Topical Encyclopedia In the biblical context, the night is often depicted as a time when wild beasts emerge to hunt and seek their prey. This imagery is used to convey the natural order established by God, where the cycles of day and night serve distinct purposes for His creation. The night, with its inherent darkness, provides a cover for the activities of nocturnal creatures, illustrating the wisdom and providence of God in the design of the world.One of the most direct references to this phenomenon is found in the Book of Psalms. Psalm 104:20-21 states, "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." This passage highlights the dependence of even the fiercest creatures on God's provision, as they fulfill their roles within the ecosystem He has ordained. The night is portrayed as a time of activity for wild animals, contrasting with the day, which is reserved for human labor and endeavors. This division underscores the orderliness of God's creation, where each creature has its appointed time and place. The nocturnal habits of wild beasts serve as a reminder of the diversity and complexity of life on earth, all of which operates under God's sovereign control. In the broader biblical narrative, the night can symbolize danger and uncertainty, as it is a time when humans are more vulnerable to the threats posed by wild animals. This is evident in the account of Daniel in the lions' den (Daniel 6), where the night becomes a backdrop for divine intervention and protection. Although the text does not explicitly mention the time of day, the imagery of lions, often associated with nocturnal hunting, reinforces the peril Daniel faced and the miraculous deliverance he experienced through God's power. The motif of wild beasts hunting at night also serves as a metaphor for spiritual realities. Just as the night is a time when predators seek their prey, so too is it a time when spiritual adversaries may seek to ensnare the unwary. The Apostle Peter warns believers in 1 Peter 5:8 , "Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." This admonition calls Christians to vigilance and reliance on God's protection, recognizing that spiritual dangers can be as real and threatening as physical ones. Throughout Scripture, the night and its association with wild beasts emphasize the need for trust in God's providence and protection. While the natural world operates according to the rhythms He has set, believers are encouraged to find their security in the Creator, who watches over His creation both day and night. Torrey's Topical Textbook 2 Samuel 21:10And Rizpah the daughter of Aiah took sackcloth, and spread it for her on the rock, from the beginning of harvest until water dropped on them out of heaven, and suffered neither the birds of the air to rest on them by day, nor the beasts of the field by night. Torrey's Topical Textbook Psalm 104:21,22 Library 'Other Sheep' Epistle Lxiii. Limenius, Bishop of Vercell??, Having Died, the See ... The Exile. Ancient Chaldaea The Nile and Egypt Introduction to Oration ii. One Antidote for Many Ills Journey to Evora A Canticle of Love the Legendary History of Egypt Resources What does it mean that Jesus will return like a thief in the night? | GotQuestions.orgWhat did the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night signify? (Exodus 13:21-22) | GotQuestions.org Why would God's law command a woman who is not a virgin on her wedding night to be stoned to death? | 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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