Job 38:10-20

10 Then I made a playpen for it, a strong playpen so it couldn't run loose,

11 And said, 'Stay here, this is your place. Your wild tantrums are confined to this place.'

12 "And have you ever ordered Morning, 'Get up!' told Dawn, 'Get to work!'

13 So you could seize Earth like a blanket and shake out the wicked like cockroaches?

14 As the sun brings everything to light, brings out all the colors and shapes,

15 The cover of darkness is snatched from the wicked - they're caught in the very act!

16 "Have you ever gotten to the true bottom of things, explored the labyrinthine caves of deep ocean?

17 Do you know the first thing about death? Do you have one clue regarding death's dark mysteries?

18 And do you have any idea how large this earth is? Speak up if you have even the beginning of an answer.

19 "Do you know where Light comes from and where Darkness lives

20 So you can take them by the hand and lead them home when they get lost?

Job 38:10-20 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO JOB 38

In this chapter the Lord takes up the controversy with Job; calls upon him to prepare to engage with him in it, and demands an answer to posing questions he puts to him, concerning the earth and the fabric of it, Job 38:1-7; concerning the sea, compared to an infant in embryo, at its birth, in its swaddling bands and cradle, Job 38:8-11; concerning the morning light, its spread and influence, Job 38:12-15; concerning the springs of the sea, the dark parts of the earth, the place both of light and darkness, Job 38:16-21; concerning the various meteors, snow, hail, rain, thunder, lightning, and the influences of the stars, Job 38:22-38; and concerning provision for lions and ravens, Job 38:40,41.