The Power of God's Voice
Study note
Elihu's heart trembles at the voice of God in the storm. God directs his thunder and lightning across the sky. He commands the snow and the rain. He seals up every person's hand so they cannot work, forcing them to recognize his power. The animals take shelter. The whirlwind comes from the south and cold from the north. God's breath creates ice. He loads the clouds with moisture. He directs the storms wherever he wants -- for punishment, for the land, or for mercy.
1 'hearing this makes my heart pound and nearly jump out of my chest.' At this also my heart trembleth, and is moved out of his place.
2 'Listen! Listen carefully to the booming roll of his voice, the rumble that pours from his mouth.' Hear attentively the noise of his voice, and the sound that goeth out of his mouth.
3 'He sends his lightning streaking under the whole sky and directs it to the ends of the earth.' He directeth it under the whole heaven, and his lightning unto the ends of the earth.
4 'Then comes the roar -- he thunders with his glorious voice. And when that voice echoes, the lightning does not hold back.' 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 thunders with his voice in ways that leave us speechless. The things he does are too great for us to wrap our minds around.' God thundereth marvellously with his voice; great things doeth he, which we cannot comprehend.
6 'He gives orders to the snow: "Go, fall on the earth." He says the same to the rain: "Come down with full force."' For he saith to the snow, Be thou on the earth; likewise to the small rain, and to the great rain of his strength.
7 'He makes everyone stop their work so that every person on earth can see that he is the one doing it.' He sealeth up the hand of every man; that all men may know his work.
8 'The wild animals retreat into their shelters and stay hidden in their dens.' Then the beasts go into dens, and remain in their places.
9 'The whirlwind blows up from the south, and the freezing cold sweeps down from the north.' Out of the south cometh the whirlwind: and cold out of the north.
10 'Ice forms from the breath of God, and wide stretches of water freeze solid.' By the breath of God frost is given: and the breadth of the waters is straitened.
11 'He packs the clouds full of moisture. He sends his lightning flashing through them.' Also by watering he wearieth the thick cloud: he scattereth his bright cloud:
12 'The clouds swirl and spin under his control. They go wherever he tells them to go, covering the whole face of the earth.' 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 sends these storms for different reasons. Sometimes they punish. Sometimes they water the land. Sometimes they show his love.' He causeth it to come, whether for correction, or for his land, or for mercy.
Can You Understand God's Works?
Study note
Elihu tells Job to stop and consider God's wonderful works. Does Job know how God controls the clouds? Does Job know how the lightning flashes? Can Job spread out the sky, which is as hard as a mirror of polished bronze? We cannot even arrange our words properly before God because of our darkness. No one can look at the sun when it blazes in the sky after the wind has cleared the clouds. God comes in awesome majesty. The Almighty is beyond our reach -- great in power, justice, and righteousness. He does not oppress. Therefore people should fear him.
14 'Stop for a moment and think about this, Job. Stand still and truly consider the amazing things God does.' Hearken unto this, O Job: stand still, and consider the wondrous works of God.
15 'Do you understand how God gives the clouds their orders and makes lightning flash from inside them?' Dost thou know when God disposed them, and caused the light of his cloud to shine?
16 'Do you understand how clouds float up there in the sky? These are the wonders of God, who knows everything.' Dost thou know the balancings of the clouds, the wondrous works of him which is perfect in knowledge?
17 'You, whose clothes get hot and sticky when the south wind makes the earth stand still --' How thy garments are warm, when he quieteth the earth by the south wind?
18 'can you help him stretch out the sky, making it solid and shiny like a polished bronze mirror?' Hast thou with him spread out the sky, which is strong, and as a molten looking glass?
19 'Tell us what we should say to him. We have no means to prepare our case because we are stumbling around in the dark.' Teach us what we shall say unto him; for we cannot order our speech by reason of darkness.
20 'Should God be told that I want an appointment with him? Would any person ask to be swallowed up?' Shall it be told him that I speak? if a man speak, surely he shall be swallowed up.
21 'Right now, nobody can even look at the sun blazing in the sky after the wind has swept all the clouds away.' And now men see not the bright light which is in the clouds: but the wind passeth, and cleanseth them.
22 'A golden glow comes from the north. God arrives wrapped in breathtaking majesty.' Fair weather cometh out of the north: with God is terrible majesty.
23 'The Almighty is beyond anything we can reach. His power is enormous, and yet he is perfectly just and right. He does not crush people unfairly.' Touching the Almighty, we cannot find him out: he is excellent in power, and in judgment, and in plenty of justice: he will not afflict.
24 'Therefore people everywhere are in awe of him. He pays no special attention to anyone who thinks they already have all the answers.' Men do therefore fear him: he respecteth not any that are wise of heart.