Job 37

Job 37:1-5

Biden Chall providences, because we do not clearly see the reasons of his conduct.

[1.] God is great, and we know him not, cannot fathom his immensity, or comprehend his eternity; neither are the wonder of his peers be fiarched, who was from everlasting to everlasting; and here all our ideas are lost.

[2.] As unsearchable are his works. That the drops of dew descend, and from the clouds the rain pours down, we see, v. 27, 28. But how this wonder is performed, is yet a mystery. A little we know; but in a thousand enquiries into the nature and causes of things, we are enveloped with darkness; for who can understand the spreading of the clouds? how poised in a: they float; how from the smallest appearances they quickly darken the sky; how they collect their flores, or dispense them; or the noise of his tabernacle, the flurry winds that blow under heaven, or the thunders that utter their voices from the clouds. Should, he spread his light upon it, on the clouds his tabernacle; the light of the sun that thines when the rain is blown over, or the lightning which flashes from it, and covereth the bottom of the sun with waters, thence to be raised, by the action of the sun and wind, into the clouds, at the vapour in the alembic. For by him judgment be the people: he can, when he pleases, make them the instruments of his vengeance, as in the flood; or, when in season and manure they gently water the earth, be great must in abundance. With clouds he covereth the light, either shading the sultry beams of the sun, or with thick tempels in the sky, turning the day into night; and commanded it not to shine, by the cloud, or without this supplement to the text, by that which cometh because, as in eclipses, when, by the interposition of the moon, the sun is darkened, or the earth intercepts the sun-beams, whilst the moon passes through her shadow. The noise thereof floweth concerning it, the whistling wind, or thunder, prognosticate the approaching rain; the cattle afters, furnished with strange instinct, give tokens concerning the vapour, when the gathering thorns approaches. In all which we see God’s wondrous working, and are bound to magnify and praise him, which wisdom is infinite, and his ways pass finding out; and therefore in all his providences silent submission becomes our bounden duty.

C H A P. XXXVII.

Elihu here goes on to cast the wonderful power of God in the meteors and the changes of the weather. 1. In thunder and lightning, ver. 1—5. 2. In frost, froze, rains, and wind, ver. 6—13. 3. He challenges Job to jubur their phenomena of nature, that confining his ignorance in them, he might even himself an incompetent judge in the proceedings of Divine Providence, ver. 14—22. 4. He concludes with the principle which he undertook to prove, that God is great, and greatly to be feared, v. 13, 34.

Heb. Hearing, hear. Heb. Light. 6. Heb. Wings. So Chap. xxxviii. 13. & heviii. 13. & vi. xvi. Rev. xx. 5. pp.

1. A T this also my heart trembleth, and is moved out of his place. 2. Hear attentively the noise of his voice, and the sound that goeth out of his mouth. 3. He directly it under the whole heaven, and his T lightning unto the S ends of the earth. 4. After it a voice roareth: he thundereth with the voice of his excellency, and he will not stay them when his voice is heard. 5. God thundereth marvellously with his voice; great things doth he, which we cannot comprehend.

If, as is by some suggested, at this time the rolling thunders were at a distance heard, with lightnings flashing round, and thickning clouds portending the approaching storm, there will be something more peculiarly beautiful and applicable in this description of Elihu.

1. He professes his own reverential fear at the awful scene, and adoreses Job to pay attention to the voice which these mighty thunders uttered, v. 2. Note, There is something in thunder inexperably awful, and should remind us ever of that glorious God who maketh the thunder.

2. He describes the tremendous appearances. God himself directs the storm, bids the lightnings flash, the thunders roll, and points the mark against which these instruments of destruction are levelled; and in every nation this voice is heard. The flash precedes, and gives the warning of the terrible explosion; and the interval is, according to the distance of the cloud, proportionally longer or shorter, the motion of light being to much farther than of sound. And he will not stay them when his voice is heard, torrents of rain usually succeeding. Thus doth God speak to the astonished world, marvellous in his works, and above our comprehension; and how little need we wonder then, if in his providence my throes appear which we cannot fathom?

