Jan 6 -Snow angels

Jan 6

Snow Angels

Job 38:22 Hast thou entered into the treasures of the snow?

Forty One people were dead!

Forty Seven others were alive but in bad shape. They were members of the Donner Party. The Donner party was a wagon train on the way to California that became snow bound in the Donner pass. Nearly half of them died of starvation or exposure.

Where I live in northern Michigan we see more than our share of snow. It seems that in the last year or two many parts of the United States have seen more cold and snow than they wanted to. When I checked to see who gets the most snow the statistics were for one day, one month, one storm, etc. A little town named Tamarack in California is located about 60 miles south of the Donner Pass and holds the record for most snow in a month. A few years ago they received over 32 feet of snow in 30 days.

All this talk about snow, and the problems it causes may make you look at today’s verse and ask “What treasure in the Snow?”

To better appreciate what is being said we need the context of what is taking place in this portion of Job. In Job 36:1 we find Elihu speaking.

Job 36:1 ¶ Elihu also proceeded, and said,…

All of chapter 36 and 37 contain the comments of Elihu, where he explains to Job that God wants to help people over their sin problems, and will care for them. In chapter 38 Job does not get to answer because God speaks out of the whirlwind in response to Elihu’s comments.

Job 38:1 ¶ Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said,

 2 Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge?

Here we find the LORD responding to what Elihu has said. He asks who is this guy who gives bad advice without knowledge. Then to demonstrate how little Elihu or Job knew he asks several question that no man can answer. One of the questions is our verse for today.

Job 38:22 Hast thou entered into

the treasures of the snow?

 The literal meaning of the verse is to ask “Have you seen where snow is stored” or “have you been to the treasure house where snow is kept?” The verse is not suggesting that such a place exists. Rather the purpose of the question is to point out their limited knowledge. It is like saying “You think you know all the answers but you do not even know where snow comes from.”  Read Job 38 and you will see many such questions. They are all designed to show that man is not able to answer basic questions about everyday events.

How does snow form? How can so many snowflakes all be different? If snow is just frozen rain, what makes it fluffy, or heavy, dry or wet, very small or large? The Eskimo’s have several words for snow, depending on the type of snow. English also uses different words  for frozen precipitation; flurries, blizzard, sleet, hail, freezing rain, heavy snow, powder, and whiteout to list some common expressions. Verse 23 explains one way God uses snow.

Job 38:23 Which I have reserved against the time of trouble,

against the day of battle and war?

Winter snow was the downfall of two ambitious dictators. Both Hitler and Napoleon tried to conquer Russia in mid-winter. The snow defeated their mighty armies and was the beginning of the end for both of them.

However snow is made, and for what purposes the key point to remember is that God is in control. We may not understand why we have snow and may grumble about it, but it is all part of a great complex design that serves His purposes.

Job 37:6 ¶ For he saith to the snow, Be thou on the earth;…

Ps 148:8 Fire, and hail; snow, and vapour; stormy wind fulfilling his word

One thing we can understand is the concept we find in other verses that uses snow as a standard of comparison.

Ps 51:7 ¶ Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean:

wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

Isa 1:18 Come now, and let us reason together,

 saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet,

they shall be as white as snow; …

There is almost a magical beauty in seeing a landscape that is covered with a layer of fresh white snow. For a moment we can forget the extra work and cold that snow brings when we see the sparkling snow on a blue sky sunny day. What better picture could we have of how God can purge us of our sin debt, and see us as pure as the driven snow.

If the only reason for snow was to remind us of our sin nature, and the cleansing power of Christ blood, so that we appear whiter than snow, it would be enough. But snow serves a lot of other purposes beyond our understanding. Dogs love it, kids play in it, snow angels leave their mark in it, and it provides some healthy recreation for families. It is a storehouse for water that is needed in the spring for new growth and as a steady supply of water in the summer. Most importantly, it serves God’s purposes and is under His control.  

For our meditation today let us think about how God uses even snow for his purposes. While we ponder the mysteries of snow and how God uses it, let us also think about the wonder of our being made whiter than snow. If you cannot bring yourself to be thankful for snow, as a born again Christian, you certainly can be thankful that He has made you whiter than snow, through His son Christ Jesus. 

1Th 5:18 In every thing give thanks:

for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.