Job 37:11-21

11 The thick cloud is weighted with thunder-flame, and the cloud sends out its light;

12 And it goes this way and that, round about, turning itself by his guiding, to do whatever he gives orders to be done, on the face of his world of men,

13 For a rod, or for a curse, or for mercy, causing it to come on the mark.

14 Give ear to this, O Job, and keep quiet in your place; and take note of the wonders worked by God.

15 Have you knowledge of God's ordering of his works, how he makes the light of his cloud to be seen?

16 Have you knowledge of the balancings of the clouds, the wonders of him who has all wisdom?

17 You, whose clothing is warm, when the earth is quiet because of the south wind,

18 Will you, with him, make the skies smooth, and strong as a polished looking-glass?

19 Make clear to me what we are to say to him; we are unable to put our cause before him, because of the dark.

20 How may he have knowledge of my desire for talk with him? or did any man ever say, May destruction come on me?

21 And now the light is not seen, for it is dark because of the clouds; but a wind comes, clearing them away.

Job 37:11-21 Meaning and Commentary

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.