Hearken
To The Thunder Of His Voice:
Hurricanes and Natural
Disasters
“Whether for
correction, or for his land, or for love, he causes it to happen.” –Elihu
Feast of Trumpets / Day of Atonement /
Seven Thunders
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Father, make
possible for us by grace what is impossible for us by nature. You know
we’re not able to endure much, and that we’re downcast by the slightest
difficulty. Grant that for your sake we may come to love and desire any
hardship that puts us to the test, for salvation is brought to our souls
when we undergo suffering and trouble for you. Halleluyah.
Thomas à
Kempis (1379 – 1471)
Revelation 10:4.
And when the seven thunders had sounded, I was about to write, but I heard
a voice from heaven saying,
“Seal up what the
seven thunders have said, and do not write it down.”
The seven thunders are numbered and described in the following passage:
Job 36 :1-4,22-33;
37:2-13
Psalms
77: 14-20.
Thou art the El who workest wonders, who hast manifested thy might among
the peoples. Thou didst with thy arm redeem thy people, the sons of Jacob
and Joseph. Selah.
When the waters saw thee, O Elohim, when the waters saw thee, they were
afraid, yea, the deep trembled. The clouds poured out water; the skies
gave forth thunder; thy arrows flashed on every side. The crash of thy
thunder was in the whirlwind; thy lightnings lighted up the world; the
earth trembled and shook. Thy way was through the sea, thy path through
the great waters; yet thy footprints were unseen.
Thou didst lead thy people like a flock by the hand of Moses and
Aaron. (UMH 798)
Luke 3:1.
IN THE fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate
being governor of Judea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his
brother Philip tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and
Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene, 2. in the high-priesthood of Annas and
Caiaphas, the word of Elohoim came to IVAN the son of Zechariah in the
wilderness; 3. and he went into all the region about the Jordan,
preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 4. As it
is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, “The
voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of Yahweh, make his
paths straight. 5. Every valley shall be
filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low, and the crooked
shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth;
6. and all flesh shall see the salvation of El.”
Luke 16: 31.
“He said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and
the prophets, neither will they be convinced if some one should rise from
the dead.’”
Luke 6: 46-49.
“Every one who comes to me and hears my words and
does them, I will show you what he is like:
he is like a man building a house, who dug deep,
and laid the foundation upon rock; and when a flood arose, the stream
broke against that house, and could not shake it, because it had been well
built. But he who hears and does not do
them is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation;
against which the stream broke, and immediately it fell, and the ruin of
that house was great.”
The Epic of Job
The epic of Job
is one of the oldest and most well known in the world. Job is a righteous
man, a worshipper of Yahweh, a commandment-keeper. He’s also a man of
great family and means. But Satan challenges Job’s g*d, claiming that
if he can only strike at the things Job considers precious, Job will
betray his g*d and abandon his faith. Yahweh gives Satan permission to do
as he will to test his theory, but to spare Job’s life.
So Satan starts
his evil commission by fixing Job’s family – his sons and daughters and
their clans were making merry at the lavish home of Job’s eldest son when
four catastrophes befell: the Sabean bandits attacked the servants’
quarters and killed everyone there; then a meteorite hit the field and
burned up the shepherds along with all the sheep; then the Chaldean
terrorists swept in and stole the camels and killed their tenders; finally
a bombastic whirlwind came out of the desert and struck the pillars of the
house: it fell in and crushed Job’s family. A few servants escaped to
tell the incredible tale.
Yet afflicting
Mr. & Mrs. Job’s minds wasn’t sufficient. Satan began to afflict Job’s
body – with
loathsome sores from
the sole of his foot to the crown of his head. And he took a potsherd to
scrape himself, and sat among the ashes. Then his wife said to him, “Do
you still hold fast your integrity? Curse Elohim, and die.” But he said
to her, “You speak as one of the foolish women would speak. Shall we
receive good at the hand of Elohim, and shall we not receive evil?” In
all this Job did not sin with his lips.
(Job 2:7-10)
Please note
that calamity of the highest order came upon this righteous man. Demonic
forces, bereavement and loss, terror, financial ruin, devastating weather,
disease – even his wife comes against him – all without sufficient cause.
No, Job hadn’t sinned; on the contrary, Job had “hearkened to the thunder
of His voice” and thus pleased the Almighty in every way. So why Job?
Job’s Friends
Word gets out,
and along come Job’s friends. They don’t even recognize the wise man as
he sits in sackcloth and ashes. They do, however, behold a man blasted
with the sands of disaster, and they sit in the shadow of his grief for a
week without saying a word. Job’s was an age of hospitality, so we expect
that as his friends ministered silence to Job, his good wife saw to
their needs.
