1 Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said,
2 Who [is] this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge?
3 Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me.
4 Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding.
5 Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it?
6 Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof;
7 When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?
8 Or [who] shut up the sea with doors, when it brake forth, [as if] it had issued out of the womb?
9 When I made the cloud the garment thereof, and thick darkness a swaddlingband for it,
10 And brake up for it my decreed [place], and set bars and doors,
11 And said, Hitherto shalt thou come, but no further: and here shall thy proud waves be stayed?
12 Hast thou commanded the morning since thy days; [and] caused the dayspring to know his place;
13 That it might take hold of the ends of the earth, that the wicked might be shaken out of it?
14 It is turned as clay [to] the seal; and they stand as a garment.
15 And from the wicked their light is withholden, and the high arm shall be broken.
16 Hast thou entered into the springs of the sea? or hast thou walked in the search of the depth?
17 Have the gates of death been opened unto thee? or hast thou seen the doors of the shadow of death?
18 Hast thou perceived the breadth of the earth? declare if thou knowest it all.
19 Where [is] the way [where] light dwelleth? and [as for] darkness, where [is] the place thereof,
20 That thou shouldest take it to the bound thereof, and that thou shouldest know the paths [to] the house thereof?
21 Knowest thou [it], because thou wast then born? or [because] the number of thy days [is] great?
22 Hast thou entered into the treasures of the snow? or hast thou seen the treasures of the hail,
23 Which I have reserved against the time of trouble, against the day of battle and war?
24 By what way is the light parted, [which] scattereth the east wind upon the earth?
25 Who hath divided a watercourse for the overflowing of waters, or a way for the lightning of thunder;
26 To cause it to rain on the earth, [where] no man [is; on] the wilderness, wherein [there is] no man;
27 To satisfy the desolate and waste [ground]; and to cause the bud of the tender herb to spring forth?
28 Hath the rain a father? or who hath begotten the drops of dew?
29 Out of whose womb came the ice? and the hoary frost of heaven, who hath gendered it?
30 The waters are hid as [with] a stone, and the face of the deep is frozen.
31 Canst thou bind the sweet influences of Pleiades, or loose the bands of Orion?
32 Canst thou bring forth Mazzaroth in his season? or canst thou guide Arcturus with his sons?
33 Knowest thou the ordinances of heaven? canst thou set the dominion thereof in the earth?
34 Canst thou lift up thy voice to the clouds, that abundance of waters may cover thee?
35 Canst thou send lightnings, that they may go, and say unto thee, Here we [are]?
36 Who hath put wisdom in the inward parts? or who hath given understanding to the heart?
37 Who can number the clouds in wisdom? or who can stay the bottles of heaven,
38 When the dust groweth into hardness, and the clods cleave fast together?
39 Wilt thou hunt the prey for the lion? or fill the appetite of the young lions,
40 When they couch in [their] dens, [and] abide in the covert to lie in wait?
41 Who provideth for the raven his food? when his young ones cry unto God, they wander for lack of meat.
Divine Response to Job
In Job 38, God finally responds to Job after his lengthy lamentations and dialogues with his friends. This chapter marks a significant turning point in the narrative, as God speaks out of a whirlwind, emphasizing His omnipotence and the limitations of human understanding.
The Setting of God’s Speech
The chapter opens with God addressing Job from a storm, symbolizing His power and majesty. The use of a whirlwind suggests a dramatic and awe-inspiring presence, setting the stage for the profound questions that follow.
God’s Questions to Job
God’s response is not a direct answer to Job’s suffering but a series of rhetorical questions that highlight the vastness of creation and the limitations of human knowledge. The questions serve to illustrate God’s sovereignty and the complexity of the universe.
- Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth?
- Who determined its measurements?
- On what were its bases sunk, or who laid its cornerstone?
The Themes of Creation and Order
The chapter emphasizes the themes of creation and divine order. God asks Job about the creation of the earth, the sea, and the dawn, showcasing His role as the Creator. Each question serves to remind Job of the intricacies of the world that are beyond human comprehension.
Examples of God’s Power in Nature
God continues to illustrate His power through various natural phenomena:
- The control over the sea: God sets boundaries for the waves.
- The dawn: God commands the morning and knows its place.
- The weather: God is responsible for snow, hail, rain, and lightning.
The Limitations of Human Understanding
Throughout the chapter, God highlights the limitations of human understanding. The questions posed to Job serve to remind him that there are aspects of existence that are beyond human grasp. This serves to challenge Job’s perspective on his suffering and the nature of justice.
God’s Challenge to Job
God’s inquiries culminate in a challenge to Job, asking if he can provide answers or control the forces of nature. This challenge reinforces the idea that Job, despite his suffering and desire for answers, cannot comprehend the full scope of God’s wisdom and authority.
Conclusion
Job 38 serves as a powerful reminder of the majesty of God and the limitations of human understanding. It shifts the focus from Job’s personal suffering to the broader context of creation and divine sovereignty. This chapter sets the stage for further revelations about God’s justice and the nature of suffering in the subsequent chapters.
