Online Resource Library
Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadJohn Trapp Complete Commentary - Job 37:3 - 37:3
(Show All Books | Show All Chapters)
This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
Job_37:3 He directeth it under the whole heaven, and his lightning unto the ends of the earth.
Ver. 3. He directeth it under the whole heaven] Heb. He maketh it to go right forward, meaning the thunder, the vehement noise or sound whereof (not altogether unlike that of cloth violently torn, or of air thrust out of bellows, or of a chestnut burst in the fire, but far louder) is brought through the air to our ears with such a mighty force, that it drowns all noises, clappings, clatterings, roarings even of many waters; making the earth to shake again, and all things tremble, non secus quam siquis currum onustum per plateam lapidibus stratum ducat (Lavat.). And this dreadful noise is by God directed to this or that place under the heavens, at his pleasure. The word rendered directeth signifieth also beholdeth; whence some interpret this text of God’s seeing all things under heaven. But the former sense is better.
And his lightning unto the ends of the earth] God commands the lightning to cleave the clouds, and to scatter its flames through the world. Lightning is the brightness of a shining flame, running through the whole air in a moment, rising of a small and thin exhalation kindled in a cloud. See Psa_18:13. The natural end and effect of thunder and lightning is to clear the air, by wasting poisonous vapours. The supernatural is, to show God’s excellent majesty and might, which the mightiest must acknowledge, Psa_29:1-2; to be his officers about him to make room for him, Psa_97:1; Psa_97:4, to execute his wrath upon his enemies, Exo_9:23; Exo_9:27 Psa_77:18-19 1Sa_2:10 Isa_29:6, and his mercy toward his people for the humbling of them, 1Sa_12:18-20, &c., raising them again to an assured confidence, Psa_29:11, &c. But that God can shoot these arrows of his so far, Mat_24:27 Psa_77:18; Psa_97:3-4, and here; yea, and that at the same time when it rains, when one would think that the one should quench the other, Psa_135:7; this is a just wonder, and Jeremiah urgeth it twice as such, Jer_10:13; Jer_51:16.