Job 37

This chapter is a continuation from the last chapter.  In the previous chapter, Elihu spoke of the greatness of God and continues into this chapter.  It will become apparent half way through the chapter, why Elihu did this.  Elihu claims to fear the greatness of God in all His majesty.  This is an admonition to Job that he too should revere God as Elihu does.  Job who stood on the higher moral ground of life is being criticized once again.  If one agrees with Elihu that Job deserves what he is receiving, then at least correctly identify Job’s shortcoming and provide substantiated evidence.  This is the failing of Job’s friend, detractors and many throughout the ages.

Job 37:1

¹At this also my heart trembleth, and is moved out of his place.

This statement refers us back to Job 36.  What Elihu is inferring is that although Job may not fear and tremble at the word of God and all His glory, Elihu does.  Once again, Elihu is building a case for his own righteousness.  This will in effect work against Job, in that it strengthens Elihu’s position as the righteous man that speaks with authority.  Or, so one is lead to believe.

Job 37:2-4

²Hear attentively the noise of his voice, and the sound that goeth out of his mouth. ³He directeth it under the whole heaven, and his lightning unto the ends of the earth. ⁴After it a voice roareth: he thundereth with the voice of his excellency; and he will not stay them when his voice is heard. ⁵God thundereth marvellously with his voice; great things doeth he, which we cannot comprehend.

Elihu speaks of the greatness of God’s voice as if he is familiar with it.  Further, he stated how marvellous it is and what great things it does.  But then Elihu stated that one cannot understand His voice.  Elihu is one that puts God far from us.  Elihu speaks of God as one who does not desire a relationship, because one cannot understand.  However, God stated in Deuteronomy 30:11-14.

¹¹For this commandment which I command thee this day, it is not hidden from thee, neither is it far off. ¹²It is not in heaven, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go up for us to heaven, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it? ¹³Neither is it beyond the sea, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go over the sea for us, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it? ¹⁴But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it.

God does not want a distant relationship from His creation.  God prefers that His creation, mankind, would clearly understand what He would have man do.  God is willing to discuss with us as stated in Isaiah 1:18.

¹⁸Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

God is willing to reason with us.  God is not to be a far off and distant entity.  People similar to Elihu put distance between people and God.  Their purpose is ultimately to keep them from God and His truth, so that they become the authority.  Once the people have access to God and his truth, they no longer need people like Elihu telling them what to do.  God stated in Revelation 3:20.

²⁰Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me

God is willing to go quite the distance to have a relationship with mankind.  However, there can be little relationship, unless one is willing to walk in His ways.  Until one lives that sanctified life, there will always be distance between them and God, Habakkuk 1:13a.

^13aThou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity:

It is not that God is unable to look at evil.  It is when God does, evil is burnt up.  God does not fellowship with one, unless they walk that sanctified life.  So many treat God like just another friend they went to school with.  With God that is not possible, He is the creator of all the universe and all that exists within.  One needs to show Him the reverence He deserves.  He wants that relationship, but one has to invite Him in.  Further, it will take something many us do not like to surrender, our time and attention.

Job 37:6-13

⁶For he saith to the snow, Be thou on the earth; likewise to the small rain, and to the great rain of his strength. ⁷He sealeth up the hand of every man; that all men may know his work. ⁸Then the beasts go into dens, and remain in their places. ⁹Out of the south cometh the whirlwind: and cold out of the north. ¹⁰By the breath of God frost is given: and the breadth of the waters is straitened. ¹¹Also by watering he wearieth the thick cloud: he scattereth his bright cloud: ¹²And it is turned round about by his counsels: that they may do whatsoever he commandeth them upon the face of the world in the earth. ¹³He causeth it to come, whether for correction, or for his land, or for mercy.

Elihu speaks of how God controls nature.  God is a force mankind should respect and revere.  He does things that in all our strength we are powerless to do.  On the basis of this, Elihu tells Job in Job 37:14.

¹⁴Hearken unto this, O Job: stand still, and consider the wondrous works of God.

After stating the greatness of God, Elihu tells Job to pause and consider God.  Elihu acts as if Job has not considered God.  As if Job was going through life never considering the wonders of God.  Elihu is making a mockery of Job’s life and everything Job stood for.

Of course Job considered God and his wonders.  That is why God stated in Job 1:8.

⁸And the Lord said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?

Job was a perfect and upright man because he did consider God.  Job’s whole life was a pursuit of God’s righteousness.

Why Elihu stated this, was to influence Job to confess and repent.  Elihu is telling Job that he is small in the eyes of God.

Job 37:15-17

¹⁵Dost thou know when God disposed them, and caused the light of his cloud to shine? ¹⁶Dost thou know the balancings of the clouds, the wondrous works of him which is perfect in knowledge? ¹⁷How thy garments are warm, when he quieteth the earth by the south wind?

Elihu asks Job, what does he know of the ways of God?  Elihu is asking Job, questions few could reasonably answer.  Elihu does not expect Job to answer, Elihu is taunting Job.  Job would be a fool to answer Elihu, it would only entrap Job into Elihu’s web of deceit.  It is not a discussion in which Job could successfully defend himself.  However, shortly, it will become apparent that Job will not have to defend himself.  And when one gets into discussions like this, it is better to be quiet and wait patiently on God to answer.

Job 37:18

¹⁸Hast thou with him spread out the sky, which is strong, and as a molten looking glass?

Elihu is further taunting Job.  We all know the answer to this question, of course Job did not help spread the sky.  Elihu is telling, Job you were not there, you have no right to deny God due reverence.  It is as if Elihu is putting Job in direct opposition to God.  The taunting continues in Job 37:19-20.

¹⁹Teach us what we shall say unto him; for we cannot order our speech by reason of darkness. ²⁰Shall it be told him that I speak? if a man speak, surely he shall be swallowed up.

Elihu is downright vicious at this time.  Job who wanted to talk to God and seek an answer; Elihu is asking Job to teach all present how one should converse with God.  Elihu is effectively stating, since you want to talk to Him so much, you must know better than us how to speak in God’s presence.  Elihu infers that as powerful as God is, what could one say that is of any value.  Elihu is belittling Job as much as he can.  Elihu tells Job that if one speaks, it is miniscule.  Job how could you ever think in the big scheme of things that you have any importance at all.  Elihu is putting God further and further away from man.

Elihu’s final blow to Job comes in Job 37:21-24.

²¹And now men see not the bright light which is in the clouds: but the wind passeth, and cleanseth them. ²²Fair weather cometh out of the north: with God is terrible majesty. ²³Touching the Almighty, we cannot find him out: he is excellent in power, and in judgment, and in plenty of justice: he will not afflict. ²⁴Men do therefore fear him: he respecteth not any that are wise of heart.

Elihu is no longer addressing Job, he is done with Job.  Elihu is addressing the audience.  Elihu speaks of God’s greatness that can be seen in the wind and weather.  As mere mortals, one cannot always see the elements, but can see the effects.  Elihu further stated that one cannot understand God, but know that God is fair and will administer justice.  Elihu stated that God does not respect those that are wise on their own merit.  Those that will not repent and humble themselves before God.  Those that are like Job.  Finally Elihu is done.

Job being the man of wisdom has nothing to say.  Or possibly he was restricted from speaking.  Job is outnumbered, as so many like him before and in the future are outnumbered.  There will always be more of their own wisdom than that of God, more of the flesh than of the spirit.  Yes Job is outnumbered and Elihu has left him no place of escape.  However, it is far from over.

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