There are passages scattered throughout scripture that talk about the sun being blacked out or darkness descending on the land.
- During the plagues of Egypt, God covered the land in a darkness.
“Then the Lord said to Moses, “Lift your hand toward heaven, and the land of Egypt will be covered with a darkness so thick you can feel it.” So Moses lifted his hand to the sky, and a deep darkness covered the entire land of Egypt for three days. During all that time the people could not see each other, and no one moved. But there was light as usual where the people of Israel lived.” Exodus 10:21-23
This certainly sounds like what happens in a total solar eclipse. It is dark in the “cone of totality” but outside that cone it is still bright. We are not about to try to rationalize a miraculous event, but there are some similarities. Yet, this event cannot be, “just” a solar eclipse: the darkness in Egypt was complete. In the solar eclipse that we just experienced, we could see each other just fine. In Egypt, something far more terrifying happened.
Next, an out of nature miracle happened because this darkness lasted 3 whole days. Even in a total solar eclipse, you might get 3 minutes out of the moon completely covering the sun, not 3 days.
2. And during Jesus’ crucifixion something similar happens.
Let this Messiah, this king of Israel, come down now from the cross, that we may see and believe.’ Those crucified with him also heaped insults on him. At noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon,” Mark 15:32-33.
Again, rationally, this sounds like a solar eclipse. But, realistically, this was another miracle that lasted 3 hours, far beyond the time for a total solar eclipse.
3. During the end times, there are biblical prophecies about the sun going dark.
“Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened.” Matthew 24:29
“I looked when He opened the sixth seal, and behold, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became like blood.” Revelation 6:12
God is the author of creation. He created light and darkness and then the sun, moon and stars. Since God is sovereign, He may do with His creation whatever He deems best. It seems that these celestial events happen for two reasons: First, is that God wants to communicate some message to us, His creation. Second, God is pouring out His judgement on the earth.
These events in the Bible might attempt to be explained away by some, but we know that God may use a natural event for some things, but He is just as likely to bend the natural law to show His glory.
“For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—His eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.” Romans 1:20
ECLIPSE GAME
Have someone put on eclipse glasses. Have someone lead them around by a flashlight. Explain: people have trouble seeing God’s light. They are so blinded that it is like putting on these glasses. As a person gets older, it gets more and more difficult to see.