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98 lines
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<title>Blue Letter Bible: Text Commentaries</title>
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PriorBook = 'Esther';
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Title = 'The Book of Job';
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<p id="Chapter38" align="center">Commentary by A. R. FAUSSET<br>CHAPTER 38
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<p id="Job38_1"><a onclick="return mV('Job',38,'1-41');">Job 38:1-41</a>.
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<p><b>1.</b> Jehovah appears unexpectedly in a whirlwind (already gathering <a onclick="return mV('Job',37,1,2);">Job 37:1-2</a>), the symbol of "judgment" (<a onclick="return mV('Psa',50,3,4);">Psa 50:3-4</a>, etc.), to which Job had challenged Him. He asks him now to get himself ready for the contest. Can he explain the phenomena of God's <i>natural</i> government? How can he, then, hope to understand the principles of His <i>moral</i> government? God thus confirms Elihu's sentiment, that <i>submission to</i>, not <i>reasonings on,</i> God's ways is man's part. This and the <i>disciplinary</i> design of trial to the godly is the great lesson of this book. He does not solve the difficulty by reference to future retribution: for this was not the immediate question; <i>glimpses</i> of that truth were already given in the fourteenth and nineteenth chapters, the <i>full revelation</i> of it being reserved for Gospel times. Yet even <i>now</i> we need to learn the lesson taught by Elihu and God in Job.
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<p id="Job38_2"><b>2. this</b>—Job.
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<br><br><b>counsel</b>—impugning My divine wisdom in the providential arrangements of the universe. Such "words" (including those of the friends) rather obscure, than throw light on My ways. God is about to be Job's Vindicator, but must first bring him to a <i>right state of mind</i> for receiving relief.
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<p id="Job38_3"><b>3. a man</b>—<i>hero,</i> ready for battle (<a onclick="return mV('1Cr',16,13);">1Cr 16:13</a>), as he had wished (<a onclick="return mV('Job',9,35);">Job 9:35</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Job',13,22);">13:22</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Job',31,37);">31:37</a>). The robe, usually worn flowing, was girt up by a girdle when men ran, labored, or fought (<a onclick="return mV('1Pe',1,13);">1Pe 1:13</a>).
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<p id="Job38_4"><b>4.</b> To understand the cause of things, man should have been present at their origin. The finite creature cannot fathom the infinite wisdom of the Creator (<a onclick="return mV('Job',28,12);">Job 28:12</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Job',15,7,8);">15:7-8</a>).
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<br><br><b>hast</b>—"knowest."
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<br><br><b>understanding</b>— (<a onclick="return mV('Pro',4,1);">Pro 4:1</a>).
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<p id="Job38_5"><b>5. measures</b>—of its proportions. Image from an architect's plans of a building.
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<br><br><b>line</b>—of measurement (<a onclick="return mV('Isa',28,17);">Isa 28:17</a>). The earth is formed on an all-wise <i>plan.</i>
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<p id="Job38_6"><b>6. foundations</b>—not "sockets," as <i>Margin.</i>
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<br><br><b>fastened</b>—literally, "made to sink," as a foundation-stone let down till it settles firmly in the clay (<a onclick="return mV('Job',26,7);">Job 26:7</a>). Gravitation makes and keeps the earth a sphere.
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<p id="Job38_7"><b>7.</b> So at the founding of Zerubbabel's temple (<a onclick="return mV('Ezr',3,'10-13');">Ezr 3:10-13</a>). So hereafter at the completion of the Church, the temple of the Holy Ghost (<a onclick="return mV('Zec',4,7);">Zec 4:7</a>); as at its foundation (<a onclick="return mV('Luk',2,13,14);">Luk 2:13-14</a>).
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<br><br><b>morning stars</b>—especially beautiful. The creation <i>morn</i> is appropriately associated with these, it being the <i>commencement</i> of this world's <i>day.</i> The stars are figuratively said to sing God's praises, as in <a onclick="return mV('Psa',19,1);">Psa 19:1</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Psa',148,3);">148:3</a>. They are symbols of the angels, bearing the same relation to our earth, as angels do to us. Therefore they answer to "sons of God," or angels, in the parallel. See on JFB for <a href="./Comm/jfb/Job/Job025.html#Job25_5">Job 25:5</a>.
