Job 37:19-24

Teach us what we shall say unto Him.

Man and God

I. Suggestions concerning man.

1. The sublimest act, speaking to God. “Teach us what we shall say unto Him; for we cannot order our speech by reason of darkness. Shall it be told Him that I speak? If a man speak, surely he shall be swallowed up.” Speaking to God is an act implying a belief in the personality, presence, and susceptibility of God. Concerning this act, Elihu here intimates three things:

(1) A conscious unfitness for it.

(2) A conscious necessity for it. Has there ever lived a man who has not felt at times the necessity of communing with God?

(3) The conscious solemnity of the act. “If a man speak, surely he shall be swallowed up,” or destroyed. Is there any act more sublimely awful than the act of speaking to God?

2. A sad tendency. This is suggested in the words, “Men see not the bright light which is in the clouds.” Although the reference here is of course to the physical fact, it is certainly suggestive of the mental tendency, which is very strong in some, to look at the dark side of things. You see this tendency--

(1) In the sceptic, in relation to the dark things of revelation.

(2) In the refiner, in relation to God’s providence.

(3) In the misanthrope, in relation to the character of his fellow men.

(4) In the desponding Christian, in relation to his own experience.

II. Declarations concerning God. There are four facts concerning God here declared; and as they have been noticed more than once before, it will be sufficient just to mention them.

1. His greatness is referred to. “With God is terrible majesty.”

2. His inscrutability is referred to. “We cannot find Him out.”

3. His righteousness. “He is excellent in power and in judgment, and in plenty of justice.”

4. His independency. “He respecteth not any that are wise of heart.” (Homilist.)