Job 38:34

Canst thou lift up thy voice to the clouds, that abundance of waters may cover thee?

Canst thou lift up {H7311} thy voice {H6963} to the clouds {H5645}, that abundance {H8229} of waters {H4325} may cover {H3680} thee?

"Can you raise your voice to the clouds and make them cover you with a flood of rain?

Can you command the clouds so that a flood of water covers you?

Canst thou lift up thy voice to the clouds, That abundance of waters may cover thee?

Commentary

Context of Job 38:34

Job 38 marks a pivotal point in the Book of Job. After chapters of dialogue between Job and his friends, and then Elihu, the Lord finally speaks to Job directly out of a whirlwind. This divine discourse, spanning chapters 38-41, is not an explanation of Job's suffering, but rather a series of rhetorical questions challenging Job's understanding of the universe and his place within it. God confronts Job's presumed wisdom by demonstrating His own unsearchable wisdom and absolute sovereignty over all creation.

Verse 34, "Canst thou lift up thy voice to the clouds, that abundance of waters may cover thee?", is part of this powerful divine interrogation, focusing specifically on Job's inability to control natural phenomena that God effortlessly commands. It highlights the vast chasm between human limitation and divine omnipotence.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Omnipotence vs. Human Impotence: The core message is a stark contrast between God's boundless power and humanity's inherent weakness. God challenges Job to perform a feat (commanding the clouds to bring rain) that is utterly beyond human capability, underscoring that only the Creator holds such authority.
  • God's Sovereignty Over Nature: This verse emphasizes that elements of nature, such as clouds and rain, are entirely under God's control. Humans cannot manipulate weather patterns, illustrating God's absolute dominion over the natural world, a theme powerfully displayed throughout creation itself.
  • Humility Before God: The rhetorical question serves to humble Job and, by extension, all humanity. It reminds us of our limited perspective and power when compared to the infinite wisdom and might of the Almighty. This challenge ultimately leads Job to a place of deeper reverence and repentance (see Job 42:6).

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "Canst thou lift up thy voice" implies the ability to command or decree with authority. God challenges Job to see if his voice carries any weight in the heavens, unlike the divine voice that spoke creation into being and continues to uphold it. The "abundance of waters" refers to torrential rainfall, downpours, or even floods, signifying not just a sprinkle, but a deluge at will. This highlights that humans cannot even initiate, let alone control the intensity and scope of, such vital natural processes.

Practical Application

Job 38:34 calls us to cultivate a profound sense of humility before God. In a world where humanity often strives for control and mastery, this verse reminds us of our inherent limitations and the vastness of God's power. It encourages us to:

  • Trust in God's Provision: Just as God controls the rain, which is essential for life, we can trust Him to provide for our needs in His perfect timing and according to His sovereign plan.
  • Embrace Humility: Recognize that we do not have all the answers and that our understanding is finite compared to God's infinite wisdom. This fosters a spirit of dependence and worship.
  • Cultivate Awe: Reflect on the immense power of God, who holds all creation in His hands, and respond with reverence and adoration for the Creator.
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Cross-References

  • Job 22:11 (4 votes)

    Or darkness, [that] thou canst not see; and abundance of waters cover thee.

  • Amos 5:8 (3 votes)

    [Seek him] that maketh the seven stars and Orion, and turneth the shadow of death into the morning, and maketh the day dark with night: that calleth for the waters of the sea, and poureth them out upon the face of the earth: The LORD [is] his name:

  • James 5:18 (3 votes)

    And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.

  • 1 Samuel 12:18 (3 votes)

    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.

  • Job 36:27 (3 votes)

    For he maketh small the drops of water: they pour down rain according to the vapour thereof:

  • Job 36:28 (3 votes)

    Which the clouds do drop [and] distil upon man abundantly.

  • Zechariah 10:1 (3 votes)

    ¶ Ask ye of the LORD rain in the time of the latter rain; [so] the LORD shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain, to every one grass in the field.