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<p id="Job38_8"><b>8. doors</b>—floodgates; these when opened caused the flood (<a onclick="return mV('Gen',8,2);">Gen 8:2</a>); or else, <i>the shores.</i>
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<br><br><b>womb</b>—of chaos. The bowels of the earth. Image from childbirth (<a onclick="return mV('Job',38,8,9);">Job 38:8-9</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Eze',32,2);">Eze 32:2</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Mic',4,10);">Mic 4:10</a>). Ocean at its birth was wrapped in clouds as its swaddling bands.
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<p id="Job38_10"><b>10. brake up for</b>—that is, appointed it. Shores are generally broken and abrupt cliffs. The <i>Greek</i> for "shore" means "a broken place." I <i>broke off</i> or measured off for it <i>my limit,</i> that is, the limit which I thought fit (<a onclick="return mV('Job',26,10);">Job 26:10</a>).
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<p id="Job38_11"><b>11. stayed</b>—<i>Hebrew,</i> "a limit shall be set to."
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<p id="Job38_12"><b>12-15.</b> Passing from creation to phenomena in the existing inanimate world.
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<br><br><b>Hast thou</b>—as God daily does.
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<br><br><b>commanded the morning</b>—to rise.
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<br><br><b>since thy days</b>—since thou hast come into being.
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<br><br><b>his place</b>—It varies in its place of rising from day to day, and yet it has its place each day according to fixed laws.
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<p id="Job38_13"><b>13. take hold of the ends,</b> etc.—spread itself over the earth to its utmost bounds in a moment.
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<br><br><b>wicked</b>—who hate the light, and do their evil works in the dark (<a onclick="return mV('Job',24,13);">Job 24:13</a>).
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<br><br><b>shaken out of it</b>—The corners (<i>Hebrew,</i> "wings" or "skirts") of it, as of a garment, are taken hold of by the dayspring, so as to shake off the wicked.
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<p id="Job38_14"><b>14.</b> Explaining the first clause of <a onclick="return mV('Job',38,13);">Job 38:13</a>, as <a onclick="return mV('Job',38,15);">Job 38:15</a> does the second clause. As the plastic clay presents the various figures impressed on it by a seal, so the earth, which in the dark was void of all form, when illuminated by the dayspring, presents a variety of forms, hills, valleys, etc.
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<br><br><b>turned</b>—(<i>Hebrew,</i> "turns itself") alludes to the rolling cylinder seal, such as is found in Babylon, which leaves its impressions on the clay, as it is turned about; so the morning light rolling on over the earth.
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<br><br><b>they stand</b>—The forms of beauty, unfolded by the dawn, stand forth as a garment, in which the earth is clad.
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<p id="Job38_15"><b>15. their light</b>—by which they work; namely, darkness, which is <i>their day</i> (<a onclick="return mV('Job',24,17);">Job 24:17</a>), is extinguished by daylight.
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<br><br><b>high</b>—Rather, "The arm uplifted" for murder or other crime is broken; it falls down suddenly, powerless, through their fear of light.
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<p id="Job38_16"><b>16. springs</b>—fountains beneath the sea (<a onclick="return mV('Psa',95,4,5);">Psa 95:4-5</a>).
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<br><br><b>search</b>—Rather, "the inmost recesses"; literally, "that which is only found by searching," the deep caverns of ocean.
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<p id="Job38_17"><b>17. seen</b>—The second clause heightens the thought in the first. Man during life does not even "see" the gates of the realm of the dead ("death," <a onclick="return mV('Job',10,21);">Job 10:21</a>); much less are they "opened" to him. But those are "naked before God" (<a onclick="return mV('Job',26,6);">Job 26:6</a>).
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<p id="Job38_18"><b>18. Hast thou</b>—as God doth (<a onclick="return mV('Job',28,24);">Job 28:24</a>).
