Page 66 - Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible Christianity. Based on the King James Bible

BIBLE

the function of the earth’s weather. “The study of air understood, cause the small water droplets to bind
flows and their relation to the weight of the air has been together with others to form larger drops. Finally, this
developed into the science of aerodynamics, eventually remarkable series of events delivers the rain to the
becoming the basis of all modern aerospace thirsty ground” (Morris).
developments. ... The ‘weight of the winds’ controls the Job describes the rotation of the earth that produces
worldwide air mass movements that transport the the night and day sequences (Job 38:12-14). “Job
waters evaporated from the oceans inland over the suggests not only that the earth was suspended in space
continents” (Morris, The Remarkable Record of Job). but also that it rotates about its north-projecting axis.
Job describes the amazing balance of the atmosphere Though figurative language, this reflects a true physical
and hydrosphere (Job 28:24-25). “We now know that the process. God is pictured as taking hold of the two ends
global weights of air and water must be in critical of the earth’s axis and turning it as if it were a clay
relationship to each other, and to the earth as a whole, cylinder receiving an impression from a seal. The seal
to maintain life on earth. ... Planet earth is uniquely toward which the earth is turned, however, is not a
designed for life, and its atmosphere and hydrosphere metallic pattern. Rather, it is the ‘dayspring,’ evidently
are the most important components of that design. If the sun fixed in its place. The welcome light of the
the weights of either air or water were much different morning dispels the formlessness of the earth’s surface
than they are, life as we know it could not when shrouded in darkness and unveils the beauties of
survive” (Morris). the earth’s structure and verdure” (Morris).
Job describes the amazing process of cloud formation Job describes the springs of the sea (Job 38:16). Man
and rain making. had no way to know about the fresh-water springs on
First, he describes how that water can be transported the ocean floor by firsthand observation until recent
in the air when water weighs more than air (Job times. Modern science has discovered that there are
36:27-28). “Water is converted by solar energy into the thousands of underwater springs that add millions of
vapor state. Since water vapor is lighter than air, the metric tons of water into the oceans each year.
winds can first elevate, then transport the water from Job understands that light has a way and that
the oceans to the lands where it is needed. There, under darkness has a place (Job 38:19). “That is, light is not to
the right conditions, the vapor can condense around be located in a certain place or situation. Neither does it
dust particles, salt particles, or other nuclei of simply appear, or disappear, instantaneously. Light is
condensation. When this happens, clouds are formed. traveling! It dwells in a ‘way,’ always on the way to
Water vapor is invisible, whereas clouds are someplace else. Though usually traveling in waves,
aggregations of liquid water droplets” (Morris). sometimes it seems to move as a stream of particles, but
Job also describes how the clouds can stay aloft, how it is always moving. When light stops, there is darkness.
they can be balanced in the sky (Job 37:16) and how Thus, darkness is static, staying in place; but light is
water can be bound up in a cloud and not rent (Job dynamic, dwelling in a way” (Morris).
26:8). The answer is in Job 36:27, “For he maketh small The Bible describes the parting of light (Job 38:24). It
the drops of water....” “The water droplets are indeed was not until the 17th century that it was discovered
very small, and their weight is sustained by the drag that light passing through a prism is separated into
force of the uprushing winds, as the air is pushed seven colors. Further, “This may refer not only to the
skyward due to temperature decrease with visible light spectrum (red to violet) but also to all the
elevation” (Morris). physical systems developed around the basic entity of
Next, Job describes how the clouds are finally rent so light” (Henry Morris).
that rain comes forth (“by watering he wearieth the thick The Bible says that the light creates wind (Job 38:24),
cloud,” Job 37:11). “That is, the water droplets coalesce but it is only in recent times that modern weather
to form larger and larger drops, which finally become so science has discovered that wind is created as the sun
large that their weight is greater than the drag forces of heats up the surface of the earth, causing the hot air to
the uprushing atmospheric turbulence, causing them to rise and cooler air to fall, creating weather systems.
fall to the ground as rain or snow” (Morris). Job describes the amazing hydrological cycle
Finally, Job describes the role that lightning plays in (evaporation, atmospheric circulation, condensation,
the creation of rain (“he made a decree for the rain, and precipitation, run-off) (Job 38:25-30). The process of
a way for the lightning of the thunder,” Job 28:26; “a evaporation and condensation was not discovered until
way for the lightning of thunder; to cause it to rain on the the 17th century and not well understood until the
earth,” Job 38:25-26). “These violent electrical currents, 20th.
in some complex energy exchange not yet fully

66 Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible & Christianity