Yes, you know there is going to be a total solar eclipse on Monday, April 8, here in our area of the world. If you are thinking, “What’s the big deal?”, perhaps you haven’t been paying attention. It will be visible across North America and has been dubbed the Great North American Eclipse (also Great American Total Solar Eclipse and Great American Eclipse) by some media. A solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between Earth and the sun, thereby obscuring the image of the sun for a viewer on Earth.
Solar eclipses are fairly numerous, about two to four per year, but the area on the ground covered by totality is only about 50 miles wide. In any given location on Earth, a total eclipse happens only once every hundred years or so. The next one will not happen here again, if things go normally, until 2099, 75 years from now. Most adults will not be here to see that one – if you want to see it, see it now! 😊
The Bible does not specifically mention solar eclipses, but it does speak of the significance of celestial phenomena like solar eclipses. The Bible says phenomena in the sky are manifestations of God’s power and sovereignty over the natural world He has created.
Some Bible scholars point to biblical passages that describe periods of darkness as possible references to solar eclipses. Amos 8:9 records God mentioning a day when “I will make the sun go down at noon and darken the earth in broad daylight.” This is exactly the sudden darkness that accompanies a total solar eclipse. Joel 2:31 says, “The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD.” Some scholars interpret this verse as a prophecy of future apocalyptic events that feature celestial signs before God’s judgment and renewal. That has caused a great deal of fear in some people as the eclipse approaches,
The Gospel accounts of Jesus’ crucifixion describe a period of darkness that covered the land, coinciding with our Savior’s death on the cross. Matthew 27:45 reports, “From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land.” Science and history records that on April 3, AD 33, an eclipse did occur in that area of the Earth, and it was also accompanied by an earthquake. However they happened, these miraculous events show us the cosmic significance of Jesus’ death for our redemption. So, while the Bible may not give us exact information on solar eclipses, we see that the things that happen in the heavens have great impact.
How can we benefit and help our children benefit spiritually from this eclipse?
- Invite them to watch with you. Solar eclipses make God’s awe-inspiring power evident. They serve as tangible reminders of our Creator’s power, creativity, and complete rule over the universe. NO ONE has the power to make this happen or stop it but God. Talk about it.
- Talk about the amazing precision that God put into our universe. When we witness a solar eclipse, we are witnessing a celestial dance that God has choreographed with incredible precision. This could not have happened by accident. The intricate alignment of the sun, moon, and Earth – and the perfect synchronization of their movements – reflects God’s wise design for creation.
- Talk about how awesome it is that this great God cares for us and knows our names.
I look at your heavens, which you made with your fingers. I see the moon and stars, which you created. But why are people even important to you? Why do you take care of human beings? Psalm 8:3-4 NCV
Eclipses remind us of God’s great love for us, even though we are just small parts of the vast universe. As we look up to watch the upcoming solar eclipse, we can discover the wonder of God’s work in a dramatic way. Reaffirm your faith in this marvelous Creator.
An eclipse lasts only a brief time. But the spiritual growth we can experience from moving closer to God afterward will affect us and our children forever.