricultural cycles. Ecclesiastes 3:1 reflects on the appointed times and seasons: "To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven."

The sun's position relative to the earth determines the length of days and nights, influencing the growth of crops and the rhythm of life. This natural order is a manifestation of God's providence, ensuring that the earth remains fruitful and sustains life.

Warnings Against Sun Worship

While the sun is a magnificent creation, the Bible warns against the worship of the sun as a deity. In Deuteronomy 4:19 , God cautions the Israelites: "And when you look to the heavens and see the sun and moon and stars—all the host of heaven—do not be enticed to bow down and worship what the LORD your God has apportioned to all the nations under heaven."

This warning underscores the importance of recognizing the sun as a creation of God, not an object of worship. The sun's purpose is to serve humanity by marking time and seasons, not to be revered as a god.

Conclusion

The sun, in its God-appointed role, is a vital component of the created order, serving as a marker of time and seasons. Its consistent presence and influence on the earth are a testament to God's wisdom and provision. The sun's symbolism in Scripture further emphasizes the glory and righteousness of God, while the warnings against sun worship remind believers to direct their reverence to the Creator rather than the creation.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Genesis 1:14
And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Commendation of those who had Laid Aside the Practice of Swearing. ...
... more coolness; and are unable to sustain the hotter rays of the sun; but when ... by
the frost; and the season is one of idleness; God hath appointed that the ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/homily ix commendation of those.htm

The City and River of God
... more teaching us, is the great central sun which moveth ... on board arrives at its desired
haven"'God is in ... when the morning dawns, when the appointed hour of ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/the city and river of.htm

Some More Particular Directions for Maintaining Continual ...
... Tomorrow's sun may not enlighten my eyes, but only shine ... of this night, whether life
or death be appointed for me. ... 46) for thou hast redeemed me, O God of truth ...
/.../chapter xix some more particular.htm

John Chapter i. 5-Jan
... For, on account of our pride, God appointed that tiny and ... dearly beloved brethren,
because the Wisdom of God, by which ... a sky in design; you see the sun and the ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate i john chapter i.htm

In the Creation of the World, and all Things in It, the True God ...
... he has arranged the motions of the sun and stars ... from God by angels who have been
appointed for the ... to overlook the glorious perfections which God displays in ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 14 in the creation.htm

Opposition to Messiah in Vain
... them a day or an hour beyond the appointed time, which God ... was revived, and broke
forth like the sun from behind ... Surely if this work was not of God, the united ...
/.../newton/messiah vol 2/sermon xxxiv opposition to messiah.htm

Whether the Movement of the Heavenly Bodies Will Cease?
... adore and serve them, which the Lord thy God created for ... elements labor to fulfill
their offices: thus the sun and moon fill the places appointed to them ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the movement of the 2.htm

Ten Reasons Demonstrating the Commandment of the Sabbath to be ...
... 7. Because that as God, by a perpetual decree, made the sun, the moon ... in the church
on earth, the holy Sabbath to be not only the appointed season for ...
/.../bayly/the practice of piety/ten reasons demonstrating the commandment.htm

Of Eternal and Temporal Nature.
... that all the materiality of this world is appointed to a ... to the light which infinitely
flows forth from God, as that man does to the light of the sun, who puts ...
/.../law/an appeal to all that doubt/of eternal and temporal nature.htm

Letter Lv. Replies to Questions of Januarius.
... of the heavenly bodies, in which the sun is, in ... learned this from the Sacred Scriptures,
that God made all the heavenly bodies, and appointed their places ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/letter lv replies to questions.htm