Job 37
Elihu Reminds Job of God's Power, part 2
or
The Wonder of Thunder (and Lightning to Boot)
based on Job 37
he thunders with his majestic voice . . . he does not restrain the lightning
Job 37:4
Job 37:4
At this my heart pounds and it trembles in me.
I hear his voice rumble as loud as can be.
Unleashing his lightning the whole sky can see,
and sent through the earth, far and wide.
Soon after the lightning, his thunder rings clear —
Majestic! Resounding! Impressive! Severe!
God's thunderous voice is a wonder to hear;
amazement that we cannot hide.
God speaks to the snow and says, Fall to the ground;
and likewise to rain he says, Pour your drops down.
That every man knows that God's might is profound,
he pauses their work in the field.
Wild beasts enter dens and remain through the snows.
The south sends a tempest; the cold north wind blows.
When ice is produced by the breath from God's nose,
broad waters are frozen and sealed.
Thick clouds he has laden with moisture and mist;
his flashes of lightning and clouds coexist.
Then, at his direction they turn and they twist,
and cover the earth with their storm.
He sends clouds to punish or water the earth.
Consider his wonders! Examine their worth!
Can you explain clouds or a lightning bolt's birth?
Can you make a single cloud form?
Do you understand how he moves clouds at will?
Such wonderful work of perfection and skill!
And, you, who are sweating when south winds lie still,
and deserts are dry as a bone;
can you, on your own, like him, spread out the skies,
as hard as a mirror from cast metal dies?
If we spoke to God, Job, what would you advise?
We can't choose our words on our own.
Should God not be told that I wish to reply?
Would man simply ask to be swallowed and die?
For no one could gaze at the sun in the sky,
once wind sweeps away every cloud.
From out of the north: God in splendor, arrayed;
exalted in power and justice displayed.
No wonder that everyone's awed and afraid;
he has no regard for the proud.
I hear his voice rumble as loud as can be.
Unleashing his lightning the whole sky can see,
and sent through the earth, far and wide.
Soon after the lightning, his thunder rings clear —
Majestic! Resounding! Impressive! Severe!
God's thunderous voice is a wonder to hear;
amazement that we cannot hide.
God speaks to the snow and says, Fall to the ground;
and likewise to rain he says, Pour your drops down.
That every man knows that God's might is profound,
he pauses their work in the field.
Wild beasts enter dens and remain through the snows.
The south sends a tempest; the cold north wind blows.
When ice is produced by the breath from God's nose,
broad waters are frozen and sealed.
Thick clouds he has laden with moisture and mist;
his flashes of lightning and clouds coexist.
Then, at his direction they turn and they twist,
and cover the earth with their storm.
He sends clouds to punish or water the earth.
Consider his wonders! Examine their worth!
Can you explain clouds or a lightning bolt's birth?
Can you make a single cloud form?
Do you understand how he moves clouds at will?
Such wonderful work of perfection and skill!
And, you, who are sweating when south winds lie still,
and deserts are dry as a bone;
can you, on your own, like him, spread out the skies,
as hard as a mirror from cast metal dies?
If we spoke to God, Job, what would you advise?
We can't choose our words on our own.
Should God not be told that I wish to reply?
Would man simply ask to be swallowed and die?
For no one could gaze at the sun in the sky,
once wind sweeps away every cloud.
From out of the north: God in splendor, arrayed;
exalted in power and justice displayed.
No wonder that everyone's awed and afraid;
he has no regard for the proud.
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