Job 37 could be outlined –
Elihu observes the power of God. (Job 37:1-13)
Can Job explain the works of nature? (Job 37:14-20)
God is great and is to be feared. (Job 37:21-24)
Elihu continues his discourse. It is good for us to remember that in the original writings – there were no chapter divisions or marked verses. The discourse was viewed as a whole. Elihu will continue to look at God through the things He has made.
1 "At this also my heart trembles, And leaps from its place. 2 Hear attentively the thunder of His voice, And the rumbling that comes from His mouth. 3 He sends it forth under the whole heaven, His lightning to the ends of the earth. 4 After it a voice roars; He thunders with His majestic voice, And He does not restrain them when His voice is heard. 5 God thunders marvelously with His voice; He does great things which we cannot comprehend. 6 For He says to the snow, ’Fall on the earth’; Likewise to the gentle rain and the heavy rain of His strength. 7 He seals the hand of every man, That all men may know His work. 8 The beasts go into dens, And remain in their lairs. 9 From the chamber of the south comes the whirlwind, And cold from the scattering winds of the north. 10 By the breath of God ice is given, And the broad waters are frozen. 11 Also with moisture He saturates the thick clouds; He scatters His bright clouds. 12 And they swirl about, being turned by His guidance, That they may do whatever He commands them On the face of the whole earth. 13 He causes it to come, Whether for correction, Or for His land, Or for mercy. Job 37:1-13 (NKJV)
ELIHU OBSERVES THE POWER OF GOD
In chapter thirty six Elihu has just spoken about the thunder and lighting and how they are a work of God’s creation – then he tells us in verse one: “That at these things – my heart trembles and skips a beat.”
In verse two Elihu tells Job to listen attentively to the thunder and feeling the rumbling of the ground when it happens. This is an act of God – and through it – He speaks. All of creation speaks of God’s glory. If we look closely we can see Him in all that He has created:
“By taking a long and thoughtful look at what God has created, people have always been able to see what their eyes as such can’t see: eternal power, for instance, and the mystery of his divine being. So nobody has a good excuse.” Romans 1:20 (MSG)
Here is a list that Elihu tells us to observe:
1. Hear God’s thunder.
2. Feel the rumble of the thunder – how it shakes the earth...
3. Look at the lighting that reaches to the ends of the earth.
4. Look at the snow that God allows to fall on the earth.
5. Look at the rain – both gentle and heavy – God sends them at His own choosing.
6. Look at how God freezes (seals) the water in its place.
7. Look at how God has filled the clouds with water.
8. Look at how the clouds are directed by the hand to God – to go where He chooses.
God sends the clouds both for correction and for mercy. God is able to take that which we consider to be bad and turn it into an act of good. The cross of Christ is the greatest example of this fact. For by His stripes we are healed. By His death – we are given life. It is only by the storms of life – that gardens will grow. There are gentle rains and there are heavy torrents. Both of these have there purpose. Remember that ALL things will work together for our good – to those who love God – to those who are called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28) God allows both good and bad to come to us to help shape our lives. He is more concerned with our character than He is our comfort. In creation we can see the same principle applied. It is both the (what we would consider) good weather and the bad weather that has caused the earth to be what it is – the heat of summer and cold of winter – all have their purposes.
14 "Listen to this, O Job; Stand still and consider the wondrous works of God. 15 Do you know when God dispatches them, And causes the light of His cloud to shine? 16 Do you know how the clouds are balanced, Those wondrous works of Him who is perfect in knowledge? 17 Why are your garments hot, When He quiets the earth by the south wind? 18 With Him, have you spread out the skies, Strong as a cast metal mirror? 19 "Teach us what we should say to Him, For we can prepare nothing because of the darkness. 20 Should He be told that I wish to speak? If a man were to speak, surely he would be swallowed up. Job 37:14-20 (NKJV)
CAN JOB EXPLAIN THE WORKS OF NATURE?
In verse fourteen Elihu call on Job to pay special attention to what he is about to say. He asks Job is “stand still” and consider the works of God. Good advice! In this busy world there is not much effort made by many of us to “stand still”. One of the products of our lives is a full schedule. Perhaps we feel important because our calendars are full. We all could use some “stand still” time to “consider the wondrous works of God”.
Here again Elihu asks Job a series of questions:
1. Do you know when God sends forth His clouds?
2. Do you know the schedule of when God causes lighting to come from His clouds?
3. Do you know the difference in clouds and their nature?
4. Do you know how each one fits into His perfect plan?
5. Do you know why your clothes turn hot on a hot day?
6. Were you with Him when He spread out the skies?
In verse nineteen Elihu says: “Job, since you have so much knowledge – teach us what to say to Him – for we can say nothing because we are still in darkness. We have limited understanding.”
In verse twenty Elihu says: “Who am I to speak with God? I have limited knowledge and understanding. If I were to speak – I would be swallowed up.”
Who is man that God is mindful of him? Who is man that he thinks he can debate with God. When we think of the greatness of God – who could stand in His presence? Who can see the face of God and survive? Only by the grace of God are we allowed to stand in His presence. It is only by God’s invitation that any of us can walk into His presence:
"Come now, and let us reason together," Says the Lord, "Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool. Isaiah 1:18 (NKJV)
21 Even now men cannot look at the light when it is bright in the skies, When the wind has passed and cleared them. 22 He comes from the north as golden splendor; With God is awesome majesty. 23 As for the Almighty, we cannot find Him; He is excellent in power, In judgment and abundant justice; He does not oppress. 24 Therefore men fear Him; He shows no partiality to any who are wise of heart." Job 37:21-24 (NKJV)
GOD IS GREAT AND TO BE FEARED
There are things that man can not look at. One of them is the brightness of the sun on a clear day. The holiness of God is another. The Bible tells us that:
“No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him.” John 1:18 (NKJV)
The holiness of God – just like the glory of God is above our comprehension. We live in a fallen world where everything has been affected by sin. It is bent – twisted – impure. But that is the world in which we live. God does not and can not exist in impurity. He is pure light in which there is no darkness or shadow:
“This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.” 1 John 1:5 (NKJV)
Who can look at the purity – holiness – glory of God and survive?
In verse twenty two and twenty three Elihu observes six things:
1. God comes with golden splendor.
2. God is awesome in His majesty.
3. God is excellent in power.
4. God is just in His justice.
5. God does not oppress.
6. We cannot find Him.
In verse twenty four Elihu begins with the word “therefore” – in other words – because of what I have just said – “men should fear Him”. Even though man was made into the image of God – God is different than us. He is holy. He is pure. He is righteous. He is so holy, pure and righteous it is beyond our comprehension. We should fear Him. Isaiah saw the Lord and here is what he wrote:
“In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple. Above it stood seraphim; each one had six wings: with two he covered his face, with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one cried to another and said: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; The whole earth is full of His glory!" And the posts of the door were shaken by the voice of him who cried out, and the house was filled with smoke. So I said: "Woe is me, for I am undone! Because I am a man of unclean lips, And I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; For my eyes have seen the King, The Lord of hosts." Isaiah 6:1-5 (NKJV)
We also live in the mist of a people with unclean lips – but they also have unclean hearts and lives. Many of the things that we allow as normal – God would never allow in His presence. Therefore – “men should fear the Lord”.
Job does not answer Elihu’s discourse. The next to speak is God Himself.
