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Elihu Proclaims God’s Majesty
In Job 37:1-24, Elihu uses thunder, rain, snow, clouds and sky to speak about God’s majesty. He moves from describing weather to questioning Job, urging him to pause and think about works too great for people to master.
Understanding the passage
Listening in context
These verses are part of Elihu’s speech to Job. In this passage, Elihu describes weather as answering God’s word and guidance, tells Job to consider God’s wondrous works, and ends by stressing that the Almighty is exalted in power, justice and righteousness.
Job 37:1–24Main takeaway
Elihu says God’s works are greater than human understanding, and that people should therefore revere him.
Look closely at the words
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Thunder and lightning show God’s majestyElihu begins with trembling, then calls for careful listening to the noise of God’s voice.
Explanation
Elihu begins with trembling, then calls for careful listening to the noise of God’s voice. Thunder and lightning go across the sky, and the thunder is described as the voice of his majesty. Elihu’s point is that God does great things beyond human comprehension.
02Snow, rain, storm and ice answer GodElihu says God tells snow to fall and sends showers of rain. He says God seals up every person’s hand so that all whom he has made may know it, while animals stay in their dens.
Explanation
Elihu says God tells snow to fall and sends showers of rain. He says God seals up every person’s hand so that all whom he has made may know it, while animals stay in their dens. Storm, cold and frozen waters are also described as coming by God’s action.
03Clouds move under God’s guidanceThe thick cloud is loaded with moisture and spread with lightning. Elihu says the clouds turn around by God’s guidance and do whatever he commands on the habitable world.
04Job is told to stop and considerElihu tells Job to stand still and consider God’s wondrous works. His questions about lightning, clouds, warm winds and the strong sky underline human limits.
Explanation
Elihu tells Job to stand still and consider God’s wondrous works. His questions about lightning, clouds, warm winds and the strong sky underline human limits. He then admits human inability to speak rightly before such majesty, before saying God is awesome in splendour from the north.
05The Almighty is powerful, just and worthy of reverenceElihu’s conclusion is not only that the Almighty is exalted in power, but also that he is marked by justice and great righteousness, and that he will not oppress.
Explanation
Elihu’s conclusion is not only that the Almighty is exalted in power, but also that he is marked by justice and great righteousness, and that he will not oppress. Because of this awesome majesty, Elihu says people should revere him rather than trust in their own wisdom.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01How does Elihu connect thunder with God’s voice and majesty?
02What purposes for weather does Elihu name when he speaks about the clouds?
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Job 37:1–24
1“Yes, at this my heart trembles, and is moved out of its place.
2Hear, oh, hear the noise of his voice, the sound that goes out of his mouth.
3He sends it out under the whole sky, and his lightning to the ends of the earth.
4After it a voice roars. He thunders with the voice of his majesty. He doesn’t hold back anything when his voice is heard.
5God thunders marvelously with his voice. He does great things, which we can’t comprehend.
6For he says to the snow, ‘Fall on the earth,’ likewise to the shower of rain, and to the showers of his mighty rain.
7He seals up the hand of every man, that all men whom he has made may know it.
8Then the animals take cover, and remain in their dens.
9Out of its room comes the storm, and cold out of the north.
10By the breath of God, ice is given, and the width of the waters is frozen.
11Yes, he loads the thick cloud with moisture. He spreads abroad the cloud of his lightning.
12It is turned around by his guidance, that they may do whatever he commands them on the surface of the habitable world,
13whether 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.
15Do you know how God controls them, and causes the lightning of his cloud to shine?
16Do you know the workings of the clouds, the wondrous works of him who is perfect in knowledge?
17You whose clothing is warm when the earth is still by reason of the south wind?
18Can you, with him, spread out the sky, which is strong as a cast metal mirror?
19Teach us what we will tell him, for we can’t make our case by reason of darkness.
20Will it be told him that I would speak? Or should a man wish that he were swallowed up?
21Now men don’t see the light which is bright in the skies, but the wind passes, and clears them.
22Out of the north comes golden splendor. With God is awesome majesty.
23We can’t reach the Almighty. He is exalted in power. In justice and great righteousness, he will not oppress.
24Therefore men revere him. He doesn’t regard any who are wise of heart.”