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<p id="Job38_19"><b>19-38.</b> The marvels in heaven. "What is the way (to the place wherein) light dwelleth?" The origin of light and darkness. In <a onclick="return mV('Gen',1,'3-5','14-18');">Gen 1:3-5, 14-18</a>, "light" is created distinct from, and previous to, light-emitting bodies, the luminaries of heaven.
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<p id="Job38_20"><b>20.</b> Dost thou know its place so well as to be able to <i>guide,</i> ("take" as in <a onclick="return mV('Isa',36,17);">Isa 36:17</a>) it to (but UMBREIT, "<i>reach</i> it in") its own boundary, that is, the limit between light and darkness (<a onclick="return mV('Job',26,10);">Job 26:10</a>)?
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<p id="Job38_21"><b>21.</b> Or without the interrogation, in an ironical sense [UMBREIT].
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<br><br><b>then</b>—when I created light and darkness (<a onclick="return mV('Job',15,7);">Job 15:7</a>).
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<p id="Job38_22"><b>22. treasures</b>—storehouses, from which God draws forth snow and hail. Snow is vapor congealed in the air before it is collected in drops large enough to form hail. Its shape is that of a crystal in endless variety of beautiful figures. Hail is formed by rain falling through dry cold air.
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<p id="Job38_23"><b>23. against the time of trouble</b>—the time when I design to chastise men (<a onclick="return mV('Exd',9,18);">Exd 9:18</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Jos',10,11);">Jos 10:11</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Rev',16,21);">Rev 16:21</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Isa',28,17);">Isa 28:17</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Psa',18,12,13);">Psa 18:12-13</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Hag',2,17);">Hag 2:17</a>).
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<p id="Job38_24"><b>24. is...parted</b>—parts, so as to diffuse itself over the whole earth, though seeming to come from one point. Light travels from the sun to the earth, ninety millions of miles, in eight minutes.
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<br><br><b>which scattereth</b>—rather, "And by what way the east wind (personified) spreads (scattereth) itself." The light and east wind are associated together, as both come from one quarter, and often arise together (<a onclick="return mV('Jon',4,8);">Jon 4:8</a>).
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<p id="Job38_25"><b>25. waters</b>—Rain falls, not in a mass on one spot, but in countless separate canals in the air marked out for them.
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<br><br><b>way for the lightning</b>— (<a onclick="return mV('Job',28,26);">Job 28:26</a>).
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<p id="Job38_26"><b>26.</b> Since rain fails also on places uninhabited by man, it cannot be that <i>man</i> guides its course. Such rain, though man cannot explain the reason for it, is not lost. <i>God</i> has some wise design in it.
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<p id="Job38_27"><b>27.</b> As though the desolate ground thirsted for God's showers. Personification. The beauty imparted to the uninhabited desert pleases God, for whom primarily all things exist, and He has ulterior designs in it.
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<p id="Job38_28"><b>28.</b> Can any visible origin of rain and dew be assigned by man? Dew is moisture, which was suspended in the air, but becomes condensed on reaching the in the night—lower temperature of objects on the earth.
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<p id="Job38_29"><b>29.</b> <a onclick="return mV('Job',37,10);">Job 37:10</a>.
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<p id="Job38_30"><b>30.</b> The unfrozen <i>waters are hid</i> under the frozen, as <i>with</i> a covering of <i>stone.</i>
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<br><br><b>frozen</b>—literally, "is taken"; the particles take hold of one another so as to cohere.
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<p id="Job38_31"><b>31. sweet influences</b>—the joy diffused by spring, the time when the Pleiades appear. The Eastern poets, Hafiz, Sadi, etc., describe them as "brilliant rosettes." GESENIUS translates: "bands" or "knot," which answers better the parallelism. But <i>English Version</i> agrees better with the <i>Hebrew.</i> The seven stars are closely "bound" together (see on JFB for <a href="./Comm/jfb/Job/Job009.html#Job9_9">Job 9:9</a>). "Canst thou bind or loose the tie?" "Canst thou loose the bonds by which the constellation Orion is held fast?" (See on JFB for <a href="./Comm/jfb/Job/Job009.html#Job9_9">Job 9:9</a>).
