THE TREASURES OF THE SNOW

 

Thursday, February 3, 2022

 

THE TREASURES OF THE SNOW

Job 38:22

22 Hast thou entered into the treasures of the snow? or hast thou seen the treasures of the hail,

 

Prov 31:21

21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.

 

          Outside the ground is covered in snow which is rare for Texas, but it always excites the child inside each of us. That internal child does not consider the inconvenience which snow brings to a generally warm climate but rejoices at the benefits of a snowy day.

 

          The word snow is found only twice in the Authorized Version and only in the Old Testament. The word snowy is found only once, but all three is translated from the Hebrew sheleg which is from the root word shalag which refers to whiteness.

 

          Basically, the idea of snow machines trying to create snow is like a 4-year-old trying to paint the Mona Lisa; it works, but only as a clumsy imitation of the real thing. The reason is that natural snow develops from frozen water vapor whereas manmade snow forms from frozen water droplets. Scientists have studied snowflakes under a microscope and discovered that each God-made snowflake has six points. Each snowflake is unique from any other but there are at least three categories of snowflakes. The Plate snowflake is the simplest of the three and looks like, well, a dinner plate with 6 sides. The Stellar plate resembles the setting in a wedding ring and the Dendrimer flake is a bit more complex but still has 6 points.

 

          When God asked Job if he had “entered into” the treasures of the snow, He was asking if he fully understood the mysteries of how they are made. The answer, of course, is no and the question was asked to position God in His rightful place as boss and Job in his rightful place as amazed human.

 

          When the industrious housewife of Proverbs 31 provided scarlet garments for her family, we know that red does not insulate from the cold. Adam Clarke comments on this. “Not scarlet, for the colour can avail nothing in keeping off the cold; nor would it be a proper colour for the bogs and dirt of winter. But shaaniym, from shaanah, to iterate, to double, signifies not only scarlet, so called from being twice or doubly dyed, but also double garments, not only the ordinary coat but the surtout or great-coat also, or a cloak to cover all. But most probably double garments, or twofold to what they were accustomed to wear.” (From Adam Clarke's Commentary)

 

          There are also agricultural benefits from the snow. Snow insulates dormant crops and adds not only moisture but nitrogen to the soil. Snow is a gift. “The Living Bible paraphrases it, "Why are you using your ignorance to deny My providence?" (TLB) God didn't question Job's integrity or sincerity; He only questioned Job's ability to explain the ways of God in the world.” (Warren Wiersbe)

 

Dear Lord, thank you for the snow because it reminds me, once again, of how unique you are. There is none like you in majesty and power. AMEN