Job 37

1 A esto también se espanta mi corazón, y salta de su lugar.

2 Oíd atentamente su voz terrible, y la palabra que sale de su boca.

3 Debajo de todos los cielos lo enderezará, y su luz se extenderá hasta los fines de la tierra.

4 Tras de él bramará el sonido, tronará su valiente voz, y aunque sea oída su voz, no los detiene.

5 Tronará Dios maravillosamente con su voz; él hace grandes cosas, y nosotros no lo entendemos.

6 Porque a la nieve dice: Sé en la tierra; lluvia tras lluvia, y lluvia tras lluvia en su fortaleza.

7 Con la vehemencia de la lluvia encierra a todo hombre; para que todos los hombres conozcan su voz.

8 La bestia se entrará en su escondrijo, y habitará en sus moradas.

9 Del mediodía viene el torbellino, y de los vientos del norte el frío.

10 Por el soplo de Dios se da el hielo, y las anchas aguas son constreñidas.

11 Además de esto con la claridad fatiga las nubes, y las esparce con su luz.

12 Y ellas se revuelven en derredor por sus designios, para hacer sobre la faz del mundo, en la tierra, lo que él les mandó.

13 Unas veces por azote, otras por causa de su tierra, otras por misericordia las hará aparecer.

14 Escucha esto, Job: Repósate, y considera las maravillas de Dios.

15 ¿Supiste tú por ventura, cuando Dios las ponía en concierto, y hacía levantar la luz de su nube?

16 ¿Has conocido tú por ventura las diferencias de las nubes, las maravillas del Perfecto en sabiduría?

17 ¿Y eran calientes tus vestidos cuando él daba el reposo a la tierra del mediodía?

18 ¿Extendiste tú por ventura con él los cielos firmes como un espejo firme?

19 Muéstranos, qué le hemos de decir; para que no hablemos disparates.

20 ¿Por ventura cuando yo hablare le será contado? ¿Cuando alguno se anegare le será dicho?

21 También alguna vez no se ve la luz clara en los cielos, y pasa un viento y los limpia.

22 De la parte del norte vendrá la serenidad por el Dios terrible de alabanza.

23 El es Todopoderoso, al cual no alcanzamos; grande en potencia, y en juicio, y en multitud de justicia no aflige.

24 Por tanto los hombres lo temerán; todos los sabios de corazón no lo verán.

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.