6 PC. reliv. 10. Heb. To the flower of rain, set in the flow of the rain, &c.

6. For the faith to the snow, Be thou am the earth; likewise to the small rain, and to the great rain of his strength. 7. He feaeth up the hand of every man; that all men may know his work. 8. Then the beasts

go into dens, and remain in their places. 9. Out of the south cometh the whirlwind; and cold out of the § north. 10. By the breath of God, frost is given; and the breadth of the waters is strained. 11. Also by watering he weareth the thick cloud; he scattereth his bright cloud. 12. And it is turned round about by his counsels: that they may do whatsoever he commandeth them upon the face of the world in the earth. 13. He causeth it to come, whether for correction, or for his land, or for mercy.

Job 37:6-13

Elihu here recounts other instances of the wonders God works deep and unsearchable. As his word the snow covers the earth; the rain, obedient to his will, defends in gentle dews, or dreadful cataracts, v. 6. Driven from the plough, and the road, the traveller feats the covers, and the talmud-reeises, v. 7. Yea, the very beasts fly to their dens, till the tempels he overpass, v. 8. From the south, or from the chamber, the restless whirlwind rushes, and bleak northern blasts bring winter’s cold, v. 9. The strained waters feel the freezing breath of God, and bound in chryffall letters creek to flow, v. 10. Thick clouds arise, when the dissolving frost emits more copious vapours, and in soft bodies the collected waters float on air, till, wearied with watering, exhausted of their flores in winter flowers, they are dissipated before the vernal sun, v. 11. Then bright clouds appear, not charged with storm or rain, but scattered light over the blue expanses, v. 12. and all these things are ordered by his counsels, and come and go at his pleasure, v. 12. The instruments of mercy or judgment in his hands, sometimes for correction sent, when inclement seasons, black with famine, spread their barefoot influence, and moundations rising, threaten a returning deluge. Sometimes on his land for mercy, when fun and clouds, and rain and snow, combine to fertilize the soil, and crown the happy spot on which his favour rolls, with overflowing vats of wine and oil, or valleys thick with corn. Note, (1.) Since every kind of weevant crevices direction from uncrying wisdom, it is sinful to complain. (2.) Shall heath be wise to fly for shelter against the storm, and shall not man, a sinner, more provident, seek under the shadow of Jesus, a covert from the deluge of divine wrath? (3.) Do all the creatures, thus obedient to his will, fulfil his pleasure, and shall we be the only rebels in the creation, and refuse his government and guidance? (4.) If fruitful seasons glad the year, may we never abude the plenty, but in the gifts behold the giver. If for correction the heavens are made as brass over us, and the earth as iron beneath us refuses to yield its increase, let us hear the red, and who hath appointed it.

14. Hearken unto this, O Job: stand still, and consider the wondrous works of God. 15. Dost thou know when God disposed them, and carried the light of the cloud to shine? 16. Dost thou know the balancings of the clouds, the wondrous works of him which is perfect in knowledge? 17. How thy garments are warm, when he quieteth the earth by the south-wind? 18. Haff thou with him spread out the sky, which is strong, and as a molten looking-glass? 19. Teach us what we shall say unto him; for we cannot order our speech by reason of darkness. 20. Shall it be told him that I speak? if a man speak, surely he shall be swallowed up.

Job 37:9

—41. How impotent, as well as ignorant, is man, when compared with his maker? Who can do as God doth? therefore how dare we contend with him?

1. From him alone cometh the rain; each drop falls from the clouds in its appointed place, and in the exact channel formed for it through the air, v. 25. The lightning flashes not uncircumscribed, but in the way, extent, and order he prescribes. The deloister wilderness partakes of the divine care, and herbs and flowers arise, where no human footsteps tread; and the beads of the forest alone maintain their empire, v. 26, 27. Great parent of all, the rain calls him father, and the disallot drop of dew distinct acknowledges him the maker, v. 28. The hoary froth that whitens the earth, he only can produce; and when he lends forth his ice, the waters are congested as the rock, and the face of the deep fold as the marble pavement, v. 30. Note, [1.] Our hearts are like the deloister and parched ground, till watered with the dew of heavenly grace, but then bring forth fruit unto God. [2.] If the weather be unfashionable and severe, we should receive it as a deloyred correction from God.

