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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadPaul Kretzmann Commentary - Job 37:14 - 37:24
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Final Admonition Addressed to Job
v. 14. Hearken unto this, O Job: Stand still, spending some time in contemplation of the miracles just set forth by Elihu, and consider the wondrous works of God.
v. 15. Dost thou know when God disposed them, when He thinks about these miracles, when He plans to have them performed, and caused the light of His cloud to shine? Could Job explain the phenomenon of lightning as it flashes forth from the dark mass of clouds?
v. 16. Dost thou know the balancings of the clouds, by what power they are poised and gently float along in the atmosphere, the wondrous works of Him which is perfect in knowledge? Elihu here digresses to set forth another phenomenon, which likewise teaches the wisdom of the Creator.
v. 17. How thy garments are warm when He quieteth the earth by the south wind? It is a direct challenge to Job: Thou, whose clothes become hot when the land becomes sultry from the south, as the torrid heat of summer gradually travels northward!
v. 18. Hast thou with Him spread out the sky, the vault, or firmament, of the clouds and the arch of the sky, which is strong and as a molten looking-glass? The reference being to the polished metal mirrors then in use. The description exactly fits the dazzling brilliance of the Oriental sky in summer.
v. 19. Teach us what we shall say unto Him, how mortal man may argue with the almighty Creator and Preserver of the world; for we cannot order our speech by reason of darkness, man's understanding being incapable of grasping and explaining the miracles of nature.
v. 20. Shall it be told Him that I speak? Elihu here realizes, as it were, in a flash that even his speech is almost presumption in God's sight. If a man speak, surely he shall be swallowed up. The, thought underlying this statement or question is that man courts destruction even in trying to explain adequately the miracles of God.
v. 21. And now men see not the bright light which is in the clouds, the brightness which shines behind the clouds being veiled from the eyes; but the wind passeth and cleanseth them, clearing the sky, dispelling the clouds, so that the brilliance of the heavens is again seen.
v. 22. Fair weather cometh out of the north, literally, "golden brightness," for when the north wind scatters the clouds after a storm, light shines forth in wonderful splendor; with God is terrible majesty, shining from the garment of His glory, which, in the poet's mind, fills the whole sky.
v. 23. Touching the Almighty, we cannot find Him out, man can understand and fathom His essence neither with his senses nor with his mind; He is excellent in power and in judgment and in plenty of justice; He will not afflict, in spite of His incomparable excellence and majesty He is not like a cruel and arbitrary tyrant, He in no wise perverts the ends of justice.
v. 24. Men do therefore fear Him, namely, such as follow true wisdom; He respecteth not any that are wise of heart, He does not deem those worthy of notice who are proud of their own knowledge, wise in their own conceit. All the knowledge which men now have of God is but imperfect. Only when that which is perfect is come, that which is in part shall be done away.