Job 37

1 At this also my heart trembles and is moved out of its place.
2 Hear attentively his terrible voice and the word that goes out of his mouth.
3 He shall place it straight under the whole of the heavens, and his light shall extend unto the ends of the earth.
4 After it shall the sound roar; his valiant voice shall thunder; and he will not stay them even when his voice is heard.
5 God shall thunder marvelously with his voice; he does great things, which we cannot comprehend.
6 For he saith to the snow, Be thou on the earth; rain after rain, and rain after rain in his strength.
7 He seals up the hand of every man that all men may know his work.
8 Then the beast shall go into its lair and inhabit its dwelling.
9 Out of the south comes the whirlwind and cold out of the north wind.
10 By the breath of God ice is given; and the broad waters are constrained.
11 In addition to this, with clarity he wearies the thick clouds; and he scatters them with his light.
12 And they are turned round about by his counsels; that they may do whatever he commands them upon the face of the world in the earth.
13 On some occasions for correction, on others for his land, on others for mercy he causes them to appear.
14 Hearken unto this, Job; stand still, and consider the wondrous works of God.
15 Dost thou know when God disposed them and caused the light of his cloud to shine?
16 Dost thou know the balancings of the clouds, the wondrous works of the one who is perfect in knowledge?
17 How thy garments are warm, when he quiets the earth by the south wind?
18 Hast thou with him spread out the sky, which is strong and as a molten looking glass?
19 Teach us what we should say unto him; for we cannot order our speech by reason of darkness.
20 Shall it be told him when I speak? When someone is swallowed up shall it be told him?
21 Also, sometimes the clear light which is in the heavens is not seen, but the wind passes and cleanses them.
22 Fair weather comes out of the north; with God is terrible majesty.
23 Touching the Almighty, we cannot find him out; he is excellent in power and in judgment, and in plenty of righteousness he will not afflict.
24 Men, therefore, shall fear him; all the crafty of heart shall not see him.

Job 37 Commentary

Chapter 37

Elihu observes the power of God. (1-13) Job required to explain the works of nature. (14-20) God is great, and is to be feared. (21-24)

Verses 1-13 The changes of the weather are the subject of a great deal of our thoughts and common talk; but how seldom do we think and speak of these things, as Elihu, with a regard to God, the director of them! We must notice the glory of God, not only in the thunder and lightning, but in the more common and less awful changes of the weather; as the snow and rain. Nature directs all creatures to shelter themselves from a storm; and shall man only be unprovided with a refuge? Oh that men would listen to the voice of God, who in many ways warns them to flee from the wrath to come; and invites them to accept his salvation, and to be happy. The ill opinion which men entertain of the Divine direction, peculiarly appears in their murmurs about the weather, though the whole result of the year proves the folly of their complaints. Believers should avoid this; no days are bad as God makes them, though we make many bad by our sins.

Verses 14-20 Due thoughts of the works of God will help to reconcile us to all his providences. As God has a powerful, freezing north wind, so he has a thawing, composing south wind: the Spirit is compared to both, because he both convinces and comforts, So. 4:16 . The best of men are much in the dark concerning the glorious perfections of the Divine nature and the Divine government. Those who, through grace, know much of God, know nothing, in comparison with what is to be known, and of what will be known, when that which is perfect is come.

Verses 21-24 Elihu concludes his discourse with some great sayings concerning the glory of God. Light always is, but is not always to be seen. When clouds come between, the sun is darkened in the clear day. The light of God's favour shines ever towards his faithful servants, though it be not always seen. Sins are clouds, and often hinder us from seeing that bright light which is in the face of God. Also, as to those thick clouds of sorrow which often darken our minds, the Lord hath a wind which passes and clears them away. What is that wind? It is his Holy Spirit. As the wind dispels and sweeps away the clouds which are gathered in the air, so the Spirit of God clears our souls from the clouds and fogs of ignorance and unbelief, of sin and lust. From all these clouds the Holy Spirit of God frees us in the work of regeneration. And from all the clouds which trouble our consciences, the Holy Spirit sets us free in the work of consolation. Now that God is about to speak, Elihu delivers a few words, as the sum of all his discourse. With God is terrible majesty. Sooner or later all men shall fear him.

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO JOB 37

Elihu in this chapter proceeds to show the greatness of God as it appears in other of his works of nature, which greatly affected him, and to an attention to which he exhorts others, Job 37:1,2; particularly thunder and lightning, the direction, extent, and order of which he observes, Job 37:3,4; and then suggests that besides these there are other great things done by him, incomprehensible and unknown in various respects; as the snow, and rain, lesser and greater, which come on the earth at his command, and have such effect on men as to seal up their hands, and on the beasts of the field as to cause them to retire to their dens, and there remain, Job 37:5-8; and then he goes on to take notice of wind, and frost, and the clouds, and dispersion of them; their use and ends, whether in judgment or mercy, Job 37:9-13; and then calls on Job to consider these wondrous works of God, and remark how ignorant men are of the disposition of clouds for the rainbow; of the balancing of them; of the heat and quietness that come by the south wind, and of the firmness of the sky, Job 37:14-21; and from all this he concludes the terrible majesty, unsearchable nature of God, the excellency of his power and justice; and that men therefore should and do fear him, who is no respecter of persons, Job 37:21-23.

Job 37 Commentaries

The Jubilee Bible (from the Scriptures of the Reformation), edited by Russell M. Stendal, Copyright © 2000, 2001, 2010