Topical Encyclopedia In the biblical narrative, the night often serves as a backdrop for the execution of God's judgments, symbolizing both the literal and metaphorical darkness that accompanies divine intervention. Throughout Scripture, the night is depicted as a time when God acts decisively, often catching His adversaries unprepared and demonstrating His sovereignty over creation.The Passover in Egypt One of the most significant instances of God executing judgment at night is the Passover event in Egypt. In Exodus 12:29-30 , it is recorded: "Now at midnight the LORD struck down every firstborn male in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sat on his throne to the firstborn of the captive who was in the dungeon, and every firstborn of the livestock as well. During the night, Pharaoh got up, he and all his officials and all the Egyptians, and there was loud wailing in Egypt, for there was no house without someone dead." This event marks the culmination of the plagues and the liberation of the Israelites, highlighting God's power and judgment against the oppressors. The Assyrian Army Defeated Another notable instance is found in 2 Kings 19:35 , where God delivers Jerusalem from the Assyrian army: "And that very night the angel of the LORD went out and struck down 185,000 men in the camp of the Assyrians. When the people got up the next morning, there were all the dead bodies!" This miraculous intervention underscores God's protection over His people and His ability to bring about deliverance through His judgments. The Fall of Babylon The fall of Babylon is another example where night plays a crucial role in divine judgment. In Daniel 5:30 , it is written: "That very night Belshazzar king of the Chaldeans was slain." The suddenness of Babylon's fall during the night serves as a reminder of the unpredictability and inevitability of God's judgments against those who defy Him. The Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus In the New Testament, the night of Jesus' betrayal and arrest is a pivotal moment in the execution of God's redemptive plan. In John 13:30 , after Judas Iscariot receives the piece of bread from Jesus, it is noted, "As soon as he had received the piece of bread, Judas went out into the night." The darkness of the night symbolizes the spiritual darkness of the betrayal, yet it also sets the stage for the ultimate judgment against sin through the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ. Symbolism of Night in Judgment Throughout Scripture, the night is often associated with judgment, serving as a time when God acts with precision and authority. The darkness of night can symbolize the hiddenness and suddenness of God's actions, as well as the moral and spiritual darkness that necessitates divine intervention. In these moments, the night becomes a canvas for God's justice, revealing His power and righteousness in the unfolding of His divine will. Torrey's Topical Textbook Exodus 12:12For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the LORD. Torrey's Topical Textbook 2 Kings 19:35 Job 27:20 Daniel 5:30 Library From Jezreel to Horeb The Infallibility of God's Purpose God. The Scope of the Apocalypse is Indicated by Its Place in the ... The Shaking of the Heavens and the Earth A Treatise of the Fear of God; A Sermon on Isaiah xxvi. By John Knox. Precious Deaths Book 5 Footnotes The First vision "On Earth" Resources What is the witching hour, and is it in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat happened in the Garden of Gethsemane? | GotQuestions.org How could there be light on the first day of Creation if the sun was not created until the fourth day? | GotQuestions.org Night: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Night: Continued Until Sunrise Night: Divided Into Four Watches by the Romans Night: Eastern Fishermen Continued Their Employment During Night: Eastern Shepherds Watched Over Their Flocks During Night: Favourable to the Purposes of the Wicked Night: Frequently: Accompanied by Heavy Dew Night: Frequently: Cold and Frosty Night: Frequently: Exceeding Dark Night: General Scriptures Concerning Night: God Frequently: Executed his Judgments In Night: God Frequently: Revealed his Will In Night: God Frequently: Visited his People In Night: Originally Divided Into Three Watches Night: Regular Succession of Established by Covenant Night: Regular Succession of Ordained for the Glory of God Night: Seasons of Severe Calamities Night: Seasons of Spiritual Desertion Night: The Darkness First Called Night: The Heavenly Bodies Designed to Separate Day From Night: The Jews in Affliction Spent, in Prayer Night: The Jews in Affliction Spent, in Sorrow and Humiliation Night: The Jews: Forbidden to Allow Malefactors to Hang During Night: The Jews: Forbidden to Keep the Wages of Servants During Night: The Jews: Often Kept Lamps Burning During Night: The Moon and Stars Designed to Rule and Give Light By Night: Unsuitable for Travelling Night: Wearisome to the Afflicted Night: Wild Beasts Go Forth in Search of Prey During Related Terms Yesterday-night (1 Occurrence) |