Westminster Annotations, Job · Chapter 37
CHAP. XXXVII.
Vers. 1. AT this also my heart trembleth] Marvelling at the thunder and lightnings: whereby he declareth, that the faithfull are liverly touched with the majestie of God, when they behold his works.
V. 2. Hear attentively] Heb. hear in hearing. It seems it thundered at that time; and the whirl-winde followed, wherein God spake to Job, chap. 38. 1. or, the words may be taken of thunder in generall.
the noise of his voice] The thunder, whereby he speaketh to men, to waken their dulnesse, and to bring them to the consideration of his works.
V. 3. lightning] Heb. light.
ends of the earth] Heb. wings of the earth.
V. 4. After it a voice roreth] The noise of the thunder is first, but we see the lightning first, because the eye is quicker then the ear, or because the light passeth swifter then the noise.
voice roreth] Psal. 29. 3.
will] Or, doth.
stay] Or, restrain.
them] That is, the rain and showres follow thunder, chap. 36. 31. or, the lightnings, or flashes.
V. 5. great things doeth he] Chap. 5. 9. and 9. 10.
V. 6. he saith to the snow] Psal. 147. 16, 17.
to the snow] So that neither snow, nor small rain, nor great rain, nor any thing else, cometh without Gods appointment.
likewise to the small rain, and to the great rain of his strength] Heb. and to the showre of rain, and to the showres of rain of his strength.
V. 7, He sealeth up the hand of every man] By snow and rain he hinders their work abroad, Exod. 9. 19. as a master calls all his servants home, to view them.
that all men may know his work] Or, that he may know all his work-men.
V. 9. Out of the south] Heb. Out of the chamber.
out of the south cometh the whirlwinde] In Hebrew it is called chamber, or secret place] chap. 9. 9. Joh. 3. 8. Psal. 135. 7.
cold out of the north] In Hebrew it is called, the scattering windes, such as drive away the clouds, and purge the air.
V. 10. By the breath of God, frost is given] Chap. 38. 29. 30. Psal. 147. 16, 17. By the winds that he sends, or by his commandment.
the breadth of the waters is strained] Frozen up and dried.
V. 11. by watering he wearteth the thick cloud] By driving them to and fro, or, by dissolving them into rain.
his bright cloud] Heb. the cloud of his light] The cloud out of which the lightning comes, v. 15.
V. 13. whether for correction] Rain, cold, heat, tempests and such like, are sent of God, either to punish man, or to profit the earth, by making it fruitfull; or to declare his favour toward man otherwise, as by cooling and purifying the air, chap. 36. 31.
correction] Heb. a rod, Mic. 6. 9.
for his land] The land whose inhabitants he favours, Hos. 9. 3. or, where no men dwell, but God onelyonly takes care of it, as in the wildernesse, chap. 38. 26, 27.
V. 15. when God disposed them] The rain and other meteors mentioned before.
caused the light of his could to shine] By sending lightning one of the clouds, v. 3, 11.
V. 16. the balancings of the clouds] Whereby the clouds hang so equally in the air, that they fall not down to the earth.
perfect in knowledge] Chap. 36. 4.
V. 17. How thy garments are warm] Why thy clothes should keep thee warm when the south-winde bloweth, Psal. 147. 18.
he quieteth the earth by the south-winde] Freeth it from rougher windes.
V. 18. Hast thou with him spread out the skie] Helped him in it, as a fellow-workman, Isai. 44. 24.
which is strong] Though it be of a slight matter.
as a molten looking-glasse] For the cleernesse of it.
V. 19. Teach us what we shall say unto him] If thou thinkest thy self wiser then we, teach us how to speak of Gods government.
by reason of darknesse] That is, ignorance. He glanceth at Jobs presumption, that he would controll Gods works.
V. 20. Shall it be told him that I speak?] I would be loth it should be told God that I speak so as thou dost, lest he should consume me.
V. 21. And now] It may be the sun shined then, or it lightned, and gave occasion to Elihu to speak so. See on v. 2.
see not the bright light] If we cannot with our eyes look upon the shining sun, or flashes of lightning, much lesse can we behold Gods majestie. This he speaks, to keep Job from censuring Gods works.
but] Or, when.
V. 22. Fair] Or, When fair. Heb. gold.
Fair weather cometh out of the north] In Hebrew it is gold, meaning fair weather, and clear as gold.
with] Or, but with.
V. 23. excellent in power] Chap. 9. 4. and 12. 13, 16. and 36. 5.
he will not afflict] Without cause, Lam. 3. 33.
V. 24. he respecteth not any that are wise of heart] So as to wrong others, to please them. He will deal justly with all men.