Job 37: The Thunder of His Voice
Elihu marvels at God in the storm, the thunder, snow, ice, and lightning, until his words give way to the Lord who will speak from the whirlwind.
Job 37 (WEB)
1 “Yes, at this my heart trembles, and is moved out of its place.
2 Hear, oh, hear the noise of his voice, the sound that goes out of his mouth.
3 He sends it out under the whole sky, and his lightning to the ends of the earth.
4 After it a voice roars. He thunders with the voice of his majesty. He doesn’t hold back anything when his voice is heard.
5 God thunders marvelously with his voice. He does great things, which we can’t comprehend.
6 For he says to the snow, ‘Fall on the earth;’ likewise to the shower of rain, and to the showers of his mighty rain.
7 He seals up the hand of every man, that all men whom he has made may know it.
8 Then the animals take cover, and remain in their dens.
9 Out of its room comes the storm, and cold out of the north.
10 By the breath of God, ice is given, and the breadth of the waters is frozen.
11 Yes, he loads the thick cloud with moisture. He spreads abroad the cloud of his lightning.
12 It is turned around by his guidance, that they may do whatever he commands them on the surface of the habitable world,
13 Whether it is for correction, or for his land, or for loving kindness, that he causes it to come.
14 “Listen to this, Job. Stand still, and consider the wondrous works of God.
15 Do you know how God controls them, and causes the lightning of his cloud to shine?
16 Do you know the workings of the clouds, the wondrous works of him who is perfect in knowledge?
17 You whose clothing is warm, when the earth is still by reason of the south wind?
18 Can you, with him, spread out the sky, which is strong as a cast metal mirror?
19 Teach us what we shall tell him, for we can’t make our case by reason of darkness.
20 Shall it be told him that I would speak? Or should a man wish that he were swallowed up?
21 Now men don’t see the light which is bright in the skies, but the wind passes, and clears them.
22 Out of the north comes golden splendor. With God is awesome majesty.
23 We can’t reach the Almighty. He is exalted in power. In justice and great righteousness, he will not oppress.
24 Therefore men revere him. He doesn’t regard any who are wise of heart.”
Job 37 (KJV)
1 At this also my heart trembleth, and is moved out of his place.
2 Hear attentively the noise of his voice, and the sound that goeth out of his mouth.
3 He directeth it under the whole heaven, and his lightning unto the ends of the earth.
4 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 thundereth marvellously with his voice; great things doeth he, which we 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 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 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 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 wise of heart.
Job 37 (ASV)
1 Yea, at this my heart trembleth, And is moved out of its place.
2 Hear, oh, hear the noise of his voice, And the sound that goeth out of his mouth.
3 He sendeth it forth under the whole heaven, And his lightning unto the ends of the earth.
4 After it a voice roareth; He thundereth with the voice of his majesty; And he restraineth not the lightnings when his voice is heard.
5 God thundereth marvellously with his voice; Great things doeth he, which we cannot comprehend.
6 For he saith to the snow, Fall thou on the earth; Likewise to the shower of rain, And to the showers of his mighty rain.
7 He sealeth up the hand of every man, That all men whom he hath made may know it.
8 Then the beasts go into coverts, And remain in their dens.
9 Out of the chamberof the south cometh the storm, And cold out of the north.
10 By the breath of God ice is given; And the breadth of the waters is straitened.
11 Yea, he ladeth the thick cloud with moisture; He spreadeth abroad the cloud of his lightning:
12 And it is turned round about by his guidance, That they may do whatsoever he commandeth them Upon the face of the habitable world,
13 Whether it be for correction, or for his land, Or for lovingkindness, that he cause it to come.
14 Hearken unto this, O Job: Stand still, and consider the wondrous works of God.
15 Dost thou know how God layeth his charge upon them, And causeth the lightning of his cloud to shine?
16 Dost thou know the balancings of the clouds, The wondrous works of him who is perfect in knowledge?
17 How thy garments are warm, When the earth is still by reason of the southwind?
18 Canst thou with him spread out the sky, Which is strong as a molten mirror?
19 Teach us what we shall say unto him; For we cannot set our speech in order by reason of darkness.
20 Shall it be told him that I would speak? Or should a man wish that he were swallowed up?
21 And now men see not the light which is bright in the skies; But the wind passeth, and cleareth them.
22 Out of the north cometh golden splendor: God hath upon him terrible majesty.
23 Touchingthe Almighty, we cannot find him out: He is excellent in power; And in justice and plenteous righteousness he will not afflict.
