The sun, a central celestial body in the biblical narrative, is often depicted as a source of light and life, yet its rays can also be destructive to human life. This duality is reflected in various passages throughout the Scriptures, where the sun serves as both a blessing and a potential source of harm.

Biblical References and Symbolism

The sun is first mentioned in the creation account in Genesis, where it is established as a great light to govern the day: "And God made two great lights—the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night. He also made the stars" (Genesis 1:16). Here, the sun is portrayed as a fundamental part of God's creation, essential for the regulation of time and seasons.

However, the sun's rays can also be seen as a force of judgment and destruction. In the book of Jonah, the prophet experiences the harshness of the sun's heat: "When the sun rose, God appointed a scorching east wind, and the sun beat down on Jonah's head so that he grew faint and wished to die" (Jonah 4:8). This passage illustrates the sun's potential to cause physical distress and suffering.

Similarly, in the book of Revelation, the sun is depicted as an instrument of divine wrath: "The fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, and it was given power to scorch the people with fire. And the people were scorched by the intense heat, and they cursed the name of God, who had authority over these plagues" (Revelation 16:8-9). Here, the sun's rays are a direct manifestation of God's judgment upon a rebellious humanity.

Theological Implications

The destructive potential of the sun's rays serves as a reminder of the fallen state of creation and the consequences of sin. In a world marred by the Fall, even the sun, which is meant to sustain life, can become a source of suffering. This reflects the broader biblical theme of creation groaning under the weight of sin, as described in Romans 8:22.

Moreover, the sun's dual role as both life-giving and destructive underscores the sovereignty of God over creation. The sun's power is not autonomous but is subject to the will of the Creator, who uses it according to His divine purposes. This is evident in the control God exercises over the sun in various biblical narratives, such as the miraculous extension of daylight during Joshua's battle: "So the sun stood still, and the moon stopped, until the nation took vengeance upon its enemies" (Joshua 10:13).

Practical Considerations

In the biblical context, the sun's destructive potential often serves as a metaphor for spiritual realities. Believers are warned against the dangers of spiritual complacency and the need for divine protection. Psalm 121:6 offers reassurance: "The sun will not strike you by day, nor the moon by night" . This promise highlights God's protective care over His people, shielding them from both physical and spiritual harm.

The sun's rays, while essential for life, remind believers of the need for humility and dependence on God. Just as the sun can scorch and wither, so too can spiritual pride and self-reliance lead to destruction. The sun's power serves as a call to seek refuge in the shadow of the Almighty, who alone can provide true safety and sustenance.2 Kings 4:18-20
And when the child was grown, it fell on a day, that he went out to his father to the reapers.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 121:6
The sun shall not smite you by day, nor the moon by night.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Isaiah 49:10
They shall not hunger nor thirst; neither shall the heat nor sun smite them: for he that has mercy on them shall lead them, even by the springs of water shall he guide them.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

From the Close of the General Conference of 1836 to the ...
... his servant to shine in those borrowed rays reflected upon him from the "Sun of
righteousness.". ... it from these exceptions which have frequently been made ...
/.../chapter 14 from the close.htm

Ancient Chaldaea
... originally written in Sumerian or in the Semitic tongue has frequently been discussed ...
ice covers the marshes, to disappear under the first rays of the sun.*. ...
/.../chapter iancient chaldaea.htm

the Legendary History of Egypt
... him to retreat at the sight of thy rays." On learning ... possessed one of the rods of
the Sun-god, also ... all the sacred archives, we should frequently find them ...
/.../chapter iii -the legendary history of.htm

Washed to Greater Foulness
... The rays of the sun are, however ... Sudden death is an occasional fact, but more frequently
the saints are peacefully welcomed to the realms above; so in the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 32 1886/washed to greater foulness.htm

Letter to a Young Widow.
... but in lustre of another kind, and splendour outshining the rays of the sun. ... whereas
those which never even entered the mind have frequently come to pass ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/chrysostom/on the priesthood/letter to a young widow.htm

Additional Evidences of Christianity, and Reflections on the Whole ...
... when disputing with the Jews, did frequently argue from ... God of nature, for lighting
up the sun, that glorious ... to gild the earth with its various rays, to cheer ...
/.../the evidences of christianity/additional evidences of christianity and.htm

Jesus in the Garden of Olives.
... walked along with her head veiled, and her arms frequently stretched forth ... and this
unity in diversity was produced by the rays of one single Sun, by the ...
/.../the dolorous passion of our lord jesus christ/chapter i jesus in the.htm

Tenth Proposition of Arminius.
... is introduced here, and which will be frequently introduced whenever ... it has light
borrowed from the sun, while it ... at the same time with his soul, rays also of ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 3/tenth proposition of arminius.htm

The Sibylline Oracles.
... failing in mid-day, and the moon's rays falling on ... places them on the Altar of the
Sun, and returns ... emblem of the Christian faith so frequently sculptured on ...
//christianbookshelf.org/deane/pseudepigrapha/the sibylline oracles.htm

Answer to Eunomius' Second Book .
... to show this in the case of human capacity alone ... their magnitude, and the specialities
of their rays, their risings ... changes, the motion of the sun midway within ...
/.../gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/answer to eunomius second book.htm

What does the Bible say about sun worship? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean that there is nothing new under the sun? | GotQuestions.org

Is it true that the sun stood still? | GotQuestions.org

Sun: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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