Yet with all this increased knowledge – as wonderful and glorious as it is – mankind is really not much closer at all to answering these questions that God set to Job. Commentary on Job 38:1-7 [34-41] Like George Bailey in It’s a Wonderful Life, Job responds to his troubles by wishing he had never been born (Job 3). Here ya go, Job! Thus he has assigned places for both light and darkness (Job 38:19-20) and sovereignly controls the dark underworld (Job 38:16-17). It is a wonderful fulfillment of our abilities as creatures made in the image of God that we can investigate and better understand the natural world. Resources » Commentaries » Job » Chapter 38 » exegesis. As we cannot find fault with God's work, so we need not fear concerning it. Knowest thou the ordinances of the heavens? Through Job 37, Job has listened to three “friends” and Elihu speak to him about why he is suffering so badly. Or hast thou seen the treasuries of the hail. The very questions that God asked constitute a heavenly endorsement of humanity's ceaseless and diligent pursuit of every possible answer to the perplexing, nagging questions of all the mysteries that confront mankind in our earthly sojourn. He tells Job about the biggest animals in the world. (3) Also, by God's not giving Job a list of his transgressions, there is the dramatic affirmation that Job's misfortunes did not come as punishment for his wickedness; and yet God did not reveal to Job the real secret of what had happened, namely, that exchange between God and Satan in the Prologue. It can be observed that God eloquently destroyed this overconfidence in human wisdom in this presentation to Job. When by the heat of the sun's rays the ground grows hard, and the clods cleave fast together, baked into a compact mass, then is the time when rain is most needed, and when the Almighty in his mercy commonly sends it. Psalm. (1:5; 42:5-8). Posted on Apr 12, 2005 by Beyond Today Editor Estimated reading time: 7 minutes. It pleased the Lord to interpose. Commentary on Job 38:4-11. Commentary on Psalm 91:9-16. In this loving and gentle admonition God was leading Job into the knowledge that the specific answers he sought were impossible for mortal men to know. It can be observed that God eloquently destroyed this overconfidence in human wisdom in this presentation to Job. His dialogue with Job parallels the discourse between Job and his friends in chapters 4-27. On the contrary, God speaks directly to Job, just as He does in the patriarchal age with Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and other heads of households (see Job 38-42). This increased knowledge is a wonderful and glorious thing, and scientific inquiry is to be applauded. ii. The alleged problem disappears if we apply the words as God's parenthetical and derogatory dismissal of everything Elihu said. "Then Jehovah answered Job" (Job 38:1). Click to enable/disable Google Analytics tracking. The wings of the os… "[7], REGARDING DEATH; SHEOL; AND THE SIZE OF THE EARTH. The big thing here is that Almighty God appeared to Job in one of the most remarkable theophanies in the Bible. John Trapp Complete Commentary. "[9] Significantly, the entire expanse of the starry heavens is brought into view here: the skies of summer and winter, and those of the northern and southern hemispheres. Every door which the intelligence of men has unlocked has failed to disclose the Great Truth; but, conversely, has opened upon a corridor reaching into infinity with many doors remaining yet to be unlocked. Canst thou restrain or hinder their influences? Hast thou entered the treasuries of the snow. Who provides food for the raven: God provides food for the birds (Matthew 6:26); it would be impossible for Job or any other man to do so. We use cookies to let us know when you visit our websites, how you interact with us, to enrich your user experience, and to customize your relationship with our website. Beginning with chapter three, and with increasingly acerbic force throughout the book, Job challenged the LORD to give an … Continue reading "Commentary on Job 38:1-11" ", "That it might take hold of the ends of the earth, and the wicked be shaken out of it", "Hast thou seen the treasuries of the hail", "Canst thou lift up thy voice to the clouds". Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible has served as an invaluable guide to the Bible for pastors and students the world over. Pope's rendition here seems to give a hint that there is a reference to the Deluge. Who provides food for the raven, Canst thou bind the sweet influences of Pleiades? iv. No matter how it may be viewed, there is nothing in the entire Creation that exceeds the glory and mystery of the human intelligence. Do not men know all about things such as these? Click to enable/disable _gid - Google Analytics Cookie. Or who can pour out the bottles of heaven. KJV Job 38:1 Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said, So, two things to note. There is no species in the whole creation that does not exhibit and illustrate the fantastic intelligence of God in their creation and maintenance upon the earth. Or lurk in their lairs to lie in wait? Commentary for Job 38 . But God permitted "the satan", one of the heavenly Our website uses cookies to store user preferences. Elihu had silenced Job, but had not brought him to admit his guilt before God. 3 Now prepare yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer Me. Readers of the book know that Job’s celebrated patience in suffering came to a crashing halt at the end of the second chapter. Reformed Commentary on Job: Chapter 38 Date: April 17, 2015 Author: Craig Truglia 0 Comments In Chapter 38 God begins His first speech of the book, essentially arguing that His sustaining of creation is proof of His goodness and that man cannot question His justice as a consequence. Job 38 Commentary, One of over 110 Bible commentaries freely available, this commentary provides notes on all 66 books of the Bible, and contain more than 7,000 pages of material Proceeds to several proofs of Job's inability to contend with him, because of his ignorance and weakness: for he knew nothing of the founding of the earth, ver. (12-24) Concerning other mighty works. The word here rendered 'man' is translated by Pope as `hero.' (25-41)1-3 Job had silenced, but had not convinced his friends. And from the wicked their light is withholden, "That it might take hold of the ends of the earth, and the wicked be shaken out of it" (Job 38:13). Or loose the bands of Orion? Indeed, the Great Truth may not be any fact or formula whatever, but the Great Person, God Himself. God … Hast thou comprehended the earth in its breadth? Job 38:31. "And great hail, every stone about the weight of a talent, cometh down out of heaven upon men: and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail, for it was exceeding great" (Revelation 16:21). Although it is not entirely unique in the Psalter, the most striking thing about Psalm 91 is that it ends with a divine speech in verses 14-16. Job had silenced, but had not convinced his friends. a. (4-11) Concerning the light and darkness. Instinctively, that animal mother maintained the position of the calf on her side, up-stream of course; and both of them made it safely across. This, God would most certainly not have done, if he had just finished saying that Job's words without knowledge were darkening counsel. "This was not because the questions have no answers. Commentary on Job 38-42 (Job Meets God) June 22, 2015 Bill Pratt Leave a comment. And to cause the tender grass to spring forth? Job 38:18), for כּי תדע signifies: suppose that thou knowest it, and this si forte scias is almost equivalent to an forte scis, Proverbs 30:4. Every great mystery that science has solved proves not to be the ultimate reality. Job 38:3 Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me.. Ver. The punctuation of the Holy Bible is the work of men, not of God; and where punctuation can be made to harmonize or explain difficult passages, it should be utilized for that purpose. The question here is, "Who did this"? "Gird up now thy loins like a man" (Job 38:3). 38 Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind and said, 2 Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge? The founding of the earth is likened altogether to that of a building constructed by man. He spoke to Job. Jump to: Adam Clarke Commentary; Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible; John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible; Enlightenment thinking (emanating from the 18th century) freed man from much superstition, but it also exalted man’s reason (wisdom) as the measure of truth. Of whom is God speaking in Job 38:2? Or who hath given understanding to the mind? By proceeding, you consent to our cookie usage. And caused the dayspring to know its place; That it might take hold of the ends of the earth. Job 38 Commentary, this commentary contains outlines, expositions, and illustrations of Bible texts, with full references to the best homiletic literature Readers of the book know that Job’s celebrated patience in suffering came to a crashing halt at the end of the second chapter. When will there be a resurrection? Surely you know! 38:4-11 For the humbling of Job, God here shows him his ignorance, even concerning the earth and the sea. In the aggregate the answers to all of them were impossible for Job to know; and mankind today is no more able to answer all the questions than was he. "Hast thou entered into the springs of the sea? Also, present-day people are just as helpless as was Job. Job, in turn, has responded to each of them, declaring his innocence and demanding that God give him answers. "Where is the way to the dwelling of light? 