Clouds are Garment of the Sea
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The phrase "clouds are garment of the sea" is a poetic expression that captures the imagery of clouds enveloping the vast expanse of the sea, much like a garment covers a body. This imagery is rooted in the biblical understanding of God's creation and His sovereign control over nature. The Bible often uses vivid metaphors to describe the majesty and mystery of God's works, and this phrase is no exception.

Biblical Context

While the exact phrase "clouds are garment of the sea" does not appear verbatim in the Bible, the concept is closely related to the descriptions found in the poetic and wisdom literature of the Old Testament. The book of Job, in particular, provides a rich tapestry of imagery concerning God's creation and His governance over the natural world.

In Job 38:9 , God speaks to Job out of the whirlwind, saying, "when I made the clouds its garment and wrapped it in thick darkness." Here, God is describing the creation of the sea, emphasizing His power and authority in setting the boundaries of the natural world. The clouds serve as a covering, a garment that both conceals and reveals the depths of the sea, highlighting the mystery and majesty of God's creation.

Theological Significance

The imagery of clouds as a garment for the sea underscores several key theological themes:

1. Divine Sovereignty: The metaphor illustrates God's sovereign control over creation. Just as a garment is fashioned and placed by a designer, so too are the clouds positioned by God to cover the sea. This reflects the biblical teaching that God is the ultimate authority over all creation, orchestrating the natural order according to His will.

2. Mystery and Revelation: The clouds, while covering the sea, also serve as a means of revelation. They are a visible sign of the invisible God, pointing to His presence and power. The interplay between concealment and revelation is a recurring theme in Scripture, where God's ways are often beyond human understanding, yet He chooses to reveal Himself through creation.

3. Creation's Beauty and Order: The metaphor also highlights the beauty and order inherent in God's creation. The clouds, with their ever-changing forms and movements, add to the aesthetic splendor of the sea. This reflects the biblical view that creation is not only functional but also beautiful, designed to inspire awe and worship of the Creator.

Related Biblical Imagery

The Bible frequently uses clouds as symbols of God's presence and activity. In Exodus 13:21 , the Lord leads the Israelites by a pillar of cloud by day, signifying His guidance and protection. In the New Testament, clouds are associated with the return of Christ, as seen in Matthew 24:30 : "They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory."

Conclusion

The phrase "clouds are garment of the sea" serves as a powerful reminder of God's creative power and His ongoing relationship with the world He has made. Through this imagery, believers are invited to contemplate the majesty of God's creation and His sovereign rule over all things.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Job 38:9
When I made the cloud the garment thereof, and thick darkness a swaddling cloth for it,
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Sky, Earth, and Sea: a Parable of God
... for ever; like these, its summits touch the fleeting clouds of human ... The earth shall
wax old like a garment, but My ... while its feet are laved by the sea of the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/sky earth and sea a.htm

What are the Clouds?
... cannot be seen, for, planted on the sea, the next ... her garments of mourning and put
on a garment of praise ... We hope thus much, because "the clouds are the dust of ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/what are the clouds.htm

God's World
... earth and skies are God's garment"the garment by which we ... that God's angels guide
those thunder-clouds; that the ... corals too, in the deep, deep sea, who build ...
/.../kingsley/twenty-five village sermons/sermon i gods world.htm

The Creator's Joy in his Creation
... the seal; And all things stand forth as a garment: And from ... Hast thou entered into
the springs of the sea? ... thou lift up thy voice to the clouds, That abundance ...
/.../various/select masterpieces of biblical literature/ii the creators joy in.htm

God the Loving Creator
... the heavens like a tent, Thou framest thy upper stories in the waters, Thou makest
the clouds thy chariot ... Thou didst cover it with the sea as with a garment. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/god the loving creator.htm

Second Sunday after Epiphany. Lift up Your Eyes unto the Heavens ...
... the earth beneath; for the heavens shall vanish away like smoke, and the earth shall
wax old like a garment, and the ... Who spreads the clouds o'er sea and land,. ...
/.../lyra germanica the christian year/second sunday after epiphany lift.htm

