6. Be—more forcible than "fall," as UMBREIT translates Genesis 1:3. to the small rain, &c.—He saith, Be on the earth. The shower increasing from "small" to "great," is expressed by the plural "showers" (Margin), following the singular "shower." Winter rain (Song of Solomon 2:11). read more
The Speeches of Elihu (concluded)2. The thunder is frequently called the voice of God: cp. Psalms 29. Sound] RM ’muttering.’4. Them] the flashes and thunderclaps. 6c. RV ’And to the showers of his mighty rain.’ 7b. RV ’That all men whom he hath made may know it.’The suspension of work by storms shows men that they are subject to a higher Power.9. Render, ’The whirlwind comes from its chamber, and cold from the scatterers,’ i.e. from the winds (so RM), which scatter the clouds. But we should... read more
(6) For he saith to the snow.—All the operations of nature obey the behest of God—the snow, the gentle showers, the drenching downpour. By means of these He sealeth up the hand of every man, obstructing and impeding their works and movements, so that all the men whom He has made may know it or know Him. This is the plain meaning, which the Authorised Version gives somewhat less clearly. Men may learn from these things that they and their works are under the control of God. They are not the... read more
Job 37:16 I rather believe that some of the mysteries of the clouds never will be understood by us at all. 'Knowest thou the balancings of the clouds?' Is the answer ever to be one of pride? The wondrous works of Him, Who is perfect in knowledge? Is our knowledge ever to be so?... For my own part, I enjoy the mystery, and perhaps the reader may. I think he ought. He should not be less grateful for summer rains, or see less beauty in the clouds of morning, because they come to prove him with... read more
XXVI.THE DIVINE PREROGATIVEJob 35:1-16; Job 36:1-33; Job 37:1-24AFTER a long digression Elihu returns to consider the statement ascribed to Job, "It profiteth a man nothing that he should delight himself with God." {Job 34:9} This he laid hold of as meaning that the Almighty is unjust, and the accusation has been dealt with. Now he resumes the question of the profitableness of religion."Thinkest thou this to be in thy right, And callest thou it ‘My just cause before God,’ That thou dost ask... read more
CHAPTERS 36:22--37:24 1. God’s power and presence in nature (Job 36:22-33 ) 2. The thunderstorm (Job 37:1-5 ) 3. The snow and the rain (Job 37:6-16 ) 4. Elihu’s concluding remarks (Job 37:17-24 ) Job 36:22-33 . The chapter division in the Authorized Version is at fault. These concluding verses of the thirty-sixth chapter begin the final section of Elihu’s testimony. Unspeakably great in every way, in diction and reverence, is this man’s witness to the ways of God in creation’s work.... read more
37:6 For he saith to the snow, Be thou [on] the earth; {d} likewise to the small rain, and to the great rain of his strength.(d) So that neither small rain nor great, snow nor anything else comes without God’s appointment. read more
MAN'S IMPOTENCE IN THE STORM (vv.1-5) As the storm breaks upon them, Elihu himself trembles (v.1). The thunder of God's voice calls for man's close attention and His lightning spreads over the whole visible area (vv.2-3). "After it, a voice roars. He thunders with His majestic voice" (v.4). "God thunders marvellously with His voice: He does great things which we cannot comprehend" (v.5). Here before Job's eyes was an object lesson concerning the spiritual storm he had experienced. He could... read more
WORDS OF ELIHU ; WORDS OF GOD Elihu now comes forward with apparent modesty, and yet great pretensions. Young and inexperienced, he is nevertheless indignant at the manner in which the friends of Job have sought to reply to him. Professing that his views have been revealed from above, he undertakes to clear up all the difficulties in the case. Afflictions are for the good of the sufferer is his dictum, a thought which he exhibits in various lights. He, too, reflects upon Job for his... read more
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Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Job 37:6
Job 37:6. Likewise to the small rain— And to the rain dropped plentifully, and to the storms of rain, Be ye violent. The meaning of the next verse is, that, through the violent storm here mentioned, a stop is put to all the labours of man. By the same storm, Job 37:8 the wild beasts are driven into their dens. read more