Job 36:28
which the clouds pour out and shower abundantly on mankind.
which the clouds
The phrase "which the clouds" refers to the natural phenomenon of clouds as vessels of God's provision. In Hebrew, the word for clouds is "עָבִים" (avim), which can also mean "thick clouds" or "dark clouds." This imagery is often used in the Bible to symbolize God's presence and majesty (e.g., Exodus 19:9). The clouds are not just meteorological entities but are seen as instruments through which God demonstrates His sovereignty and care over creation. They are a reminder of His ability to provide and sustain life on earth.

pour out
The action "pour out" is derived from the Hebrew word "זָלַף" (zalaf), which means to drip or trickle. However, in this context, it conveys a more generous outpouring, akin to a deluge. This verb emphasizes the abundance and generosity of God's provision. It is not a mere trickle but a lavish outpouring, reflecting God's grace and mercy. The imagery of pouring suggests a continuous and intentional act of blessing, highlighting God's active role in nurturing His creation.

and shower abundantly
The phrase "and shower abundantly" further amplifies the idea of God's generous provision. The Hebrew word for "shower" is "רָוָה" (ravah), which means to saturate or drench. This suggests a thorough and complete provision, leaving no part untouched. The abundance of the shower signifies God's limitless resources and His willingness to meet the needs of His people. It is a picture of divine generosity, where God does not withhold but gives in overflowing measure.

on mankind
The term "on mankind" translates from the Hebrew "אָדָם" (adam), which refers to humanity as a whole. This highlights the universal scope of God's provision. It is not limited to a select few but is available to all of humanity. This inclusivity reflects God's impartial love and care for all people, regardless of their status or background. It serves as a reminder of the common grace that God extends to all His creation, sustaining life and providing for the needs of every individual.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Elihu
A young man who speaks to Job and his friends, offering his perspective on suffering and God's justice. Elihu's speeches are found in Job 32-37.

2. Job
A righteous man who undergoes severe trials and suffering, the central figure of the Book of Job.

3. The Clouds
Symbolic of God's creation and His provision, as they are the means through which rain is delivered to the earth.

4. Mankind
Refers to humanity as the recipient of God's provision through rain, highlighting God's care for His creation.

5. The Event of Rainfall
Represents God's sustaining power and His ability to provide for the earth and its inhabitants.
Teaching Points
God's Provision
Recognize that God is the ultimate provider of all our needs, as demonstrated through His control over nature.

Dependence on God
Just as the earth relies on rain, we must depend on God for spiritual and physical sustenance.

God's Sovereignty
Acknowledge God's sovereignty in the natural world and in our lives, trusting His timing and methods.

Gratitude for God's Gifts
Cultivate a heart of gratitude for the everyday blessings, like rain, that we often take for granted.

God's Justice and Mercy
Understand that God's provision is a reflection of His justice and mercy, as He cares for all of humanity.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Elihu's perspective on God's provision through rain challenge or affirm your understanding of God's care for creation?

2. In what ways can we see God's provision in our daily lives, and how can we cultivate gratitude for these blessings?

3. How does the imagery of rain in Job 36:28 connect with other biblical passages that speak of God's provision and care?

4. What does the impartiality of rain (falling on both the just and unjust) teach us about God's character and how we should treat others?

5. How can we apply the lesson of dependence on God, as seen in the natural reliance on rain, to our spiritual lives and daily decisions?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Genesis 2:5-6
Describes the initial state of the earth and the introduction of rain as a means of watering the ground, showing God's provision from the beginning.

Psalm 147:8
Speaks of God covering the sky with clouds and providing rain for the earth, emphasizing His ongoing care and provision.

Matthew 5:45
Jesus speaks of God sending rain on the just and the unjust, illustrating God's impartial provision and grace.

Isaiah 55:10-11
Compares the rain and snow that water the earth to God's word, which accomplishes His purposes, highlighting the effectiveness and purposefulness of God's actions.
The Unknowable GodJoseph Parker, D. D.
People
Elihu, Job
Places
Uz
Topics
Abundant, Abundantly, Clouds, Distil, Distill, Drip, Drop, Dropping, Fall, Flowing, Mankind, Moisture, Multitudes, Peoples, Pour, Showers, Skies, Sky
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Job 36:28

     4035   abundance

Job 36:26-33

     4854   weather, God's sovereignty

Job 36:28-29

     4805   clouds

Library
Whether by his Passion Christ Merited to be Exalted?
Objection 1: It seems that Christ did not merit to be exalted on account of His Passion. For eminence of rank belongs to God alone, just as knowledge of truth, according to Ps. 112:4: "The Lord is high above all nations, and His glory above the heavens." But Christ as man had the knowledge of all truth, not on account of any preceding merit, but from the very union of God and man, according to Jn. 1:14: "We saw His glory . . . as it were of the only-Begotten of the Father, full of grace and of truth."
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Whether Christ Acquired his Judiciary Power by his Merits?
Objection 1: It would seem that Christ did not acquire His judiciary power by His merits. For judiciary power flows from the royal dignity: according to Prov. 20:8: "The king that sitteth on the throne of judgment, scattereth away all evil with his look." But it was without merits that Christ acquired royal power, for it is His due as God's Only-begotten Son: thus it is written (Lk. 1:32): "The Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of David His father, and He shall reign in the house of Jacob for
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Whether Christ Will Judge under the Form of his Humanity?
Objection 1: It would seem that Christ will not judge under the form of His humanity. For judgment requires authority in the judge. Now Christ has authority over the quick and the dead as God, for thus is He the Lord and Creator of all. Therefore He will judge under the form of His Godhead. Objection 2: Further, invincible power is requisite in a judge; wherefore it is written (Eccles. 7:6): "Seek not to be made a judge, unless thou have strength enough to extirpate iniquities." Now invincible power
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Whether the Old Law was from God?
Objection 1: It would seem that the Old Law was not from God. For it is written (Dt. 32:4): "The works of God are perfect." But the Law was imperfect, as stated above [2060](A[1]). Therefore the Old Law was not from God. Objection 2: Further, it is written (Eccles. 3:14): "I have learned that all the works which God hath made continue for ever." But the Old Law does not continue for ever: since the Apostle says (Heb. 7:18): "There is indeed a setting aside of the former commandment, because of the
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Whether Man Can Know that He Has Grace?
Objection 1: It would seem that man can know that he has grace. For grace by its physical reality is in the soul. Now the soul has most certain knowledge of those things that are in it by their physical reality, as appears from Augustine (Gen. ad lit. xii, 31). Hence grace may be known most certainly by one who has grace. Objection 2: Further, as knowledge is a gift of God, so is grace. But whoever receives knowledge from God, knows that he has knowledge, according to Wis. 7:17: The Lord "hath given
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Whether the Judicial Power Corresponds to Voluntary Poverty?
Objection 1: It would seem that the judicial power does not correspond to voluntary poverty. For it was promised to none but the twelve apostles (Mat. 19:28): "You shall sit on twelve seats, judging," etc. Since then those who are voluntarily poor are not all apostles, it would seem that the judicial power is not competent to all. Objection 2: Further, to offer sacrifice to God of one's own body is more than to do so of outward things. Now martyrs and also virgins offer sacrifice to God of their
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Whether Hypocrisy is the Same as Dissimulation?
Objection 1: It seems that hypocrisy is not the same as dissimulation. For dissimulation consists in lying by deeds. But there may be hypocrisy in showing outwardly what one does inwardly, according to Mat. 6:2, "When thou dost an alms-deed sound not a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do." Therefore hypocrisy is not the same as dissimulation. Objection 2: Further, Gregory says (Moral. xxxi, 7): "Some there are who wear the habit of holiness, yet are unable to attain the merit of perfection.
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

The Great Teacher
Teaching was the great business of the life of Christ during the days of his public ministry. He was sent to teach and to preach. The speaker in the book of Job was thinking of this Great Teacher when he asked--"Who teacheth like him?" Job xxxvi: 22. And it was he who was in the Psalmist's mind when he spoke of the "good, and upright Lord" who would teach sinners, if they were meek, how to walk in his ways. Ps. xxv: 8-9. And he is the Redeemer, of whom the prophet Isaiah was telling when he said--He
Richard Newton—The Life of Jesus Christ for the Young

