Job 36:26 - 38:1

Cross-references For Better Understanding a Related Topics b Additional Materials c

Summary

• God's greatness is displayed in the thunderstorm.

• In this specific instance, God speaks in the storm, to Job.

Details and/or Comments

• Job was right in his claim that his misfortunes were not due to any sin he had committed (which his friends were saying was the reason for his losses and suffering). However, in his zeal for defending himself, he lost sight of the goodness and greatness of God, and started demanding an answer from God. Though he might not have understood the significance of this, his demand was a denial of the infinite nature God's goodness, greatness and power - and the need to simply trust him to do what is right. It was the same as saying, "Anything God does must be within the realm of my own limited comprehension of things."

• This passage illustrates a poetic way of describing reality, something factual - namely the greatness of God, and how God reveals himself through creation.

Scripture

Job 36:26 - 38:1

• See: Environmental Displays of God's Power or Presence. Though all creation is revelatory of God, this specific storm went beyond "normal," because God spoke to Job through it.

• See: Creation - Revelatory of God.

Scripture Passage	Comments and Links
Job 36:26 Behold, God is great, and we don't know him. The number of his years is unsearchable.	God's greatness goes beyond our ability to comprehend or know. This theme can be seen throughout this whole passage. "The number of his years" - Age was associated with greatness, wisdom, etc. God's Greatness Age
Job 36:27 For he draws up the drops of water, which distill in rain from his vapor, Job 36:28 Which the skies pour down and which drop on man abundantly.	Condensation is referred to, in this passage (v. 27). Rain
Job 36:29 Yes, can any understand the spreading of the clouds, and the thunderings of his pavilion? Job 36:30 Behold, he spreads his light around him. He covers the bottom of the sea. Job 36:31 For by these he judges the people. He gives food in abundance.	Clouds God uses these things, both to judge and to bless. Providence
Job 36:32 He covers his hands with the lightning, and commands it to strike the mark. Job 36:33 Its noise tells about him, and the livestock also concerning the storm that comes up.	Lightning
Job 37:1 "Yes, at this my heart trembles, and is moved out of its place. Job 37:2 Hear, oh, hear the noise of his voice, the sound that goes out of his mouth. Job 37:3 He sends it forth under the whole sky, and his lightning to the ends of the earth. Job 37:4 After it a voice roars. He thunders with the voice of his majesty. He doesn't hold back anything when his voice is heard.	Thunder
Job 37:5 God thunders marvelously with his voice. He does great things, which we can't comprehend. Job 37:6 For he says to the snow, 'Fall on the earth;' likewise to the shower of rain, and to the showers of his mighty rain. Job 37:7 He seals up the hand of every man, that all men whom he has made may know it. Job 37:8 Then the animals take cover, and remain in their dens. Job 37:9 Out of its chamber comes the storm, and cold out of the north. Job 37:10 By the breath of God, ice is given, and the breadth of the waters is frozen.	The power of God, seen in the weather. This display of power (the weather) influences the activities of both humans and animals. The way he providentially accomplishes these things is beyond our understanding (even though we may understand - through science - some of the technical details related to it). This section focuses more on the effects of cold weather. Wind - The breath of God is pictured as the freezing wind. Snow
Job 37:11 Yes, he loads the thick cloud with moisture. He spreads abroad the cloud of his lightning. Job 37:12 It is turned around by his guidance, that they may do whatever he commands them on the surface of the habitable world, Job 37:13 Whether it is for correction, or for his land, or for loving kindness, that he causes it to come.	Again, God uses the weather to judge and to bless.
Job 37:14 "Listen to this, Job. Stand still, and consider the wondrous works of God. Job 37:15 Do you know how God controls them, and causes the lightning of his cloud to shine? Job 37:16 Do you know the workings of the clouds, the wondrous works of him who is perfect in knowledge? Job 37:17 You whose clothing is warm, when the earth is still by reason of the south wind? Job 37:18 Can you, with him, spread out the sky, which is strong as a cast metal mirror?	Look at God's wonders! Can you do anything like that? Two scenarios are described: (A) Can you spread out the clouds (with the lightning, etc.)? (Implied from previous verses: All you can do is stop what you're doing and take shelter! And when it's snow, you're shivering cold.) (B) Can you spread out the cloudless sky (with the blazing sun, etc.)? All you can do is helplessly swelter in the heat! Providence - how God does these things.
Job 37:19 Teach us what we shall tell him, for we can't make our case by reason of darkness. Job 37:20 Shall it be told him that I would speak? Or should a man wish that he were swallowed up?	We should let him speak, and ourselves keep silent and learn! "Darkness" - not only because of sin (and its influences), but because we are finite creatures (and God is the infinite Creator). Creator-Creature Distinction The Need for Humility - learned through creation, if we are willing to listen (v. 14)!
Job 37:21 Now men don't see [gaze on?] the light which is bright in the skies, but the wind passes, and clears them [the skies].	A transition is occurring. It is becoming evident that God himself is about to speak. It's time to get ready! The wind blows the clouds away; the sun (which is now symbolizing God) becomes visible. The focus here is either: (A) You can't see the light, until the clouds are gone. (To Job, God seemed to be hidden from his sight.) (B) When God's glory becomes visible (as is about to happen), you don't dare "gaze" upon it! It's too bright!
Job 37:22 Out of the north comes golden splendor. With God is awesome majesty. Job 37:23 We can't reach the Almighty. He is exalted in power. In justice and great righteousness, he will not oppress. Job 37:24 Therefore men revere him. Doesn't he regard those who are wise of heart? [OR: He doesn't have regard for those who are wise in (their own) hearts.]"	"Here comes GOD!!" - surrounded in golden splendor. He is far beyond us; but he is righteous and good! But you better have the right attitude! The Visible Glory of God Omnipotence - He is exalted in power. We need to be wise in heart (Proverbs 16:21), but not "wise in our own eyes" (Proverbs 3:7; 26:12; etc.)! The wording of v. 24 is such that either half of this truth could be the focus. Wisdom
Job 38:1 Then Yahweh answered Job out of the whirlwind, ...	Then God begins to speak... (Continued in Job 38:1-38.) Wind Everything Elihu had said previous to this chapter was in preparation for it. And though several issues had to be dealt with (by Elihu), God will focus on the main (ultimate) issue.

