Job 38:23 - Exposition

Which I have reserved against the time of trouble . Hail is reckoned throughout Scripture as one of the ministers of the Divine vengeance (see Exodus 9:18-29 ; Exodus 10:5-15 ; Joshua 10:11 ; Psalms 18:12 , Psalms 18:13 ; Psalms 78:47 , Psalms 78:48 ; Psalms 105:32 ; Isaiah 30:30 ; Isaiah 32:19 ; Ezekiel 13:11 , Ezekiel 13:13 ; Ezekiel 36:22 ; Haggai 2:17 ; Revelation 8:7 ; Revelation 11:19 ; Revelation 16:21 ). Its destructive effect upon crops, even in temperate latitudes, is indicated by the insurances against damage from hail, which, even in our own country, so many farmers think it worth their while to pay. In tropical and semi-tropical regions the injury caused by hailstorms is far greater. Against the day of battle and war . Compare especially Joshua 10:11 , which, however, we need not suppose to have been in the mind of the writer. In ancient times, when the bow held the place in war which is now occupied by the rifle or the musket, a heavy hailstorm, striking full in the face of the combatants on one side, while it only fell on the backs of their adversaries, must of tea have decided a battle.