Job 37:13

KJV

He causeth it to come, whether for correction, or for his land, or for mercy.

KJV (with Strong's)

He causeth it to come {H4672}, whether for correction {H7626}, or for his land {H776}, or for mercy {H2617}.

Complete Jewish Bible

he brings them forth on the earth sometimes to punish, sometimes to express his grace.

Berean Standard Bible

Whether for punishment or for His land, He accomplishes this in His loving devotion.

American Standard Version

Whether it be for correction, or for his land, Or for lovingkindness, that he cause it to come.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 37:13, a declaration by Elihu, profoundly asserts God's absolute sovereignty and purposeful control over natural phenomena. It reveals that the Almighty orchestrates weather events—such as rain, snow, or storms—not randomly, but with specific, divine intentions: for the correction and discipline of humanity, for the benevolent provision and sustenance of His land, and as an outpouring of His unmerited mercy and grace. This verse serves as a theological anchor, illustrating God's multifaceted character and His active, intentional involvement in the world, particularly in the context of human suffering and divine will.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Job 37:13 is situated within Elihu's final and most extensive discourse, spanning chapters 32-37. Specifically, it forms part of a climactic section (Job 36:22–37:24) where Elihu passionately extols God's majesty, wisdom, and omnipotence, primarily as displayed through the intricate workings of natural creation. Elihu's objective throughout his speeches is to humble Job and his friends by contrasting the unsearchable greatness of God with the limitations of human understanding. He meticulously describes various meteorological wonders—thunder, lightning, clouds, rain, snow, and wind—as direct, tangible manifestations of God's power and intricate design. This verse, therefore, serves as a concise theological summary of Elihu's broader argument: that God uses these elements for precise, purposeful ends, not merely as arbitrary acts of nature, leading up to God's own direct intervention and speech in the subsequent chapters.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Book of Job is set in the ancient Near East, likely in the land of Uz, a region where agricultural life was entirely dependent on seasonal rainfall. In this context, weather phenomena were not merely scientific occurrences but were often perceived as direct expressions of divine favor or displeasure. Drought meant famine and death, while timely rains brought life and prosperity. Elihu's discourse resonates with this worldview, attributing all natural events directly to the sovereign will of the one true God. Unlike the polytheistic beliefs prevalent in surrounding cultures, where various deities controlled different aspects of nature, Elihu's monotheistic perspective emphasizes the singular, comprehensive control of Yahweh over all creation. This understanding would have been crucial for an audience grappling with the problem of suffering, as it asserted that even seemingly chaotic or destructive events were under divine governance.
* **Key Themes:** Job 37:13 encapsulates several profound theological themes central to the Book of Job and biblical theology. Firstly, it underscores **God's Absolute Sovereignty**, unequivocally stating that "He causeth it to come," thereby affirming His ultimate, active control over all creation, including the most powerful forces of nature. This reinforces the truth that nothing occurs outside of God's knowledge or ultimate permission, even events that appear chaotic or calamitous. Secondly, the verse highlights **Divine Purpose in All Events**. The "it" (referring to weather events from preceding verses) is sent with deliberate intention for one of three primary reasons: "for correction" (discipline or instruction), "for his land" (benevolent provision and sustenance), or "for mercy" (unmerited grace). This multifaceted purpose reveals God's complex and balanced character—He is both a disciplinarian and a provider, a God of justice and a God of profound compassion. This theme is echoed throughout Scripture, from God's control over the seasons in [Genesis 8:22](/genesis/8-22 "Genesis 8:22 - God's Covenant with Noah") to His providential care for all living things in [Psalm 104:14](/psalms/104-14 "Psalm 104:14 - God's Provision for Creation"). Finally, the verse subtly emphasizes the **Human Limitation versus Divine Majesty**, a recurring motif in Elihu's speeches, inviting humility and awe before the unsearchable greatness of God, whose ways are higher than human ways, as seen in [Isaiah 55:8-9](/isaiah/55-8 "Isaiah 55:8-9 - God's Thoughts and Ways").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **He causeth it to come (Hebrew, _yavi'_):** This verb, derived from the root בּוֹא (_bo'_) meaning "to come" or "to bring," is in the Hiphil stem, indicating a causative action. Thus, "He causes it to come" emphasizes God as the active, initiating agent behind the natural phenomena. It's not that these events merely happen, or that God simply permits them; rather, He actively brings them forth. This highlights His direct, intentional involvement and sovereign control over the natural world.
* **correction (Hebrew, _shevet_):** The Hebrew word שֵׁבֶט (_shevet_) literally means "rod," "staff," or "scepter." While it can denote an instrument of punishment, its broader semantic range includes a shepherd's staff used for guidance, leading, and protection, or a ruler's scepter signifying authority and governance. In this context, "correction" implies a purposeful discipline or instruction, aimed at shaping character, bringing repentance, or guiding humanity, rather than merely inflicting pain. It speaks to God's pedagogical intent.
* **mercy (Hebrew, _chesed_):** This is the rich Hebrew term חֶסֶד (_chesed_), often translated as "steadfast love," "lovingkindness," "covenant loyalty," or "grace." It signifies a deep, enduring, and active benevolence that goes beyond mere pity. When God acts "for mercy," it implies an outpouring of His unmerited favor, His faithful love, and His compassionate goodness, demonstrating His generous and benevolent character even to those who do not deserve it.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"He causeth it to come":** This initial clause firmly establishes God as the ultimate, active orchestrator of the natural events previously described by Elihu (e.g., rain, snow, thunder, wind). It underscores His direct, intentional involvement in the physical world, asserting that these phenomena are not random occurrences but are brought forth by His sovereign will and power. This highlights God's role as the ongoing sustainer and director of creation, not merely a distant creator.
* **"whether for correction":** This phrase identifies one distinct purpose behind God's actions in nature. God may use challenging natural events or circumstances as a means of discipline, instruction, or to bring about repentance and spiritual growth in humanity. This is not arbitrary punishment but a purposeful act aimed at moral or spiritual rectification, much like a loving parent disciplines a child for their ultimate good. It reveals God's concern for human righteousness and spiritual development.
* **"or for his land":** This clause points to God's benevolent and providential purpose. Natural phenomena, particularly rain, are absolutely essential for the fertility and sustenance of the earth, ensuring crops, providing water, and supporting all forms of life. This aspect emphasizes God's role as the faithful provider and sustainer of creation, demonstrating His care for the physical well-being of humanity and the entire natural world, ensuring its productivity and flourishing.
* **"or for mercy":** This final purpose reveals the depth of God's gracious disposition. Beyond discipline or mere provision, God also sends favorable conditions and blessings as an act of pure, unmerited favor. This demonstrates His loving-kindness, compassion, and boundless grace, extending His goodness freely to all, both righteous and unrighteous. It highlights the breadth of God's benevolence, showing that His actions are often motivated by His inherent goodness and desire to bless.

