What can we learn about God's sovereignty from "a storm of hail"? Anchoring Verse “As they fled before Israel on the descent from Beth-horon, the LORD hurled large hailstones down from the heavens upon them all the way to Azekah—more of them died from the hailstones than the Israelites killed with the sword.” (Joshua 10:11) Tracing God’s Hand in the Hailstorm • The timing: the stones fall precisely when Israel needs help, demonstrating that God directs nature in real time. • The target: only the enemy is struck; Israel remains unharmed (cf. Exodus 9:26). Control this exact shows sovereign choice, not random weather. • The scale: “large hailstones” lethal enough to outnumber Israel’s swords. Creation’s most violent forces are subordinate to the Creator. • The purpose: the hail advances God’s covenant promise to give Israel the land (Genesis 15:18-21). Sovereignty is always tied to His redemptive plan, never aimless power. What the Hailstorm Reveals about God’s Sovereignty • Absolute authority over the elements – Job 38:22-23: “Have you entered the storehouses of hail… which I reserve for times of trouble?” – Psalm 148:8: “lightning and hail… fulfilling His word.” • Righteous judgment mingled with mercy – Exodus 9:18-29: hail judges Egypt yet spares Goshen, displaying both justice and covenant kindness. • Faithfulness to promises – Joshua 10:8: “Do not be afraid… I have delivered them into your hands.” The hail is the tangible follow-through. • Precision, not caprice – Revelation 16:21 shows a future hail judgment measured “about a talent” each; even eschatological wrath is ordered. Personal Takeaways • Confidence in prayer: the God who stores hail also hears petitions (Joshua 10:12-14). • Rest amid chaos: storms, literal or figurative, remain under His hand (Nahum 1:3). • Holy reverence: casual views of sin dissolve when remembering that ice from heaven can fell armies. • Hope for justice: wrongs unrighted by human strength will be addressed by divine power (Psalm 18:12-14). Living Today under the Same Sovereignty • Trust His control when events feel out of control. • Submit plans to the One who can reroute weather—He can reroute lives. • Celebrate covenant faithfulness at every answered promise, large or small. |
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