Job 36:33

The noise thereof sheweth concerning it, the cattle also concerning the vapour.

Noise - `He revealeth it (literally, announceth concerning it) to His friend (antithesis to adversary, Job 36:32: so the Hebrew х ree`ow (H7452), from reea` (H7453), a friend] is translated, Job 2:11): also to cattle and plants' (literally, that which shooteth up; Genesis 40:10; Genesis 41:22). As the genial effect of "water" in the growth of food is mentioned in Job 36:31, so here that of "light" in cherishing cattle and plants (Umbreit).The English version may be in the main retained, translating, 'His noise (thunder) announces concerning Him (His coming in the tempest); the cattle (too announce) concerning Him when He is in the act of rising up' (in the storm) [reea`], properly tumult, from raa`a` (H7489), to le tumultuous: hence, the thunder-peal] (Maurer). Some animals give various intimations that they are sensible of the approach of a storm, (Virgil's 'Georgics,' 1: 373, etc.)

Remarks:

(1) In order to comprehend God's dealings at all, we must set out with the principle that God's ways must be all righteous, simply because they emanate from God. We must not, like Job, for a moment, call in question His justice, but, with Elihu, "ascribe righteousness to our Maker" (Job 36:3). (2) His omnipotent "might" and "understanding" are shown not merely in His more stupendous works, but in His regarding with fatherly love and providential care the very humblest of His creatures. He searches out accurately the most minute objects, so as to withhold from none their right (Job 36:6).

Thou art as much His care as if, beside, Not man or angel lived in heaven or earth: Thus sunbeams pour alike a glorious tide To light up worlds or wake an insect's mirth.

(3) Whatever unbelief may whisper to the contrary, "God never withdraws His eyes from the righteous" (Job 36:7). It is true, they are at times, afflicted; but it is an utter mistake, either, with Job's friends, to infer from this that the religion of the sufferer was mere hypocrisy, or, with Job, to infer that, as the sufferer was consciously sincere, God neglects the pious man, and is indifferent whether men are godly or not (Job 36:8). Nay, the true reason is, God disciplines His people with chastisements, in order to make sin exceeding sinful to them, and to teach them more entire self-abasement at the remembrance of their own vileness, however respectable they be in outward act and sincere in their worship of God (Job 36:9). Whenever this blessed end is attained, and they meekly submit to Him, He withdraws the rod, and grants them outward prosperity (Job 36:11; Job 36:15).

(4) But if, instead of humble submission and acceptance of God's chastening, they cherish angry feelings against Him that striketh them, and will not cry to Him for His loving mercy to interpose in their behalf unworthy though they be, they are in danger of being given up to final destruction, from which no riches or largeness of resources can "ransom" them (Job 36:17). Even the redemption accomplished by Christ can be of no avail to hardened reprobates and scorners.

(5) Men in suffering often pant for death as a relief, when they are in a state unfit for dying (Job 36:20). Bad as may be the condition of the unhumbled and impenitent here, it is infinitely preferable to that which awaits them beyond the grave. It is, therefore, the worst kind of suicidal folly for any unbeliever to desire it. Rather let him cease from iniquity (Job 36:21) and rebellion against God's ways.

(6) To choose vain and sinful complaints against God, as a kind of alleviation of one's pain, rather than to learn the lesson of meek submission and penitent confession of having deserved it by sin is a wretched choice to make (Job 36:21): for it is adding to sorrow sin, which alone can lastingly hurt us. Our wisest course is, instead of presuming to be "teachers of God, and enjoining Him His way" (Job 36:22), we should "magnify His work" (Job 36:24). What we see of God's doings may assure us that what we do not see, as being beyond the reach of our finite faculties, is altogether in accordance with perfect beneficence and justice. It is true, we get but a glimpse, and from "afar off" (Job 36:25), of even the small portion of His works which we do see. But even this glimpse is enough to show how unsearchable is His infinite perfection of nature and operations (Job 36:26). The works of nature which come under our cognizance in a great measure display His power, exercised on the one hand in judgment against His foes, on the other in blessings on His servants (Job 36:31).