What does "clouds and darkness surround Him" reveal about God's presence? Key Verse “Clouds and darkness surround Him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne.” (Psalm 97:2) The Imagery in Plain Sight • Clouds: literal vapor God repeatedly employs as a visible covering • Darkness: literal thick gloom that conceals the brilliance of His glory from sinful eyes • Surround Him: a circle of awe-inspiring presence on every side • Righteousness and justice: the solid, immovable base under everything He does A Recognizable Pattern Across Scripture • Sinai — “I am coming to you in a dense cloud” (Exodus 19:9); “Moses approached the thick darkness where God was” (Exodus 20:21) • Wilderness — “The LORD went before them by day in a pillar of cloud” (Exodus 13:21) • Tabernacle — “Then the cloud covered the Tent of Meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle” (Exodus 40:34) • Temple — “The cloud filled the house of the LORD” (1 Kings 8:10-12) • Judgment scenes — “That day is a day of darkness and gloom” (Zephaniah 1:15) • Transfiguration — “A bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came from the cloud” (Matthew 17:5) What the Clouds and Darkness Reveal About God’s Presence • Majestic transcendence – He is far above human comprehension; the covering reminds creatures to bow in reverent awe. • Protective mercy – The veil shields frail sinners from being consumed by the full force of His holiness (Exodus 33:20). • Active nearness – Though hidden, He is unmistakably present, guiding, speaking, and acting within the cloud. • Judicial seriousness – Darkness accompanies His righteous judgments, underscoring that His throne is founded on justice (Isaiah 45:7; Joel 2:1-2). • Unchanging consistency – From Genesis to Revelation, the same holy God employs cloud and darkness to communicate both intimacy and inaccessibility. Living in Light of the Cloud-Wrapped King • Stand in reverent fear: His concealed glory commands humble worship. • Rest in secure assurance: the very One who hides in darkness also guides by a cloud. • Pursue holiness: righteousness and justice undergird His throne, calling His people to walk in the same. |
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