Job 37
SIBJust now my heart trembles, and is like to start out of its lace, at the thought of hearing of the terrible thunder
Job 37:2
Hear attentively the roaring noise of JEROTAH’s voice, and the breathing murmur that proceeds from his lips
Job 37:3
By his providence he guides the forcible and straight darting of the thunderbolts along the whole extent of the sky, and makes the blaze of lightning to fly over the confines of the earth
Job 37:4
After the blazing flash of lightning the noise roars. He thunders with the voice of his Majesty: nor will he restrain the storm and rain when the roaring of his thunder is heard
Job 37:5
By thundering the mighty God produces many marvellous effects: he does many things in nature which we cannot comprehend
Job 37:6
At his command the now falls, as also the gentle showers and the deluging rains, the impetuous showers and tempestuous storms
Job 37:7
By the winter storm he restrains men from laur, and keeps them within doors, that they may have opportunity to consider his works
Job 37:8
The very wild beasts are obliged to shut up themselves in their hickets and dens
Job 37:9
The whirlwind is generated in the moist clouds of the truth as in a chamber; and cold proceeds from the scattering north winds
Job 37:10
By God’s will and appointment the frost is produced, and the rivers are congealed that they cannot flow
Job 37:11
As by pouring down continual showers he wearieth the thick cloud, so his clear brightness dispels it; and by his light he disperses the transparent duskiness of the sky
Job 37:12
While the clouds are carried higher and thither at his pleasure, he himself on every side holds the reins of their motions, that he may accomplish his own purposes by them all over the world
Job 37:13
Whether it be for punishing the guilty by pestilential vapours and storms, or for rendering the earth fruitful, or for graciously rewarding his life with remarkable plenty
Job 37:14
Stop therefore thy censures of, and murmur, the dispossession of God’s providence; seriously consider his wondrous works; and think how little thou understandest of the most obvious of them
Job 37:15
Knowest thou how God lays his orders or impresses his powerful influence upon them? or how he makes the rainbow-light of the transparent cloud to shine?
Job 37:16
Canst thou tell how, in his marvellous wisdom, he hangs the clouds in the air, as if balanced by one another?
Job 37:17
Dost thou know how thy garments wax warm when the earth is calmed by the southern sun and the pleasant gale?
Job 37:18
Hast thou assisted him in clearing the sky after rain; and in making it to stand fast by its own strength, us a mirror, in which we may behold his admirable wisdom, power, goodness, and glory?
Job 37:19
Teach us, if thou canst, how to speak to or of God: for, by reason of his incomprehensible excellencies, and our great ignorance, we cannot speak of him to any purpose
Job 37:20
Nothing which I have said is worthy of his notice, or answerable to the subject. If any attempt to describe his excellencies, he will be quite confounded by their dazzling glory
Job 37:21
And just now men cannot look upon the bright shining of the sun in the sky, when the wind has dispelled every cloud
Job 37:22
The godlike glancing sun shines clearly by the purifying north winds: and upon God is a robe of terrible majesty
Job 37:23
We cannot comprehend his essence, perfections, purposes, or works. His power indeed is infinite: but he will not afflict his people in strict judgment or severity of justice
Job 37:24
Men should therefore stand in awe of him, and beware of quarrelling with his conduct; for he regards none who are wise in their own conceit, or who dare contend with their Maker, or presume to censure his proceedings
REFLECTIONS UPON CHAP. XXXVII.—O how much of God is to be seen in the works of nature, in the forms of clouds, and in the changes and forms of weather! If all creatures thus fulfil his pleasure, why should men be rebels, and refuse his direction and government! Why do not we improve his corrections and mercies! It is absurd for us to quarrel with him, when we understand so little of his nature, or even of his most obvious works. And it is highly necessary to maintain the most awful, kind, and honourable thoughts of him, and the most cordial submission to every thing which he does. But by what terrible harbingers doth he sometimes introduce himself to his people! If the clouds thicken, if thunders roar, if lightnings flash, if rains descend, and winds blow, let me hope that my God is near, my God that saveth me!