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“What are the windows of heaven?”

We find the metaphor “windows of heaven” several times throughout the Old Testament. It describes how God responds to the actions of men in two very different ways.

What they have in common is abundance.

Open in Judgment

In the first book of the OT, the “windows of heaven” describes the outpouring of rain during Noah’s flood. In Genesis 7, the windows of heaven were opened. In Genesis 8, the windows of heaven were closed, and the rain ceased to fall. Forty days and forty nights of rain is what we might reasonably call an abundance, but it was an abundance of judgment. God used it to destroy a wicked world. Nobody wants that sort of abundance. You wouldn’t pray for it, and God has promised never to do it again.

Isaiah uses the same expression to describe a future outpouring of judgment on our wicked world. He writes:

“Terror and the pit and the snare are upon you, O inhabitant of the earth! For the windows of heaven are opened, and the foundations of the earth tremble.”

God has promised not to flood the earth again, and he will surely keep that promise. This time, he will express his wrath through earthquakes, fire and dark skies.

Open in Blessing

The prophet Malachi uses the same expression in chapter 3 of the last book of the OT, but this time it means something quite different:

“Put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.”

Malachi is speaking to a group of Judeans who have returned to their homeland from foreign captivity only to find that life in Jerusalem and throughout Judah is harder than they expected. Pests consume their crops and their vines are withering. They can’t understand why God would make things so tough for his people. Malachi points out that they are the problem. The entire nation is stingy with its offerings. The priests are not getting their share, and God calls it robbery. Here, the metaphor “windows of heaven” describes an outpouring of abundant blessing that God promises to those who obey his word and tithe as the Law of Moses required. “Give to me,” says God, “and I will give you back more than you can possibly imagine.”

That still works today from time to time. Strategic obedience is not the highest of motives, but it’s a whole lot better than disobedience, which never gets you where you ought to be.

Open Windows

The windows of heaven remind us that human behavior has consequences. God is always watching, and scripture teaches that one day all men will receive precisely what their works merit. Sometimes it even happens in this life.

To those who insist on living wickedly, God pours out abundant judgment. To those who honor him, he pours out abundant blessing.