Analysis of Job Chapter 37
Job Chapter 37 is a part of Elihu’s discourse, which spans from Job 32 to Job 37. In this particular chapter, Elihu continues his speech on the majesty and power of God, focusing on God’s control over the natural world to emphasize His omnipotence and wisdom. Elihu’s reflections on the phenomena of nature serve as a prelude to God’s own speech in the subsequent chapters. This analysis will delve into the insights and interpretations of the verses, elucidating the deeper meanings and theological implications of Elihu’s words.
Verses 1-4: Elihu’s Awe of God’s Voice
The chapter opens with Elihu expressing his awe of God’s voice:
“At this my heart trembles
and leaps out of its place.
Keep listening to the thunder of his voice
and the rumbling that comes from his mouth.
Under the whole heaven he lets it go,
and his lightning to the corners of the earth.
After it, his voice roars;
he thunders with his majestic voice,
and he does not restrain the lightnings
when his voice is heard.
God thunders wondrously with his voice;
he does great things that we cannot comprehend.”
Here, Elihu is captivated by the thunder, which he perceives as the voice of God. The natural phenomena of thunder and lightning evoke a sense of divine power and majesty. Elihu’s heart is described as trembling, signifying the profound fear and reverence that God’s voice inspires. The thunder and lightning serve as manifestations of God’s unfathomable power and wisdom, extending “under the whole heaven” and to the “corners of the earth.” This imagery underscores God’s omnipresence and His sovereign control over the entire creation.
Verses 5-7: The Incomprehensible Works of God
“God thunders wondrously with his voice;
he does great things that we cannot comprehend.
For to the snow he says, ‘Fall on the earth,’
likewise to the downpour, his mighty downpour.
He seals up the hand of every man,
that all men whom he made may know it.
Then the beasts go into their lairs,
and remain in their dens.”
In these verses, Elihu reflects on various natural occurrences as examples of God’s incomprehensible works. The snow and rain, often viewed as common weather phenomena, are portrayed as being directly commanded by God. This highlights Elihu’s belief in God’s intimate involvement in even the smallest details of the natural world.
Additionally, Elihu mentions that God “seals up the hand of every man,” which can be interpreted in several ways. One interpretation is that adverse weather conditions like heavy snow or rain can halt human activities, thereby compelling people to acknowledge the power of God. This forced cessation of labor serves as a reminder of human limitations and God’s supremacy.
Verses 8-13: The Cycle of Seasons and Weather
“From its chamber comes the whirlwind,
and cold from the scattering winds.
By the breath of God ice is given,
and the broad waters are frozen fast.
He loads the thick cloud with moisture;
the clouds scatter his lightning.
They turn around and around by his guidance,
to accomplish all that he commands them
on the face of the habitable world.
Whether for correction or for his land
or for love, he causes it to happen.”
Elihu continues to describe the various elements of weather as direct actions of God. The “whirlwind” and “scattering winds” indicate the strong winds that accompany weather changes. The “breath of God” metaphorically represents His divine command that brings forth ice and the freezing of waters.
The clouds, laden with moisture and lightning, are under God’s direction, turning “around and around by his guidance.” This repetition emphasizes God’s continual involvement in the natural processes. The idea that these weather phenomena serve purposes—whether for correction (discipline), for benefiting the land (nourishment and fertility), or for love (divine favor)—enhances the understanding of God’s intentional and purposeful control over creation. Elihu’s portrayal insists that every natural phenomenon serves a divine plan, urging human beings to trust in God’s wisdom.
Verses 14-18: An Invitation to Contemplate God’s Works
“Hear this, O Job;
stop and consider the wondrous works of God.
Do you know how God lays his command upon them
and causes the lightning of his cloud to shine?
Do you know the balancings of the clouds,
the wondrous works of him who is perfect in knowledge,
you whose garments are hot
when the earth is still because of the south wind?
Can you, like him, spread out the skies,
hard as a cast metal mirror?”
Elihu addresses Job directly, inviting him to “stop and consider the wondrous works of God.” This call encourages Job to reflect deeply on the majesty and mystery of the natural world. By drawing Job’s attention to the intricate functioning of weather phenomena—lightning, the balancing of clouds, and the shining sky—Elihu emphasizes that these are orchestrated by a God who is “perfect in knowledge.”
By reminding Job of the discomfort caused by the hot south wind, Elihu subtly underscores human frailty compared to God’s might. The rhetorical questions further challenge Job, asking if he can spread out the skies like God, indicating that the creation and maintenance of the universe are beyond human capability. This amplifies God’s transcendence and the limited understanding of humanity.
Verses 19-20: Human Limitations in Speaking to God
“Teach us what we shall say to him;
we cannot draw up our case because of darkness.
Shall it be told him that I would speak?
Did a man ever wish that he would be swallowed up?”
Here, Elihu acknowledges human limitations in addressing God. He defers to God’s ultimate wisdom, subtlety asking, “Teach us what we shall say to him.” The darkness symbolizes human ignorance, and the inability to present one’s case to God is an admission of this lack of understanding.
The rhetorical questions reinforce the audacity and futility of attempting to contend with God. Elihu implies that to challenge God is to invite one’s own destruction, emphasizing the necessity of humility before the Divine.
Verses 21-24: The Majesty and Inaccessibility of God
“And now no one looks on the light
when it is bright in the skies,
when the wind has passed and cleared them.
Out of the north comes golden splendor;
God is clothed with awesome majesty.
The Almighty—we cannot find him;
he is great in power;
justice and abundant righteousness he will not violate.
Therefore men fear him;
he does not regard any who are wise in their own conceit.”
The closing verses draw a picture of God’s splendor and majesty. The inability to gaze at the light when it is bright in the skies is a metaphor for the blinding glory of God. The wind that clears the skies is suggestive of divine intervention that removes obstacles, allowing glimpses of God’s grandeur.
The “golden splendor” from the north evokes an image of divine radiance, and God being “clothed with awesome majesty” consolidates His inaccessibility and supreme authority. Despite human efforts, “we cannot find him,” a statement of God’s transcendence and inscrutability.
Moreover, Elihu affirms God’s unwavering justice and righteousness, which are intrinsic to His nature. This assertion is meant to comfort and reassure, whereas his final advice, “therefore men fear him,” aligns with the biblical wisdom tradition that reverence for God is the beginning of wisdom. Elihu concludes by warning against pride, stating that God does not regard those who are wise in their own conceit, reinforcing the theme of humility before the Divine.
In summary, Job Chapter 37 is a compelling discourse on the majesty, power, and inscrutability of God as witnessed through the natural world. Elihu’s dialogue encourages contemplation of God’s works and stresses human limitations in understanding and addressing the Divine. Through vivid depictions of natural phenomena and rhetorical assertions, Elihu underscores the belief in God’s omnipotence, righteous judgment, and the necessity of humble reverence towards Him.