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Identify the explicit claims before importing later doctrine or assumptions.
JOB • CHAPTER 37
Job 37
Innocent suffering, divine justice, friendship, protest, wisdom, the limits of human explanation, and God's response from the whirlwind.
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Job 37
WORLD ENGLISH BIBLE
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1
“Yes, at this my heart trembles,
and is moved out of its place.
and is moved out of its place.
2
Hear, oh, hear the noise of his voice,
the sound that goes out of his mouth.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
that all men whom he has made may know it.
8
Then the animals take cover,
and remain in their dens.
and remain in their dens.
9
Out of its room comes the storm,
and cold out of the north.
and cold out of the north.
10
By the breath of God, ice is given,
and the width of the waters is frozen.
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.
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,
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.
or for loving kindness, that he causes it to come.
14
“Listen to this, Job.
Stand still, and consider the wondrous works of God.
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?
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?
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?
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?
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.
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?
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.
but the wind passes, and clears them.
22
Out of the north comes golden splendor.
With God is awesome majesty.
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.
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.”
He doesn’t regard any who are wise of heart.”
WISDOM
Where this chapter fits
Job belongs to Israel's wisdom/poetic tradition, where literary form matters as much as historical setting.
Chapter numbers were added long after the biblical books were written.
Read this chapter together with what comes immediately before and after it.
ANCIENT TEXT, MODERN QUESTIONS
Historical claims should be compared with historical evidence.
Scientific claims should be compared with science.
Moral claims should be examined morally.
Theological claims require theological and philosophical argument.
QUESTIONS WORTH ASKING
Don't skip the hard parts.
What kind of literature is this?
Narrative, poetry, prophecy, law, letters, wisdom, and apocalypse communicate differently.
What historical evidence matters?
Ask whether names, places, institutions, events, customs, and chronology can be independently investigated.
What are the strongest competing interpretations?
Compare serious Jewish, Christian, academic, and skeptical readings rather than caricatures.
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