Remember August 21, 2017 ? Total solar eclipse viewable in our area Known as “Eclipse America” or “The Great American Eclipse” Once in a lifetime event 500 years from last one in Middle TN 500 years until next in Middle TN Amazing Memorable

Solar Eclipses

Heavens Declare Glory of God Psalm 19:1-2 1 The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. 2 Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. Psalm 8:3-4 3 When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, 4 what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?

In the beginning, God created God created the heavens, sun, moon Genesis 1:14-19 Psalm 136:7-9 Psalm 104:19 Purpose: light, day/night, time, seasons Evidence: of His handiwork and existence Impacts: calendar, navigation, science, history

How Eclipses Changed History “But eclipses are more than just natural marvels. Over the centuries they’ve spurred major discoveries about the universe.” Isaac Newton Albert Einstein Edmund Halley

Evidence of God’s Design Genesis 1:1- God created the heavens & earth John 1:3- All things were made through Him Romans 1:20- Since the creation of the world, His invisible attributes are clearly seen

Coincidence? Why a Total Solar Eclipse is Such a Big Deal (YouTube- VOX) “In a total solar eclipse the moon precisely covers the sun from the vantage point of someplace on earth.” “This is possible because, by coincidence, the sun and the moon appear to be about the same size in our sky. “ “While the sun is about 400x bigger than the moon, it is also about 400x farther away.”

Coincidence? Earthsky.org “What are the odds?” Answer: Incalculable!

God vs Coincidence Psalm 14:1- A fool says “there is no God” Job 38:4– Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Job 38:5- Who determined its measurements? Job 38:12- Have you commanded the morning?

Are Eclipses in the Bible?

#1- 9th Plague on Egypt Exodus 10:20-23 21 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Stretch out your hand toward heaven, that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt

#1- 9th Plague on Egypt Exodus 10:20-23 Solar eclipse-like features Unexpected darkness Dark for Egyptians But light for Israelites Differences Darkness 3 days Pitch dark It was “felt” They did not see one another They did not go anywhere Reaction Pharoah said “Go”

#2- Joshua’s Long Day Joshua 10:12-14 13 And the sun stood still, and the moon stopped, until the nation took vengeance on their enemies.

#2- Joshua’s Long Day Joshua 10:12-14 Solar eclipse-like features Atypical action of sun and moon Differences Sun stood still Extra light (not dark) No day like it ever Result Israelites soundly defeated the Amorites

#3- Jesus on the Cross Matthew 27:45 also Mark 15:33, Luke 23:44 45 Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour.

#3- Jesus on the Cross Solar eclipse-like features Differences Darkness midday Differences Three hours long Sun’s light failed In conjunction with 1) an earthquake, 2) temple curtain torn top to bottom, 3) rocks split, 4) graves opened Reaction “truly this was the Son of God” – Matthew 27:54

Closing Verses God Performed Wonders Jesus Also Performed Wonders Exodus 15:11 Psalm 77:14 Jesus Also Performed Wonders John 20:30-31 Heaven Needs No Sun or Moon Revelation 21:23 And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb.

Summary Evidence of God is everywhere. God designed eclipses. God performed other events that were more special than eclipses as even more proof. These things should draw our minds and hearts to seek and follow God.