7. ii. He said: “Who is this that obscures my plans with words without knowledge? Who determined its measurements? Job’s friends had, in this controversy, tamely yielded it to Job, and then he to Elihu. (3) The application of these words to Job leaves the entire six chapters of the Elihu speeches dangling without any response whatever from any person whomsoever, thus supporting the affirmation that the six chapters are an interpolation. Job, in turn, has responded to each of them, declaring his innocence and demanding that God give him answers. That is the colossal fact of these concluding chapters; and it dramatically establishes the truth that God approved of Job, and that God loved him. "[6] Here is the true picture of God's estimate of Job. All of the questions God asked were not for the purpose of humiliating Job, or mocking him. The new element in the second cycle is that Elihu’s speech is interrupted by the dramatic appearance of God himself (Job 38:1). Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? - Modern science knows much more about the nature of light (Job 38:19-20). When she lifts herself on high, She scorns the horse and its rider.” a. Job 38:18), for כּי תדע signifies: suppose that thou knowest it, and this si forte scias is almost equivalent to an forte scis, Proverbs 30:4. Note also, that God did not criticize Job for his tearful and aggressive search for such answers. on StudyLight.org Job 38:16 - 'Have you entered into the springs of the sea Or walked in the recesses of the deep? This increased knowledge is a wonderful and glorious thing, and scientific inquiry is to be applauded. Whereupon were the foundations thereof fastened? "Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth, ... when the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?" "[1] It is the conviction of this writer that the words cannot possibly apply to anyone other than Elihu. Because these cookies are strictly necessary to deliver the website, refuseing them will have impact how our site functions. ", WONDERS OF MORNING; THE DAYSPRING; AND ENDS OF THE EARTH. Or hast thou seen the gates of the shadow of death? Job 38 Commentary. Or canst thou guide the Bear with her train? Although it is not entirely unique in the Psalter, the most striking thing about Psalm 91 is that it ends with a divine speech in verses 14-16. Elihu had silenced Job, but had not brought him to admit his guilt before God. "Canst thou lift up thy voice to the clouds" (Job 38:34)? He tells Job all about himself. John Trapp Complete Commentary. God’s speech from the whirlwind to Job has been a long time coming. "[5] The glorious light mentioned in that paragraph indicated the cessation of the storm. Knowing God and being loved and known by Him - that is the Great Answer, the Great Truth, the Great Joy, the Great Salvation, Eternal Life! 1 - 3. Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer me. "The sons of God" are here the angels, because man was last in the Creation. For she leaves her eggs on the ground, And warms them in the dust; She forgets that a foot may crush them, Or that a wild beast may break them. You always can block or delete cookies by changing your browser settings and force blocking all cookies on this website. This was the marvelous answer that came to Job. Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth: The intention of this question is obvious. As God has a powerful, freezing north wind, so he has a thawing, composing south wind: the Spirit is compared to both, because he both convinces and comforts, Song of Solomon 4:16. 32 Canst thou bring forth the signs of the Zodiac at the right time, And canst thou guide the Bear with its children? © Copyright - Enduring Word | . GOD ANSWERS JOB FROM THE WHIRLWIND (JOB 38-41), THE FIRST PORTION OF GOD'S RESPONSE: THE PROBLEM. There are biblical texts, taken in isolation from the canon as a whole, that can be used to support or “prove” that God guarantees success to the righteous and destruction to the wicked, even in this life; but taken in isolation from … Continue reading "Commentary on Job 38:1-11" You are free to opt out any time or opt in for other cookies to get a better experience. And the hoary frost of heaven, who hath gendered it? We shall not take the space to line up scholars on both sides of the question. We fully respect if you want to refuse cookies but to avoid asking you again and again kindly allow us to store a cookie for that. These words are, in part, ambiguous. If you cannot answer these things, then you do not have a place to demand answers from Me.”, Who determined its measurements… To what were its foundations fastened, When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy, Or who shut in the sea with doors when it burst forth, When I said, “This far you may come, but no farther, and here your proud waves must stop”, Have you commanded the morning since your days began, Where is the way to the dwelling of