Topical Encyclopedia The concept of night, as a regular and divinely ordained part of the created order, is deeply rooted in the biblical narrative. From the very beginning, night is established as part of the rhythmic cycle of time instituted by God. In Genesis 1:5 , it is written, "God called the light 'day,' and the darkness He called 'night.' And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day." This passage underscores the intentional design of night as an integral component of the daily cycle, marking the transition from one day to the next.The regular succession of night and day is further affirmed by God's covenant with creation. In Genesis 8:22 , following the flood, God promises, "As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night shall never cease." This covenantal assurance highlights the perpetual and unchanging nature of the night-day cycle, reflecting God's faithfulness and the stability of His created order. The night is often depicted in Scripture as a time of rest and renewal. Psalm 104:20-23 illustrates this, stating, "You bring darkness, and it becomes night, when all the beasts of the forest prowl. The young lions roar for their prey and seek their food from God. The sun rises, and they withdraw; they lie down in their dens. Man goes out to his work and to his labor until evening." Here, night is portrayed as a time when the natural world follows its divinely appointed rhythms, and humanity finds rest from daily toil. In the prophetic literature, the regular succession of night and day serves as a metaphor for God's unwavering commitment to His promises. Jeremiah 33:20-21 declares, "This is what the LORD says: If you can break My covenant with the day and My covenant with the night, so that day and night cease to occupy their appointed times, then My covenant may also be broken with David My servant and with My ministers the Levites who are priests, so that David will not have a son to reign on his throne." The unbreakable nature of the night-day cycle is used to illustrate the certainty and reliability of God's covenant with David, emphasizing the enduring nature of His promises. Night also holds symbolic significance in the biblical narrative, often representing times of trial, waiting, or divine intervention. In Exodus 12:29-30 , the night is the setting for the final plague in Egypt, when the LORD strikes down the firstborn, leading to the liberation of the Israelites. Similarly, in the New Testament, the night is the backdrop for significant events, such as the angelic announcement of Jesus' birth to the shepherds in Luke 2:8-9 , "And there were shepherds residing in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks by night. Just then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified." Throughout Scripture, the regular succession of night and day is a testament to God's sovereign control over creation and His covenantal faithfulness. Night, as part of this divine order, serves both practical and symbolic purposes, reminding believers of the constancy of God's promises and the hope of His ultimate redemption. Torrey's Topical Textbook Genesis 8:22While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease. Torrey's Topical Textbook Jeremiah 33:20 Library A Refutation on the Ground of the Constitution of the Universe. The Consolation The Difference Between the Two Testaments. The Second Theological Oration. The Census and the Journey of the Holy Family Fifthly, as this Revelation, to the Judgment of Right and Sober ... Extracts No. vii. The Book of Jubilees The Synagogue at Nazareth - Synagogue-Worship and Arrangements. The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire Resources Why do some churches have a Sunday night/evening service? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is a “dark night of the soul”? | GotQuestions.org Why do some churches have a Wednesday night service? | 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) |
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