Have you noticed the interesting and beneficial new feature on Colours of the Trinity Home Page? Gary has added a display which enables one to read the weather forecast easily and quickly. I have checked it out and discover what the weather conditions are without even looking out of the window of the house. It is Clear. Humidity 88%. Temperature 63F/17F. Wind. South/East at 9mph/15km/h.
The Gospels record some powerful truths regarding the way we ‘Interpret the Weather’ and knowing how to ‘Interpret the Time’. We have the eternal words of our Lord Jesus Christ in (Matthew 16.1-3) and (Luke12.54-57). Shall we look at them together?
"The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired him that he would show them a sign from heaven. He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red. And in the morning, It will be foul weather today: for the sky is red and lowering. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?"
"And he said also to the people, When ye see a cloud rise out of the west, straightway ye say, There cometh a shower; and so it is. And when ye see the south wind blow, ye say, There will be heat; and it cometh to pass. Ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky and of the earth; but how is it that ye do not discern this time? Yea, and why even of yourselves judge ye not what is right?"
Weather forecasting, by amateur and professional people alike is an almost obsessive and additive occupation. First thing in the morning and last thing at night one has to check the T.V. satellite weather forecast for the regional and national, even world wide predictions. What is the weather going to be like? Personally I do not go in for a daily forecast fix! I cannot change it so I do not worry about it. However I have many friends who thrive on the technical wizardry and plan their lives as much as possible around the daily forecast
Jesus comments on the amazing ability of His fellow-country-men to forecast the weather. They were only amateur, yet had learnt how to interpret the clouds and the winds and according to the Saviour were remarkably accurate.
He also said to the crowds, when you see a cloud rising in the west, at once you say, it is going to rain. And so it does. And when a south wind is blowing, you say, Scorching heat is on the way. And so it comes.
Israel’s rain comes from the west, from the Mediterranean Sea. So when in the west the sky turns grey one can expect rain.
The sirocco wind blows into the country from the south and east, that is, from the hot desert. So, when the wind blows from the south one could say, “Some scorching heat is on the way”.
Certainly they gave attention to the ever changing weather conditions because they found it of interest in their everyday lives, but they completely ignored what was really important regarding the actual time they were living in. Weather-wise they were, but could not discern the storm clouds that were even then rising and were to burst into the cataclysm of AD 66-70. They understood the winds of the earth, but not the winds of God; they could discern the sky, but not the heavens.
The Gospel of repentance, faith and salvation was being brought to them in love and reality by the Saviour, the Prophet from Galilee, even the Son of God at that very moment in time that critical hour yet they who pretended to be religious had far more interest in the weather than in the mighty work, God, in Jesus Christ was doing on earth and within their hearing and sight. They were better weather forecasters than crisis interpreters.
Sadly, their attitude prevented them from seeing the significance of the first coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. As it was – so it is today. Weather forecasters abound on page and screen; millions of people listen and take note. World conditions include tempests and flooding, earthquakes and fires, melting icecaps and rising seas. Devastations and despair and fear in the eyes of little children around the world in these awful conditions. Yet these very times in which we live bring to all people the nearness and significance of the near return of the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. The signs around in earth and sky say look up for your redemption is near.
Where is the Lord in the events now overtaking humanity? Perhaps Scripture is and has the answer. (1 Kings 19.11-13.) And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD. And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake: And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice. And it was so, when Elijah heard it that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah?
The Lord today is speaking above the din and disaster of resultant weather conditions and in every situation His is the STILL SMALL VOICE of substance, guidance and direction.
“This is My Beloved Son, hear ye Him.”
Every blessing
(I acknowledge help from New Testament Commentaries by Leon Morris and William Hendricksen and recommend them for further study.)
Page created 5 September 2005