Job 36:30 Study Bible: Look, he spreads his light around him. He covers the bottom of the sea.

◄ Job 36:30 ►

See how He scatters His lightning around Him and covers the depths of the sea.

See how
The phrase "See how" invites the reader to observe and reflect on the majesty and power of God. In Hebrew, the word often translated as "see" is "ra'ah," which means to perceive or consider. This is a call to not just look but to understand and appreciate the divine actions of God. It is an invitation to witness the grandeur of God's creation and His sovereign control over nature.

He scatters
The action of "scattering" in this context refers to God's ability to distribute or disperse His lightning. The Hebrew root "pazar" conveys the idea of spreading out or dispersing widely. This illustrates God's omnipotence and His command over the elements. It is a reminder of His authority and the ease with which He orchestrates the natural world, emphasizing His role as the Creator who governs all things.

His lightning
Lightning is a powerful symbol of God's might and presence. In the ancient Near Eastern context, lightning was often associated with divine power and judgment. The Hebrew word "baraq" is used for lightning, which is a vivid representation of God's strength and the awe-inspiring nature of His works. Lightning serves as a metaphor for God's ability to illuminate and reveal, as well as His capacity to bring about change and transformation.

around Him
The phrase "around Him" suggests the omnipresence of God. It indicates that God's power and presence are not confined to a single location but are pervasive throughout creation. This reflects the theological understanding that God is not limited by space or time, and His influence extends to all corners of the earth. It is a comforting reminder of God's constant presence and His watchful care over the world.

and covers
The act of covering implies protection and concealment. The Hebrew word "kasah" can mean to cover, conceal, or clothe. This suggests God's ability to shield and protect His creation, as well as His capacity to hide or reveal according to His will. It speaks to the dual nature of God's actions—both nurturing and mysterious, providing safety while also maintaining divine mystery.

the depths of the sea
The "depths of the sea" symbolize the unknown and the unfathomable aspects of creation. In Hebrew, "tehom" refers to the deep or abyss, often associated with chaos and the primordial waters. By covering the depths, God demonstrates His sovereignty over even the most mysterious and chaotic parts of the world. This imagery reassures believers of God's control over all creation, including the most daunting and incomprehensible aspects of life. It is a testament to His ability to bring order out of chaos and to sustain the universe with His wisdom and power.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Elihu
A young man who speaks to Job and his friends, offering his perspective on God's justice and power. Elihu's speeches are intended to defend God's righteousness and challenge Job's understanding.

2. Job
A righteous man who suffers immense trials and questions God's justice. The book of Job explores themes of suffering, divine justice, and human understanding.

3. God's Creation
The verse highlights God's control over natural phenomena, such as lightning and the sea, emphasizing His sovereignty and power over creation.

Teaching Points

God's Sovereignty in Nature
The verse illustrates God's supreme authority over the natural world. Believers are reminded of God's power and control over all creation, encouraging trust in His divine plan.

The Majesty of God
The imagery of lightning and the sea reflects God's majesty and awe-inspiring presence. This should lead believers to worship and revere God, acknowledging His greatness.

Understanding God's Power
Elihu's words challenge us to recognize the limits of human understanding compared to God's infinite wisdom and power. This calls for humility and faith in God's purposes, even when they are beyond our comprehension.

God's Presence in the Storms of Life
Just as God controls the literal storms, He is present in the metaphorical storms of our lives. Believers can find comfort in knowing that God is with them, guiding and protecting them through life's challenges.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does Elihu's description of God's control over nature in Job 36:30 enhance your understanding of God's sovereignty?

2. In what ways can the imagery of lightning and the sea in this verse inspire awe and worship in your personal relationship with God?

3. How can recognizing the limits of human understanding, as highlighted by Elihu, impact your response to suffering and unanswered questions in life?

4. Reflect on a time when you experienced a "storm" in your life. How can the assurance of God's presence and control, as depicted in Job 36:30, provide comfort and guidance?

5. How do other scriptures, such as Psalm 29 and Exodus 19, reinforce the themes of God's power and presence found in Job 36:30? How can these connections deepen your faith?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Psalm 29
This psalm describes the voice of the Lord in nature, including thunder and lightning, similar to the imagery in Job 36:30, emphasizing God's majestic power.

Psalm 104
This psalm praises God for His creation and providence, reflecting on His control over the natural world, akin to Elihu's description of God's power in Job.

Exodus 19
The giving of the Law at Mount Sinai is accompanied by thunder and lightning, demonstrating God's presence and power, paralleling the imagery of divine control in Job 36:30.

People

Places

Topics

Bathing, Behold, Bottom, Covered, Covereth, Covering, Covers, Depths, Lightning, Mist, Mountains, Roots, Scatters, Spread, Spreadeth, Spreads, Stretching, Tops

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Job 36:26-33

4854 weather, God's sovereignty

Job 36:30-32

4834 light, natural

Job 36:30-33

4838 lightning

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

Links

Job 36:30 NIV
Job 36:30 NLT
Job 36:30 ESV
Job 36:30 NASB
Job 36:30 KJV

Job 36:30 Commentaries

Bible Hub