Topical Encyclopedia Definition and Significance:In the Bible, "morning" and "dawn" are often used interchangeably to signify the beginning of a new day. They symbolize renewal, hope, and divine intervention. The morning is a time of new mercies and fresh starts, as seen in Lamentations 3:22-23: "Because of the LORD’s loving devotion we are not consumed, for His mercies never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness!" Biblical References: 1. Creation and Order: · The concept of morning is introduced in the creation narrative. Genesis 1:5 states, "God called the light 'day,' and the darkness He called 'night.' And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day." This establishes the divine order of time, with morning marking the beginning of each day. 2. Divine Encounters: · Morning is often a time for divine encounters and revelations. In Exodus 34:2, God instructs Moses, "Be ready in the morning, and come up on Mount Sinai to present yourself to Me there on the mountaintop." This highlights the morning as a time for meeting with God and receiving His commandments. 3. Worship and Prayer: · The morning is a significant time for worship and prayer. Psalm 5:3 declares, "In the morning, O LORD, You hear my voice; at daybreak I lay my plea before You and wait in expectation." This verse underscores the importance of seeking God early in the day. 4. Symbol of Deliverance: · Morning is often associated with deliverance and victory. In Exodus 14:27, during the crossing of the Red Sea, "Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and at daybreak the sea returned to its normal state." This event signifies God's deliverance of the Israelites from their enemies. 5. Resurrection and New Life: · The resurrection of Jesus Christ is closely linked with the morning. Mark 16:2 records, "Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they went to the tomb." The dawn of the first day of the week marks the beginning of new life and hope through Christ's resurrection. 6. Prophetic Imagery: · Morning and dawn are used in prophetic imagery to describe the coming of the Messiah and the establishment of God's kingdom. Malachi 4:2 proclaims, "But for you who fear My name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings." This metaphorical use of dawn signifies the coming of salvation and righteousness. Theological Implications: The morning is a powerful symbol of God's faithfulness and the renewal of His promises. It serves as a reminder of His constant presence and the hope of redemption. The dawn signifies the light of Christ breaking into the darkness of the world, offering salvation and new beginnings to all who believe. The regularity of morning serves as a testament to God's unchanging nature and His commitment to His creation. Subtopics Morning of the Resurrection Day Morning was Frequently Cloudless Morning: (Breaking Forth) of the Glory of the Church Morning: (Clouds In) of the Short Lived Profession of Hypocrites Morning: (Spread Upon the Mountains) Heavy Calamities Morning: (Star of) Reward of Saints Morning: (Star of) the Glory of Christ Morning: (Wings of) Rapid Movements Morning: A Red Sky In, a Sign of Bad Weather Morning: Began With First Dawn Morning: First Dawning of, Called the Eyelids of the Morning Morning: The First Part of the Natural Day Morning: The Jews: Began Their Journeys In Morning: The Jews: Contracted Covenants In Morning: The Jews: Devoted a Part of, to Prayer and Praise Morning: The Jews: Eat But Little In Morning: The Jews: Gathered the Manna In Morning: The Jews: Generally Rose Early In Morning: The Jews: Held Courts of Justice In Morning: The Jews: Offered a Part of the Daily Sacrifice In Morning: The Jews: Transacted Business In Morning: The Jews: Went to the Temple In Morning: The Outgoings of, Made to Rejoice Morning: The Second Part of the Day at the Creation Morning: Ushered in by the Morning Star Related Terms |