God’s Sovereignty Through The Storms
January 11, 2023
Commentary
Nothing can compare to God. His power and presence are awesome and when He speaks we need to listen (vv. 1-4), in spite of the fact that His greatness is beyond human comprehension (v. 5). There is even the demonstration of God’s power in the snow and frost (v. 6). Workers must stop their labor (v. 7), and wild animals go into hibernation (v. 8). When the skies express themselves in the storm from the south, and the cold from the north this symbolizes the breath of God (v. 9). They produce ice and frost (v. 10). The clouds respond to God’s direction for the purposes of blessing (vv. 11-13).
Elihu calls upon Job to be “still and consider the wondrous works of God” (v. 14). Then he asked him how much he understood (v. 15). He reminds him of how the clouds “hang poised” and everything is still (v. 16). The summer sun heats the air, the south wind blows from the desert, and people start to “swelter in their clothes (v. 17). Job can not spread a sky across the horizon (v. 18) and because of that, the works of God are considered more marvelous. Elihu asks Job to tell him how to address this great God (v. 19). He couldn’t imagine himself debating with such a great being, because it could mean disaster (v. 20). He then turns back to the heavens into which they had been looking (v. 21). Elihu states that the light of Gods presence is too brilliant for the failing eyes of lowly man (v. 22).
In summary, he states that “Since God is righteous it behooves man to fear Him rather than to judge Him, because God does not look with favor upon those who are wise in their own eyes” (vv. 23-24).
Application
God is in control. He directs, preserves and maintains His created order. To experience God’s power in my life I must stay connected by reading his Word and praying.
Job 37:1– 24 (NET)
1 At this also my heart pounds and leaps from its place.
2 Listen carefully to the thunder of his voice, to the rumbling that proceeds from his mouth.
3 Under the whole heaven he lets it go, even his lightning to the far corners of the earth.
4 After that a voice roars; he thunders with an exalted voice, and he does not hold back his lightning bolts when his voice is heard.
5 God thunders with his voice in marvelous ways; he does great things beyond our understanding.
6 For to the snow he says, ‘Fall to earth,’ and to the torrential rains, ‘Pour down.’
7 He causes everyone to stop working, so that all people may know his work.
8 The wild animals go to their lairs, and in their dens they remain.
9 A tempest blows out from its chamber, icy cold from the driving winds.
10 The breath of God produces ice, and the breadth of the waters freeze solid.
11 He loads the clouds with moisture; he scatters his lightning through the clouds.
12 The clouds go round in circles, wheeling about according to his plans, to carry out all that he commands them over the face of the whole inhabited world.
13 Whether it is for punishment, or for his land, or for mercy, he causes it to find its mark.
14 “Pay attention to this, Job! Stand still and consider the wonders God works.
15 Do you know how God commands them, how he makes lightning flash in his storm cloud?
16 Do you know about the balancing of the clouds, that wondrous activity of him who is perfect in knowledge?
17 You, whose garments are hot when the earth is still because of the south wind,
18 will you, with him, spread out the clouds, solid as a mirror of molten metal?
19 Tell us what we should say to him. We cannot prepare a case because of the darkness.
20 Should he be informed that I want to speak? If a man speaks, surely he will be swallowed up!
21 But now, the sun cannot be looked at — it is bright in the skies— after a wind passed and swept the clouds away.
22 From the north he comes in golden splendor; around God is awesome majesty.
23 As for the Almighty, we cannot attain to him! He is great in power, but justice and abundant righteousness he does not oppress.
24 Therefore people fear him, for he does not regard all the wise in heart.”