Hail

Hail is mentioned 36 times in the Bible.  The majority (16x) are recorded in the book of Exodus.  Thirty-one times hail is used as an instrument of God’s anger and judgment.  We see this particularly evident when God devastated Egypt with hail as one of the ten plagues to force Pharaoh to release the Israelites from captivity.  Forty some years later, God used hail to wipe out the armies of five Amorite kings who attacked Israel.

​Meditation
Joshua 10:11--As they fled before Israel, the Lord threw large hailstones on them from the sky along the descent of Beth-horon all the way to Azekah, and they died. More of them died from the hail than the Israelites killed with the sword.
 
Hail has multiple meanings—falling ice, a greeting, a link to a place. The only mention of hail in the Gospels is the three times in Matthew, Mark and John we read of the Roman soldiers placing a crown of thorns on Jesus’ head, kneeling before Him and proclaiming—“Hail, King of the Jews!”  Their mocking greeting was eerily prophetic.  Little did they know that one day yet to come the Son’s Father will pour out His anger using hail as one of many plagues to punish those who scorn Him. “Enormous hailstones, each weighing about 100 pounds, fell from the sky on people, and they blasphemed God for the plague of hail because that plague was extremely severe” (Revelation 16:21). It seems that throwing ice is reserved by the King of Kings for special delivery upon those who pridefully refuse to comply with His will.      
 
It is hailing today in Colorado—not an uncommon event at this time of year at the base of the Rocky Mountains.  When Kathleen, two grandchildren, and I went shopping at ten in the morning, the sky was fairly clear and it looked to be a beautiful day. Less than four hours later, as we watched from inside our home, hail pelted the earth—a good reminder of why it is especially important to observe the weather so as not to be caught in a deluge.   
           
If the rainbow is a praise prompter, hail is a notice to pray.  Lord, there are still so many who mock and hold You with contempt.  Penetrate their hard hearts with Your love.  Let them see with understanding and worship the Maker of storms and never have to know the Hurler of hail.  
 
Inspiration
That moment when this small but heavy ball hit my head . . . That moment when my head started bleeding . . . That moment when I was screaming out of pain . . . That was the moment when I remembered you, My Lord . . . And I realized how weak I’m . . . Yet I always thought myself to be the strongest . . .—Binte Iqbal
 
©2019 Daniel York  ARR. Reveration is the weekly devotional ministry of First Cause.  If you would like to receive these devotionals go to www.firstcause.org and click on the “Click here to receive weekly devotionals” box.  Unlimited permission to copy this devotional without altering text or profiteering is allowed subject to inclusion of this copyright notice.      
 
Ecclesiastes 12:10-The Teacher sought to find delightful sayings and to accurately write words of truth.  (Holman CSB)