2. God appeals to him for his weakness. He can do nothing, the clouds will not drop at his bidding, nor the lightnings execute his commands, v. 34, 35. much less can he reach the higher regions of the stars. He cannot bind the sweet influences of the Pleiades, which utter in the genial spring, to retard or halten it; nor loose the bands of Orion, which constellation reigns during the cold of winter, that the stormy winds should not blow, or the frost harden the earth, v. 31. The southern stars own not his government, nor do the constellations of the north more by his direction, v. 32. So far from guiding them, he knew not by what laws they were governed; and, if their dominion were left to him, confusion would soon ensue, and he be at a loss to govern the salt machine, v. 33. The understanding man possesses, of whatever kind in things natural and spiritual, is all derived from him, and therefore it were folly to pretend to be wise above him, from whom all our wisdom is derived, v. 36. We know little, and can do less. Who can number the clouds, or stay the bottles of heaven, when by profult rain the dust becomes more, and cleaves fast together in clods? v. 37, 38. Therefore with humble acknowledgments of our weakness and ignorance, it becomes so to resign ourselves and our all to his government, who alone is the all-wise direction. Note, [1.] If some pretend to judge of men’s fortune by the knowledge of the stars, and others credit their astrological predictions, we may safely conclude the knanery of the one, and the folly of the other. [2.] Since God is the author of our rational God, let us improve the measure of knowledge he hath bestowed on us, not in endless retractors, or vain questions, much less in finding fault with his ways; but in meditation on his glory, and reflecting on the arguments for perfect shimmilation under all his dispensations, and thus shall be indeed our wisdom.

3. God proceeds from the works of his glory above, to his care and providence over the brute creation, in which the next chapter is entirely taken up, and might properly begin here. The lion, as the king of beasts, is first mentioned: man neither can nor dwelt provide their prey, nor approach them in their hiding places; but God feeds and fills them, v. 39, 40. The ravens likewise prove his providential care: useless as they may appear in the creation, their young ones are not suffered to perish for want, but God hears their cry of hunger, and provides for their support. Note, [1.] Doth the providence of God extend to the fierce lion, and the unclean raven? shall they share his kindness, and can his own children have cause to complain of his neglect? No, in no wise. [2.] If the cry of the young raven is heard, surely the prayers of the poor shall not be disregarded. Whilst on our knees we beg for daily bread, we shall not want it.

Job 37:12-24

God proceeds to confound Job with questions infinitely above mortal understanding, and therein to teach him his folly in arraigning any of his works and ways.

1. Reflecting the light of the morning. Half thou commanded the morning since thy days? to break founts, or retard the dawn beyond its appointed moment; and could the day-fitting to leave its place? when or where to arise? Never: how then could he pretend to alter the dispensation of providence, fixed as the ordinances of day and night. Swift the morning beam darts to earth’s farthest verge, bringing unwelcome light to deeds of darkness; then the wicked are discovered and feted, and shaken out of the world, v. 13. Turning to the sun, as clay to the bed, the enlightened hemisphere, that before was darkness and confusion, now appears beautifully illuminated with the beams of day, and all its verdant beauties, trees, plants, herbs, and flowers, like garments cloath and adorn it on every side, v. 14. But though the light of day returns, spiritual darkness is still spread upon the inner’s soul, and eternal darkness awaits him; or, confined for his crimes in dungeons, he less no cheating beam, and the arm he lifted high in iniquity, is broken by just judgment, v. 15. Note, Like the morning light did Christ, the day-flat, arise, and his bright truth hath been diffused to the ends of the earth; and though wicked men clothe darkness rather, and hate this gospel-day, they shall be seized, convicted, condemned, and executed, doomed to that unto darkness, where there is morning, and waiting, and gnashing of teeth.

