Job 36:22-32

22 "Do you have any idea how powerful God is? Have you ever heard of a teacher like him?
23 Has anyone ever had to tell him what to do, or correct him, saying, 'You did that all wrong!'?
24 Remember, then, to praise his workmanship, which is so often celebrated in song.
25 Everybody sees it; nobody is too far away to see it. No One Can Escape from God
26 "Take a long, hard look. See how great he is - infinite, greater than anything you could ever imagine or figure out!
27 "He pulls water up out of the sea, distills it, and fills up his rain-cloud cisterns.
28 Then the skies open up and pour out soaking showers on everyone.
29 Does anyone have the slightest idea how this happens? How he arranges the clouds, how he speaks in thunder?
30 Just look at that lightning, his sky-filling light show illumining the dark depths of the sea!
31 These are the symbols of his sovereignty, his generosity, his loving care.
32 He hurls arrows of light, taking sure and accurate aim.

Job 36:22-32 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO JOB 36

This chapter, with the following, contains Elihu's fourth and last discourse, the principal view of which is to vindicate the righteousness of God; which is done by observing the dealings of God with men in his providence, according to their different characters, and from the wonderful works wrought by him in a sovereign manner, and for the benefit of his creatures. This chapter is introduced with a preface, the design of which is to gain attention, Job 36:1-4; the different dealings of God with men are observed, and the different issue of them, and the different ends answered thereby, Job 36:5-15; and it is suggested to Job, that had he attended to the design of the providence he was under, and had submitted to it patiently, things would have been otherwise with him; and therefore Elihu proceeds to give him some advice, which, if taken, would be for his own good, and the glory of God, Job 36:16-25; and closes the chapter by observing the unsearchable greatness of God, as appears by the works of nature wrought by him, Job 36:26-33.

Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.