Job 37:19

Context of Job 37:19

Job 37:19 is part of Elihu's final discourse (chapters 32-37), where he attempts to justify God's actions and wisdom to Job and his three friends. Elihu, younger than the others, presents a lengthy argument emphasizing God's omnipotence, particularly as seen in natural phenomena like storms, lightning, and snow. He argues that God is too great to be questioned or fully understood by humans. In this specific verse, Elihu expresses a profound sense of awe and humility before God's immense power, admitting his own inability to comprehend or adequately speak about Him.

Key Themes and Messages

• Human Limitations and Ignorance: Elihu's plea, "Teach us what we shall say unto him," highlights the profound gap between human understanding and divine wisdom. It underscores the theme of human inadequacy in the face of God's majesty, a central message throughout the Book of Job.
• God's Inscrutability: The phrase "we cannot order our speech by reason of darkness" refers to the impenetrable mystery of God's ways. This "darkness" symbolizes not only the literal clouds and storms Elihu has been describing as manifestations of God's power but also the profound spiritual and intellectual inability of humans to fully grasp God's purposes or articulate His greatness. It suggests that God's wisdom transcends human reasoning, as highlighted in Isaiah 55:8-9.
• Awe and Humility Before God: Elihu's words are an admission of humility, recognizing that human language and intellect are insufficient to truly address or explain the Almighty. This sentiment foreshadows Job's own ultimate confession of ignorance and repentance in Job 42:3.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "order our speech" translates the Hebrew verb עָרַךְ (‘arakh), which means "to arrange," "to set in order," or "to prepare." It conveys the idea of composing a coherent and appropriate argument or statement. The "darkness" (Hebrew: חֹשֶׁךְ, choshek) is a powerful metaphor throughout the Bible, often symbolizing ignorance, chaos, or the unknown, especially in the presence of overwhelming divine power or mystery. Here, it vividly illustrates the human mind's inability to penetrate God's profound wisdom and grand designs.

Practical Application

Job 37:19 serves as a powerful reminder of humility in our approach to God. It teaches us several things:

• Humility in Prayer: We should approach God with reverence, acknowledging our limited understanding. True prayer is not about dictating to God but about seeking His will and wisdom, as encouraged in James 1:5.
• Trust in God's Sovereignty: When faced with life's mysteries or inexplicable circumstances, this verse encourages us to trust in God's perfect plan, even when we "cannot order our speech by reason of darkness." His ways are higher than ours.
• Continual Learning: While God is inscrutable, we are still called to seek Him and His truth. Elihu's "Teach us what we shall say unto him" implies a desire for divine instruction, a lifelong pursuit for believers to grow in knowledge and understanding of God's character and Word.