The King and his Armies.
... And he hath on his garment and on his thigh a name ... 19:8. The righteous being caught
up in the clouds to meet ... and let the earth be glad; let the sea roar, and ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/the king and his armies.htm

That as Long as we are in this Mortal Life we May Lose the Love of ...
... For so we being as yet amidst the sea of this ... only have a glimpse of it through the
clouds of faith ... our free-will is clothed with her wedding garment, which, as ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter i that as long.htm

From the First Chapter.
... 7. "Behold, He shall come with clouds, and every eye shall ... In the long, that is,
the priestly garment, these words ... says to Peter: "Go thou to the sea, and cast ...
/.../commentary on the apocolypse of the blessed john/from the first chapter.htm

The Hand Felt Its Way up his Arm, And...
... Every moment the folds of her garment would sweep across his ... they were in the midst
of the clouds and mists ... with the speed of the wind itself towards the sea. ...
/.../macdonald/at the back of the north wind/chapter 6 the hand felt.htm

Resources
Is there any truth to the chemtrail conspiracy? | GotQuestions.org

What is the rapture of the church? | GotQuestions.org

What are the strongest biblical arguments for the divinity of Christ? | GotQuestions.org

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Subtopics

Clouds

Clouds are Garment of the Sea

Clouds of Hostile Armies

Clouds of Judgments of God

Clouds of Multitudes of Persons

Clouds of Sins of Men

Clouds of Unsearchableness of God

Clouds: (A Morning Without) of Wise Rulers

Clouds: (Carried Away by a Tempest) of False Teachers

Clouds: (Passing Away) the Goodness and Prosperity of

Clouds: (Riding Upon) the Power and Greatness of God

Clouds: (When Seasonable) the Favour of Good Rulers

Clouds: (Without Rain) the Fraudulent

Clouds: (Without Water) False Teachers

Clouds: Called The: Bottles of Heaven

Clouds: Called The: Chambers of God

Clouds: Called The: Clouds of Heaven

Clouds: Called The: Dust of God's Feet

Clouds: Called The: Waters Above the Firmament

Clouds: Called The: Windows of Heaven

Clouds: Different Kinds of, Mentioned: Black

Clouds: Different Kinds of, Mentioned: Bright

Clouds: Different Kinds of, Mentioned: Great

Clouds: Different Kinds of, Mentioned: Small

Clouds: Different Kinds of, Mentioned: Swift

Clouds: Different Kinds of, Mentioned: Thick

Clouds: Different Kinds of, Mentioned: White

Clouds: Formed from the Sea

Clouds: Frequently the Instrument of God's Judgments

Clouds: from the West, Bring Rain

Clouds: God: Balanced in the Air

Clouds: God: Binds Up

Clouds: God: Brings Over the Earth

Clouds: God: Disposed in Order

Clouds: God: Established

Clouds: God: Scatters

Clouds: God: Spreads Out

Clouds: Made for the Glory of God

Clouds: Man: Cannot Cause to Rain

Clouds: Man: Cannot Number

Clouds: Man: Cannot Stay

Clouds: Man: Ignorant of the Balancing of

Clouds: Man: Ignorant of the Disposing of

Clouds: Man: Ignorant of the Spreading of

Clouds: Often Cover the Heavens

Clouds: Often Dispersed by the Wind

Clouds: Often Obscure the Sun

Clouds: Power and Wisdom of God Exhibited in Condensing

Clouds: Power and Wisdom of God Exhibited in Forming

Clouds: The Rainbow Appears In

Clouds: Though Small, often Bring Much Rain

Clouds: Thunder and Lightning Come From

Clouds: Uses of To Give Rain

Clouds: Uses of To Moderate Heat

Clouds: Uses of To Supply Dew

Related Terms

Cloudy (6 Occurrences)

Clouds (99 Occurrences)

Darkness (177 Occurrences)

Clouds and Thick Darkness
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