Topical Encyclopedia In the biblical narrative, herbs and plants are often depicted as essential components of the natural world, providing sustenance and medicinal benefits to humanity. However, they are also subject to the forces of nature, which can serve as instruments of divine judgment or signs of God's power. The destruction of herbs by hail and lightning is a theme that appears in the context of divine intervention and judgment.Hail as a Divine Instrument The Bible frequently describes hail as a tool used by God to execute judgment upon the earth. One of the most notable instances is found in the account of the plagues of Egypt. In Exodus 9:22-25 , God commands Moses to stretch out his hand toward the sky so that hail will fall throughout Egypt, striking down everything in the fields, including both man and beast, as well as every herb and plant: > "Then the LORD said to Moses, 'Stretch out your hand toward the sky so that hail will fall throughout the land of Egypt—on man and beast and every plant of the field, throughout the land of Egypt.' 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 back and forth. It was the worst storm in all the land of Egypt since it had become a nation. Throughout the land of Egypt, the hail struck down everything in the field, both man and beast; the hail beat down every plant of the field and shattered every tree." This passage illustrates the destructive power of hail as a divine judgment, emphasizing the vulnerability of herbs and plants to such catastrophic events. The devastation of the crops would have had severe implications for the Egyptian economy and sustenance, highlighting the comprehensive nature of God's judgment. Lightning as a Symbol of Divine Power Lightning, often associated with thunder, is another natural phenomenon that the Bible uses to convey God's might and authority. While specific instances of lightning directly destroying herbs are not explicitly detailed, the imagery of lightning serves to underscore the power of God over creation. In Psalm 29:7 , the psalmist declares: > "The voice of the LORD strikes with flashes of lightning." This verse portrays lightning as an extension of God's voice, a manifestation of His power that can affect the natural world, including herbs and plants. The destructive potential of lightning is implicit in its association with God's voice, which commands and controls the elements. Theological Implications The destruction of herbs by hail and lightning in the biblical text serves as a reminder of the sovereignty of God over creation. It reflects the belief that God can use natural phenomena to accomplish His purposes, whether as a form of judgment or as a demonstration of His power. The vulnerability of herbs to these forces underscores the dependency of humanity on God's provision and protection. In the broader biblical context, the destruction of herbs and plants can also be seen as a call to repentance and a reminder of the consequences of disobedience to God's commands. The natural world, including its capacity for both growth and destruction, is ultimately under the dominion of the Creator, who sustains and governs all things according to His will. Torrey's Topical Textbook Exodus 9:22-25And the LORD said to Moses, Stretch forth your hand toward heaven, that there may be hail in all the land of Egypt, on man, and on beast, and on every herb of the field, throughout the land of Egypt. Torrey's Topical Textbook Library Here Next Followeth the History of Moses The Gladness of the Man of Sorrows Appendices Concerning the Unity of God . On the Article, I Believe in one God ... The Pilgrim's Progress Resources What does the Bible say about doing drugs? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Issachar in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org What does the Bible say about inner peace? | GotQuestions.org Herbs: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Herbs were Sometimes Used Instead of Animal Food by Weak Saints Herbs: (Dew On) of Grace Given to Saints Herbs: Bitter, Used at Passover Herbs: Destroyed by Hail and Lightning Herbs: Destroyed by Tithable Among the Jews Herbs: Each Kind of, Contains Its own Seed Herbs: Mode of Watering, Alluded To Herbs: Poisonous, not Fit for Man's Use Related Terms |
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