By Marney Blom
After three days of snow, Israel’s capital remained closed for business.
The excessive accumulation of frozen precipitation was an anomaly for the region – an event like this has not been recorded in over a century. It closed bus transportation, schools, businesses and even grocery stores, thereby putting a squeeze on already diminishing supplies. Armoured vehicles were called into the capital to rescue families caught in a storm that had pummeled Jerusalem with high winds and more than 15 inches of snow creating slick roads and power shortages. More than 30,000 people were left without heat and electricity. Long-term residents of the the Holy City have not seen the likes of it. The strangeness of it all stirred my prophetic musings.
What is now being termed an “historic” storm, presented numerous challenges to its Mediterranean-acclimatized population. But to some, like myself ones who have grown up in a “winter” country, the Israeli response to the snow crisis was fascinating and even amusing.
There was the issue of snow removal. Not once did I see a shovel! Not even sure if one can purchase shovels other than the regular garden variety at a garden centre, which are few and far between, and like most everything, closed. The truth is most Jerusalemites aren’t interested in storing shovels in their closets. Few have gardens or driveways, let alone thoughts of snow!
Then I discovered the Israeli snow ploughing machine. One rumbled past me the first day of the storm. I could not help but stop and stare in amazement as it scraped the pavement. Wait a minute, that’s not a snowplough. That’s a backhoe with a front-end dirt-digger, I observed. As I positioned myself to take a picture the driver politely stopped, opened his door and smiled for the camera. His sudden celebrity status was as charming as the appearance of his inner cabby, ornately decorated for … Christmas!
But wait, it gets even more interesting. The ground keepers of the Western Wall ditched shovels and snowploughs altogether. They had a better idea. Remove the 12-plus inches of snow on the Kotel – the plaza in front of the Western Wall – with water! To my disbelief, I witnessed a member of the Western Wall maintenance crew slinging a firehose over his shoulder spraying the ground. Has he not been informed that water freezes into ice? With all due respect for his sincere efforts to clear the snow, I’m not convinced a “Western Wall Ice Rink” would be a welcomed attraction to Judaism’s holiest religious site.
I say send in the Canadians to teach the Israelis snow removal. What this place needs is a Zamboni!
And may I describe Israeli snow-gear. No need for expensive winter boots when plastic bags with duct tape worn over walking shoes is all one needs. So catchy was the idea, I noticed an entire Chinese tour group sloshing around the Kotel unknowingly advertising the name of the hotel boldly printed on the plastic bags worn over their shoes and taped to their ankles. A little slippery, but wonderfully accessible and disposable.
In spite of the inconveniences, Israelis have discovered that snow can be fun. Scores of creative, fun, whimsical, entertaining snowpeople could be found everywhere. Never could I have imagined facing the Western Wall next to a snowman sporting a toque, mittens and a beaming smile!
So, is it the beginning of another ice age (to the consternation of global warming proponents)? Or the end of the world as we know it? Or could it be God “speaking” to us?
Here are some prophetic possibilities:
Many quote Isaiah 1:18, “… Though your sins are as scarlet, they will be as white as snow: …” (NAS) suggesting that excessive snow could be a prophetic sign pointing to coming large scale repentance and reconciliation of the people with their God. That would be wonderful. However, another Scripture found in Job 38:22 indicates something more sobering, “Have you seen the storehouses of the snow, or have you seen the storehouses of the hail, which I have reserved for the time of distress, for the day of war and battle?” (NAS). The latter seems to indicate that excessive amounts of snow could be a wake-up call, alerting one to prepare for war.
If one considers all the factors at play in the region and what could actually transpire, a serious conflict in the near future is possible. Several events harken toward a regional war – an Israeli military response to curtail the development of an Iranian nuclear bomb; historically associated with war, a season of four “Blood Moons” beginning at Passover 2014; and concern that a USA-mediated peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinian Authority slated for completion in April 2014 could incite a wave of terrorism.
Even regarding the peace talks, the storm was a challenge. Due to the snow, discussions between Secretary of State John Kerry and Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu on December 12th were postponed. They resumed the next day after Kerry was rescued from a vehicle stuck in snow for hours en route to Jerusalem from his meeting with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah.
All things considered, shutting down a city is an effective way of getting attention. It’s a powerful reminder of who ultimately is in charge. The chaos and beauty released when the God of Israel opens His “storehouse” of snow highlights our vulnerability and dependancy on Him. And if a regional war is indeed coming, it could be a prophetic sign and a timely wake-up call to prepare.
Marney Blom is news director for the Acts News Network.
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