37:2Nothing can compare to God. His power and presence are awesome, and when he speaks, we must listen. Too often we presume to speak for God (as did Job's friends), to put words in his mouth, to take him for granted, or to interpret his silence to mean that he is absent or unconcerned. But God cares. He is in control, and he will speak. Be ready to hear his message—in the Bible, in your life through the Holy Spirit, and through circumstances and relationships.
Life Application Study BibleJobChapter 37
Job 37
New Living Translation · Life Application Study Bible · Original pages: 831, 832, 833
A few verse numbers on this page were hard to read in the scan and are marked with a dotted underline — compare with the original page image if in doubt.
37Job 37
1It trembles within me. 2Listen carefully to the thunder of God's voice as it rolls from his mouth.
3It rolls across the heavens,and his lightning flashes in every direction.
4Then comes the roaring of the thunder—the tremendous voice of his majesty.He does not restrain it when he speaks.
5God’s voice is glorious in the thunder.We can't even imagine the greatness of his power.
6“He directs the snow to fall on the earthand tells the rain to pour down.
7Then everyone stops workingso they can watch his power.
8The wild animals take coverand stay inside their dens.
9The stormy wind comes from its chamber,and the driving winds bring the cold.
10God’s breath sends the ice,freezing wide expanses of water.
11He loads the clouds with moisture,and they flash with his lightning.
12The clouds churn about at his direction.They do whatever he commands throughout the earth.
13He makes these things happen either to punish peopleor to show his unfailing love.
14“Pay attention to this, Job.Stop and consider the wonderful miracles of God!
15Do you know how God controls the stormand causes the lightning to flash from his clouds?
16Do you understand how he moves the cloudswith wonderful perfection and skill?
17When you are sweltering in your clothesand the south wind dies down and everything is still,18 he makes the skies reflect the heat like a bronze mirror.Can you do that?
19“So teach the rest of us what to say to God.We are too ignorant to make our own arguments.
20Should God be notified that I want to speak?Can people even speak when they are confused?*
21We cannot look at the sun,for it shines brightly in the skywhen the wind clears away the clouds.
22So also, golden splendor comes from the mountain of God.*He is clothed in dazzling splendor.
23We cannot imagine the power of the Almighty,but even though he is just and righteous,he does not destroy us.
24No wonder people everywhere fear him.All who are wise show him reverence.”
D. GOD ANSWERS JOB (38:1—41:34)
Instead of answering Job's question directly, God asks Job a series of questions which
no human could possibly answer. Job responds by recognizing that God's ways are best. During difficult times, we, too, must humbly remember our position before the eternal, holy, incomprehensible God.
Textual footnotes
- 37:20 Or speak without being swallowed up? 37:22 Or from the north; or from the abode.
Life Application Notes 3 notes
37:21-24Elihu concluded his speech with the tremendous truth that faith in God is far more important than Job’s desire for an explanation for his suffering. He came so close to helping Job but then went down the wrong path. Significantly, it is here that God himself breaks into the discussion to draw the right conclusions from this important truth (38:1ff).
37:23Elihu stressed God’s sovereignty over all of nature as a reminder of his sovereignty over our lives. God is in contral— he directs, preserves, and maintains his created order. Although we can’t see it, God is divinely governing the moral and political affairs of people as well. By spending time observing the majestic and intricate parts of God’s creation, we can be reminded of his power in every aspect of our lives. God himself is the standard of justice. He uses his power according to his own moral perfection. Thus, whatever he does is fair, even if we don't understand it. Our response is to appeal directly to him.
Charts, profiles & sidebars from the printed pages
Study feature · page 833
GOD’S JUSTICE
Correct View
Wrong View
GOD
LAW OF FAIRNESS
JUSTICE
GOD
There is a law of fairness or justice that is higher and more absolute than God. It is binding even for God. God must act in response to that law in order to be fair. Our response is to appeal to that law.
CTT
character? There is no standard or criterion higher than God himself by which to judge. God himselt is the standard. Our only option is to submit to his authority and rest in his care.
Some of this text was difficult to read in the scan; the original page image is authoritative.