20141116 Sunday, November 16 2014
Job 37: Red Sky At Night, Sailor's Delight

by Wayne Blank
See also 1 Year Holy Bible Reading Plan

"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 to day: for the sky is red and lowring"

The English word "climate" originated from an ancient Greek word, pronounced klima, that meant to bend. The term referred to the curve of the Earth from the equator to the poles (the words climb and climate originated from the same word). Specifically, it came to be used for the weather that is common to each zone of the curved Earth i.e. "climate" is the "weather" of a particular area over a long period of time.

The ancient Greeks knew and understood, thousands of years ago, that the Earth was a globe - not flat, like so many others believed until only a few centuries ago. The Holy Bible also stated that the Earth was a globe, long before the Greeks.

"40:21 Have ye not known? have ye not heard? hath it not been told you from the beginning? have ye not understood from the foundations of the earth? 40:22 It is he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in:" (Isaiah 40:21-22 KJV)

The English word "weather" originated from an Anglo-Saxon word, weder, that meant the wind, or more specifically, the atmospheric conditions that are common to a particular wind direction e.g. here in southern Ontario, "an east wind brings rain" or "a north wind brings cold" are familiar, and usually accurate, terms.

The Holy Bible also scientifically describes the relation of wind direction to precipitation and temperature (from the perspective of the land of Israel) e.g. "Out of the south cometh the whirlwind: and cold out of the north" (verse 9 below). The Bible even makes seasonal specific statements (summer versus winter) in the same way e.g. "Fair weather cometh out of the north" (verse 22 below).

The Messiah (Who was the Creator of climate and weather; see By Him Were All Things Created and The First Teacher) also referred to the "weather." The principle of the famous "red sky at night, sailor's delight; red sky in morning, sailor take warning" saying originated from the words of Jesus Christ.

"16:2 He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red. 16:3 And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowring. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?" (Matthew 16:2-3 KJV)

Job's wise young friend Elihu knew the "weather" very well (see Elihu's Answer, The Postponement Of Death, The Spirit Of Life and What Did The LORD Teach About How To Pray?).

"37:1 At this also my heart trembleth, and is moved out of his place. 37:2 Hear attentively the noise of his voice, and the sound that goeth out of his mouth. 37:3 He directeth it under the whole heaven, and his lightning unto the ends of the earth. 37:4 After it a voice roareth: he thundereth with the voice of his excellency; and he will not stay them when his voice is heard. 37:5 God thundereth marvellously with his voice; great things doeth he, which we cannot comprehend. 37:6 For he saith to the snow, Be thou on the earth; likewise to the small rain, and to the great rain of his strength. 37:7 He sealeth up the hand of every man; that all men may know his work. 37:8 Then the beasts go into dens, and remain in their places. 37:9 Out of the south cometh the whirlwind: and cold out of the north. 37:10 By the breath of God frost is given: and the breadth of the waters is straitened. 37:11 Also by watering he wearieth the thick cloud: he scattereth his bright cloud: 37:12 And it is turned round about by his counsels: that they may do whatsoever he commandeth them upon the face of the world in the earth. 37:13 He causeth it to come, whether for correction, or for his land, or for mercy.

37:14 Hearken unto this, O Job: stand still, and consider the wondrous works of God. 37:15 Dost thou know when God disposed them, and caused the light of his cloud to shine? 37:16 Dost thou know the balancings of the clouds, the wondrous works of him which is perfect in knowledge? 37:17 How thy garments are warm, when he quieteth the earth by the south wind? 37:18 Hast thou with him spread out the sky, which is strong, and as a molten looking glass? 37:19 Teach us what we shall say unto him; for we cannot order our speech by reason of darkness. 37:20 Shall it be told him that I speak? if a man speak, surely he shall be swallowed up. 37:21 And now men see not the bright light which is in the clouds: but the wind passeth, and cleanseth them. 37:22 Fair weather cometh out of the north: with God is terrible majesty. 37:23 Touching the Almighty, we cannot find him out: he is excellent in power, and in judgment, and in plenty of justice: he will not afflict. 37:24 Men do therefore fear him: he respecteth not any that are wise of heart." (Job 37:1-24 KJV)

Fact Finder: How is salvation related to the "seasons"?
See The Harvests Of Salvation