2. As ignorant was he, [1.] Of the springs of the sea; what led it in such exact proportions, that it should not be exhausted by the vapour arising from it, nor fowle beyond its limits by the rivers which flow into it; and of its depth, which is unfathomable, or its treafores, which are unfachable, v. 16. [2.] Of the flats of the dead, by what diseases or accidents men shall come to the grave; how the union of body and foul is diffused; by what path we go into the unseen world; in what place the foul remains; who in it are happy or miserable; and what is there transacted, v. 17. Note, In awful curiosity the foul now flepa sometimes to the verge of time, and calls an eye into the boundless ocean of eternity; but shadows, clouds, and darkness are upon it. Yet, though sight falls, and reason is lost, faith can porter through the thick cloud, and dare untrodged launch forth with confidence and comfort into the untried abyss. [3.] Of the dimensions of the earth. Who ever made the furvey of all its kingdoms, provinces, hills, dales, with the several measures and extent of each? Where so much is yet unknown, after all human researches, and of what is discovered, how small a part can any one man know by actual furvey? and how much less of the breadth and length of the divine councils? [4.] Where light and darkness dwell; from whence brought forth at the creation; how still preserved; by what parted; how in succession going and returning, till day and night shall have an end. Secrets there, into which the deepest phallophic enquiries can never adequately penetrate. [5.] Of the Snow, hail, and wind. Where the treasures for each are placed; how they are free forth in measure and duration; in what manner marshalled, when God employs them as instruments of vengeance to punish guilty mortals. In all which points, a worm of yesterday, as Job was, must confess his ignorance, and therefore ought in silence to adorn, without a murmur against any thing God doth, all whose works so far exceed his understanding.

1 Pf. crit. 2 J. Jer. xiv. 3. 4 Pf. exh. 18. Heb. C. arch. Chap. ix. 9. Amos v. 8. Heb. C. id. § Ex. the twelve figs. ¶ Heb. Ab. 7 Jer. xxxi. 11. ¶ Chap. xiii. 8. Pf. h. 8. Bethel ii. ab. Heb. C. arch. in the sion. Or, in tioned into mice. § Heb. Lds.

25. Who hath divided a water-course for the overflowing of waters? or a way for the lightning of thunder. v. 8. To cause it to rain on the earth, where no man is; on the wilderness wherein there is no man? 27. To satisfy the deloister and waffe ground, and to cause the bud of the tender herb to spring forth? 28. Hath the rain a father? or who hath begotten the drops of the dew? 29. Out of whose womb came the ice? and the hoary froth of heaven, who hath gended it? 30. The waters are hid as such a stone, and the face of the deep is frozen. 31. Canst thou bind the sweet influences of: Pleiades, or loose the bands of Orion? 32. Canst thou bring forth Mazzaroth in his leasier, or canst thou guide: Arcturus with his sons? 33. Knoweth thou the ordinances of heaven? canst thou let the dominion thereof in the earth? 34. Canst thou lie up thy voice on the clouds, that abundance of waters may cover thee? 35. Canst thou send lightnings, that they may go, and lay unto thee, Here we are? 36. Who hath put wisdom in the inward parts? or who hath given understanding to the heart? 37. Who can number the clouds in wisdom? or who can? Say the bottles of heaven, 38. When the dust groweth into hardness, and the clods cleave fast together? 39. Wilt thou hunt the prey for the lion? or till the appetite of the young lions, 40. When they

couch in their dens, and abide in the covert to lie in water? 41. Who provideth for the raven his food? when his young ones cry unto God, they wander for lack of meat.

Job 37:14-20

Elihu calls upon Job to attend diligently his speech, and with solemn consideration to weigh well what he had spoken of these wondrous works of God, as an argument for submission to every dispension, which, however strange to us, is ordered by him whole understanding is infinite, v. 14. God alone is all-wise, and perfect in knowledge; which we, even the wisest, how small a part of of his ways can we understand? When God filled the air with his flores of rain, or snow, or vapours; when or where they shall descend; how the rays of light became so beautifully painted on the cloud in the rainbow, by the different refreshability of their colours, v. 15. by what mechanism these floating bodies are suspended, not rush at once in cataracts to the earth, v. 16. how our garments are warm, when, after winter’s cold, the milder breath of summer fills the earth, v. 17. these, with innumerable other things, however obvious in their effects, have my throes in them that no human wisdom can unfold: and as none can comprehend these wonders, none can pretend to have shared with God in any of his works. Half thou with him spread out the sky, which is strong, firm, and permanent, and as a molten looking-glass, bright and clear, without a flow, reflecting the glory of the great Curator, v. 18. Lost in the immensity and unfathomable abyss of God’s wondrous works, he bids Job speak, if he dared pretend a knowledge of these my throes, where wisdom groped for the wall as blind, and our cannot order our speech by reason of darkness. Both darkness of the fallen mind within, and darkness

Before Christ the light parted, which scattereth the salt-wind upon the earth?