The sun is outside the realm that God had placed under man’s feet (Genesis 1:26–28; Psalm 8:5–8), and certainly well beyond our ability to control. Nevertheless, the sun very distinctly affects the habitat God entrusted to man. By touching the sun, the Lord is striking a blow against man’s habitat so as to make it less habitable, even uninhabitable from the searing heat. This plague recalls God’s promise to Israel in passages as Deuteronomy 28:22–23, where he set forth the curses he would pour on Israel should they break his covenant.
8 The fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, and it was allowed to scorch people with fire.