#### Literary Devices
Job 37:13 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its profound theological message. The most prominent is **Tricolon**, evident in the three distinct and comprehensive purposes for which God sends natural phenomena: "for correction, or for his land, or for mercy." This tripartite structure creates a sense of completeness and emphasizes the multifaceted nature of God's intentions. The use of **Parallelism** is also implicit, as each clause presents a distinct but equally valid divine intention, creating a balanced and comprehensive statement about God's sovereign purposes. Furthermore, there's an element of **Personification** in attributing deliberate, intelligent action to God in His control over inanimate natural forces, reinforcing His active agency. The phrase "for his land" can also be seen as a form of **Metonymy**, where "land" stands for the sustenance, produce, and life that the land yields through God's provision. Together, these devices enhance the verse's rhetorical power, making Elihu's assertion about God's purposeful sovereignty both memorable and impactful.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 37:13 offers a profound theological statement on divine providence, asserting that God is not a distant, disengaged deity but an active, intentional sovereign deeply involved in the affairs of His creation. This verse challenges a purely mechanistic view of the universe, positing that even seemingly random or destructive natural events are under God's purposeful control. It reveals a God who is complex and balanced in His character: capable of discipline, yet also the ultimate provider and the source of boundless mercy. This understanding encourages believers to look beyond immediate circumstances and seek God's hand and purpose in all of life's events, fostering a posture of trust, humility, and worship, even when His ways are mysterious or difficult to comprehend. It underscores that God's actions are always purposeful, even if those purposes are not immediately clear to human understanding.

