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.
Chapter 38 of the Book of Job in the King James Version of the Holy Bible is a pivotal chapter in the story of Job. It is in this chapter that God finally speaks to Job, ending his suffering and providing him with answers to his questions. The chapter is divided into three main sections, each with its own theme and message. These themes include God's sovereignty and power, the limitations of human understanding, and the importance of humility and trust in God. Through this chapter, readers are reminded of the greatness of God and the need for faith and trust in His plan.
The first section of Chapter 38 begins with God's response to Job's questioning in the previous chapters. God speaks to Job out of a whirlwind, emphasizing His power and sovereignty. He asks Job, "Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge?" (Job 38:2). This question sets the tone for the rest of God's speech, as He challenges Job's understanding and knowledge.
God then proceeds to ask Job a series of questions that highlight His power and control over the universe. He asks Job if he was present when God laid the foundations of the earth, or when He set the boundaries for the sea. God also asks Job about the stars, the constellations, and the animals of the earth, all of which He created and controls.
Through these questions, God reminds Job that He is the creator and ruler of all things. He is in control of the universe and has a plan for every aspect of it. This section serves as a reminder to Job, and to readers, that God's power and sovereignty are beyond human understanding. It is a humbling reminder that we are small in comparison to the greatness of God.
In the second section of Chapter 38, God continues to question Job about his understanding of the world. He asks Job if he knows the laws of nature, the patterns of the weather, and the mysteries of the universe. God also asks Job if he understands the workings of the human mind and emotions.
Through these questions, God highlights the limitations of human understanding. He reminds Job that there are things in the world that are beyond our comprehension. He also challenges Job's belief that he can understand and question God's actions and plans. This section serves as a reminder to readers that there are things in life that we may never fully understand, and that is okay. We must have faith and trust in God's plan, even when we don't understand it.
The third and final section of Chapter 38 focuses on the importance of humility and trust in God. God asks Job, "Shall he that contendeth with the Almighty instruct him? he that reproveth God, let him answer it" (Job 40:2). This question serves as a rebuke to Job's previous questioning and challenges him to humble himself before God.
God then goes on to describe two of His most powerful creations, Behemoth and Leviathan. These creatures are meant to symbolize the power and might of God, and to remind Job that he is no match for God's strength. Through these descriptions, God emphasizes the importance of humility and trust in Him. He reminds Job that it is not his place to question or challenge God, but to trust in His plan and submit to His will.
Chapter 38 of the Book of Job is a powerful and significant chapter in the story of Job. It serves as a turning point in the narrative, as God finally speaks to Job and provides him with answers to his questions. Through this chapter, God reminds Job, and readers, of His sovereignty and power over the universe. He challenges our understanding and reminds us of the limitations of human knowledge. Most importantly, God emphasizes the importance of humility and trust in Him, and the need to submit to His will.
The overall meaning of Chapter 38 can be summed up in one word: faith. Job's suffering had caused him to question God and His plan, but God's response serves as a reminder to have faith and trust in Him, even when we don't understand. It is a call to submit to God's will and to remember that He is in control, even in the midst of our trials and suffering.
Furthermore, Chapter 38 also highlights the theme of God's justice. Throughout the story of Job, readers see Job's friends accusing him of sin and insisting that his suffering is a punishment from God. However, in this chapter, God rebukes Job's friends and reminds them that only He has the power to judge and punish. This serves as a reminder to readers that God's justice is perfect and that we should not presume to know the reasons for someone else's suffering.
In conclusion, Chapter 38 of the Book of Job is a powerful and thought-provoking chapter that provides readers with important lessons and reminders. Through God's questioning and rebuke, readers are reminded of His sovereignty and power, the limitations of human understanding, and the importance of humility and trust in God. This chapter serves as a reminder to have faith and submit to God's will, even in the midst of suffering and trials. It is a call to trust in God's plan and to remember that He is always in control.
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