Snow-Bound

In 1866, American poet, John Greenleaf Whittier, wrote a lengthy poem entitled “Snow-Bound.” I’m not sure if this is taught in school anymore, but I remember studying about it during my high school days. Whittier was born in Massachusetts and died in New Hampshire so I’m guessing he was well acquainted with snow. Whittier was an important figure in American literature. (As such, he deserves much more serious treatment than this, but forgive me for noticing that this man who’s most famous work may well be the poem “Snow-Bound” has for his middle name, Greenleaf.)

Snow-Bound, as the title suggests, tells the story of young Whittier, during a winter storm. He describes the weather, from start to finish, of the storm which went on for two days and at the end of those two days had everything covered with snow to the extent there was nothing to be seen but white snow and sky. It was apparently up to the windows of the house his farm family lived in. He speaks of being told by his father to shovel a pathway to the barn, which he was happy to do, because in his boyish imagination, he saw it as a tunnel which he couldn’t see over.

The poem describes the first day the family experienced after the snow stopped; feeding the animals, gathering wood for the fire, and such. Then they stayed in the house for days because nobody was going anywhere. He recounts all the people that were in the house; his parents, sisters, one of whom apparently had died earlier but was thought of and remembered by all, a couple of visitors who must have been caught in the storm. All of these people have a history and tales to tell as they all sit around passing the time with the inability to actually do anything.

Days later someone comes clearing the road with a team of oxen. Everybody joins in to help as needed. In a few days they even receive a copy of the paper from the nearby town and reconnect with the outside world. I found it to be an interesting story/poem, but if you don’t like poetry it may seem interminable to you, something like being snow-bound probably felt to his family.

I find it interesting to compare the plight of this 1860’s New England family to 2026’s southern family. We live in an era in which many think we can control the weather on a global scale by just changing a few habits. When Whittier’s family experienced their snow-bound experience, it was not possible to predict that a a storm was coming, let alone how much snow there would likely be and how long it would last. Surprise! Yet they managed just fine. We, who have all this information available, on the other hand, are so beholden to modern conveniences that when the electricity goes off, and the roads are iced over and impassable we become unable to function, maybe unable to stay warm.

In our ignorance and inability to cope well, many remain proud and arrogant. As though they were God, they claim we can make the global weather what we want it to be. Only we don’t, because we are not who we think we are. God’s word tells us in Psalm 19:1-3 “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork. Day unto day utters speech, and might unto night reveals knowledge. There is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard.” In Romans 1:20-22, Paul takes this thought a little farther, writing, “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so they are without excuse, because although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God nor were they thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools.”

God must see at least some of us as arrogant little twerps. He says through Isaiah in Isaiah 55:8-9, “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways, for as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways, higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.” There are those who understand this and willingly bow in submission to the God of the universe, and wouldn’t dream of claiming to know what He knows or that they can change the earth’s weather and climate, or any number of other claims that some men make.

Job was a man who doesn’t seem as proud and arrogant as one making claims to be able to do things that remain in God’s realm, things that are far removed from our ability to control. Yet in God’s mind he crossed the line asking questions and demanding to discuss his situation with God. He got his wish. In Job 38 - 42, God meets Job and takes Job up on his challenge to have a discussion with God. It did not go well for Job.

God’s first statement to Job was, “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?” Stunning. In Job 38:23, God actually asks Job, “Have you entered the treasury of snow? Or have you seen the treasury of hail?” God has control over weather in a way that mankind cannot begin to imagine. And in verse 34, God asks, “Can you lift up your voice to the clouds that an abundance of water may cover you? Can you send out lightnings that they may go, and say to you, ‘Here we are?’”

Our lesson is that we serve a God whose power we cannot comprehend. Whose ways we cannot comprehend. Whose thoughts we cannot comprehend. He is that far above us. He could toy with us like a boy might blow an ant from its chosen path with a leaf blower time after time after time as the ant tries to go in the direction of its goal. God could do similar to us.

But He doesn’t. Instead, He gave His Son for us as a sacrifice for our imperfect lives. He is a God who is more interested in demonstrating His love than exhibiting His power. He offers us love that we cannot comprehend and a reward we could never deserve. And He is willing to consider us as His children. This is the God who is the ruler and creator of the universe, and he loves us. We also cannot comprehend how blessed we are to be so loved by The One who actually can control the weather.