Finally Job
breaks the stillness – he curses the day he was born.
Job
3:11-19. “Why did I not die at birth, come
forth from the womb and expire? Why did the knees receive me? Or why the
breasts, that I should suck? For then I should have lain down and been
quiet; I should have slept; then I should have been at rest ... Or why was
I not as a hidden untimely birth, as infants that never see the light?
There the wicked cease from troubling, and there the weary are at rest.”
This speech
opens the door for Job’s friends to opine about his dilemma. Each is sure
he knows the reason for Job’s judgment – be it a sin or a character flaw
or just that Job was rich – well – that was reason enough in itself for
him to lose everything, one guy thought. The poems that comprise their
theological musings continue on for 35 chapters. Some of the language is
so obscure that translators are stumped. One thing’s certain, though.
Neither Job nor his friends gain the treasure of their speculation in all
that squawk– none discover the correct reason that Elohim would afflict a
righteous man or even allow trouble of any kind to befall him. ¿Isn’t
blessing for the good and trouble for the wicked? Job must have sinned,
they all reason.
Aren’t We Blessed?
In this time of
wind and rain, are we not all like Job and his friends? Are we not
righteous, commandment-keeping people? Do we not love the L*rd and revere
the Son of the Most High? Are we not the Spiritual Israel that we claim?
Do we not live in the “Bible Belt”? Then why have four of the most
devastating hurricanes in history, named Charley, Frances, Ivan, Jeanne
and Dennis, come upon us, spawning hundreds of deadly tornados, and
felling thousands of trees? Why have our homes been damaged, some
destroyed; and folks in our community even killed? What sins have we
committed to allow for this mess, or by what omissions have we caused it?
Has Yahweh judged us, or is it not nice to fool Mother Nature?
What science
lies behind the façade, and why couldn’t some smart scientist or flashy
meteorologist stop it? Why couldn’t we pray it away, or why didn’t we
receive early warning so we could get away? Why did the good get stung
right along with the evil? And why is it that some folks got off better
than others? Luck? Or are some more divinely blessed? Or are some
better commandment keepers or lovers of humankind? Or are some more loved
by the Almighty? Or are some just luckier? Do you feel lucky?
Admit it: we
are like Job’s friends. Every friend here has pondered these same
questions. Many with whom I’ve spoken have boiled the whole “Jobic”
diatribe down to a few noble words – “It could have been much worse.
We are blessed.” And indeed, we are blessed.
Another Man – Elihu
In Job’s evil
day, another man wandered into the ashes. Unlike the rest, he was young,
uninvited and no friend of Job’s. As a youth, he patiently waited for the
others to speak their pieces before he uttered his voice. But when his
turn came, he was bold in his exhortation, for he was there on Yahweh’s
behalf, speaking for the Almighty. The man’s name was Elihu,
which means, “He is my El.” We take up part of Elihu’s speech from Job,
chapters 36 & 37.
Job 36 :2.
“Bear with me and I will show you, for
I have yet something to say on El’s behalf. 3. I will fetch my knowledge
from afar, and ascribe righteousness to my Maker. 4. For truly my words
are not false; one who is perfect in knowledge is with you. 22.
Behold, El is exalted in his power; who is a teacher like him?
23. Who has prescribed for him his way, or who can say, ‘Thou hast done
wrong’? 27. For he draws up the drops of water, he distils his mist in
rain 28. which the skies pour down, and drop upon man abundantly.
29. “Can any one understand the spreading of the clouds, the
thunderings (thunder 1) of his
pavilion? 30. Behold, he scatters his lightning (thunder 2)
about him, and covers the roots of the sea. 31. For by these he
judges peoples; he gives food in abundance. 32. He covers his
hands with the lightning (thunder 3),
and commands it to strike the mark. 33. Its crashing declares concerning
him, who is jealous with anger against iniquity.
Job 37: ... 2. “Hearken to the thunder (thunder 4)
of his voice and the rumbling that comes from his mouth. 3. Under the
whole heaven he lets it go, and his lightning (thunder 5)
to the corners of the earth. 4. After it his voice roars; he thunders
(thunder 6) with his majestic voice and
he does not restrain them[*]
when his voice is heard.
5. “El thunders (thunder 7)
wondrously with his voice; he does great things which we cannot
comprehend. 6. For to the snow he says, ‘Fall on the earth’; and to the
shower and the rain, ‘Be strong.’ 7. He seals up the hand of every man,
that all men may know his work. 8. Then the beasts go into their lairs,
and remain in their dens. 9. From its chamber comes the whirlwind, and
cold from the scattering winds. 10. By the breath of El ice is given,
and the broad waters are frozen fast. 11. He loads the thick cloud with
moisture; the clouds scatter his lightning. 12. They turn round and
round by his guidance, to accomplish all that he commands them on the face
of the habitable world.
