38:1–3
the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind: The Old Testament often links storms with God's presence (2 Kings 2:1, 11; Ezekiel 1:4; Nahum 1:3). Job finally had the chance to speak with God (Job 13:22–23).
Study notes
Job 38
38:1–40:5
38:1
Then the LORD answered Job: In this last part, the LORD challenges Job's strong self-defense by showing his works. This reminds Job of God's supreme greatness.
38:1–40:5 Section
Job thought that God wouldn’t listen to him. Earlier Job had said he thought that God would send a storm to crush him. Job thought God would do this if he called out to God. Instead, God listened very closely.
God listened to everything that Job, Eliphaz, Bildad, Zophar and Elihu said. Instead of crushing Job with a storm, God spoke to Job from a storm. God didn’t answer the questions Job had asked. He didn’t explain to Job why people suffer. God didn’t explain that Satan had suggested a test for Job. Instead, God asked Job many questions. God asked what things Job was able to do. Then God explained many of the things that he can do.
God created everything in heaven and on the earth. He makes sure that what he created works the way he wants it to. This includes the land, the water, the sky, the stars and the animals. God takes care of all animals. This includes animals that aren’t livestock raised by human beings.
God talked a lot about the sky, the earth and the animals. The way he talked about them showed Job something important. Human beings are only one part of what God created. As a human being, Job couldn’t understand everything about God’s creation. Job couldn’t understand everything that was needed to take care of creation. Job couldn’t understand God’s plans. Job couldn’t understand the reasons why God did what he did. And Job couldn’t do God’s work better than God did it. Job’s first answer to God was to remain silent.
38:2
38:7
38:10–11
set in place its bars and doors: God describes the sea as a dangerous creature that is kept under control.
38:14
stand out like the folds of a garment: The rising sun highlights the colors, shapes, and textures of objects.
38:21
you were already born: Compare with Proverbs 8:25. This sarcasm is similar to Eliphaz's words in Job 15:7.
38:22–23
God stores up snow and hail, like the deep seas and winds (Psalms 33:7; 135:7; Jeremiah 10:13; 51:16). God uses these elements as weapons through storms he sends on the day of war and battle (Job 36:32; Isaiah 30:30; Ezekiel 13:11–13; Revelation 16:21; for example, Joshua 10:11; Judges 5:20–21; 1 Samuel 7:10.
38:24–27
The east wind blows from the desert, drying up crops and seas (Genesis 41:6, 23, 27; Jeremiah 4:11; Jonah 4:8; Exodus 14:21; Isaiah 11:15). It is not like the heavy rain that causes floods.
Helpful rain quenches a barren land (Psalms 104:10–11; 107:35; Isaiah 35:7; 58:11). This contrasts with both hot winds and flooding rains (Job 38:24, 25).
38:36
heart … mind: These words can also mean "ibis" and "rooster." The Egyptians believed the ibis bird knew about the Nile's flooding, the most important event in Egypt. Israel’s rabbis (religious teachers with authority) believed the rooster bird could predict rain or its distinctive sound (crowing) marked day and night. The question would then be Who taught the ibis and the rooster? See also Psalm 51:6; Proverbs 2:6; James 1:5, 17.
Verse notes: Adapted by Mission Mutual (Aquifer Open Study Notes) from Tyndale Open Study Notes © 2023 Tyndale House Publishers. CC BY-SA 4.0. Section notes: Biblica Study Notes © 2023 Biblica, Inc. CC BY-SA 4.0, via BibleAquifer. About the sources