darkness--of mind; ignorance. "The eyes are bewilderingly blinded, when turned in bold controversy with God towards the sunny heavens" ([Job 37:18]) [Umbreit].
20. What I a mortal say against God's dealings is not worthy of being told Him. In opposition to Job's wish to "speak" before God ([Job 13:3], ).
if ... surely he shall be swallowed up--The parallelism more favors Umbreit, "Durst a man speak (before Him, complaining) that he is (without cause) being destroyed?"
21. cleanseth--that is, cleareth the air of clouds. When the "bright light" of the sun, previously not seen through "clouds," suddenly shines out from behind them, owing to the wind clearing them away, the effect is dazzling to the eye; so if God's majesty, now hidden, were suddenly revealed in all its brightness, it would spread darkness over Job's eyes, anxious as he is for it (compare, see on [Job 37:19]) [Umbreit]. It is because now man sees not the bright sunlight (God's dazzling majesty), owing to the intervening "clouds" ([Job 26:9]), that they dare to wish to "speak" before God ([Job 37:20]). Prelude to God's appearance ([Job 38:1]). The words also hold true in a sense not intended by Elihu, but perhaps included by the Holy Ghost. Job and other sufferers cannot see the light of God's countenance through the clouds of trial: but the wind will soon clear them off, and God shall appear again: let them but wait patiently, for He still shines, though for a time they see Him not (see on [Job 37:23]).
22. Rather, "golden splendor." Maurer translates "gold." It is found in northern regions. But God cannot be "found out," because of His "Majesty" ([Job 37:23]). Thus the twenty-eighth chapter corresponds; English Version is simpler.
the north--Brightness is chiefly associated with it (see on [Job 23:9]). Here, perhaps, because the north wind clears the air ([Pr 25:23]). Thus this clause answers to the last of [Job 37:21]; as the second of this verse to the first of [Job 37:21]. Inverted parallelism. (See [Is 14:13]; [Psa 48:2]).
with God--rather, "upon God," as a garment ([Psa 104:1], 2).
majesty--splendor.
23. afflict--oppressively, so as to "pervert judgment" as Job implied (see on [Job 8:3]); but see on [Job 37:21], end of note. The reading, "He answereth not," that is, gives no account of His dealings, is like a transcriber's correction, from [Job 33:13], Margin.
24. do--rather, "ought."
wise--in their own conceits.
Chapter 38
[Job 38:1-41].
1. Jehovah appears unexpectedly in a whirlwind (already gathering [Job 37:1], 2), the symbol of "judgment" ([Psa 50:3], , &c.), to which Job had challenged Him. He asks him now to get himself ready for the contest. Can he explain the phenomena of God's natural government? How can he, then, hope to understand the principles of His moral government? God thus confirms Elihu's sentiment, that submission to, not reasonings on, God's ways is man's part. This and the disciplinary design of trial to the godly is the great lesson of this book. He does not solve the difficulty by reference to future retribution: for this was not the immediate question; glimpses of that truth were already given in the fourteenth and nineteenth chapters, the full revelation of it being reserved for Gospel times. Yet even now we need to learn the lesson taught by Elihu and God in Job.
2. this--Job.
counsel--impugning My divine wisdom in the providential arrangements of the universe. Such "words" (including those of the friends) rather obscure, than throw light on My ways. God is about to be Job's Vindicator, but must first bring him to a right state of mind for receiving relief.
3. a man--hero, ready for battle ([1Co 16:13]), as he had wished ([Job 9:35]; ; ). The robe, usually worn flowing, was girt up by a girdle when men ran, labored, or fought ([1Pe 1:13]).
4. To understand the cause of things, man should have been present at their origin. The finite creature cannot fathom the infinite wisdom of the Creator ([Job 28:12]; , ).
hast--"knowest."
understanding--([Pr 4:1]).
5. measures--of its proportions. Image from an architect's plans of a building.
line--of measurement ([Is 28:17]). The earth is formed on an all-wise plan.
6. foundations--not "sockets," as Margin.
fastened--literally, "made to sink," as a foundation-stone let down till it settles firmly in the clay ([Job 26:7]). Gravitation makes and keeps the earth a sphere.
7. So at the founding of Zerubbabel's temple ([Ezr 3:10-13]). So hereafter at the completion of the Church, the temple of the Holy Ghost ([Zec 4:7]); as at its foundation ([Lu 2:13], ).
morning stars--especially beautiful. The creation morn is appropriately associated with these, it being the commencement of this world's day. The stars are figuratively said to sing God's praises, as in [Psa 19:1]; . They are symbols of the angels, bearing the same relation to our earth, as angels do to us. Therefore they answer to "sons of God," or angels, in the parallel. See on [Job 25:5].
8. doors--floodgates; these when opened caused the flood ([Ge 8:2]); or else, the shores.
womb--of chaos. The bowels of the earth. Image from childbirth ([Job 38:8], ; [Eze 32:2]; [Mi 4:10]). Ocean at its birth was wrapped in clouds as its swaddling bands.
10. brake up for--that is, appointed it. Shores are generally broken and abrupt cliffs. The Greek for "shore" means "a broken place." I broke off or measured off for it my limit, that is, the limit which I thought fit ([Job 26:10]).
11. stayed--Hebrew, "a limit shall be set to."
12-15. Passing from creation to phenomena in the existing inanimate world.
Hast thou--as God daily does.
commanded the morning--to rise.
since thy days--since thou hast come into being.
his place--It varies in its place of rising from day to day, and yet it has its place each day according to fixed laws.
16. springs--fountains beneath the sea ([Psa 95:4], ).
search--Rather, "the inmost recesses"; literally, "that which is only found by searching," the deep caverns of ocean.
17. seen--The second clause heightens the thought in the first. Man during life does not even "see" the gates of the realm of the dead ("death," [Job 10:21]); much less are they "opened" to him. But those are "naked before God" ([Job 26:6]).
18. Hast thou--as God doth ([Job 28:24]).
19-38. The marvels in heaven. "What is the way (to the place wherein) light dwelleth?" The origin of light and darkness. In Ge 1:3-5, 14-18, "light" is created distinct from, and previous to, light-emitting bodies, the luminaries of heaven.
39. At [Job 38:39-39:30], the instincts of animals. Is it thou that givest it the instinct to hunt its prey? ([Psa 104:21]).
appetite--literally, "life," which depends on the appetite" ([Job 33:20]).
40. lie in wait?--for their prey ([Psa 10:9]).
41. [Lu 12:24]. Transition from the noble lioness to the croaking raven. Though man dislikes it, as of ill omen, God cares for it, as for all His creatures.