Wesley Corpus

Chapter XXXVII Elihu observes the hand of God, in thunder and lighting, ver. 1 - 5. In frost and snow, rain and wind, ver. 6 - 13. Challenges Job to account for these, ver. 14 - 22. Concludes, that God is great and greatly to be feared, ver. 23, 24 Hear - It is probable that while Elihu was speaking it thundered, and that tempest was begun, wherewith God ushered in his speech. And this might occasion his return to that subject of which he had discoursed before. Voice - The thunder is called God's voice. Because by it God speaks to the children of men, to fear before him. Mouth - That is produced by God's word or command, which is often signified by his mouth. Directeth - His voice: which he guideth like an arrow to the mark, that it may do that work for which he sends it. After - After the lightning, which is seen before the thunder is hard. Them - The lightnings spoken of in the beginning of the verse. Strength - Those storms of rain which come with great force and irresistible violence. Sealeth - By these snows and rains he drives men out of the fields, and seals or binds up their hands from their work. That - They may seriously contemplate on these, and other great and glorious works of God. Cold - Freezing winds. The waters - The waters which had freely spread themselves before, are congealed and bound up in crystal fetters. Watering - The earth. They spend themselves and are exhausted watering the earth, until they are weary. Wearieth - Them with much water, and making them to go long journeys to water remote parts, and at last to empty themselves there: all which things make men weary; and therefore are here said to make the clouds weary by a common figure. Scattereth - As for the white and lightsome clouds, he scatters and dissolves them by the wind or sun. Turned - The clouds are carried about to this or that place. Not by chance (though nothing seems to be more casual than the motions of the clouds) but by his order and governance. Correction - To scourge or correct men by immoderate showers.