Tropical Depression FIVE was upgraded to a tropical storm and given the name Ernesto. The name has several similar meanings, but most indicate serious. It is said that Ernesto is an Italian or Spanish form of the Latin word Ernestus and defined as serious "business," or a battle (to the death), which is serious business.

The name also seems to have an earlier form in the Old Germanic dialect and pronouncedErnust, from the old Germanic vocabulary word eornost. From what I have found, all of these various forms indicate a matter of seriousness.

I find it of no coincidence that this storm first developed the day that Secretary of State Leon Panetta was meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem about existential security threats faced by the Jewish state. The message signaled by the Obama administration appears to be one exerting more pressure upon Israel to stand back and let the US determine the best time to act against Israel's existential threats.  Only time will tell.

Historically speaking, storms of this type deserve a heightened level of seriousness, especially when one looks at the historical relationship between cursing Israel and the judgments that have often followed upon the USA in the form of whirlwinds or s' arah (she-aw-raw'), Hebrew for hurricanes.

The LORD is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked: the LORD hath His way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of His feet. Nahum 1:3

Let us be earnest in prayer about the situation unfolding in and around Israel. The LORD has a plan and HIS plan will be carried out.

God bless, daniel