Single lesson
Job 37: Comparing the Voices in the Debate
Job 37:1–24
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.
Before you teach
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.
Explain the central teaching of Job 37: Comparing the Voices in the Debate, using two details from the reading. Elihu says God’s works are greater than human understanding, and that people should therefore revere him.
Welcome: Job 37: Comparing the Voices in the Debate
5 minIntroduce “Elihu Proclaims God’s Majesty” and locate Job 37:1–24. Elihu says God’s works are greater than human understanding, and that people should therefore revere him. Invite each learner to name a detail or question they will listen for.
Job 37:1, Job 37:13, Job 37:24
Read and explain the passage
12 minElihu 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.
The 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. He names several purposes for this: correction, for his land, or for loving kindness.
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.
Read the selected verses together, pausing at “Elihu Proclaims God’s Majesty”. Use the source reading below and check the explanation against the words of the passage.
Job 37:1, Job 37:2, Job 37:3, Job 37:4, Job 37:5, Job 37:11, Job 37:12, Job 37:13, Job 37:22, Job 37:23, Job 37:24
Discuss the details and their meaning
8 minUse the three questions below. Begin with “How does Elihu connect thunder with God’s voice and majesty?” and allow time to find the supporting verses. Elihu says God’s works are greater than human understanding, and that people should therefore revere him. Ask learners to explain which details support their answer and to identify a question they would like to explore further.
Job 37:2, Job 37:4, Job 37:5, Job 37:12, Job 37:13, Job 37:23, Job 37:24
Make and respond: Wisdom comparison cards
12 minWork on “Job 37: Comparing the Voices in the Debate: Wisdom comparison cards”. Follow the materials and steps below, using “Elihu Proclaims God’s Majesty” as reading headings. Each learner should include at least two accurate details and their verse references. Share one observation from the finished sheet and explain how it connects with the central teaching.
Job 37:1, Job 37:13, Job 37:24
Closing: return to Elihu Proclaims God’s Majesty
3 minRevisit Job 37:1–24. Invite a learner to summarise what the group has learned about Elihu Proclaims God’s Majesty and another to support the summary with a verse. Give learners a moment to complete their response sheet. They can share a question or, if appropriate for the group, join the optional prayer.
Job 37:1, Job 37:13, Job 37:24
Questions to explore
How does Elihu connect thunder with God’s voice and majesty?
Look for the repeated words about hearing, the sound of his voice, and thunder as the voice of his majesty.
Job 37:2, Job 37:4, Job 37:5
What purposes for weather does Elihu name when he speaks about the clouds?
Read the verses that say the clouds do whatever God commands, then note the three purposes Elihu lists.
Job 37:12, Job 37:13
What does Elihu say about God’s character at the end of the passage?
Notice that Elihu speaks not only of power, but also of justice, great righteousness, and that God will not oppress.
Job 37:23, Job 37:24
Make, think or respond
Job 37: Comparing the Voices in the Debate: Wisdom comparison cards
What you’ll need
- plain paper or card
- pencils or pens
- a Bible or the source reading on this page
Try it together
- Fold a sheet into three panels or draw three columns. Label them “What the passage commends”, “What it warns against”, “The reason or outcome stated”.
- Read Job 37:1–24. Use “Elihu Proclaims God’s Majesty” as your reading headings and add a short quotation or detail with its verse reference to each panel.
- Compare your notes with a partner. Check that every quotation is accurate and every conclusion has support in the passage.
- Write a proposed everyday example beside one teaching. Label it as your example and explain which words in the text guided it.
The finished sheet keeps the details of Job 37: Comparing the Voices in the Debate connected to their Bible references and gives the group a way to explain what they noticed.
Adapt for your group
- For learners who need more support, prepare the reading headings “Elihu Proclaims God’s Majesty” and let them match short quotations to the correct heading.
- For confident readers, compare two sections of Job 37:1–24. Ask for a written explanation with two supporting references and one question that the text leaves open.
An optional closing prayer
“God, help us listen carefully as we read Job 37:1–24. Help us understand what we have read, ask thoughtful questions and respond with care for others. Amen.”
Read the Bible passage World English Bible Classic
Job 37
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 width 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 will tell him, for we can’t make our case by reason of darkness.
20 Will 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.”
World English Bible Classic. Public domain.