Job 36:25-33

25 Everyone has seen these things, though only from a distance.

26 “Look, God is greater than we can understand. His years cannot be counted.

27 He draws up the water vapor and then distills it into rain.

28 The rain pours down from the clouds, and everyone benefits.

29 Who can understand the spreading of the clouds and the thunder that rolls forth from heaven?

30 See how he spreads the lightning around him and how it lights up the depths of the sea.

31 By these mighty acts he nourishes the people, giving them food in abundance.

32 He fills his hands with lightning bolts and hurls each at its target.

33 The thunder announces his presence; the storm announces his indignant anger.

Job 36:25-33 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.

Footnotes

• [a]. Or he governs.
• [b]. Or even the cattle know when a storm is coming. The meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain.