INTRODUCTION: Job has gone through great trials without turning against God and cursing Him. However, he does complain of being unjustly persecuted and expects God to give him reasons for his suffering. In this chapter, God actually appears to Job. However, instead of giving explanations to Job, He demands an answer from Job. God takes several chapters to contrast His power and knowledge with that of Job’s. In the end, Job is expected to submit to God simply because of His superiority and not because He has explained to Job the cause of his troubles.

This chapter is the first of several meant to highlight the glories of God in His knowledge, creation, and providence. It is full of treasures to the Bible student. Pay close attention to the wording of the verses. Wonderful truths often lie hidden in these verses.

1. CONCERNING THE FOUNDATIONS OF THE EARTH (Job 38:1-7 [1] Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said, [2] Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge? [3] Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me. [4] Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding. [5] Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it? [6] Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof; [7] When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?
   See All...)
1. The Reply of the Lord (Job 38:1-3 [1] Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said, [2] Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge? [3] Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me.
   See All...)
1. Out of the whirlwind (Job 38:1Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said,
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1. The appearance of God to Job (Job 40:6Then answered the LORD unto Job out of the whirlwind, and said,
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2. The taking of Elijah to heaven (2 Kings 2:1And it came to pass, when the LORD would take up Elijah into heaven by a whirlwind, that Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal.
   See All..., 11)
3. The approach of the presence of God (Ezekiel 1:4-5 [4] And I looked, and, behold, a whirlwind came out of the north, a great cloud, and a fire infolding itself, and a brightness was about it, and out of the midst thereof as the colour of amber, out of the midst of the fire. [5] Also out of the midst thereof came the likeness of four living creatures. And this was their appearance; they had the likeness of a man.
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4. Representative of God’s power (Isaiah 66:15For, behold, the LORD will come with fire, and with his chariots like a whirlwind, to render his anger with fury, and his rebuke with flames of fire.
   See All...; Jeremiah 4:13Behold, he shall come up as clouds, and his chariots shall be as a whirlwind: his horses are swifter than eagles. Woe unto us! for we are spoiled.
   See All...; Jeremiah 23:19Behold, a whirlwind of the LORD is gone forth in fury, even a grievous whirlwind: it shall fall grievously upon the head of the wicked.
   See All...)
2. His accusation of Job (Job 38:2Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge?
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1. He darkens counsel.
2. He speaks words without knowledge.
3. His challenge to Job (Job 38:3Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me.
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1. Gird up your loins (1 Peter 1:13Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
   See All...).
2. Make answer to God.
1. Job expected an answer from God (Job 23:3-5 [3] Oh that I knew where I might find him! that I might come even to his seat! [4] I would order my cause before him, and fill my mouth with arguments. [5] I would know the words which he would answer me, and understand what he would say unto me.
   See All...; Job 31:35Oh that one would hear me! behold, my desire is, that the Almighty would answer me, and that mine adversary had written a book.
   See All...).
2. God demanded an answer from Job (Job 40:1-5 [1] Moreover the LORD answered Job, and said, [2] Shall he that contendeth with the Almighty instruct him? he that reproveth God, let him answer it. [3] Then Job answered the LORD, and said, [4] Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer thee? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth. [5] Once have I spoken; but I will not answer: yea, twice; but I will proceed no further.
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2. The Laying of Earth’s Foundations (Job 38:4-7 [4] Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding. [5] Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it? [6] Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof; [7] When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?
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1. No understanding of the earth’s foundations (Job 38:4Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding.
   See All...; Psalm 102:25Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands.
   See All...; Psalm 104:5Who laid the foundations of the earth, that it should not be removed for ever.
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2. No knowledge of the earth’s measurements (Job 38:5Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it?
   See All...; Isaiah 40:12Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, and meted out heaven with the span, and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance?
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3. No conception of the fastening of the foundations (Job 38:6Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof;
   See All...; Job 26:7He stretcheth out the north over the empty place, and hangeth the earth upon nothing.
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4. No memory of the praise of the angels (Job 38:7When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?
