Do Hurricanes Just Happen?

[Abiding in His Word]

Do Hurricanes Just Happen?

Jim Elliff

Though some postulate that hurricanes are spawned merely by natural causes, this answer is one "cause" too short. The Bible teaches they are first decreed by God.

The Psalmist wrote: "Whatever the Lord pleases He does, in heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all deep places. He causes the vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth. He makes lightening for the rain; He brings the wind out of His treasuries" (Psalm 135:6-7).

"Is it not from the mouth of the Most High that woe and well-being proceed?" asked Jeremiah in Lamentations 3:38.

A hurricane is definitely in the "woe" category. Such physical catastrophes are often called "natural evils," and they come by that misnomer honestly. What devastation! We are moved by the plight of those who have endured this kind of trouble.

But can we really say God did it? Most do not want to. Yet, occasionally, even among those who assume God exercises no true sovereignty over the wills of men, there is the admission that God does control the weather. He does, that is, as long as nobody is seriously hurt. God might comfort during the storm and help pick up the emotional pieces after the storm, but He would never create such ruination.

However, God's own Word speaks otherwise: God is at work doing His perfect will, even during hurricane season. These spinning engines of destruction originate from Him as Ruler (first cause), through nature (second cause), all for His purposes. Though God owes us no explanation, one or all of the following possible objectives may help us understand "why" God decrees such fear-producing events:

1. God is recognized as powerful and not to be trifled with. God often asserted that cataclysmic events were done to display His power to men. (Exodus 9:14-16; 14:31)

2. Society is warned of the greatest calamity, eternal judgment. A physical disaster is nothing compared with eternal damnation. A hurricane is an announcement: "If you don't repent, worse than this is coming." (Luke 13:1-5)

3. Some people are deservedly punished for their rebellion. The Bible states that "the wrath of God is revealed [lit. is being revealed] from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men . . ." (Romans 1:18). That means now. Hurricanes are just one of the ways that might happen. (Psalm 7:11-13)

4. Some true believers are tested or disciplined and made stronger in their faith. The same storm that judges a non-believing man may be the crucible of testing and/or chastisement for a true Christian, and will toughen and purify him for the future. (James 1:2-3; Hebrews 12:5-11)

5. Believers may be taken to heaven; and some enemies of God may be removed from the earth. This is a reality that is hard to accept, but nonetheless true. The Bible says that our days are ordained by God even before one of them is lived (Psalm 139:16). He also promises that many rebellious people will face a calamitous end. (Psalm 73:18-19)

6. The godly are given an opportunity to love sacrificially. Because of the nature of the true believer, you will always find Christians among those on the scene helping to relieve the distress. (1 John 3:17; Galatians 6:10) Their love may point many to Christ.

There could be more, but this will suffice to highlight the purposefulness of God in such massive displays of his power.

If it is not true that God has ordained the powerful forces of nature for His own ends, then the alternative answer is that this event was only an irregularity in the interplay of warm water and thermals. And that is no comfort when you stand in the wet rubble that was once your home.

I would much rather know that God has a purpose in mind when it costs me so dearly. I can learn from that, and even thank Him for His perfect, though sometimes shocking, will. God knows what He's about.

"He does according to His will in the army of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth. No one can restrain His hand or say to Him, 'What have You done?'" (Daniel 4:35).
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Copyright © 2004 Jim Elliff. Permission granted for not-for-sale reproduction in exact form including copyright.

[geauxsaints]

I agree about God being in control and that hurricanes and earthquakes happen under God's authority and providence. I disagree with the tie it seems between judgement and things that happen in nature. That somehow sin is the cause of bad things happening to people. I guess being from New Orleans makes me have a different perspective.

Repent or Perish
1Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. 2Jesus answered, "Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? 3I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. 4Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them—do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? 5I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish."

Here it seems Jesus is saying there isn't any relationship with what happened to those people and their sins.

[Abiding in His Word]

I agree about God being in control and that hurricanes and earthquakes happen under God's authority and providence. I disagree with the tie it seems between judgement and things that happen in nature. That somehow sin is the cause of bad things happening to people. I guess being from New Orleans makes me have a different perspective.

I think the article makes it clear that while God is in control of nature and does use forces of nature for judgment on the ungodly, good people often perish also. I believe scripture is posted in the article that supports this.

Repent or Perish
1Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. 2Jesus answered, "Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? 3I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. 4Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them—do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? 5I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish."

I don't know which version of the Bible you are using, but the words "worse", "other" and "fate" are not in the original, but added by translators for (seeming) clarification. Notice the words in italics from the NASB:

Luk 13:2 And Jesus said to them, "Do you suppose that these Galileans were greater sinners than all other Galileans because they suffered this fate?

Doesn't make a big difference really; I just thought I'd point that out.

Here it seems Jesus is saying there isn't any relationship with what happened to those people and their sins.

Agreed, geauxsaints. Jesus is telling them that they really can't judge one's sins by catastrophic events in their lives. I see this statement of Jesus as being in agreement with the article. Judgment for some but not for others - from the same event of nature.

[redeemed1953]

1) It rains (literally) on the just and the unjust.

2) Nothing "just happens" God is absolutely sovreign over His creation.

3) When you are a child of God, nothing happens to you, good or bad, before it is sifted through the velvet fingers of the iron hand of God.

[geauxsaints]

I think we can all agree that God is always in control. I just think that when bad things happen they are not neccessarily judgements because of sin or disobedience in the context of one event happening to a people specifically because of their sins. I know that happens sometimes with God but I don't believe that every time something bad happens we have to wonder what did they do wrong to offend God.

I think most natural disasters are a result of the fall of man.

[Gracie2]

:armor:

1) It rains (literally) on the just and the unjust.

2) Nothing "just happens" God is absolutely sovreign over His creation.

3) When you are a child of God, nothing happens to you, good or bad, before it is sifted through the velvet fingers of the iron hand of God.

This is very true.......God has the ultimate last say in everything that happens down here....no matter what, even over the conspiricies...He allows things to happen...

[mommyjen]

I think most natural disasters are a result of the fall of man.

That I don't agree with. God is in control of everything and directs everything. I have heard people say this but it just doesn't seem to be an assertion supported by the Bible. I think as the end gets closer God's judgements speed up to try and turn peoples hearts to him. I definitely believe Hurricane Katrina was a jug=dgement of God. I remember praying hard that God would stop the hurricane but it was like praying to a brick wall and I could just feel a sense of dread. I kept telling people online that were in New Orleans to get out, you know the ones who said they would ride it out. The next day after everything seemed fine until the levies broke. Then I knew what God has spoken to my heart was right.

[tharkun]

It is important to remember that the whole creation was cursed by God and stained by Adam's fall. Although God can and has used natural means to directly judge people, I am more of the opinion that as more and more natural disasters occur it is an indication of God removing His protective hand over us as we as a nation turn from His ways. In other words, in a fallen world, natural disasters would be the norm if God did not intervene to protect His own.

tharkun

[geauxsaints]

Great analysis

[mommyjen]

I was thinking about it after I worte what I did and I think there are cases where it is both ways!

[Abiding in His Word]

I agree mommyjen. I don't have the scriptures at the moment, but in the book of Job, God makes it clear that He controls the boundaries of the sea and the storehouse of the hail. He definitely upholds the universe with the power of His might.

At the same time, tharkun's post is quite likely true also. That while God is in control, His lack of intervention in "natural" disasters leaves man at their mercy. Thus, God is, in effect, using them to accomplish His purposes.