Sunshine After Rain
In one of the loveliest images in the Bible, David describes the just rulers as “the light of the morning when the sun rises / a morning without clouds / the tender grass out of the earth / through sunshine after rain” (2 Samuel 23:3).
What might this mean?
Rulers are elevated, like the sun in the heavens.
Rulers shine light, illuminate what is dark. Here, the emphasis is on the sun’s power to give life. The sun can scorch and kill; with rain, the sun makes the grass grow, clothing the earth in a garment of green.
Rulers glorify: Think of the sparkle of raindrops in the morning sun. Sun kings don’t govern by stealing glory, but by bestowing it.
Rulers make their land like Eden, flourishing and fruitful.
God is a sun and shield, and just rulers are Godlike in their life-giving light-giving.
Peter Leithart
Peter J. Leithart is President of Theopolis Institute. He is the author of numerous books on theology, literature, and culture, including Theopolitan, Defending Constantine, and Baptized Body.
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