Job 37

1 Ante esto también tiembla mi corazón, y salta de su lugar.

2 Escuchad atentamente el estruendo de su voz, y el rugido que sale de su boca.

3 Bajo todos los cielos lo suelta, y su relámpago hasta los confines de la tierra.

4 Tras él, ruge una voz; truena El con su majestuosa voz, y no retiene los relámpagos mientras se oye su voz.

5 Maravillosamente truena Dios con su voz, haciendo grandes cosas que no comprendemos.

6 Porque a la nieve dice: "Cae sobre la tierra", y al aguacero y a la lluvia: "Sed fuertes."

7 El sella la mano de todo hombre, para que todos conozcan su obra.

8 La fiera entra en su guarida, y permanece en su madriguera.

9 Del sur viene el torbellino, y del norte el frío.

10 Del soplo de Dios se forma el hielo, y se congela la extensión de las aguas.

11 También El carga de humedad la densa nube, y esparce la nube con su relámpago;

12 aquélla gira y da vueltas por su sabia dirección, para hacer todo lo que El le ordena sobre la faz de toda la tierra.

13 Ya sea por corrección, o por el mundo suyo, o por misericordia, El hace que suceda.

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

15 ¿Sabes tú cómo Dios las establece, y hace resplandecer el relámpago de su nube?

16 ¿Sabes tú la posición de las densas nubes, maravillas del perfecto en conocimiento,

17 tú, cuyos vestidos están calientes cuando la tierra está en calma a causa del viento del sur?

18 ¿Puedes con El extender el firmamento, fuerte como espejo de metal fundido?

19 Enséñanos qué le hemos de decir a Dios; no podemos ordenar nuestro argumento a causa de las tinieblas.

20 ¿Habrá que contarle que yo quiero hablar? ¿O debe un hombre decir que quiere ser tragado?

21 Ahora los hombres no ven la luz que brilla en el firmamento; pero pasa el viento y lo despeja.

22 Del norte viene dorado esplendor: majestad impresionante alrededor de Dios.

23 Es el Todopoderoso; no le podemos alcanzar; El es grande en poder, y no pervertirá el juicio ni la abundante justicia.

24 Por eso le temen los hombres; El no estima a ninguno que se cree sabio de corazón.

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.