Job 37:19

19 Teach us what we should tell him, for the darkness keeps us from organizing our case.

Job 37:19 Meaning and Commentary

Job 37:19

Teach us what we shall say unto him
To this wonder working God, of whose common works of nature we know so little; how we should reason with him about his works of Providence, when we know so little of these:

[for] we cannot order [our speech] by reason of darkness;
by reason of darkness in themselves, which is in all men naturally, and even in the saints in this state of imperfection; and by reason of the clouds and darkness which are about the Lord himself, who is incomprehensible in his nature and perfections; and by reason of the darkness cast about his providential dealings with men, so that they are unsearchable and past finding out; and the best of men are at a loss how to order their speech, or discourse with God concerning these things.

Job 37:19 In-Context

17 "You, sweltering in your clothing as the earth lies still under a sultry south wind,
18 can you, with him, spread out the sky, hard as a cast metal mirror?
19 Teach us what we should tell him, for the darkness keeps us from organizing our case.
20 Is he to be told that I will speak? Can a man speak at all when he is already swallowed up?
21 Now people don't see the light, which is bright in the sky; but then the wind blows and clears [the clouds] away.
Complete Jewish Bible Copyright 1998 by David H. Stern. Published by Jewish New Testament Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.