What does "He causes His sun to rise" reveal about God's character? Key Verse Matthew 5:45: “so that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. For He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” Context Snapshot • Spoken by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount. • Direct application: love your enemies and pray for persecutors. • Underlying focus: reflect the Father’s own goodness and impartial benevolence. What the Phrase Shows Us About God • Unquestioned Ownership – “His sun” underscores that creation belongs to Him alone (Psalm 24:1). • Sovereign Control – He actively “causes” the sun to rise; natural processes are guided by His purposeful hand (Job 38:12-13). • Constant Faithfulness – Sunrise is daily, predictable, unwavering—mirroring His steadfast love (Lamentations 3:22-23). • Impartial Goodness – Blessings fall on “evil and good” alike. Divine kindness precedes human merit (Romans 2:4). • Generous Provision – Sunlight sustains life. God delights to give what His creation needs (Acts 14:17). • Patience and Forbearance – He withholds immediate judgment on the wicked, allowing time for repentance (2 Peter 3:9). • Revealed Fatherhood – Jesus links the Father’s daily care to the identity of His children: we imitate the character we behold (Ephesians 5:1). Wider Biblical Confirmation • Genesis 8:22 — “While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest… day and night shall never cease.” • Psalm 145:9 — “The LORD is good to all; His compassion rests on all He has made.” • Luke 6:35 — “He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.” • Acts 17:25 — “He Himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else.” • James 1:17 — “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights…” Takeaway Principles • See each sunrise as a personal reminder of God’s reliable grace. • Adopt His impartial kindness in our relationships, even toward enemies. • Trust His sovereign governance of creation and of our daily circumstances. |
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