Topical Encyclopedia In biblical literature, the term "morning" often symbolizes new beginnings, hope, and the renewal of God's mercies. However, in certain contexts, it can also signify the onset of judgment and calamity. One such instance is found in the prophetic writings, where the imagery of morning spreading upon the mountains is used to depict the arrival of heavy calamities.The phrase "morning spread upon the mountains" is notably found in the book of Joel, where it describes the advance of a locust army, symbolizing an impending disaster. Joel 2:2 states, "a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and blackness. Like the dawn spreading over the mountains, a great and strong army appears, such as never was of old, nor ever will be in ages to come." Here, the morning light, typically associated with clarity and hope, is paradoxically linked with darkness and destruction, emphasizing the severity of the judgment that is to come. This imagery serves as a powerful reminder of the dual nature of God's dealings with humanity. While He is a God of mercy and renewal, offering new beginnings each morning (Lamentations 3:22-23: "Because of the LORD’s loving devotion we are not consumed, for His mercies never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness!"), He is also a God of justice, who brings about consequences for sin and rebellion. The use of morning in this context underscores the suddenness and inevitability of divine judgment. Just as the morning light spreads swiftly and unavoidably over the landscape, so too do the calamities ordained by God come upon those who persist in disobedience. This serves as a call to repentance, urging the faithful to seek God's mercy before the dawn of judgment breaks. In the broader biblical narrative, the concept of morning as a harbinger of calamity is balanced by its more frequent association with hope and redemption. For instance, Psalm 30:5 reassures believers that "weeping may stay for the night, but joy comes in the morning." This duality reflects the comprehensive nature of God's interaction with the world, encompassing both His righteous judgment and His boundless grace. In conclusion, the imagery of morning spreading upon the mountains as a symbol of heavy calamities serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of sin and the urgency of repentance. It calls believers to reflect on the nature of God's justice while also holding fast to the hope of His mercy and the promise of renewal that each new morning brings. Torrey's Topical Textbook Joel 2:2A day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick darkness, as the morning spread on the mountains: a great people and a strong; there has not been ever the like, neither shall be any more after it, even to the years of many generations. Torrey's Topical Textbook Library Salvation Published from the Mountains The Prophet Joel. Letter Lx. To Heliodorus. Vespasian, when He had Taken the City Gadaea Marches to Jotapata. ... "The Time of Trouble. " The Time of Trouble Literary Expressions The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire The Sibylline Oracles. The Greatness of the Soul, Resources Why is a day measured from evening to morning in Genesis 1? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the Plan B morning-after pill? | GotQuestions.org What does dayspring mean in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Morning: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Morning of the Resurrection Day Morning was Frequently Cloudless Morning: (Breaking Forth) of the Glory of the Church Morning: (Clouds In) of the Short Lived Profession of Hypocrites Morning: (Spread Upon the Mountains) Heavy Calamities Morning: (Star of) Reward of Saints Morning: (Star of) the Glory of Christ Morning: (Wings of) Rapid Movements Morning: A Red Sky In, a Sign of Bad Weather Morning: Began With First Dawn Morning: First Dawning of, Called the Eyelids of the Morning Morning: The First Part of the Natural Day Morning: The Jews: Began Their Journeys In Morning: The Jews: Contracted Covenants In Morning: The Jews: Devoted a Part of, to Prayer and Praise Morning: The Jews: Eat But Little In Morning: The Jews: Gathered the Manna In Morning: The Jews: Generally Rose Early In Morning: The Jews: Held Courts of Justice In Morning: The Jews: Offered a Part of the Daily Sacrifice In Morning: The Jews: Transacted Business In Morning: The Jews: Went to the Temple In Morning: The Outgoings of, Made to Rejoice Morning: The Second Part of the Day at the Creation Morning: Ushered in by the Morning Star Related Terms Burnt-offerings (86 Occurrences) Burnt-offering (205 Occurrences) Drink-offering (33 Occurrences) |
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