24 Men do therefore fear him: He regardeth not any that are wise of heart.
Summary
Elihu's heart trembles and leaps out of its place as he contemplates the storm, hearing the thunder as the very voice of God roaring with majesty across the sky. He describes God commanding the snow to fall and the rains to pour, sealing up the hand of every worker so that all may know his power, while animals take cover in their dens. By the breath of God ice is given and the waters are frozen, the thick clouds laden with moisture and lightning turned about by his guidance, sent whether for correction, for the land, or for loving kindness. Elihu then urges Job to stand still and consider the wondrous works of God, asking whether Job knows how God balances the clouds, makes the lightning shine, or spreads out the sky like a cast-metal mirror. The questions humble Job into silence, for no one can teach God or even arrange their case before him by reason of darkness. Elihu concludes that out of the north comes golden splendor, that with God is awesome majesty, and that he is exalted in power yet will not violate justice or great righteousness. Therefore people rightly revere him, while he regards none who are wise in their own conceit. With this crescendo of awe, the human voices fall silent, and the stage is set for God himself to answer Job out of the whirlwind. The chapter is a bridge from human reasoning into the presence of the living God.
Voices
- Elihu — The speaker whose final words marvel at God's majesty in the storm and call Job to stand in awe.
- God in the storm — The Almighty whose thunder is his voice and whose snow, ice, and lightning display his power and justice.
- Job — The sufferer summoned to stand still and consider the wondrous works of God before the Lord speaks.
Key Verse
Job 37:14 (WEB)
“Listen to this, Job. Stand still, and consider the wondrous works of God.
Lessons Learned
- The wonders of weather and sky declare the majesty and power of their Maker.
- There are times to stop arguing and simply stand still to consider the works of God.
- God wields the storm for purposes of correction, provision, and loving kindness alike.
- Reverence is the right response to a God exalted in power yet perfect in justice.
- Creation proclaims God's majesty. “God thunders marvelously with his voice. He does great things, which we can't comprehend” (Job 37:5, WEB); the natural world is a sermon on his greatness.
- Sometimes we must simply stand still. “Stand still, and consider the wondrous works of God” (Job 37:14, WEB); awe often grows not from more arguing but from quiet contemplation.
- God's power serves varied purposes. He sends the storm “whether it is for correction, or for his land, or for loving kindness” (Job 37:13, WEB); the same providence can discipline, provide, or bless.
- Power and justice meet in God. “He is exalted in power. In justice and great righteousness, he will not oppress” (Job 37:23, WEB); his might is never divorced from his goodness.
- How does Elihu interpret the thunder and the storm, and what does it stir in his own heart?
- Why does Elihu call Job to “stand still” rather than to keep arguing?
- What different purposes does Elihu say God's storms can serve?
- How does Elihu hold together God's power and his justice in verse 23?
- When has the beauty or power of creation drawn you into awe of God, and how might you make space to “stand still” and consider his works?
- Elihu hears the thunder as the voice of God's majesty, and it makes his heart tremble and leap (37:1-5). The storm becomes a window into the incomprehensible greatness of God.
- Elihu calls Job to stand still and consider God's wondrous works because no human can teach or fully comprehend him (37:14-16). Awe, not argument, is the fitting posture.
- He says God sends storms for correction, for his land, or for loving kindness (37:13). The same divine power can discipline the proud, water the earth, and bless his people.
- Elihu insists God is exalted in power yet “in justice and great righteousness” will not oppress (37:23). Might and goodness are inseparable in him, so his strength can be trusted.
- This is a personal-application question. Encourage members to recall an experience of awe in nature and to build rhythms of stillness before God. As leader, use the chapter's crescendo to prepare hearts for God's own answer in the chapters ahead.