light, Do you know it, because you were born then, or because the number of your days is great, Have you seen the treasury of hail, which I have reserved for the time of trouble, for the day of battle and war, Who has divided a channel for the overflowing water, Has the rain a father? Enlightenment thinking (emanating from the 18th century) freed man from much superstition, but it also exalted man’s reason (wisdom) as the measure of truth. Finally, in Job 38, Job gets his wish. You can check these in your browser security settings. Of the morning light, ver. Beginning with chapter three, and with increasingly acerbic force throughout the book, Job challenged the LORD to give an … Continue reading "Commentary on Job 38:1-11" Surely you know! That thou shouldest take it to the bound thereof, And that thou shouldest discern the paths to the house thereof. It makes us ask the question, “What does man, with all his reason and wisdom, really know about his world?” Man does not know very much, and therefore must pursue knowledge with a humble trust in the God, who does know all. Changes will take effect once you reload the page. Gird up now thy loins like a man] As men did use to do when they went to fight, 1 Kings 20:11.Stand to thy ward, and see to thyself; … Four of the great constellations that adorn the heavens are mentioned here: (1) The Pleiades, always prominent in the Spring; (2) Orion which dominates the wintry skies; (3) Ursa Major (The Bear, or Great Dipper) prominent in the northern skies; and (4) the Mazaroth, "The meaning is obscure, but it is possibly the twelve Zodiacal signs, or those that dominate the southern skies. 12 - 15. The following cookies are also needed - You can choose if you want to allow them: You can read about our cookies and privacy settings in detail on our Privacy Policy Page. But this will always prompt you to accept/refuse cookies when revisiting our site. "[4] He answered Job with a barrage of counter-questions concerning the mysteries of the entire sidereal creation; and it is evident that this brought healing, comfort and satisfaction to Job. Job 28 Commentary: It must have been a few years ago that I lost my wallet for over a week.I thought it was in the car, but I searched there several times with no luck. "Then Jehovah answered Job out of the whirlwind" (Job 38:1). Bible Book of Job: Job 38-42:9 – The Bible Teaching Commentary: shows us how helpful it can be to meet God in our lives. Or satisfy the appetite of the young lions, Which, without the care of God’s providence, would fall … "Canst thou bind the cluster of the Pleiades. "[2] Although we have interpreted the Epilogue and the Prologue as the work of Moses, who was inspired of God, we cannot believe that his inspired approval of Job's words regarding God would have been given if God indeed had said in Job 38:2, here, that those words were `without knowledge.'. Job's troubles started when a great wind killed his children; and now in a whirlwind Job began his return to happiness and prosperity. And wander about for lack of food?”. Modern science knows much more about the nature of light (Job 38:19-20). "The minimal weight of the New Testament talent Isaiah 45 pounds; and many scholars place it at 90 pounds. "Some commentators have applied Job 38:2 to Job, others to Elihu. Do we? (4) In this, there is another key discernment, 1e, that it is best for man not to know the reasons why this or that occurs in his life. (Job 38:4-7). Let it be noted that, due to freezing, the waters become like stone. This increased knowledge is a wonderful and glorious thing, and scientific inquiry is to be applauded. Phosphorus, Lucifer, or Venus, the sun’s forerunner. Job 38:8. Commentary on Psalm 91:9-16. "Did you ever ... snatch off the Earth's skirts, shaking the wicked out of it? And as for darkness, where is the place thereof?. Job was nowhere to be found when God laid the foundations of the earth. Add to my study list. Our foolish notions need to be taken apart now so that we can come rightly to God and find the Lord Jesus Christ. Job could not catch such animals, but God made them. "Hast thou seen the treasuries of the hail" (Job 38:22)? Job 38, Coffman Commentaries on the Bible, One of over 110 Bible commentaries freely available, this commentary, by the leading authority in the Church of Christ, presents a verse level look at the Bible. On and on! Commentary on Job 37:14-20 (Read Job 37:14-20) Due thoughts of the works of God will help to reconcile us to all his providences. At last, God fulfills Job’s desire for a face-to-face encounter. Or who has begotten the drops of dew, Can you bring out Mazzaroth in its season, Do you know the ordinances of the heavens, Who has put wisdom in the mind? Today, men are just as ignorant as was Job regarding what it is like one minute after death. Tell me, if you understand. iii. But the question is, "Of whom does he speak"? Job 38:25 "Who hath divided a watercourse for the overflowing of waters, or a way for the lightning of thunder;" For the showers of rain, which come down orderly and gradually, as if they were conveyed in pipes or channels. Such ability is not in men to create it; but God has freely given a mind every man. And I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me. 8 - 11. (4) It cannot be denied that God interrupted and terminated Elihu's tirade. Or satisfy the appetite of the young lions. One, from memory, is able to match colors with a thousand variations. One may say, Well, that was no doubt a mystery to Job, but we know all about such things! Please be aware that this might heavily reduce the functionality and appearance of our site. Since these providers may collect personal data like your IP address we allow you to block them here. I was about to start calling my financial institutions and having them cancel my cards and things like that – when I checked one last time thoroughly and systematically that car. God here is reminding Job of the distance between Himself and Job. Can you hunt prey for the lion: In his speech to Job, God moved from the distant expanse of the constellations, down to the clouds, down to the human mind, and here still further down to simple animal instinct such as the ability to hunt prey for the lion. No scientist ever born failed to marvel at it! God’s speech from the whirlwind to Job has been a long time coming. God's not giving specific answers to Job's questions suggests that: (1) It is not possible for man to know all the answers and that, (2) It is enough to know that God loves him (as evidenced to Job in the very fact of God's speaking to him). Verse-by-Verse Bible Commentary Job 38:9. At last, God fulfills Job’s desire for a face-to-face encounter. Job 38:1-3 (NKJV) Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said: 2 "Who [is] this who darkens counsel By words without knowledge? She treats her young harshly, as though they were not hers; Her labor is in vain, without concern, Because God deprived her of wisdom, And did not endow her with understanding. The waters hide themselves, and become like stone. In all of such questions, the only answer must be sought within the pages of the Holy Bible, and nowhere else. How, beyond all imagination, is the character of such a man elevated and glorified by this most astonishing event, unparalleled by anything else in the history of mankind, Jesus Christ himself alone standing any higher in such a relationship than did Job. 1. Who stretched a measuring line across it? It makes us ask the question, “What does man, with all his reason and wisdom, really know about his world?” Man does not know very much, and therefore must pursue knowledge with a humble trust in the God, who does know all. (1-3) God questions Job. 4 Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? “The wings of the ostrich wave proudly, But are her wings and pinions like the kindly stork’s? The question is not, "To whom does God speak"? The reasons behind this conviction are: (1) Applying the words to Job is a contradiction of Job 42:7-8. God takes Job on a tour of nature and asks him question after question about Job's ability to deal with this kind of thing or that kind of thing in nature. When its young ones cry to God, He tells Job about all the animals that he has made. It meant that God approved of Job, that Job's integrity was established in the only place where it mattered, namely, with God Himself. Aphar ( עָפַר ) here often means "earth," or "soil," rather than "dust." What did that mean? You can also change some of your preferences. Here ya go, Job! Job 38:10. This is not the storm that might have been described by Elihu in the previous chapter; because the final paragraph there, "Appears to describe the calm as the storm abates. The relation between a theophany and violent weather appears often in the Bible, as for example in Psalms 18:8-16, and in Exodus 19:16. With a UCG.org account you will be able to save items to read and study later! Job 38:38 "When the dust groweth into hardness, and the clods cleave fast together?" 31 Canst thou join the twistings of the Pleiades, Or loose the bands of Orion? He tells Job how he made the world and the stars. That is clear enough. The LORD Speaks - Then the LORD spoke to Job out of the storm. Job could not even do this; therefore, it was presumptuous for him to demand answers from God the way that he did. Please see our Privacy Policy for cookie usage details. Not Job, nor any other man, was present when such great things were done. The book of Job, like the lament psalms, serves to keep us honest. Job 38. And said, Hitherto shalt thou come, but no further; And here shalt thy proud waves be staid? 