Fear Before God

INTRO

The book of Job is difficult to study because it is long and repetitive. Much of the book has been about the three arguments that each of Job’s three friends present to him (that’s nine arguments in all). To each argument, Job responds that he has not sinned. Although his friends could not understand, Job put his hope in the Promised Redeemer (Job 19:25-26). At the end of Job 31, Job was beginning to focus on himself and had taken his eyes off the Lord. In chapters 32—37, a new character, Elihu, enters representing God. Elihu came to be the mediator between Job and his friends. Elihu becomes a spokesman for God.

TEACHING

Job 37:1–9: Elihu speaks, stating his heart is pounding at what he has to do and pointing out God’s thunderous voice (vv. 1-3). He calls his hearers to listen to his words that come directly from the Lord. Elihu is beginning to build a case of who God is as he prepares for God to speak directly to Job and his friends. God’s voice thundered across the sky with majesty, and He takes actions mankind cannot understand (vv. 4-9). Nelson’s Commentary states, “God uses the winter storms to stop the hand of every man so that he cannot work but instead may recognize the work of God.”¹ Further, Elihu’s speech “praise[d] the all-powerful God with a series of metaphors” and “describe[d] God as keeping the wind in a chamber just as He does the snow and hail.”² For example, in verse 9, Elihu mentions the chamber in which God keeps the snow and hail stored. Isn’t that an awesome image?

Job 37:10-12: In these verses, Elihu describes the breath of God, which can form ice and freeze watery areas. God’s breath saturates the clouds and scatters lightening through the moisture-laden clouds. Nelson’s Commentary states that, in verse 12, God is portrayed “as the wise Captain who skillfully charts the course for the clouds, which respond obediently to His hand at the helm.”³

Job 37:13-17: The clouds respond to God’s direction and guidance. Nelson’s Commentary explains God causes storms to take place for three reasons: “(1) for punishment for people’s wickedness, (2) for the nourishment of the earth, and (3) for supplying the needs of His people.”⁴ For example, a farmer tends to be a man of prayer because the success of his crops and his very livelihood depend on how the weather treats his land. Therefore, “God uses storms both to judge the earth and to bring the blessing of rain for His people”⁵ (Exodus 15:7-10; Deuteronomy 28:21-24).

Job 37:18-21: “Ancient mirrors were firm and unbreakable because they were made of polished bronze.”⁶ Only God has the power to spread weather across the earth. Therefore, Elihu tells his listeners they should be willing to learn what they should say before God (vv. 18-20). God’s power is so much greater than ours that we cannot even look directly at the sun—something God created (v. 21). How much more difficult would it be to approach God face-to-face?

Job 37:22-24: Verse 22 states that God comes from the north. Nelson’s Commentary explains that “in ancient times, north was viewed as the direction of God’s abiding place”⁷ (Isaiah14:13). God would appear in gold splendor and majesty (Exodus 34). “Finally, Elihu speaks of the reverential awe and worshipful wonder that all people should have for their omnipotent Creator.”⁸ Therefore, because of who God is, men fear Him (v. 24) (Job 23:13-16; Psalm 19:9; 33:8; 34:11; 86:11; 111:10; Proverbs 1:7; 9:10; Ecclesiastes 12:13; Jeremiah 5:22).

CLOSING

Fear of God means to have terror, dread, respect, reverence, and honor. How do we fear God (Psalm 34:11; 86:11; Ecclesiastes 12:13)? We need to respect and reverence God by considering His creation (the power of nature at His disposal), reading His Word, and staying fast in our faith.

1 John 4:18: “There is no fear in love; instead, perfect love drives out fear, because fear involves punishment. So the one who fears has not reached perfection in love.” We don’t have to be afraid of God’s judgment or fear Him because Jesus took away our punishment when He died on the cross for us. God does not want us to cower in fear but to enjoy sweet peace in His care.