Don’t Trifle with God! (Job 37)
Heart of a Shepherd
Mar 28, 2023
Translations
French
Ne plaisante pas avec Dieu ! (Travail 37)
German
Spiel nicht mit Gott! (Aufgabe 37)
Russian
Не шутите с Богом! (Работа 37)
Urdu
خدا کے ساتھ جھکاؤ مت کرو! (ایوب 37)
Portuguese
Não brinque com Deus! (Jó 37)
Portuguese
Não brinque com Deus! (Jó 37)
Italian
Non scherzare con Dio! (Lavoro 37)
Urdu
خدا کے ساتھ جھکاؤ مت کرو! (ایوب 37)
French
Ne plaisante pas avec Dieu ! (Travail 37)
German
Spiel nicht mit Gott! (Aufgabe 37)
Russian
Не шутите с Богом! (Работа 37)
Spanish
¡No juegues con Dios! (Trabajo 37)
Don’t Trifle with God! (Job 37)
Scripture reading - Job 37
Job 37 brings us to the final chapter in Elihu’s protracted admonition of Job. Like his other friends, the younger Elihu suggested Job’s troubles had come because he had provoked the wrath of God. Humiliated by his sorrows, and troubled by friends who showed him no pity, Job remained silent throughout Elihu’s indictment.
Consider the Majesty of God Displayed in Creation (Job 37:1-5)
Speaking figuratively, Elihu encouraged Job to “hear attentively the noise [rumbling] of [God’s] voice, and the sound that goeth out of his mouth. (3) He [God] directeth it [the thunder] under the whole heaven, And his lightning unto the ends of the earth” (Job 37:2-3). Elihu observed, the sound of thunder was the voice of God, and He “thundereth marvellously with his voice; Great things doeth he, which we cannot comprehend” (Job 37:5).
God is the Director of the Snow, Ice, Rains, and Wind (Job 37:6-13)
Not only is the majesty of God displayed in thunderstorms, but in them He displays His power and authority over nature. The LORD guides the snow, ice, rain, and winds where He wills. He controls winter weather, and sends spring showers (Job 37:6). He is able to stop all human activity with a storm, and “He sealeth up the hand of every man; that all may know His work” (Job 37:7a).
Speaking allegorically, Elihu suggested frost was “the breath of God” (Job 37:10), and the clouds a reminder of His presence and providence (Job 37:11). The movement of storms and winds accomplish God’s will, and “do whatsoever He commandeth them upon the face of the world in the earth” (Job 37:12b). Some storms come as a manifestation of divine judgment (“correction”), and others as an expression of God’s mercy (Job 37:13).
Elihu’s Parting Admonition: No Man Dare Judge Divine Providence (Job 37:14-20)
After he illustrated the nature and power of God in His creation, Elihu challenged: “Hearken [Listen] unto this, O Job: Stand still, and consider the wondrous works of God” (Job 37:14). Man cannot know why God sends the lightning, nor why He distributes the clouds as He does (Job 37:15-16). Irrespective of a man’s attempt to control nature, he is nothing for God orders nature, and spreads out the sky as He wills. The sky above is like a metal mirror, displaying the glory of God (Job 37:18; Psalm 19:1).
Earlier, Job had complained, if he were he given opportunity, he would ask God to explain the reason for all he suffered (Job 13:8, 18-22). Therefore, Elihu, having described the majesty of God revealed in His creation, remembered Job’s complaint, and challenged him, “Teach us what we shall say unto Him; For we cannot order our speech by reason of darkness” (Job 37:19). In other words, Elihu suggested, should any man be so foolish as to question God’s providence, “surely he [would] be swallowed up” and destroyed by Him (Job 37:20).
Closing thoughts - The Majesty of Almighty God (Job 37:21-24)Some scholars suggest, as Elihu concluded his speech, he saw and felt an unusual stirring in nature, a “a bright light…in the clouds,” and a rising wind coming out of the north (Job 37:21-22).
Elihu observed, no man can measure, define, or find El Shaddai, “the Almighty” (Job 37:23). God is all powerful, and just, and “He will not afflict” or oppress for the purpose of doing evil (Job 37:23b). He is Sovereign, and to be feared and revered (Job 37:24a). The LORD respects no man who thinks himself wise (Job 37:24).
Seeing the approach of a great storm, Elihu and Job’s friends fell silent. Even Job, who boasted he would have a word with God, did not speak. It was “then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind” (Job 38:1).
Our next devotional study will consider God’s counsel to Job and his “friends” (Job 38-41). For now, let’s conclude with a warning from LORD:
Matthew 10:28 - And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear Him [the LORD] which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
Copyright © 2023 – Travis D. Smith
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