   See All...; Job 1:6Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them.
   See All...; Job 2:1Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them to present himself before the LORD.
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2. CONCERNING THE CONTAINMENT OF THE SEAS (Job 38:8-11 [8] Or who shut up the sea with doors, when it brake forth, as if it had issued out of the womb? [9] When I made the cloud the garment thereof, and thick darkness a swaddlingband for it, [10] And brake up for it my decreed place, and set bars and doors, [11] And said, Hitherto shalt thou come, but no further: and here shall thy proud waves be stayed?
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1. The Breaking of the Doors of the Sea (Job 38:8-9 [8] Or who shut up the sea with doors, when it brake forth, as if it had issued out of the womb? [9] When I made the cloud the garment thereof, and thick darkness a swaddlingband for it,
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1. The breaking forth of the sea (Job 38:8Or who shut up the sea with doors, when it brake forth, as if it had issued out of the womb?
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1. The initial breaking forth (Genesis 1:2And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
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2. The later breaking forth (Genesis 7:11In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, in the second month, the seventeenth day of the month, the same day were all the fountains of the great deep broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened.
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2. The covering of the sea (Job 38:9When I made the cloud the garment thereof, and thick darkness a swaddlingband for it,
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1. The cloud
2. Thick darkness
2. The Halting of the Waves of the Sea (Job 38:10-11 [10] And brake up for it my decreed place, and set bars and doors, [11] And said, Hitherto shalt thou come, but no further: and here shall thy proud waves be stayed?
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1. The setting of bars and doors (Job 38:10And brake up for it my decreed place, and set bars and doors,
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2. The command to go no further (Job 38:11And said, Hitherto shalt thou come, but no further: and here shall thy proud waves be stayed?
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1. The initial command (Proverbs 8:29When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth:
   See All...; Genesis 1:9And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so.
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2. The later command (Genesis 9:11And I will establish my covenant with you, neither shall all flesh be cut off any more by the waters of a flood; neither shall there any more be a flood to destroy the earth.
   See All...; Psalm 104:6-9 [6] Thou coveredst it with the deep as with a garment: the waters stood above the mountains. [7] At thy rebuke they fled; at the voice of thy thunder they hasted away. [8] They go up by the mountains; they go down by the valleys unto the place which thou hast founded for them. [9] Thou hast set a bound that they may not pass over; that they turn not again to cover the earth.
   See All...; Jeremiah 5:22Fear ye not me? saith the LORD: will ye not tremble at my presence, which have placed the sand for the bound of the sea by a perpetual decree, that it cannot pass it: and though the waves thereof toss themselves, yet can they not prevail; though they roar, yet can they not pass over it?
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3. CONCERNING THE JUDGMENT OF THE WICKED (Job 38:12-15 [12] Hast thou commanded the morning since thy days; and caused the dayspring to know his place; [13] That it might take hold of the ends of the earth, that the wicked might be shaken out of it? [14] It is turned as clay to the seal; and they stand as a garment. [15] And from the wicked their light is withholden, and the high arm shall be broken.
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1. The Command for the Morning to Come (Job 38:12Hast thou commanded the morning since thy days; and caused the dayspring to know his place;
   See All...; Psalm 74:16The day is thine, the night also is thine: thou hast prepared the light and the sun.
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2. The Command for the Dayspring to Come (Job 38:13-14 [13] That it might take hold of the ends of the earth, that the wicked might be shaken out of it? [14] It is turned as clay to the seal; and they stand as a garment.
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1. The dayspring to know his place (Job 38:12Hast thou commanded the morning since thy days; and caused the dayspring to know his place;
   See All...) – The dayspring could speak of the spring of the day or the beginning, but the context will show that Jesus Christ is the dayspring (see Luke 1:78Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us,
   See All...; 2 Peter 1:19We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:
   See All...).
2. The dayspring to shake the wicked out of the earth (Job 38:13That it might take hold of the ends of the earth, that the wicked might be shaken out of it?
   See All...); Christ will come to judge the world in righteousness (Acts 17:31Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.
   See All...).
3. To turn as the clay to the seal (Job 38:14It is turned as clay to the seal; and they stand as a garment.
   See All...) – Jesus took on Himself a body of human flesh (clay) and took the form of a servant and was made in the likeness of man (Philippians 2:7Shall they not rise up suddenly that shall bite thee, and awake that shall vex thee, and thou shalt be for booties unto them?
   See All...).
3. The Power of the Wicked to Be Overcome (Job 38:14-15 [14] It is turned as clay to the seal; and they stand as a garment. [15] And from the wicked their light is withholden, and the high arm shall be broken.
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1. The wicked to stand as a garment (Job 38:14It is turned as clay to the seal; and they stand as a garment.
   See All...); probably refers to garments being hung up as on a post—they are not going anywhere and have nowhere to go, but must stand before God in judgment (Revelation 20:11-12 [11] And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. [12] And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
   See All...).
2. The light of the wicked to be withheld (Job 38:15And from the wicked their light is withholden, and the high arm shall be broken.
   See All...; Job 18:5Yea, the light of the wicked shall be put out, and the spark of his fire shall not shine.
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3. The high arm of the wicked to be broken (Job 38:15And from the wicked their light is withholden, and the high arm shall be broken.
   See All...; Psalm 37:17For the arms of the wicked shall be broken: but the LORD upholdeth the righteous.
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4. CONCERNING VARIOUS WONDERS IN THE WORLD (Job 38:16-24 [16] Hast thou entered into the springs of the sea? or hast thou walked in the search of the depth? [17] Have the gates of death been opened unto thee? or hast thou seen the doors of the shadow of death? [18] Hast thou perceived the breadth of the earth? declare if thou knowest it all. [19] Where is the way where light dwelleth? and as for darkness, where is the place thereof, [20] That thou shouldest take it to the bound thereof, and that thou shouldest know the paths to the house thereof? [21] Knowest thou it, because thou wast then born? or because the number of thy days is great? [22] Hast thou entered into the treasures of the snow? or hast thou seen the treasures of the hail, [23] Which I have reserved against the time of trouble, against the day of battle and war? [24] By what way is the light parted, which scattereth the east wind upon the earth?
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1. The Springs of the Sea (Job 38:16Hast thou entered into the springs of the sea? or hast thou walked in the search of the depth?
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2. The Gates of Death (Job 38:17Have the gates of death been opened unto thee? or hast thou seen the doors of the shadow of death?
   See All...; Psalm 107:18Their soul abhorreth all manner of meat; and they draw near unto the gates of death.
   See All...; Psalm 23:4Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
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1. Have the gates of death been opened unto thee?
2. Hast thou seen the doors of the shadow of death?
3. The Breadth of the Earth (Job 38:18Hast thou perceived the breadth of the earth? declare if thou knowest it all.
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1. Evidently known by man today
2. But contrast Jeremiah 31:37Thus saith the LORD; If heaven above can be measured, and the foundations of the earth searched out beneath, I will also cast off all the seed of Israel for all that they have done, saith the LORD.
   See All....
4. The Way Where Light Dwells (Job 38:19-20 [19] Where is the way where light dwelleth? and as for darkness, where is the place thereof, [20] That thou shouldest take it to the bound thereof, and that thou shouldest know the paths to the house thereof?
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1. The way where light dwells (Job 38:19Where is the way where light dwelleth? and as for darkness, where is the place thereof,
   See All...); Note: light is a ray, so this description fits perfectly.
2. The place of darkness (Job 38:19-20 [19] Where is the way where light dwelleth? and as for darkness, where is the place thereof, [20] That thou shouldest take it to the bound thereof, and that thou shouldest know the paths to the house thereof?
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1. The boundary of darkness; Note: perhaps referring to the boundaries of the universe
2. The paths to the house of darkness; Note: possibly refers to black holes
5. The Number of the Days (Job 38:21Knowest thou it, because thou wast then born? or because the number of thy days is great?
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1. Were you already born when this happened?
2. Are you this old?
6. The Treasures of Precipitation (Job 38:22-23 [22] Hast thou entered into the treasures of the snow? or hast thou seen the treasures of the hail, [23] Which I have reserved against the time of trouble, against the day of battle and war?
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1. The treasures of the snow (Job 38:22Hast thou entered into the treasures of the snow? or hast thou seen the treasures of the hail,
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2. The treasures of the hail (Job 38:22-23 [22] Hast thou entered into the treasures of the snow? or hast thou seen the treasures of the hail, [23] Which I have reserved against the time of trouble, against the day of battle and war?
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7. The Way Light Is Parted (Job 38:24By what way is the light parted, which scattereth the east wind upon the earth?
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1. The parting of light; as with a prism
2. The scattering of the east wind
5. CONCERNING THE WONDERS OF WEATHER (Job 38:25-29 [25] Who hath divided a watercourse for the overflowing of waters, or a way for the lightning of thunder; [26] To cause it to rain on the earth, where no man is; on the wilderness, wherein there is no man; [27] To satisfy the desolate and waste ground; and to cause the bud of the tender herb to spring forth? [28] Hath the rain a father? or who hath begotten the drops of dew? [29] Out of whose womb came the ice? and the hoary frost of heaven, who hath gendered it?
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1. The Courses for the Waters (Job 38:25Who hath divided a watercourse for the overflowing of waters, or a way for the lightning of thunder;
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1. A watercourse for overflowing waters
2. A way for the lightning
2. The Bringing Forth of Rain (Job 38:26-27 [26] To cause it to rain on the earth, where no man is; on the wilderness, wherein there is no man; [27] To satisfy the desolate and waste ground; and to cause the bud of the tender herb to spring forth?
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1. Into places uninhabited (Job 38:26To cause it to rain on the earth, where no man is; on the wilderness, wherein there is no man;
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2. To satisfy desolate ground (Job 38:27To satisfy the desolate and waste ground; and to cause the bud of the tender herb to spring forth?
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3. To bring forth the bud of the herb (Job 38:27To satisfy the desolate and waste ground; and to cause the bud of the tender herb to spring forth?
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3. The Source of Precipitation (Job 38:28-29 [28] Hath the rain a father? or who hath begotten the drops of dew? [29] Out of whose womb came the ice? and the hoary frost of heaven, who hath gendered it?
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1. Hath the rain a father? (Job 38:28Hath the rain a father? or who hath begotten the drops of dew?
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2. Who hath begotten the drops of dew? (Job 38:28Hath the rain a father? or who hath begotten the drops of dew?
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3. Out of whose womb came the ice? (Job 38:29Out of whose womb came the ice? and the hoary frost of heaven, who hath gendered it?
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4. Who gendered the hoary frost of heaven? (Job 38:29Out of whose womb came the ice? and the hoary frost of heaven, who hath gendered it?
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6. CONCERNING THE WONDERS OF THE HEAVENS (Job 38:30-33 [30] The waters are hid as with a stone, and the face of the deep is frozen. [31] Canst thou bind the sweet influences of Pleiades, or loose the bands of Orion? [32] Canst thou bring forth Mazzaroth in his season? or canst thou guide Arcturus with his sons? [33] Knowest thou the ordinances of heaven? canst thou set the dominion thereof in the earth?
   See All...)
1. The Face of the Deep (Job 38:30The waters are hid as with a stone, and the face of the deep is frozen.
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1. The water hid as with a stone – perhaps the waters above the heavens (Psalm 148:4Praise him, ye heavens of heavens, and ye waters that be above the heavens.
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2. The frozen face of the deep – perhaps the crystal pavement of heaven (Ezekiel 1:22And the likeness of the firmament upon the heads of the living creature was as the colour of the terrible crystal, stretched forth over their heads above.
   See All...; Revelation 4:6And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind.
   See All...)
