Tyndale Open Study NotesJob 38

the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind: The Old Testament often links storms with God's presence (2 Kings 2:1, 11; Ezekiel 1:4; Nahum 1:3). Job finally had the chance to speak with God (Job 13:22–23).

God challenges Job. Job admits he cannot judge the moral world. God shows Job's ignorance of the natural world's elements related to the realm of heaven, weather, animals, and birds (38:4–21; 22–38; 39–39:30).

Then the LORD answered Job: In this last part, the LORD challenges Job's strong self-defense by showing his works. This reminds Job of God's supreme greatness.

obscures My counsel: God’s accusation is similar to a charge made by Eliphaz and Elihu (15:2; 34:35; 35:16). Job eventually admitted his guilt (42:3).

God describes the morning stars as if they are people, similar to the description of angels (1:6; 2:1).

set in place its bars and doors: God describes the sea as a dangerous creature that is kept under control.

stand out like the folds of a garment: The rising sun highlights the colors, shapes, and textures of objects.

you were already born: Compare with Proverbs 8:25. This sarcasm is similar to Eliphaz's words in Job 15:7.

God stores up snow and hail, like the deep seas and winds (Psalms 33:7; 135:7; Jeremiah 10:13; 51:16). God uses these elements as weapons through storms he sends on the day of war and battle (Job 36:32; Isaiah 30:30; Ezekiel 13:11–13; Revelation 16:21; for example, Joshua 10:11; Judges 5:20–21; 1 Samuel 7:10.

• The east wind blows from the desert, drying up crops and seas (Genesis 41:6, 23, 27; Jeremiah 4:11; Jonah 4:8; Exodus 14:21; Isaiah 11:15). It is not like the heavy rain that causes floods.

• Helpful rain quenches a barren land (Psalms 104:10–11; 107:35; Isaiah 35:7; 58:11). This contrasts with both hot winds and flooding rains (Job 38:24, 25).

heart … mind: These words can also mean "ibis" and "rooster." The Egyptians believed the ibis bird knew about the Nile's flooding, the most important event in Egypt. Israel’s rabbis (religious teachers with authority) believed the rooster bird could predict rain or its distinctive sound (crowing) marked day and night. The question would then be Who taught the ibis and the rooster? See also Psalm 51:6; Proverbs 2:6; James 1:5, 17.