Topical Encyclopedia Hail is a meteorological phenomenon frequently mentioned in the Bible, often symbolizing divine judgment and power. It consists of solid precipitation in the form of balls or lumps of ice, and its occurrence in biblical narratives underscores the might and sovereignty of God over creation.Divine Judgment and Power Hail is prominently featured in the account of the plagues of Egypt, where it serves as a tool of divine retribution against Pharaoh and the Egyptians. In Exodus 9:23-26 , the Lord commands Moses to stretch out his staff toward the sky, resulting in a devastating hailstorm: "So Moses stretched out his staff toward the sky, and the LORD sent thunder and hail, and lightning struck the earth. So the LORD rained hail upon the land of Egypt. The hail fell and lightning continued flashing through it. So severe was the hail that nothing like it had occurred in all the land of Egypt since it had become a nation." This event highlights the Lord's supremacy over the natural world and His ability to use it to fulfill His purposes. The hailstorm was selective, sparing the land of Goshen where the Israelites resided, further demonstrating God's protective care for His people. Prophetic and Apocalyptic Imagery Hail is also used in prophetic and apocalyptic literature to depict God's impending judgment. In Isaiah 28:17 , hail is metaphorically described as a means of justice: "I will make justice the measuring line and righteousness the level; hail will sweep away your refuge of lies, and water will flood your hiding place." Here, hail symbolizes the destruction of falsehood and the establishment of divine truth and justice. In the Book of Revelation, hail is part of the apocalyptic visions that describe the end times. Revelation 8:7 states, "Then the first angel sounded his trumpet, and hail and fire mixed with blood were hurled down upon the earth. A third of the earth was burned up, along with a third of the trees and all the green grass." This imagery serves to convey the severity and inescapability of God's final judgment upon the earth. Symbol of God's Majesty Beyond its role in judgment, hail is also a testament to God's majesty and creative power. In Job 38:22-23 , God challenges Job with a series of questions that emphasize His control over the natural world: "Have you entered the storehouses of snow or observed the storehouses of hail, which I hold in reserve for times of trouble, for the day of war and battle?" This passage underscores the idea that hail, like all elements of creation, is under the sovereign command of the Almighty. Conclusion Throughout Scripture, hail serves as a multifaceted symbol of God's power, judgment, and majesty. Whether as an instrument of divine retribution or a testament to His creative authority, hail reflects the overarching biblical theme of God's dominion over the earth and His active involvement in the affairs of humanity. Nave's Topical Index Job 38:22Have you entered into the treasures of the snow? or have you seen the treasures of the hail, Nave's Topical Index Haggai 2:17 Library General Corruption. And Judas Iscariot The General Deliverance General Index to Socrates' Ecclesiastical History. From the Close of the General Conference of 1828 to the Beginning ... From the Close of the General Conference of 1816 to the ... On the Article, and in one Holy Ghost, the Comforter, which Spake ... The Doctrine of Angels. Sovereignty of God in Administration The Letter of the Synod, Relative to Its Decisions: and the ... Resources Is prayer to saints / Mary biblical? | GotQuestions.orgIs praying the rosary scriptural? | GotQuestions.org Is there extra-biblical evidence of the ten plagues in Egypt? | GotQuestions.org Hail: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus |
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