The Word Am I

The Book of Job

⭑ Catholic Public Domain Version 2009 ⭑

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- Chapter 37 -

1
At this, my heart became frightened, and it has been moved from its place.
2
Pay close attention to the alarm of his voice and to the sound that proceeds from his mouth.
3
He beholds everything under the heavens, and his light reaches beyond the ends of the earth.
4
After this, a noise will sound; he will thunder with the voice of his greatness, and it will not be tracked down, yet his voice will be obeyed.
5
God will thunder with his voice miraculously, for he performs great and unsearchable things.
6
He commands the snow to descend on earth, and the winter rains, and the shower of his strength.
7
He signs the hand of all men, so that each one may know his works.(a)
8
The beast will enter his hiding-place, and he will remain in his cave.
9
From the interior, a storm will come forth, and a cold winter from the north.
10
As God breathes out, frost forms, and the waters are poured forth very widely again.
11
Crops desire clouds, and the clouds scatter their light.
12
It shines all around, wherever the will of him that governs them will lead, to anywhere he will command, over the whole face of the earth,
13
whether in one tribe, or in his own region, or in whatever place of his mercy that he will order them to be found.
14
Listen to these things, Job. Stand up and consider the wonders of God.
15
Do you know when God ordered the rains, so as to show the light of his clouds?
16
Do you know the great paths of the clouds, and the perfect sciences?(b)
17
Are not your garments hot, when the south wind blows across the land?
18
Perhaps you have made the heavens with him, which are very solid, as if they had been cast from brass.
19
Reveal to us what we should say to him, for, of course, we are wrapped in darkness.(c)
20
Who will explain to him the things that I am saying? Even while a man is still speaking, he will be devoured.(d)
21
Although they do not see the light, the air will be thickened suddenly into clouds, and the wind, passing by, will drive them away.
22
Riches arrive from the north,(e) and fearful praise reaches out to God.(f)
23
We are not worthy to be able to find him. Great in strength, great in judgment, great in justice: he is indescribable.(g)
24
Therefore, men will fear him, and all those who seem to themselves to be wise, will not dare to contemplate him.

Footnotes

(a)37:7 He seals up, etc:When he sends those showers of his strength, that is, those storms of rain, he seals up, that is, he shuts up the hands of men from their usual works abroad, and confines them within doors, to consider his works; or to forecast their works, that is, what they themselves are to do.(Challoner)
(b)37:16 The phrase ‘perfectas scientias’ is probably an idiomatic expression referring to a particular field of knowledge. Consider the English expression ‘the sweet science,’ which refers to boxing. It does not refer to sweet flavor, nor to a science properly speaking. Similarly, the ‘perfect sciences’ or ‘perfect areas of knowledge’ is most likely a figure of speech referring to a field of study, such as the study of weather, and perhaps also the study of the night sky, i.e. of the sun, moon, planets, and stars.(Conte)
(c)37:19 This verse is a clear example of the use of sarcasm in Scripture. Eliu is taunting Job by saying sarcastically that they would all be wrapped in darkness if not for the wisdom of Job. Interestingly, on another level, this sarcastic statement by Eliu is true. Job does present wisdom, not in the error that he makes by blaming God, but by the example of his life and his repentance (later in the text) and by the book of Scripture that we have in his name.(Conte)
(d)37:20 He shall be swallowed up:All that man can say when he speaks of God, is so little and inconsiderable in comparison with the subject, that man is lost, and as it were swallowed up in so immense an ocean.(Challoner)
(e)37:22 riches ... northLiterally: “Gold comes from the north, and to God (comes) fearful praise.” But ‘aurum’ can be used figuratively to refer to riches or wealth. Also, the implication is that fearful praise reaches out to God, when riches come from the North. “When riches arrive from the North, give fearful praise to God,” or “Riches arrive from the north, and fearful praise arrives before God.”(Conte)
(f)37:22 This verse refers to the time of the Antichrist; when he arrives in the kingdom of the South (the Middle East, including Israel), he brings great wealth with him. This marks the start of a fearful time, for which we must still praise God because it is the time predicted in Scripture, the time before the return of the True Christ.(Conte)
(g)37:23 Literally: “We are not able to find him worthily. Great in strength, and in judgment, and in justice, and he is not able to be described.”(Conte)
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