Raise your hand if sometime in your life you’ve secretly asked God for a sign—for any reason. Maybe it was to help you make a decision, or to gain assurance that the decision you already made was the right one.
Perhaps you will find it comforting that God understands our desire (and need) for signs. The first mention of the word signs in the Bible comes as early as the fourth day of creation when He made the sun, moon and stars. God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years: (Genesis 1:14)
We emphasize the “first mention” of words in the Bible because they often reveal a message God wants to send throughout the Bible in the form of pictures and types. There are hidden treasures to be found in first mentions.
Read this creation verse again. What are the stated purposes of the sun and moon?
- They divide day from night.
- They are the agents for changing seasons, days and years.
- They are for signs.
We can understand the sun, moon and stars in terms of day, night and seasons. But what about signs? That sounds a little mysterious. On purpose. God opens the door right here to use those ever-visible solar elements as sign language.
A sign is a signal or banner. When you raised your hand and said you’ve asked God for a sign before, you meant some visible indication of God’s direction and approval. On a much grander scale, the sun, moon and stars are billboards with a “message of proof” from God. What do they prove? See if the following verses scattered throughout the Bible shed some light on that.
- The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard. Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun, Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race. His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof. (Psalms 19:1-6) The sun is a daily picture of Jesus as bridegroom. The body of true believers is His bride. He wants everyone to be His bride. The sun calls out to all of us every day… trust Jesus and be His bride!
- When Jesus hung on the cross, crowd members were all lost in their own thoughts. The chief priests, scribes and elders challenged Him. They said that if He had the power to save others as He claimed, He should prove it by saving Himself and coming down off that cross. (Mathew 27:42) Then they would believe. In other words, they dictated the sign. But instead, Jesus died, and God used the sun to authenticate Him. Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour. (Matthew 27:45) This early darkening of the sun was unnatural. So was the ensuing earthquake. Those watching suddenly believed.
- As it turns out, the absence of the sun (and thus darkness) authenticates judgment. And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day. (Jude 1:6)
- But for believers, our future promises eternal light. And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof. (Revelation 21:23)
- Finally, the light in believers’ lives authenticates Jesus, the light of the world, and draws folks to Him. (Matthew 5:16) Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
The sun’s representation of Jesus radiates as one of the most dazzling and profound truths in the Bible to me. I’ve written about it before here.
I love that the first mention of signs is in connection with the sun. God is no discriminator. The sun is obvious to everyone every day. And, every single one of us will be held accountable for getting this sign right. Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. (Romans 1:19-21)
Many have mistaken the meaning of this sign. The sun has played a significant role in the religious beliefs and practices of many cultures throughout the ages, inspiring the creation of many structures dedicated to its worship.
People, get this straight. Do not worship the sign. Worship the creator of the sign and the One to whom it points. Jesus Christ.
But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings. (Malachi 4:2a)
Jody
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