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<p id="Job38_32"><b>32.</b> <i>Canst thou bring forth</i> from their places or <i>houses</i> (<i>Mazzaloth,</i> <a onclick="return mV('2Ki',23,5);">2Ki 23:5</a>, <i>Margin;</i> to which <i>Mazzaroth</i> here is equivalent) into the sky the signs of the Zodiac at their respective seasons—the twelve lodgings in which the sun successively stays, or appears, in the sky?
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<br><br><b>Arcturus</b>—Ursa Major.
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<br><br><b>his sons?</b>—the three stars in his tail. Canst thou make them appear in the sky? (<a onclick="return mV('Job',9,9);">Job 9:9</a>). The great and less Bear are called by the Arabs "Daughters of the Bier," the quadrangle being the bier, the three others the mourners.
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<p id="Job38_33"><b>33. ordinances</b>—which regulate the alternations of seasons, etc. (<a onclick="return mV('Gen',8,22);">Gen 8:22</a>).
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<br><br><b>dominion</b>—<i>controlling influence</i> of the heavenly bodies, the sun, moon, etc., on the earth (on the tides, weather) (<a onclick="return mV('Gen',1,16);">Gen 1:16</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Psa',136,'7-9');">Psa 136:7-9</a>).
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<p id="Job38_34"><b>34.</b> <a onclick="return mV('Jer',14,22);">Jer 14:22</a>; above <a onclick="return mV('Job',22,11);">Job 22:11</a>, metaphorically.
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<p id="Job38_35"><b>35. Here we are</b>—at thy disposal (<a onclick="return mV('Isa',6,8);">Isa 6:8</a>).
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<p id="Job38_36"><b>36. inward parts...heart</b>—But "dark clouds" ("shining phenomena") [UMBREIT]; "meteor" [MAURER], referring to the consultation of these as signs of weather by the husbandman (<a onclick="return mV('Ecc',11,4);">Ecc 11:4</a>). But <i>Hebrew</i> supports <i>English Version.</i> The connection is, "Who hath given thee the intelligence to comprehend in any degree the phenomena just specified?"
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<br><br><b>heart</b>—not the usual <i>Hebrew</i> word, but one from a root "to view"; perception.
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<p id="Job38_37"><b>37.</b> Who appoints by his wisdom the due measure of the clouds?
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<br><br><b>stay</b>—rather, "empty"; literally, "lay down" or "incline" so as to pour out.
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<br><br><b>bottles of heaven</b>—rain-filled clouds.
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<p id="Job38_38"><b>38. groweth,</b> etc.—rather, pour itself into a mass by the rain, like molten metal; then translate <a onclick="return mV('Job',38,38);">Job 38:38</a>, "Who is it that <i>empties,</i>" etc., "when," ? The <i>English Version,</i> however, is tenable: "<i>Is caked into a mass</i>" by heat, like molten metal, <i>before</i> the rain falls; "Who is it that <i>can empty</i> the rain vessels, and bring down rain <i>at such a time?</i>" (<a onclick="return mV('Job',38,38);">Job 38:38</a>).
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<p id="Job38_39"><b>39.</b> At <a onclick="return mV('Job',38,'39-');">Job 38:39</a>-<a onclick="return mV('Job',39,'1-30');">39:30</a>, the instincts of animals. Is it thou that givest it the instinct to hunt its prey? (<a onclick="return mV('Psa',104,21);">Psa 104:21</a>).
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<br><br><b>appetite</b>—literally, "life," which depends on the <i>appetite</i>" (<a onclick="return mV('Job',33,20);">Job 33:20</a>).
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<p id="Job38_40"><b>40. lie in wait?</b>—for their prey (<a onclick="return mV('Psa',10,9);">Psa 10:9</a>).
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<p id="Job38_41"><b>41.</b> <a onclick="return mV('Luk',12,24);">Luk 12:24</a>. Transition from the noble lioness to the croaking raven. Though man dislikes it, as of ill omen, God cares for it, as for all His creatures.
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