Today's text is from the next major section after the daily lectionary text. I find it a bit more inspirational and helpful. This is Elihu's full proclamation of God's mercy. Right now, I need to hear this part of Job's story a bit more. As in many other parts of Job, Creation is an argument for God. The
complexity of the world that we live in is an obvious sign for God. The things of this world that we do not understand and struggle to feel at all strong against point to mightiness that is far beyond us. For our hears, it is important to enjoy the poetry and appreciate the science behind it. The Creator of the world owns the science behind it. It is also emotional. Who would stand out in an open field in a thunderstorm and not be afraid of the power? The comfort is in the knowledge that it is not some unknown thing or force that is God of all, but our God. We name and point toward the one who knows and understands all. The hiddenness of God here is something to be praised. God is too big to be seen in any one kind of viewfinder. We cannot zoom out enough. We need each and every one of us to get a better image and understanding of the fullness of God.
Job 37
‘At this also my heart trembles,
and leaps out of its place.
Listen, listen to the thunder of his voice
and the rumbling that comes from his mouth.
Under the whole heaven he lets it loose,
and his lightning to the corners of the earth.
After it his voice roars;
he thunders with his majestic voice
and he does not restrain the lightnings when his voice is heard.
God thunders wondrously with his voice;
he does great things that we cannot comprehend.
For to the snow he says, “Fall on the earth”;
and the shower of rain, his heavy shower of rain,
serves as a sign on everyone’s hand,
so that all whom he has made may know it.
Then the animals go into their lairs
and remain in their dens.
From its chamber comes the whirlwind,
and cold from the scattering winds.
By the breath of God ice is given,
and the broad waters are frozen fast.
He loads the thick cloud with moisture;
the clouds scatter his lightning.
They turn round and round by his guidance,
to accomplish all that he commands them
on the face of the habitable world.
Whether for correction, or for his land,
or for love, he causes it to happen.
‘Hear this, O Job;
stop and consider the wondrous works of God.
Do you know how God lays his command upon them,
and causes the lightning of his cloud to shine?
Do you know the balancings of the clouds,
the wondrous works of the one whose knowledge is perfect,
you whose garments are hot
when the earth is still because of the south wind?
Can you, like him, spread out the skies,
unyielding as a cast mirror?
Teach us what we shall say to him;
we cannot draw up our case because of darkness.
Should he be told that I want to speak?
Did anyone ever wish to be swallowed up?
Now, no one can look on the light
when it is bright in the skies,
when the wind has passed and cleared them.
Out of the north comes golden splendour;
around God is awesome majesty.
The Almighty—we cannot find him;
he is great in power and justice,
and abundant righteousness he will not violate.
Therefore mortals fear him;
he does not regard any who are wise in their own conceit.’
‘At this also my heart trembles,
and leaps out of its place.
Listen, listen to the thunder of his voice
and the rumbling that comes from his mouth.
Under the whole heaven he lets it loose,
and his lightning to the corners of the earth.
After it his voice roars;
he thunders with his majestic voice
and he does not restrain the lightnings when his voice is heard.
God thunders wondrously with his voice;
he does great things that we cannot comprehend.
For to the snow he says, “Fall on the earth”;
and the shower of rain, his heavy shower of rain,
serves as a sign on everyone’s hand,
so that all whom he has made may know it.
Then the animals go into their lairs
and remain in their dens.
From its chamber comes the whirlwind,
and cold from the scattering winds.
By the breath of God ice is given,
and the broad waters are frozen fast.
He loads the thick cloud with moisture;
the clouds scatter his lightning.
They turn round and round by his guidance,
to accomplish all that he commands them
on the face of the habitable world.
Whether for correction, or for his land,
or for love, he causes it to happen.
‘Hear this, O Job;
stop and consider the wondrous works of God.
Do you know how God lays his command upon them,
and causes the lightning of his cloud to shine?
Do you know the balancings of the clouds,
the wondrous works of the one whose knowledge is perfect,
you whose garments are hot
when the earth is still because of the south wind?
Can you, like him, spread out the skies,
unyielding as a cast mirror?
Teach us what we shall say to him;
we cannot draw up our case because of darkness.
Should he be told that I want to speak?
Did anyone ever wish to be swallowed up?
Now, no one can look on the light
when it is bright in the skies,
when the wind has passed and cleared them.
Out of the north comes golden splendour;
around God is awesome majesty.
The Almighty—we cannot find him;
he is great in power and justice,
and abundant righteousness he will not violate.
Therefore mortals fear him;
he does not regard any who are wise in their own conceit.’
No comments:
Post a Comment