Topical Bible: Night: Favourable to the Purposes of the Wicked

◄ Night: Favourable to the Purposes of the Wicked ►

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In the biblical narrative, night often symbolizes a time when evil deeds are conceived and executed, away from the scrutiny of daylight. The Scriptures frequently associate darkness with sin, secrecy, and the machinations of the wicked, contrasting it with the light of righteousness and truth.

Biblical Instances and Symbolism

1. Concealment of Sinful Acts: Night provides a cover for those who wish to engage in sinful activities without being seen. In the Gospel of John, Jesus states, "But whoever practices the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen clearly that what he has done has been accomplished in God" (John 3:21). This implies that those who do evil prefer darkness to hide their deeds.

2. The Betrayal of Jesus: One of the most poignant examples of night being used for wicked purposes is the betrayal of Jesus by Judas Iscariot. The Gospel of John notes, "As soon as Judas had taken the bread, he went out into the night" (John 13:30). The timing underscores the sinister nature of Judas's actions, as he chooses the cover of night to betray the Son of God.

3. Theft and Violence: The book of Job describes the activities of the wicked under the cover of darkness: "The murderer rises at dawn to kill the poor and needy; in the night he is like a thief" (Job 24:14). This passage highlights how night is exploited for violence and theft, as the wicked believe they can escape detection.

4. Spiritual Darkness: Night is also used metaphorically to describe spiritual blindness and moral corruption. Paul writes to the Thessalonians, "But you, brothers, are not in the darkness so that this day should overtake you like a thief" (1 Thessalonians 5:4). Here, darkness represents ignorance and unpreparedness for the coming of the Lord, a state in which the wicked remain.

5. The Deeds of Darkness: The Apostle Paul admonishes believers to "put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light" (Romans 13:12). This exhortation calls Christians to reject the sinful behaviors often associated with night and to live in the righteousness and transparency of the light.

Moral and Theological Implications

The biblical portrayal of night as favorable to the purposes of the wicked serves as a moral warning. It underscores the need for vigilance and righteousness, urging believers to live as "children of light" (Ephesians 5:8). The contrast between light and darkness is a recurring theme that emphasizes the moral dichotomy between good and evil, urging the faithful to remain steadfast in their walk with God, even when the world around them is shrouded in darkness.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Genesis 31:39
That which was torn of beasts I brought not to you; I bore the loss of it; of my hand did you require it, whether stolen by day, or stolen by night.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Job 24:14,15
The murderer rising with the light kills the poor and needy, and in the night is as a thief.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Obadiah 1:5
If thieves came to you, if robbers by night, (how are you cut off!) would they not have stolen till they had enough? if the grape gatherers came to you, would they not leave some grapes?
Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Thessalonians 5:2
For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night.
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Library

The Tares.
... tend to degenerate, and in certain favourable circumstances to ... fields, to watch their
work by night, to protect it ... For his own purposes, which are only in part ...
//christianbookshelf.org/arnot/the parables of our lord/ii the tares.htm

The Time of Doubting and of Spiritual Darkness Constitutes
... God to his people will bear a favourable as well ... solid and consistent, and better
adapted to practical purposes? ... own elect, that cry unto him day and night?". ...
//christianbookshelf.org/flavel/on keeping the heart/x the time of doubting.htm

The Life of Mr. John Welch.
... it should please our God to be so favourable as to ... friar longed much to know what
the night whisper was ... he did not much insist upon scholastic purposes and made ...
/.../howie/biographia scoticana scots worthies/the life of mr john 5.htm

Of Councils and their Authority.
... have any fear that councils are favourable to their ... measure with what might be
sufficient for both purposes. ... Again, "Therefore night shall be unto you, that ye ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 9 of councils and.htm

Luke xxiii. 42, 43
... from Chewing that He will be equally favourable to those ... and have abused them all
to the Purposes of Vice. ... whilst the Day lasts; because the Night cometh, (the ...
/.../sermon xvii luke xxiii 42.htm

Kumaon.
... part of this description more than the favourable. ... of the Bhabhur, rendering it fit
for agricultural purposes. ... the snow we suffered much at night from cold in ...
/.../kennedy/life and work in benares and kumaon 1839-1877/chapter xx kumaon.htm

The Life of Mr. Robert Blair.
... upon neither method nor matter till night, when, after ... them elsewhere, it was fit
their purposes should be ... which produced a new treaty, more favourable to them ...
/.../howie/biographia scoticana scots worthies/the life of mr robert 6.htm

The Last Interview of Paul with the Elders of Ephesus.
... himself with the hope of a favourable reception from ... care which is requisite for
these important purposes, must be ... I ceased not to warn every one night and day ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xxiv the last interview.htm

Still the Countess Sylvie was Silent. ...
... breath, and he judged these little signs of agitation as the favourable hints of
a ... "It is no good playing at cross purposes! ... He must leave Rome to-night. ...
/.../corelli/the master-christian/xxxiv still the countess sylvie.htm

The Creation of Luminous Bodies.
... are able to know which seasons are favourable to their ... them all could not disperse
the gloom of night. ... and constantly changes because its purposes are unstable ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/homily vi the creation of.htm