Old Testament
Job 37
Overview
Elihu's voice rises into a trembling hymn of awe as he watches a gathering thunderstorm. He hears God's voice in the thunder, sees his command in snow and rain, frost and whirlwind, and confesses that no one can fully comprehend the Almighty's ways. He ends by asking Job pointed questions about how the clouds hang or the skies are spread, urging him to stand still and consider God's wondrous works — then falls silent, and the storm he describes becomes the very whirlwind from which God will speak.
1“Yes, at this my heart trembles, and is moved out of its place.
2Hear, oh, hear the noise of his voice, the sound that goes out of his mouth.
3He sends it out under the whole sky, and his lightning to the ends of the earth.
4After it a voice roars. He thunders with the voice of his majesty. He doesn’t hold back anything when his voice is heard.
5God thunders marvelously with his voice. He does great things, which we can’t comprehend.
6For he says to the snow, ‘Fall on the earth,’ likewise to the shower of rain, and to the showers of his mighty rain.
7He seals up the hand of every man, that all men whom he has made may know it.
8Then the animals take cover, and remain in their dens.
9Out of its room comes the storm, and cold out of the north.
10By the breath of God, ice is given, and the width of the waters is frozen.
11Yes, he loads the thick cloud with moisture. He spreads abroad the cloud of his lightning.
12It is turned around by his guidance, that they may do whatever he commands them on the surface of the habitable world,
13whether it is for correction, or for his land, or for loving kindness, that he causes it to come.
14“Listen to this, Job. Stand still, and consider the wondrous works of God.
15Do you know how God controls them, and causes the lightning of his cloud to shine?
16Do you know the workings of the clouds, the wondrous works of him who is perfect in knowledge?
17You whose clothing is warm when the earth is still by reason of the south wind?
18Can you, with him, spread out the sky, which is strong as a cast metal mirror?
19Teach us what we will tell him, for we can’t make our case by reason of darkness.
20Will it be told him that I would speak? Or should a man wish that he were swallowed up?
21Now men don’t see the light which is bright in the skies, but the wind passes, and clears them.
22Out of the north comes golden splendor. With God is awesome majesty.
23We can’t reach the Almighty. He is exalted in power. In justice and great righteousness, he will not oppress.
24Therefore men revere him. He doesn’t regard any who are wise of heart.”