13. “Whether for correction, or for his land, or for
love
(chesed,
kindness or reproach;
eleoV LXX, mercy),
he causes it to happen.”
The Wisdom of Elihu
Elihu shares
several remarkable knowledge nuggets regarding not only the events that
befell Job, but also what’s been happening to us. Elihu tells us first of
all that El is present – along with his perfect understanding of
the situation. Yahweh should understand the elements, because he
created them. Yes, the storms are his doing – the rain, snow, wind, ice,
clouds, whirlwinds, lightnings and thunderings: they are His voices.
(In fact, if
you read closely, you can find the seven thunders of Revelation 10:4
“sealed up” here.) Yes, these
weather disturbances are the means by which Yahweh speaks the loudest to
us – and to all humanity – be we in covenant with him or not.
All
may hear the voice of skies and seas. All will quake at the
rumblings of thunder and be blinded by the explosive lightning. All
are affected by whirlwinds and the driving rains – even beasts
seek refuge. His voice is a roaring explosion, and he tells his voice,
“Be loud and strong.” The winds and clouds whirl around because he
commands them, “SPIN!” Why? So he will surely be heard in the
midst of all the eating, wine drinking and merriment of an unconcerned,
disobedient and rebellious world. His purpose must be accomplished and He
must make that purpose known: that takes hurricanes.
“He causes it to
happen,” exclaims Yahweh’s messenger, Elihu. “HE causes it!”
Flushing Out the Bad
What has Elohim
been trying to tell us with all this rumbling, cracking, booming and
fearsome noises? If Elohim caused hurricanes to destroy – or – if that’s
too strong of stuff for you – if Elohim allowed hurricanes to
destroy – then why here, why among us Elohim-fearing folks? Three
reasons are found in probably the most curious line of Elihu’s poem: “Whether
for correction or for his land or for love, he causes it”
(Job 37:13).
Let me first
speak regarding “his land.” Unfortunately, humans are in the way of
the renewal of land and waterways.
Hurricanes and great storms are vital to the natural process of cleaning
up land and flushing out waterways of debris and detritus. Hurricanes
distribute seeds of native vegetation while destroying plants that aren’t
indigenous to an area. Hurricanes redistribute sand and dirt and create
new dunes and habitats, making safer places for wildlife to live. Also,
big winds bring in fresh water. Obviously, Elihu was an
environmentalist. He tells us that Yahweh restores creation when it’s
groaning. Sometimes that restoration requires desperate measures – an
Opal or an Ivan or a Jeanne.
But more
apropos to our concern is that Yahweh brings storms upon “the
habitable world”
(Job 37:12)
–for “correction.” Some versions say “judgment.” The debris and
detritus of the human heart needs a good flushing by “acts of Elohim.” What
He’s given, He may reclaim. What is His, he may take. Yahweh is uttering
his voice, calling those who think they’re already among his chosen to
turn back to him and learn from him. He’s warning all that
they must no longer look to that which is destroyed, but seek out the
Living instead. He’s strongly cautioning that his commandments are
forever and, at the final trumpet, he means to enforce punishment upon
those who’ve not heeded.
Feast of Trumpets
Speaking of
trumpets: Did you know that Hurricane Ivan crashed into this area on the
Feast of Trumpets
(September 16, 2004)?
Leviticus
23:24,25. “Say to the people of Israel, In
the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you shall observe a day
of solemn rest, a memorial proclaimed with blast of trumpets, a holy
convocation. You shall do no laborious work; and you shall present an
offering by fire to Yahweh.”
The Feast of
Trumpets is also known as the Day of Awe
(Yom Teruah).
Your Bible also calls it “The Day of the LORD.”
It’s that one day of the year set aside to remember that Yahweh will
judge disobedience. Those who say His commandments are no longer
valid forget that Jesus, Paul and all their disciples observed Trumpets,
and that Paul and the Revelator wrote Trumpets into many passages –
especially the Great Trumpet – when the holy will descend and the wicked
be judged. Yet 99% of the people around here know nothing of that – nor
care. But Yahweh forced the observance of Trumpets this critical year
with a sky-trumpet – a hurricane. Most were in great awe on that day;
only the fool did laborious work; and every soul sacrificed whether they
intended to or not.
Believer, take
note. Write TRUMPETS on your 2005 calendar now – October 4th –
so you will observe it properly next time and not incur His wrath. From
the Feast of Trumpets next year, you can follow your Bible on to the Day
of Atonement.
