Job 37:1-24

  • Natural forces reveal God’s greatness (1-24)

    • God can stop man’s activities (7)

    • ‘Consider God’s wonderful works’ (14)

    • To understand God is beyond the reach of humans (23)

    • No human should think he is wise (24)

37  “At this my heart poundsAnd leaps from its place.   Listen carefully to the rumbling of his voiceAnd the thunder that comes from his mouth.   He unleashes it under the entire heavensAnd sends his lightning+ to the ends of the earth.   After that is a roaring sound;He thunders with a majestic voice,+And he does not hold it back when his voice is heard.   God thunders with his voice+ in a wonderful way;He does great things that are beyond our understanding.+   For he says to the snow, ‘Fall to the earth,’+ And to the downpour of rain, ‘Pour down mightily.’+   God puts a stop to all human activity*So that every mortal man will know His work.   The wild animals go into their densAnd remain in their lairs.   The storm wind blows from its chamber,+And the cold comes from the north winds.+ 10  By the breath of God, the ice is produced,+And the broad waters are frozen solid.+ 11  Yes, he weighs down the clouds with moisture;He scatters his lightning+ in the clouds; 12  They swirl around where he directs them;They carry out whatever he commands+ on the surface of the inhabited earth.* 13  Whether it is for punishment*+ or for the sake of the landOr for loyal love, he causes it to happen.+ 14  Listen to this, Job;Stop and consider carefully the wonderful works of God.+ 15  Do you know how God controls* the cloudsAnd how he causes the lightning to flash from his cloud? 16  Do you know how the clouds float?+ These are the wonderful works of the One perfect in knowledge.+ 17  Why does your clothing become hotWhen the earth is still because of the south wind?+ 18  Can you, with him, spread out* the skies+As solid as a metal mirror? 19  Tell us what we should say to him;We cannot answer because we are in the dark. 20  Should he be told that I want to speak? Or has anyone said something that should be communicated to him?+ 21  They cannot even see the light,*Though it is bright in the sky,Until a wind passes by and clears away the clouds. 22  Out of the north comes golden splendor;God’s majesty+ is awe-inspiring. 23  Understanding the Almighty is beyond our reach;+He is great in power,+And he never violates his justice+ and abundant righteousness.+ 24  Therefore, people should fear him.+ For he does not favor any who think that they are wise.”*+

Footnotes

Lit., “puts a seal on the hand of every human.”
Or “of the productive land of the earth.”
Lit., “a rod.”
Or “commands.”
Or “beat out.”
That is, of the sun.
Lit., “who are wise of heart.”