"That which was from the Beginning,"
1 John i. 1.--"That which was from the beginning," &c. Things are commended sometimes, because they are ancient, especially doctrines in religion, because truth is before error, and falsehood is but an aberration from truth and therefore there is so much plea and contention among men, about antiquity, as if it were the sufficient rule of verity. But the abuse is, that men go not far enough backward in the steps of antiquity, that is, to the most ancient rule, and profession, and practice of truth
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Whether Hypocrisy is Always a Mortal Sin?
Objection 1: It seems that hypocrisy is always a mortal sin. For Jerome says on Is. 16:14: "Of the two evils it is less to sin openly than to simulate holiness": and a gloss on Job 1:21 [*St. Augustine on Ps. 63:7], "As it hath pleased the Lord," etc., says that "pretended justice is no justice, but a twofold sin": and again a gloss on Lam. 4:6, "The iniquity . . . of my people is made greater than the sin of Sodom," says: "He deplores the sins of the soul that falls into hypocrisy, which is a greater
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Whether those to whom Christ's Birth was Made Known were Suitably Chosen?
Objection 1: It would seem that those to whom Christ's birth was made known were not suitably chosen. For our Lord (Mat. 10:5) commanded His disciples, "Go ye not into the way of the Gentiles," so that He might be made known to the Jews before the Gentiles. Therefore it seems that much less should Christ's birth have been at once revealed to the Gentiles who "came from the east," as stated Mat. 2:1. Objection 2: Further, the revelation of Divine truth should be made especially to the friends of God,
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Divine Grace.
GRACE, LOYE, AND MERCY. I FIND that the goodness of God to his people is diversely expressed in his word, sometimes by the word grace, sometimes by the word love, and sometimes by the word mercy. When it is expressed by that word grace, then it is to show that what he doeth is of his princely will, his royal bounty, and sovereign pleasure. When it is expressed by that word love, then it is to show us that his affection was and is in what he doeth, and that he doeth what he doeth for us with complacency
John Bunyan—The Riches of Bunyan

Messiah's Easy Yoke
Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. T hough the influence of education and example, may dispose us to acknowledge the Gospel to be a revelation from God; it can only be rightly understood, or duly prized, by those persons who feel themselves in the circumstances of distress, which it is designed to relieve. No Israelite would think of fleeing to a city of refuge (Joshua 20:2.
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1

Epistle v. To Theoctista, Sister of the Emperor.
To Theoctista, Sister of the Emperor. Gregory to Theoctista, &c. With how great devotion my mind prostrates itself before your Venerableness I cannot fully express in words; nor yet do I labour to give utterance to it, since, even though I were silent, you read in your heart your own sense of my devotion. I wonder, however, that you withdrew your countenance, till of late bestowed on me, from this my recent engagement in the pastoral office; wherein, under colour of episcopacy, I have been brought
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great

The Greatness of the Soul,
AND UNSPEAKABLENESS 0F THE LOSS THEREOF; WITH THE CAUSES OF THE LOSING IT. FIRST PREACHED AT PINNER'S HALL and now ENLARGED AND PUBLISHED FOR GOOD. By JOHN BUNYAN, London: Printed for Benjamin Alsop, at the Angel and Bible in the Poultry, 1682 Faithfully reprinted from the Author's First Edition. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. Our curiosity is naturally excited to discover what a poor, unlettered mechanic, whose book-learning had been limited to the contents of one volume, could by possibility know
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Job
The book of Job is one of the great masterpieces of the world's literature, if not indeed the greatest. The author was a man of superb literary genius, and of rich, daring, and original mind. The problem with which he deals is one of inexhaustible interest, and his treatment of it is everywhere characterized by a psychological insight, an intellectual courage, and a fertility and brilliance of resource which are nothing less than astonishing. Opinion has been divided as to how the book should be
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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