Job 37:1-24

  • Natural forces reveal God’s greatness (1-24)

    • God can stop man’s activities (7)

    • ‘Consider God’s wonderful works’ (14)

    • To understand God is beyond the reach of humans (23)

    • No human should think he is wise (24)

37  “At this my heart poundsAnd leaps from its place.  2  Listen carefully to the rumbling of his voiceAnd the thunder that comes from his mouth.  3  He unleashes it under the entire heavensAnd sends his lightning+ to the ends of the earth.  4  After that is a roaring sound;He thunders with a majestic voice,+And he does not hold it back when his voice is heard.  5  God thunders with his voice+ in a wonderful way;He does great things that are beyond our understanding.+  6  For he says to the snow, ‘Fall to the earth,’+ And to the downpour of rain, ‘Pour down mightily.’+  7  God puts a stop to all human activity*So that every mortal man will know His work.  8  The wild animals go into their densAnd remain in their lairs.  9  The storm wind blows from its chamber,+And the cold comes from the north winds.+ 10  By the breath of God, the ice is produced,+And the broad waters are frozen solid.+ 11  Yes, he weighs down the clouds with moisture;He scatters his lightning+ in the clouds; 12  They swirl around where he directs them;They carry out whatever he commands+ on the surface of the inhabited earth.* 13  Whether it is for punishment*+ or for the sake of the landOr for loyal love, he causes it to happen.+ 14  Listen to this, Job;Stop and consider carefully the wonderful works of God.+ 15  Do you know how God controls* the cloudsAnd how he causes the lightning to flash from his cloud? 16  Do you know how the clouds float?+ These are the wonderful works of the One perfect in knowledge.+ 17  Why does your clothing become hotWhen the earth is still because of the south wind?+ 18  Can you, with him, spread out* the skies+As solid as a metal mirror? 19  Tell us what we should say to him;We cannot answer because we are in the dark. 20  Should he be told that I want to speak? Or has anyone said something that should be communicated to him?+ 21  They cannot even see the light,*Though it is bright in the sky,Until a wind passes by and clears away the clouds. 22  Out of the north comes golden splendor;God’s majesty+ is awe-inspiring. 23  Understanding the Almighty is beyond our reach;+He is great in power,+And he never violates his justice+ and abundant righteousness.+ 24  Therefore, people should fear him.+ For he does not favor any who think that they are wise.”*+

Footnotes

^ Lit., “puts a seal on the hand of every human.”
^ Or “of the productive land of the earth.”
^ Lit., “a rod.”
^ Or “commands.”
^ Or “beat out.”
^ That is, of the sun.
^ Lit., “who are wise of heart.”