Podcast 51, Stories of the Bible, “The Book of Job,” Ch 37

Chapter 37 contains Elihu’s final words. It is also an optimistic chapter, not condemning Job, but praising God. Elihu is not perfect, and in my personal opinion, Elihu is not a prophet. He is a good man, a biblical scholar, a pious man who loves God, but he is young and passionate and overbearing. He is speaking to his elders without showing proper respect; however. Bildad, Eliphaz, and Zophar are harshly condemned by the Lord and are called to repentance. Elihu is not. Likely he is not condemned because his doctrine is sound, his faith in God strong, his heart honest. Nonetheless he is overbearing and should have shown compassion, though at times he defended Job against Job’s three friends, he consistently takes a harsh stand against Job, and he appears to be quick to anger.

Only Bildad, Eliphaz, and Zophar are considered friends of Job. Elihu appears to be a stranger.

The structure of Chapter 37 is much like the others. It is a simple chiasm. A1 or Part One Is introduced with the following phrase, “Hear attentively the noise of his voice.” A2, or part two, is introduced with the phrase, “Hearken unto this, O Job.” Part One is in praise of God. Part Two is directed to Job, asking if he fully understands God. A1 comprises verses 1-13. A2 comprises verses 14-24.

A1 Job 37:1-2

At this also my heart trembleth, and is moved out of his place. Hear attentively the noise of his voice, and the sound that goeth out of his mouth.

The pronouns shift from first person, “my heart,” to third person, “his place,” “his voice,” and “his mouth.” Yet it is still Elihu speaking. One can only assume that “my” refers to Elihu and “his” refers to the voice of God which caused his heart to tremble and be moved out of its place. Elihu loves the Lord. In Part One Elihu applauds the Majesty of God. Part One is identified by phrases such as “He directeth,” “he thundereth,” “He saith,” “He wearieth,” “He scattereth,” and “He causeth.”

First Elihu speaks of the powerful voice of the Lord.

A1 Job 37:3-5

He directeth it under the whole heaven, and his lightning unto the ends of the earth. After it a voice roareth: he thundereth with the voice of his excellency; and he will not stay them when his voice is heard. God thundereth marvellously with his voice; great things doeth he, which we cannot comprehend.

The emphasis falls on the many voices of God: “voice roareth,” “thundereth with the voice of his excellency,” “thundereth marvellously.” Just as Jehovah has many names, he also has many voices. Notice the contrast of God’s voice of thunder with the still small voice spoken of by Elijah.

1 Kings 19:11-13

And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the Lord. And, behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake: And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice. And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah?

Sometimes, however, because people harden their hearts and close their ears, the Lord uses stronger language.

Revelation 10:1-3

And I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud: and a rainbow was upon his head, and his face was as it were the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire: And he had in his hand a little book open: and he set his right foot upon the sea, and his left foot on the earth, And cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roareth: and when he had cried, seven thunders uttered their voices.