The Strand Study Bible

JOB 37:6

JOB 38:4

835

cannot comprehend. 6 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 sealeth 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 straitened. 11 Also by watering he wearieth 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 1 correction, or for his land, or for mercy. 14 Hearken unto this, O Job: stand still, and consider the wondrous works of God. 15 Dost thou know when God disposed them, and caused the light of his 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 2 by the south wind? 18 Hast 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. 21 And now men see not the bright light which is in the clouds: but the wind passeth, and cleanseth them. 22 Fair weather cometh out of the north: with God is terrible majesty. 23 3 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 Men do therefore fear him: he respecteth not any that are 4 wise of heart. Job 38 The LORD rebukes Job Date - c. 1625 BC/AM 2375 1 Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said, 2 5 Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge? 3 Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me. 4 Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding.

1. Exo 9:18,23 & I Sam 12:18-19 2. Lk 12:55 3. Rom 11:33-36 4. that is, “proud” - Mt 11:25 5. Note - Have you ever met someone that insisted on talking about things about? This is what God is accusing Job of. God is saying to Job here, “All of your ignorance ( Who is this ) is only making matters worse” ( that that they didn’t know anything

darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge? ).

38:4 God’s question to man is a legitimate one. He asks man: Where were you when I created everything? How can you talk about the origin of the universe, much less the earth, if you don’t even know where you were when I laid the foundations of the earth? One of the most stunning evidences of the inspiration of the Scriptures ( II Pet 1:21 and Eccl 1:6 ) is the great number of scientific truths that have lain buried within its pages for more than 3,800 years, only to be discovered by man’s endeavor within the last few centuries or even years. For example: * God revealed to the prophet Abraham 3,800 years ago that there were as many stars in the heavens as there were grains of sand upon the seashore ( Gen 15:5 & 22:17 and Jere 31:37 & 33:22). And yet, up until 400 years ago (or, until the invention of the first telescope) most people scoffed at the idea that the stars were as innumerable as the sands upon the seashore. It’s nice when science finally catches up with the Scriptures. * God revealed to Job 3,600 years ago that the earth hung upon nothing ( Job 26:7 ). And yet, up until fifty years ago (or, until the invention of the satellite in the late 1950’s) many people in different parts of the world still believed that elephants and/or even giant tortoises held up the world. * God revealed to Job 3,600 years ago that the clouds in the sky received their rain through evaporation and precipitation of the seas and oceans (Job 36:27-29, Isa 55:10, Amos 9:6 and Eccl 1: 6- 7 ). And yet, up until a few hundred years ago (or, until scientists discovered the process of evaporation and precipitation) no one knew how and where the clouds got their rain. * God revealed to Job 3,600 years ago that there were springs coming up out of the seas (Job 38:16). And yet, up until 63 B.C. (or, until Strabo, the Roman geographer, recorded oceanic occurrences) most people were oblivious to the fact that at least five fresh water springs came up out of the oceans and seas. * God revealed to the prophet Moses 3,400 years ago that the continuance of life depended on you keeping your blood, not losing it ( Lev 17:11 & 13:46 ). And yet, up until 100 years ago (or, until doctors discovered that the life of the flesh was in the blood) most people were led to believe that bleeding a person helped him get better by getting rid of the disease within the blood. * God revealed to the prophet Moses 3,400 years ago that circumcising little boys, quarantining the sick, properly disposing of human waste, and washing ones hands under running water curbed the spreading of infectious diseases ( Lev 13:46 ). And yet, up until a few hundred years ago (or, until doctors discovered that they needed to wash their hands before every patient) most people were ignorant as to how diseases were spread. * God revealed to David 3,000 years ago that there were currents in the oceans ( the paths of the seas - Psa 8:8). And yet, up until the 1850’s (or, until Matthew Maury, the father of oceanography, discovered ocean currents) nobody understood that these currents even existed.