The Dog Days of Summer are here, and they are hot. “Dog days” comes from the ancient Dog Star. It was believed that Sirius, the Dog Star was responsible for July and August weather. The Romans called this period “dies caniculares” or “days of the dog.”
As Summer comes to a close, over the next few weeks, we will explore what the Bible has to say about weather. We will look at how God used natural elements to communicate. When you think of it, many Bible stories involve weather.
“I establish my covenant with you: Never again will all life be destroyed by the waters of a flood; never again will there be a flood to destroy the earth.”
Genesis 9:11
Heat
Wind
Dryness
Rainbows
Rain
We will look at these in the context of the stories we all know. Here are some of them:
- God used a flood to judge humanity’s wickedness and save Noah and his family. He also used a rainbow to show his covenant with Noah and all living creatures.
- In the Passover Story, God used hail, thunder, lightning, and fire to plague the Egyptians. To persuade Pharaoh to let his people go. He also used a strong east wind to part the Red Sea and to drown Pharaoh’s army.
- God used a pillar of cloud by day and fire by night to guide the Israelites in the wilderness.
- God used a drought to punish the idolatrous Israelites and to prove his supremacy over Baal. He also used fire from heaven to consume Elijah’s sacrifice and to demonstrate his power.
- God used a whirlwind to take Elijah to heaven in a chariot of fire. He also used a still, small voice to speak to Elisha after a great wind, an earthquake, and a fire.
- In the Story of Jonah, God used a storm to convince Jonah to stop running away from his mission.
- In the Nativity Story, God used a star to announce Jesus’s birth and lead the wise men to him.
- In calming the sea story, God used the wind and waves to test his disciples’ faith and reveal his authority over nature. He also used a calm sea to show his peace and power.
- God used an earthquake, darkness, and thunder to mark the death of Jesus on the cross and to signify his victory over sin and death.
Next time, we will explore the weather and the Story of Noah.
Meanwhile, let us breathe in the coolness of
love,
grace,
and mercy as we exhale the hot messes of brokenness, impatience, and unkindness.
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(This is my “call to action” I’m supposed to include in every post and often forget.)
I and Thou Reflections 