SOclouds

CLOUDS

Job 26:7-9; 36:24-29; 37:16; 38:34-38.

INTRO:

1. The words "cloud and cloudy" are used 156 times throughout the Bible.

2. Clouds have always been of great interest to a variety of people.

A. I have seen clouds from many different angles. From the top, the bottom, the side, and even all around me.

B. Children, Artists, Farmers, Weathermen, Pilots, Sailors,etc. Take great interest in clouds for many different reasons.

3. It is said that it takes 113 tons of water to cover an acre of land to the depth of one inch.

A. This is an indication of the great burden upon clouds that hold so many inches of water that cover many thousands of acres of land. Job 26:8.

4. Clouds are used in many different ways in the Bible.

A. Let us now take note of some of those ways:

I. IN CLEANSING THE WICKED WORLD OF NOAH'S DAY. Gen. 6.

A. Just think of the burden of those clouds that brought rain to earth for 40 days and nights. Gen. 7:4-12.

B. Can you even begin to fathom the enormous weight held above the earth before it begin to rain on that occasion?

II. IN THE COVENANT MADE WITH NOAH AFTER THE FLOOD.

A. The rainbow, the token of the covenant, was to be seen in the clouds. Gen. 9:13- 16.

1. We sing about the rainbow in the clouds.

B. The world will be destroyed by fire after it has fulfilled its use. 2 Pet. 3:6-13.

III. IN LEADING THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL OUT OF EGYPTIAN BONDAGE AND THROUGH THE WILDERNESS. Exo. 13:21,22; Psa. 78:14.

A. Clouds were used to separate Israel from their enemies. Exo. 14:19,20.

1. In doing so, it is referred to by Paul as a baptism. 1 Cor. 10:1,2.

2. Baptism today also separates us form our enemy, sin. Acts 22:16.

IV. IN CONCEALING GOD AND MOSES ON MT. SINAI AT THE GIVING OF THE COVENANT. Exo. 19:9,16; 24:12-18.

V. IN INDICATING AND SIGNIFYING GOD'S PRESENCE. Lev. 16:2; Num. 11:25.

VI. IN PROCLAIMING CHRIST AS GOD'S SON. Matt. 17:1-8.

VII. IN THE ASCENDING OF CHRIST INTO HEAVEN. Acts 1:9.

VIII. IN THE RETURN OF CHRIST FOR JUDGMENT. Acts 1:10,11; Matt. 26:64; Rev. 1:7.

IX. IN GIVING TESTIMONY, BY WORD AND EXAMPLE OF FAITH. Heb. 12:1,2.

X. IN GOING TO BE WITH JESUS ETERNALLY. 1 Thes. 4:13-18.

CONCLUSION:

There are many other lessons that could be drawn on how clouds are used in the Bible, but these will have to suffice for now.

By Jim Sasser

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