3 Gird up now your loins like a man, and I will demand of you, and you declare to Me. "Canst thou lift up thy voice to the clouds. Click to enable/disable Google reCaptcha. God does not answer their questions about Job's guilt or innocence, but rather speaks about the created order and contrasts what God can do with what humans are able to do. That amazing phenomenon that water expands when it freezes (contrary to practically every other liquid known to men) is inexplicable. God would at this point speak repeatedly to Job, asking many questions about many different things. Tell Me, if you have understanding. Which I have reserved against the time of trouble, Or the east wind scattered upon the earth?". In the book’s first cycle, Job’s friends’ speeches were halted by the revelation of God’s wisdom. Then, in chapters 38 through 40, you have one of the most remarkable passages in all of the Bible. In the book’s first cycle, Job’s friends’ speeches were halted by the revelation of God’s wisdom. God calls upon Job to answer. Login or Create an Account. Job 38:7 When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy? The Book of Job Chapter 38. The mysteries of the sidereal creation are the theme here. Canst thou lead forth the Mazaroth in their season? God by that action indicated the same evaluation of Elihu's words that Job 38:2 declares; and if Job 38:2 were placed in a parenthesis, that fact would be clearly indicated by the punctuation. Psalm. Someone has said that a computer with the ability to do everything that the human mind is able to do would more than fill up the state of Louisiana! And one of the greatest mysteries of the whole physical creation is mentioned in Job 38:30. God's answer, however, is a surprise. As we cannot find fault with God's work, so we need not fear concerning it. How did our human race begin? When the morning stars sang together] There is but one morning star properly so called, viz. Since man has so little understanding of God's creation, how can man presume to understand the actions of God as in this case of the trial of Job. How Mozart wrote a cantata at age seven, the faculty of memory, imagination, and comprehension of the most intricate and diverse matters - there's hardly any limit to the human mind. Finally, in Job 38, Job gets his wish. The limiting of the sea, ver. (Read Job 38:4-11) For the humbling of Job, God here shows him his ignorance, even concerning the earth and the sea. Click to enable/disable _ga - Google Analytics Cookie. A. In Job 31:5, Job had pleaded with God to answer him; and here God did so. We might say that God’s approach to Job in this section undercuts much of modern thinking. In all of the really important things men are today just as hopelessly surrounded by darkness as was Job. If you do not want that we track your visit to our site you can disable tracking in your browser here: We also use different external services like Google Webfonts, Google Maps, and external Video providers. In fact, Job is here invited to do the very thing he had longed to do, that is, to plead his case before God; and there is the implication that God considers Job worthy to do such a thing. Note that blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience on our websites and the services we are able to offer. Through Job 37, Job has listened to three “friends” and Elihu speak to him about why he is suffering so badly. In the light of these considerations, we do not think that it is necessary to investigate all of these questions one by one. And all the sons of God shouted for joy.". The founding of the earth is likened altogether to that of a building constructed by man. God calls upon Job to answer. The question here, "Can you make it rain"? “One who is perfect in knowledge is with you,” he announces (Job 36:4). (2) The verse is profoundly true as an evaluation of the Elihu speeches, as we have frequently noted in the preceding notes. This writer once saw a cow and her new-born calf, less than an hour old, swim a swollen river in flood; and no one who ever saw a thing like that could ever doubt the Providence of God. - Modern science knows much more about the meteorological and hydrological systems of the earth (Job 38:8-11, 38:16, 38:25-30). Doubtless thou knowest for thou wast then born. Commentary on Job 38:1-7 [34-41] Like George Bailey in It’s a Wonderful Life, Job responds to his troubles by wishing he had never been born (Job 3). (Job 38; 39; 40: 1-2) Let him who accuses God answer Him!’ - Job, Bible illustrations by James Padgett (1931-2009), published by Sweet Media صورة في موقع الأنبا تكلا : … When they crouch in their dens, Biblical Commentary Job 38:1-11, 34-41 EXEGESIS: THE CONTEXT: The context for any passage in the book of Job has to begin with chapter 1, which establishes Job's excellent character (1:1-5), acknowledged even by God (1:8). Commentary on Job 38-42 (Job Meets God) June 22, 2015 Bill Pratt Leave a comment. Click on the different category headings to find out more.
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