Scripture Passages (Only books that have relevance to this study have active links. The others are in italics.) Genesis  •  Exodus  •  Leviticus  •  Numbers  •  Deuteronomy  •  Joshua  •  Judges  •  Ruth  •  1 Samuel  •  2 Samuel  •  1 Kings  •  2 Kings  •  1 Chronicles  •  2 Chronicles  •  Ezra  •  Nehemiah  •  Esther  •  Job  •  Psalms  •  Proverbs  •  Ecclesiastes  •  Song of Solomon  •  Isaiah  •  Jeremiah  •  Lamentations  •  Ezekiel  •  Daniel  •  Hosea  •  Joel  •  Amos  •  Obadiah  •  Jonah  •  Micah  •  Nahum  •  Habakkuk  •  Zephaniah  •  Haggai  •  Zechariah  •  Malachi Matthew  •  Mark  •  Luke  •  John  •  Acts  •  Romans  •  1 Corinthians  •  2 Corinthians  •  Galatians  •  Ephesians  •  Philippians  •  Colossians  •  1 Thessalonians  •  2 Thessalonians  •  1 Timothy  •  2 Timothy  •  Titus  •  Philemon  •  Hebrews  •  James  •  1 Peter  •  2 Peter  •  1 John  •  2 John  •  3 John  •  Jude  •  Revelation

—— To avoid any copyright issues, all Scripture is either from a public domain translation (such as the World English Bible), my own translation, or a combination of these. ——

The name "Yahweh," when present in an Old Testament passage, represents the Hebrew name for the God of the Bible.

Unless otherwise noted, all notes and comments are © by Dennis Hinks.