Job Chapter 37

From The Open Bible Project

37:1 "Yes, at this my heart trembles, and is moved out of its place.

• (a) At the marvelling of the thunder and lightnings: by which he declares that the faithful are lively touched with the majesty of God, when they behold his works.

37:2 Hear, oh, hear the noise of his voice, the sound that goes out of his mouth.

• (b) That is the thunder, by which he speaks to men to waken their dullness, and to bring them to the consideration of his works.

37:3 He sends it forth under the whole sky, and his lightning to the ends of the earth.

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.

• (c) Meaning, the rains and thunders.

37:5 God thunders marvelously with his voice. He does great things, which we can't comprehend.

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.

• (d) So that neither small rain nor great, snow nor anything else comes without God's appointment.

37:7 He seals up the hand of every man, that all men whom he has made may know it.

• (e) By rains and thunders God causes men to keep themselves within their houses.

37:8 Then the animals take cover, and remain in their dens.

37:9 Out of its chamber comes the storm, and cold out of the north.

• (f) In Hebrew it is called the scattering wind, because it drives away the clouds and purges the air.

37:10 By the breath of God, ice is given, and the breadth of the waters is frozen.

• (g) That is, frozen up and dried.

37:11 Yes, he loads the thick cloud with moisture. He spreads abroad the cloud of his lightning.

• (h) Gather the vapours and move to and fro to water the earth.
• (i) That is, the cloud that has lightning in it.

37:12 It is turned around by his guidance, that they may do whatever he commands them on the surface of the habitable world,

37:13 Whether it is for correction, or for his land, or for loving kindness, that he causes it to come.

• (k) Rain, cold, heat, tempests and such like are sent from God, either to punish man, or to profit the earth, or to declare his favour toward man, as in (Job 36:31).

37:14 "Listen to this, Job. Stand still, and consider the wondrous works of God.

37:15 Do you know how God controls them, and causes the lightning of his cloud to shine?

• (l) That is, the lightning to break forth in the clouds?

37:16 Do you know the workings of the clouds, the wondrous works of him who is perfect in knowledge?

• (m) Which is sometimes changed into rain, or snow, hail or such like.

37:17 You whose clothing is warm, when the earth is still by reason of the south wind?

• (m) Which is sometimes changed into rain, or snow, hail or such like.

37:18 Can you, with him, spread out the sky, which is strong as a cast metal mirror?

• (o) For the clearness.

37:19 Teach us what we shall tell him, for we can't make our case by reason of darkness.

• (p) That is, our ignorance: signifying that Job was so presumptuous, that he would control the works of God.

37:20 Shall it be told him that I would speak? Or should a man wish that he were swallowed up?

• (q) Has God need that any should tell him when man murmurs against him?

37:21 Now men don't see the light which is bright in the skies, but the wind passes, and clears them.

• (s) The cloud stops the shining of the sun, that man cannot see it till the wind has chased away the cloud: and if man is not able to attain to the knowledge of these things, how much less God�s judgments?

37:22 Out of the north comes golden splendor. With God is awesome majesty.

• (t) In Hebrew, gold, meaning fair weather and clear as gold.

37:23 We can't reach the Almighty. He is exalted in power. In justice and great righteousness, he will not oppress.

• (u) Meaning, without cause.

37:24 Therefore men revere him. He doesn't regard any who are wise of heart."