Job 37:4 | KingComments | STEP | Elihu made it clear in the last verses of the previous chapter ( ) that God in His sovereignty has control over nature. This serves as an example that He has control over all things. In this chapter he continues to describe God’s control over nature. In he cites more examples of “great things” that God does in nature that we do not understand ( ). In Elihu says what the effects of God’s control over nature are on people. What God does can cause pain, it can also give relief. When Elihu arrives at that point, he turns to Job again to apply these truths to his situation ( ). Elihu continues speaking of God’s voice in the thunder ( ), which he began in the previous chapter. Yes, about that (“at this”) his heart trembles and leaps from its place. There is no fear, but deep awe of this expression of God’s majesty. What he says to Job in his description of that majesty touches him himself. He stands, as it were, trembling on his legs. He does not teach Job physics, but undergoes the greatness of what he describes and passes on what he hears the creation of God’s eternal power and divine nature ( ). In this we see again how he stands beside Job before God. This is necessary in order to serve someone. Elihu calls upon Job to “listen closely to the thunder of His voice” ( ). “The rumbling that goes out from His mouth” is the sound of the approaching thunderstorm. It is an impressive sound, not clearly spoken words. It is recommended to read Psalm 29 ( ). In that psalm God’s majesty in the thunderstorm is impressively described. By listening to it attentively, lessons can be learned from it. When the thunder of the voice of God rolls, that voice is heard “under the whole heaven” ( ). National borders do not count, nor do all kinds of differences on earth. Everyone is addressed by it. The same goes for His lightning. As far as the eye can see over the earth, His lightning goes over the horizon of our field of vision. In what Elihu says here, we can think of the coming of the Lord Jesus to earth to judge. The Lord says so Himself: “For just as the lightning comes from the east and flashes even to the west, so will the coming of the Son of Man be” ( ). After the lightning a deafening thunder breaks out. This is the roaring of God with His voice ( ). Thunder is “His majestic voice” (cf. ). Then, after “His voice is heard”, other things follow that He does not restrain. This is seen in the rain and the storm that follow the lightning and the thunderstorm ( ). His voice announces something and it will come. He does not deceive.

‏ Job 37:4

Introduction

Elihu made it clear in the last verses of the previous chapter (Job 36:26-33) that God in His sovereignty has control over nature. This serves as an example that He has control over all things. In this chapter he continues to describe God’s control over nature. In Job 37:1-12 he cites more examples of “great things” that God does in nature that we do not understand (Job 37:5).

In Job 37:13 Elihu says what the effects of God’s control over nature are on people. What God does can cause pain, it can also give relief. When Elihu arrives at that point, he turns to Job again to apply these truths to his situation (Job 37:14-24).

The Thunder of God’s Voice

Elihu continues speaking of God’s voice in the thunder (Job 37:1), which he began in the previous chapter. Yes, about that (“at this”) his heart trembles and leaps from its place. There is no fear, but deep awe of this expression of God’s majesty. What he says to Job in his description of that majesty touches him himself. He stands, as it were, trembling on his legs. He does not teach Job physics, but undergoes the greatness of what he describes and passes on what he hears the creation of God’s eternal power and divine nature (Rom 1:20). In this we see again how he stands beside Job before God. This is necessary in order to serve someone.

Elihu calls upon Job to “listen closely to the thunder of His voice” (Job 37:2). “The rumbling that goes out from His mouth” is the sound of the approaching thunderstorm. It is an impressive sound, not clearly spoken words. It is recommended to read Psalm 29 (Psa 29:1-11). In that psalm God’s majesty in the thunderstorm is impressively described. By listening to it attentively, lessons can be learned from it.

When the thunder of the voice of God rolls, that voice is heard “under the whole heaven” (Job 37:3). National borders do not count, nor do all kinds of differences on earth. Everyone is addressed by it. The same goes for His lightning. As far as the eye can see over the earth, His lightning goes over the horizon of our field of vision. In what Elihu says here, we can think of the coming of the Lord Jesus to earth to judge. The Lord says so Himself: “For just as the lightning comes from the east and flashes even to the west, so will the coming of the Son of Man be” (Mt 24:27).

After the lightning a deafening thunder breaks out. This is the roaring of God with His voice (Job 37:4). Thunder is “His majestic voice” (cf. Psa 29:4). Then, after “His voice is heard”, other things follow that He does not restrain. This is seen in the rain and the storm that follow the lightning and the thunderstorm (Jer 10:13). His voice announces something and it will come. He does not deceive.