Job 36:27-37

< Back to Job Index

TALKS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANS

Elihu’s Fourth Speech Continues and Concludes

BACKGROUND NOTES

In his fourth speech, Elihu defends God’s sovereignty in His dealings with man. 1. God is sovereign over storms and rain. 2. God is sovereign over snow and ice. 3. God is sovereign over winds and heat.

Explain the “hydrologic cycle” that is stated by Elihu in verses 27 and 28 of chapter 36. Does Elihu credit God for this amazing and necessary-for-life occurrence?
What was Elihu’s reaction to God’s sovereign display of storms in verses 36:32-37:1?
In verse 8, what is the reference to the winter season?
What are two examples in other books of the Bible of God using His control over the weather to bring about His purposes?
What part of the world typically experiences the heat and wind described by Elihu in verses 17-18?

The “hydrologic cycle” is the God-designed cycle of the evaporation of water from the rivers and seas in the form of rising vapor and which most often becomes visible as clouds, followed by the condensation of the vapor into water droplets which then fall to the earth as rain (or snow, sleet, or hail). A vast amount of heat energy is absorbed in the evaporation process, and a vast amount of heat energy is released in the condensation process.
Elihu’s reaction to God’s wondrous control over and display of storms was that his heart leaped and trembled (v 37:1) at the sight of the lightening and the sound of the thunder.
Elihu refers to the hibernation activity of many animals in the winter season (v 8), and notably includes this under God’s sovereign control over the weather, in this case, winter weather.
This lesson pointed out how God used hail in the seventh plague on Egypt in the ninth chapter of Exodus, and how he sent hailstones on the Amorites to deliver His people in the seventh chapter of Joshua. God is sovereign over snow and ice.
The very hot temperatures and the winds that bring this hot air from the deserts are very descriptive of the summer weather in the Middle East. This is very true in the land of Israel.

Discuss how the words about God’s sovereignty over the weather in these chapters should impact the thinking of the believer in regard to global weather variations and fluctuations. Consider the absolute completeness of God’s control over every aspect of His creation, and the wonder of the cycles and seasons of our weather. Also discuss the importance of teaching your children how scientific observations of weather systems confirm the power and majesty of God.

When was the last time that you intentionally set aside time or travel to observe and study the wonders of God’s creation? Have you marveled at God’s strength even in the devastating force of hurricanes, floods, tornados or thunder storms? Have you been humbled by both the beauty of His universe on a clear night and His sovereign power in the midst of a storm? Praise Him for His majesty and beauty!

“At this also my heart trembles and leaps from its place. Hear attentively the thunder of His voice, and the rumbling that comes from His mouth. He sends it forth under the whole heaven, His lightening to the ends of the earth.” Job 37:1-3