Atonement
And speaking of
that: Do you realize that last Friday sundown
(September 24, 2004)
began the Day of Atonement? This is a fitting observance to follow such a
calamitous Feast of Trumpets.
Leviticus 23:26-32
excerpts. And Yahweh said to Moses, “On the
tenth day of this seventh month is the day of atonement; it shall be for
you a time of holy convocation, and you shall fast[†]
and present an offering by fire. Whoever does not fast on this day shall
be cut off. Whoever works I will destroy. It is a statute forever
in all your dwellings.”
The commandment
is to fast and do no laborious work on one day every year
in honor of the tremendous work of reconciliation accomplished for
you through Yahshua’s blood. The Day of Atonement was YESTERDAY.
Did you fast and pray as you’ve been commanded? Or do you believe
obedience to the Word of Yahweh is no longer necessary for Chr-stians? Do
you accept the plain voice of your Elohim or do you prefer the pronouncements
and omissions of some inconvenienced preacher? Yahweh says,
“It is a statute forever in all
your dwellings.”
Are you a Bible
believer? Then how plainly do you read that? After such
Trumpet Blasts on the 16th, how could we not observe Atonement on
the 25th? Yet the ninety and nine neither knew nor cared about His
name or His commandments, and most scoff at those who do. On the last
Feast of Trumpets in the World of Today, many will be cut off
from the World of Tomorrow. Why? Because they’ve been inconvenienced
by Yahweh’s voice or led astray by the shepherds of churchianity.
We of the
Covenant can’t afford to be lax concerning eternal things anymore. Your
obedience now may be the safety net for those in your household who are,
in that day, eating and drinking wine as if nothing were happening. Your
stand for Bible truth may save your entire family in that day.
(You’ll thank me
then.) And if you say
now that Job’s family wasn’t spared by his righteousness, remember
that he gained his family back – through the resurrection of the
dead. And you may also if you’re careful.
The Mercy of Yahweh
Elihu has one
more reason for inclement weather that’s perplexing: that Yah causes
disasters to happen “out of love”
(RSV only).
(The word
checed is better translated as “mercy” than “love.”)
How can such terrors be “out of love,” or merciful? Here’s how.
Yahweh is
compassionate and merciful
(Exodus 33:19).
He gave us creation to view – and in it we can see his handiwork. He
assembled prophets to convey His word over several millennia, and others
to lead his people into true paths of righteousness. Yahweh sent His son
as a serpent on a pole to convey His will to the world in a way the world
will never, ever forget. And after His Son’s passion, Yahweh sent him
back from death to comfort the beloved and warn of the wrath
to come. He sent his Spirit, the Paraclete, to woo all humanity
into an atoning relationship with the Creator. And he’s sent a
multitude of undeniable, latter-day signs to warn the whole world of His
Day (Isaiah
2:12).
What more can
he send? What more can he give? What more can he do to warn a world of
people whom he loved so much that he sent his own Son as a ransom
(Job 36:18)?
He can do one more thing. He can still send forth his mighty voice.
Job 37:3-5.
El thunders wondrously with his voice. Under
the whole heaven he lets it go, and his lightning to the corners of the
earth. After it his voice roars; he thunders with his majestic voice and
he does not restrain them when his voice is heard.
That’s one of
the reasons that, in his great mercy, Yahweh sent Hurricanes Charley,
Frances, Ivan and Jeanne – to warn the people He loves with his breath
– people like you and me – our families and our kind – that there’s mercy
and safety in the Blood of Yahshua and the Covenant of Yahweh. My friend,
you can be the salvation of a multitude, if only you’ll hear the voice of
Ivan, and come into the fullness of Yahweh’s hurricane shelter or
mercy. You may not simply stand in an open door and wait out the storm
there. You must be totally covered.
A Literary Note on the Name “Ivan” and
“Katrina”
By the way,
Ivan is the English pronunciation of the Russian name Ivan.
It’s a Bible name. In English, it’s John. In the language of the Bible,
it’s Ya’chan. That’s why I picked the Gospel reading about the great
voice of IVAN the Baptist crying in the wilderness, “Prepare the way of
Yahweh, make his paths straight.” And what does Ivan mean? Ivan – John –
means, “Yahweh is Merciful.”
Dennis is the
name of the Greek Elohim of revelry and drunkenness (Dionysius). Katrina
means “cleansing” (catharsis).
[*]
The RSV here interpolates “the lightnings,” though not found in the
source manuscripts.
[†]
“Afflict yourself” RSV – this means not to eat.
