On May 6th the Whitehouse sponsored a conference highlighting the present and future effects of human-induced climate change. Apparently the term ‘climate change’ has replaced ‘global warming’ because previous conferences had to be canceled due to severe winter storms in the Northeast.
There are, however, many that think the conference was really called to disguise the historical record increase of Antarctic sea ice reported by NOAA.
Whatever the reason for the conference, our president and his followers have declared that we are on the road to disaster and that ‘man made’ climate change is a proven fact and the debate surrounding the issue is over.
Many today, however, have replaced both terms global warming and climate change simply with weather patterns. Then there is the discussion about the source of such fluctuating weather patterns. Is it human activity or natural phenomena?
Since 3 out of 4 Americans claim to be Christian, the majority would be expected to consult the Bible to see if anything is revealed about weather phenomena and its causes.
An appropriate source for such information can be found in the book of Job. The setting for the book of Job was during the patriarchal period before the law was given.
After Job had failed all attempts to maintain his innocence and after hearing from his three consultant friends who agreed that Job’s suffering was due to unnamed sin, he requested audience with God to plead his case.
Finally, his request was granted and God spoke.
“Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said: ‘Who is this who darkens counsel by words without knowledge? Now prepare yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer me. Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth?’” Job 38:1-4
Several weather types are described. This column will focus on rain and its source.
“Who has divided a channel for the overflowing water, or a path for the thunderbolt, to cause it to rain on a land where there is no one…to satisfy the desolate waste, and cause to spring forth the growth of tender grass?” Job 38:25-27
“Can you lift up your voice to the clouds, that an abundance of water may cover you? …Or can you pour out the bottles of heaven, when the dust hardens on clumps, and the clods cling together?” Job 38:34, 37-38
The answers to the above questions are obvious, i.e. man has no control of the clouds and rain. Such is at the total discretion of God Himself.
Even before Job’s time the sovereignty of God over the weather, specifically the rain, was illustrated.
Recall the saga of Noah and the destruction caused by the flood.
“For after seven more days I will cause it to rain on the earth, forty days and forty nights, and I will destroy from the face of the earth all living things that I have made.” Genesis 7:4
Note ‘I will cause it to rain’ and ‘I willdestroy…’ God caused it to rain for His specific purpose. Man had absolutely no say in the matter nor could naïve man affect God’s power, plan, and purpose. Nothing has changed.
After the time of Job and the law was given, God gave specific instructions relative to the blessings for obedience, or curses for disobedience, to His laws.
“Now it shall come to pass, if you diligently obey the voice of the LORD your God, to observe carefully all His commandments…the LORD will open to you His good treasure; the heavens, to give the rain to your land in its seasons…” Deuteronomy 28:1, 12
“But it shall come to pass, if you do not obey the voice of the LORD your God…the LORD will change the rain of your land to powder and dust…” Deuteronomy 28:15, 24
Everyone can decide for themselves whether rain, or the lack of it, is attributable to the results of a heavy carbon footprint or the sovereignty of God.
Next week we’ll examine the presence and cause of scorching heat and drought. The week following we’ll conclude by discussing cold, ice, and hail and Job’s response to God’s speaking with him.