Topical Bible: Morning: A Red Sky In, a Sign of Bad Weather

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In biblical times, the observation of natural phenomena was often used to predict weather patterns, a practice that is reflected in the Scriptures. One such phenomenon is the appearance of a red sky in the morning, which is traditionally seen as a harbinger of bad weather. This understanding is rooted in the teachings of Jesus Christ, who referenced this natural sign in His rebuke of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus addresses the religious leaders who demand a sign from Him to prove His authority. He responds by pointing to their ability to interpret the signs of the sky: "When evening comes, you say, 'The weather will be fair, for the sky is red,' and in the morning, 'Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast.' You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but not the signs of the times" (Matthew 16:2-3). Here, Jesus highlights their failure to recognize the spiritual signs of His coming, despite their ability to predict the weather based on natural indicators.

The phrase "red sky in the morning, sailor's warning" has its roots in this biblical teaching, reflecting a long-standing understanding that a red sky at dawn often precedes inclement weather. This is due to the scattering of sunlight by atmospheric particles, which can indicate the presence of moisture and the likelihood of rain.

The biblical reference to a red sky in the morning serves as a metaphor for spiritual discernment. Just as the people of Jesus' time could predict the weather by observing the sky, they were expected to recognize the spiritual truths and signs presented to them. The inability of the Pharisees and Sadducees to do so is a cautionary tale about the importance of spiritual awareness and the recognition of God's work in the world.

Throughout Scripture, the morning is often associated with new beginnings, hope, and the faithfulness of God. Lamentations 3:22-23 states, "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!" This passage underscores the renewal and mercy that each morning brings, contrasting with the warning of a red sky that signals impending storms.

In the broader biblical context, the morning is a time for seeking God and His guidance. Psalm 5:3 declares, "In the morning, O LORD, You hear my voice; at daybreak I lay my plea before You and wait in expectation." This verse emphasizes the importance of beginning the day with prayer and reliance on God's wisdom, a practice that can help believers navigate both the literal and metaphorical storms of life.

The observation of a red sky in the morning, therefore, serves as a reminder of the need for vigilance and discernment, both in the natural world and in one's spiritual journey. It calls believers to be attentive to the signs of the times and to seek God's guidance in all circumstances.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Matthew 16:3
And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowering. O you hypocrites, you can discern the face of the sky; but can you not discern the signs of the times?
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Third Withdrawal from Herod's Territory.
... is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the heaven is red.3 And in the
morning, It will be foul weather to-day: for the sky is red and lowering ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/lxx third withdrawal from herods.htm

The Creation of Luminous Bodies.
... always falls on the opposite side; if in the morning it extends ... will be foul weather
to-day; for the sky is red ... burning like a coal and of a bloody red colour. ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/homily vi the creation of.htm

Yet Speaking.
... Here the long, thin red line stood during the whole ... the night and the showers of
the morning into the ... that there should be an absolutely clear sky between the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/meyer/john the baptist/xvi yet speaking.htm

The Elf
... I skipped my prayer this morning, and so of course I ... Christian) are curled up on
the warm red sand with ... the sheet lightning which plays about the sky in the ...
/.../wilson-carmichael/things as they are/chapter xx the elf.htm

Literary Expressions
... Ransack the vocabulary. Red tape of officialdom. ... The morning droned along peacefully. ...
The velvet of the cloudless sky grew darker, and the stars more luminous. ...
/.../kleiser/fifteen thousand useful phrases/section vii literary expressions.htm

Hosanna!
... bear their testimony "hereunto, then we may look for red-letter days ... the sun of the
church is shining high up in the sky. ... Are your gates wide open this morning? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/hosanna.htm

Naparima and Montserrat
... and Ceibas stood up, black and gaunt, against the sky. ... It was not till next morning
that I found into ... Coolies, in red or yellow waistcloths, and Coolie children ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/at last/chapter x naparima and montserrat.htm

Syria at the Beginning of the Egyptian Conquest
... and the vapour given off by them morning and evening ... Red morocco buskins, a soft
cap, a handkerchief, a ... among them were regarded as personifying the sky in the ...
/.../chapter iisyria at the beginning.htm

The Nile and Egypt
... which stated that the Nile flows down from the sky. ... the streets of Cairo, announce
each morning what progress ... and the decoration has been traced in red lines. ...
/.../chapter i the nile and egypt.htm

Chaldaean Civilization
... of the star [symbol] with that of the sky, and sometimes ... cone with a convex base,
either of marble, red or green ... words which he had said in the morning: "I am ...
/.../chapter iiichaldaean civilization.htm