2. The Placing of the Constellations (Job 38:31-32 [31] Canst thou bind the sweet influences of Pleiades, or loose the bands of Orion? [32] Canst thou bring forth Mazzaroth in his season? or canst thou guide Arcturus with his sons?
   See All...)
1. Pleiades (Job 38:31Canst thou bind the sweet influences of Pleiades, or loose the bands of Orion?
   See All...; Job 9:9Which maketh Arcturus, Orion, and Pleiades, and the chambers of the south.
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2. Orion (Job 38:31Canst thou bind the sweet influences of Pleiades, or loose the bands of Orion?
   See All...; Job 9:9Which maketh Arcturus, Orion, and Pleiades, and the chambers of the south.
   See All...; Amos 5:8Seek 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:
   See All...)
3. Mazzaroth (Job 38:32Canst thou bring forth Mazzaroth in his season? or canst thou guide Arcturus with his sons?
   See All...)
4. Arcturus (Job 38:32Canst thou bring forth Mazzaroth in his season? or canst thou guide Arcturus with his sons?
   See All...; Job 9:9Which maketh Arcturus, Orion, and Pleiades, and the chambers of the south.
   See All...)
3. The Ordinances of Heaven (Job 38:33Knowest thou the ordinances of heaven? canst thou set the dominion thereof in the earth?
   See All...); the order or organization (Genesis 1:14-19 [14] And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years: [15] And let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth: and it was so. [16] And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also. [17] And God set them in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth, [18] And to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness: and God saw that it was good. [19] And the evening and the morning were the fourth day.
   See All...)
7. CONCERNING THE WONDERS OF PROVIDENCE (Job 38:34-41 [34] Canst thou lift up thy voice to the clouds, that abundance of waters may cover thee? [35] Canst thou send lightnings, that they may go and say unto thee, Here we are? [36] Who hath put wisdom in the inward parts? or who hath given understanding to the heart? [37] Who can number the clouds in wisdom? or who can stay the bottles of heaven, [38] When the dust groweth into hardness, and the clods cleave fast together? [39] Wilt thou hunt the prey for the lion? or fill the appetite of the young lions, [40] When they couch in their dens, and abide in the covert to lie in wait? [41] Who provideth for the raven his food? when his young ones cry unto God, they wander for lack of meat.
   See All...)
1. The Control of the Weather (Job 38:34-35 [34] Canst thou lift up thy voice to the clouds, that abundance of waters may cover thee? [35] Canst thou send lightnings, that they may go and say unto thee, Here we are?
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1. Can you bring forth rain? (Job 38:34Canst thou lift up thy voice to the clouds, that abundance of waters may cover thee?
   See All...)
2. Can you send forth lightning? (Job 38:35Canst thou send lightnings, that they may go and say unto thee, Here we are?
   See All...)
2. The Understanding of the Heart (Job 38:36Who hath put wisdom in the inward parts? or who hath given understanding to the heart?
   See All...; Job 32:8But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding.
   See All...)
3. The Holding Back of the Rain (Job 38:37-38 [37] Who can number the clouds in wisdom? or who can stay the bottles of heaven, [38] When the dust groweth into hardness, and the clods cleave fast together?
   See All...)
4. The Provision for the Animals (Job 38:39-41 [39] Wilt thou hunt the prey for the lion? or fill the appetite of the young lions, [40] When they couch in their dens, and abide in the covert to lie in wait? [41] Who provideth for the raven his food? when his young ones cry unto God, they wander for lack of meat.
   See All...)
1. Provision for the lions (Job 38:39-40 [39] Wilt thou hunt the prey for the lion? or fill the appetite of the young lions, [40] When they couch in their dens, and abide in the covert to lie in wait?
   See All...)
2. Provision for the raven (Job 38:41Who provideth for the raven his food? when his young ones cry unto God, they wander for lack of meat.
   See All...)

CONCLUSION: In this chapter, God is beginning to show Job just how much he does not know. This is a good lesson for all of us. We must be humble in the sight of God in order for Him to lift us up (James 4:10Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
See All...).