* [Psalm 147:8](/psalms/147-8 "Psalm 147:8 - God Provides Rain and Sustains Life")
* [Deuteronomy 11:14](/deuteronomy/11-14 "Deuteronomy 11:14 - God's Promise of Rain for Obedience")
* [Hebrews 12:5-11](/hebrews/12-5 "Hebrews 12:5-11 - The Lord's Discipline for Our Good")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 37:13 provides a powerful framework for understanding God's active involvement in our lives and the world around us. It challenges us to move beyond a simplistic view of cause and effect, inviting us to discern the deeper divine purposes behind both blessings and trials. When faced with difficult circumstances—whether personal hardships, societal challenges, or natural disasters—this verse encourages us to consider if God is working "for correction," prompting us towards repentance, spiritual growth, or a re-evaluation of our priorities. Conversely, when experiencing seasons of abundance or favorable conditions, we are called to recognize God's hand of "provision for his land" or His pure "mercy," fostering gratitude and acknowledging His unmerited favor. This perspective cultivates a profound trust in God's ultimate wisdom and love, reminding us that even when His ways are inscrutable, His purposes are always good and intentional. It calls us to live with a heightened awareness of God's sovereignty, transforming our perception of life's events from random occurrences to purposeful acts of a loving, governing God, leading to deeper reliance and worship.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding God's threefold purpose in Job 37:13 shape your perspective on challenges and blessings in your own life?**
* **In what ways might God be seeking to "correct" or guide you through current circumstances, prompting repentance or spiritual growth?**
* **How can recognizing God's sovereign control over all things, even natural phenomena, deepen your trust and worship in Him?**

### FAQ
**What does "it" refer to in Job 37:13?**

Answer: The "it" in Job 37:13 refers to the various meteorological phenomena Elihu has been describing throughout Job 37, such as rain, snow, thunder, lightning, and wind. These are direct manifestations of God's power and are sent with specific divine intentions. Elihu elaborates on how God "commands the snow" ([Job 37:6](/job/37-6 "Job 37:6 - God Commands the Snow")) and "loads the thick cloud with moisture" ([Job 37:11](/job/37-11 "Job 37:11 - God Controls Clouds")), making it clear that these natural forces are under His direct command and are the subject of His purposeful sending.

**Is God's "correction" always negative or punitive?**

Answer: Not necessarily. While "correction" can involve hardship or discipline, the Hebrew word (_shevet_) also carries connotations of a shepherd's staff, used for guidance, leading, and protection. God's correction is ultimately redemptive, aimed at spiritual growth, repentance, and drawing His people closer to Him. It is an act of love, not just anger, designed to refine faith and produce righteousness, as seen in [Proverbs 3:11-12](/proverbs/3-11 "Proverbs 3:11-12 - The Lord's Discipline") and [Hebrews 12:5-11](/hebrews/12-5 "Hebrews 12:5-11 - God's Discipline Produces Righteousness"). It's about shaping us into His image, not merely punishing us.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Job 37:13, spoken by Elihu, powerfully declares God's sovereign control over creation for diverse purposes: correction, provision for His land, and mercy. This Old Testament truth finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. He is the very embodiment of God's sovereign power over nature, famously demonstrating it by calming the storm with a mere word, rebuking the wind and waves, so that even His disciples marveled, asking, "Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?" ([Mark 4:39](/mark/4-39 "Mark 4:39 - Jesus Calms the Storm")). More significantly, Jesus perfectly embodies God's threefold purpose for humanity. He comes "for correction," calling all to repentance and offering the path to true life ([Luke 13:3](/luke/13-3 "Luke 13:3 - Repent or Perish")). He is the ultimate "provision for his land," not merely providing physical sustenance but declaring Himself the "bread of life" who gives eternal life to those who believe in Him ([John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life")). And supremely, Jesus is the unparalleled manifestation of God's "mercy," for "God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ" ([Ephesians 2:4-5](/ephesians/2-4 "Ephesians 2:4-5 - God's Rich Mercy")). Through His life, death, and resurrection, Christ perfectly fulfills God's purposes, bringing ultimate correction to sin, providing spiritual life and sustenance for His people (His new "land" or kingdom), and extending boundless mercy to all who believe, ushering in the new creation where God's sovereign purposes are fully realized.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Kings 18:45

And it came to pass in the mean while, that the heaven was black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain. And Ahab rode, and went to Jezreel.

Job 38:26

To cause it to rain on the earth, [where] no man [is; on] the wilderness, wherein [there is] no man;

Job 38:27

To satisfy the desolate and waste [ground]; and to cause the bud of the tender herb to spring forth?

1 Samuel 12:18

So Samuel called unto the LORD; and the LORD sent thunder and rain that day: and all the people greatly feared the LORD and Samuel.

1 Samuel 12:19

And all the people said unto Samuel, Pray for thy servants unto the LORD thy God, that we die not: for we have added unto all our sins [this] evil, to ask us a king.

Job 36:31

For by them judgeth he the people; he giveth meat in abundance.

Exodus 9:18

Behold, to morrow about this time I will cause it to rain a very grievous hail, such as hath not been in Egypt since the foundation thereof even until now.