Job 37
 God is to be feared in recognition of His works. His wisdom is unsearchable
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Text
Explanation
In chapter 36 Elihu had used the figure of a thunder storm. He continues the topic here.
 1 ¶ At this also my heart trembleth, and is moved out of his place.
 2 Hear attentively the noise of his voice, and the sound that goeth out of his mouth. 
.3 He directeth it under the whole heaven, and his lightning unto the ends of the earth. 
  1 - Heart trembleth When hearing the thunder storm jb3629. Elihu is not arguing that thunder is literally God's voice ps07718, ps10407.
 4 After it a voice roareth: he thundereth with the voice of his excellency; and he will not stay them when his voice is heard.
 5 God thundereth marvellously with his voice; great things doeth he, which we cannot comprehend.
 6 ¶ For he saith to the snow, Be thou on the earth; likewise to the small rain, and to the great rain of his strength. 
 7 He sealeth up the hand of every man; that all men may know his work.
 8 Then the beasts go into dens, and remain in their places.
  7 - Sealeth up Considering v8, we take this to mean the winter when work is much less. We remember that, until relatively recent times, most work was done outside.
.9 Out of the south cometh the whirlwind: and cold out of the north. 
 10 By the breath of God frost is given: and the breadth of the waters is straitened.
 11 Also by watering he wearieth the thick cloud: he scattereth his bright cloud:
 11 "... the clouds scatter his lightning." (RSV)
  9 - South "-literally, "chambers"; connected with the south (Job 9:9). The whirlwinds are poetically regarded as pent up by God in His southern chambers, whence He sends them forth (so Job 38:22; Ps 135:7). As to the southern whirlwinds (see Isa 21:1; Zec 9:14), they drive before them burning sands; chiefly from February to May." (JFB)
  9 - North "literally, 'scattering;' the north wind scatters the clouds." (JFB)
  10 - Breath Represented by the cold north winds.
  10 - Frost Rather "ice."
  10 - Straitened In modern English, "constrained." Ice gets hard and ceases to move."
  11 - Wearieth Or "loads down" with water.
 12 And 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.
 13 He causeth it to come, whether for correction, or for his land, or for mercy.
  12 - Turned ... by his counsels He orders the movement of the cloud.
 14 ¶ Hearken unto this, O Job: stand still, and consider the wondrous works of God.
15 Dost thou know when God disposed them, and caused the light of his cloud to shine?
 16 Dost thou know the balancings of the clouds, the wondrous works of him which is perfect in knowledge?
 17 How thy garments are warm, when he quieteth the earth by the south wind?
 18 Hast thou with him spread out the sky, which is strong, and as a molten looking glass?
 19 Teach us what we shall say unto him; for we cannot order our speech by reason of darkness.
 20 Shall it be told him that I speak? if a man speak, surely he shall be swallowed up.

  14 - Job .. consider the main point of Elihu's message.
  16 - Balancings The clouds are held up with no visible means jb2608.
  19 - Teach us A challenge to Job's supposed ignorance.
  20 - Told ... that I speak? Elihu seems to say "What if God found out that I had spoken to him? A person doing this would be swallowed up. Job had hoped to dialogue with God jb1303 and this is Elihu's rebuke. Indeed John described God's final destruction of evil people as being "devoured." re2009.
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 21 ¶ And now men see not the bright light which is in the clouds: but the wind passeth, and cleanseth them.
 22 Fair weather cometh out of the north: with God is terrible majesty.
  21 - Bright light The sun is hidden above the cloud.
  22 - Fair weather Literally "gold." or "golden splendor." The idea may be that the north wind clears the air after rain making everything appear bright and clean pr2523.
 23 Touching the Almighty, we cannot find him out: he is excellent in power, and in judgment, and in plenty of justice: he will not afflict.
 24 Men do therefore fear him: he respecteth not any that are wise of heart.
  A summary condemnation of Job. Compare "Therefore men fear him; he does not regard any who are wise in their own conceit." ( v24, RSV)

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