Job 38:23
which I hold in reserve for times of trouble, for the day of war and battle?
which I hold in reserve
This phrase speaks to the sovereignty and omnipotence of God. The Hebrew root for "hold in reserve" is "צָפַן" (tsaphan), which means to hide or store up. This suggests that God, in His infinite wisdom, has a purpose and plan for everything, even those things that are not immediately apparent to us. The idea of God holding something in reserve implies His foreknowledge and the intentionality behind His actions. It is a reminder that nothing is beyond His control, and He is actively involved in the unfolding of history.

for times of trouble
The phrase "times of trouble" indicates periods of distress or adversity. The Hebrew word for "trouble" is "צָרָה" (tsarah), which can mean affliction or anguish. This highlights the reality that God is aware of the challenges and difficulties that His people face. It is comforting to know that God has provisions and plans even for the darkest times. Historically, this can be seen in how God prepared and provided for Israel during their times of distress, such as during the Exodus or the Babylonian exile.

for the day of war and battle
This phrase underscores the reality of conflict and struggle in the world. The Hebrew word for "war" is "מִלְחָמָה" (milchamah), and "battle" is "קְרָב" (qarab). These terms remind us of the spiritual and physical battles that are part of the human experience. In the biblical context, wars were often seen as times when God's power and justice were displayed. The mention of war and battle here serves as a metaphor for the spiritual warfare that believers face. It reassures us that God is not only aware of these battles but has also prepared for them, ensuring that His purposes will ultimately prevail.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Job
A man of great faith and patience, who undergoes severe trials and questions God's justice.

2. God
The Almighty Creator, who responds to Job out of the whirlwind, emphasizing His sovereignty and wisdom.

3. Heavenly Storehouses
Metaphorical places where God stores elements of creation, such as snow and hail, for His purposes.

4. Times of Trouble
Periods of difficulty or distress, often used by God to fulfill His divine plans.

5. Day of War and Battle
Times of conflict where God's power and judgment are demonstrated.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty Over Creation
God controls all elements of nature, using them according to His divine will and purpose.

Purpose in Times of Trouble
Difficult times are not random; they are part of God's plan and can serve to fulfill His purposes.

Preparation for Spiritual Battles
Just as God reserves elements for physical battles, believers should be spiritually prepared for challenges.

Trust in God's Timing
God's timing is perfect, and His reserves are used at the right moment for His glory and our good.

Recognizing God's Power in Judgment
God's use of creation in judgment reminds us of His ultimate authority and the seriousness of sin.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does understanding God's control over nature affect your trust in Him during difficult times?

2. In what ways can you prepare spiritually for the "day of war and battle" in your own life?

3. How can recognizing God's sovereignty help you find peace in the midst of chaos?

4. What are some examples in your life where you have seen God use "times of trouble" for a greater purpose?

5. How can the concept of God holding things "in reserve" encourage you to be patient and wait on His timing?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Psalm 135:7
This verse speaks of God bringing forth the wind and rain from His storehouses, highlighting His control over nature.

Isaiah 29:6
Describes God's use of natural elements like storms and earthquakes as instruments of His judgment.

Revelation 16:21
Refers to hailstones as part of God's end-time judgments, connecting to the idea of God using creation for His purposes.
War from HeavenA. Shanks.Job 38:23
Human Impotence and Ignorance ExposedR. Green Job 38:4, 19, 32, 33
People
Job, Satellites
Places
Uz
Topics
Battle, Conflict, Distress, Fighting, Kept, Reserved, Trouble, War
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Job 38:1-41

     5273   creativity

Job 38:22-23

     4828   hail
     5558   storing

Job 38:22-30

     4854   weather, God's sovereignty

Job 38:22-35

     1305   God, activity of

Library
August 11 Evening
Where is the way that light dwelleth?--JOB 38:19. God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.--As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: but if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.--The Father . . . hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light,
Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily Path

May 24. "Where is the Way Where Light Dwelleth" (Job xxxviii. 19).
"Where is the way where light dwelleth" (Job xxxviii. 19). Jewels, in themselves, are valueless, unless they are brought in contact with light. If they are put in certain positions they will reflect the beauty of the sun. There is no beauty in them otherwise. The diamond that is back in its dark gallery or down in the deep mine, displays no beauty whatever. What is it but a piece of charcoal, a bit of common carbon, unless it becomes a medium for reflecting light? And so it is also with the other
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

The Tragic Break in the Plan.
The Jerusalem Climate: the contrasting receptions, Luke 2. the music of heaven, Job 38:6, 7. Luke 2:13, 14. pick out the choruses of Revelation, the crowning book.--the after-captivity leaders, see Ezra and Nehemiah--ideals and ideas--present leaders--Herod--the high priest--the faithful few, Luke 2:25, 38. 23:51. The Bethlehem Fog: Matthew 1 and 2. Luke 2. a foggy shadow--suspicion of Mary--a stable cradle--murder of babes--star-students--senate meeting--a troubled city-flight--Galilee. The
S. D. Gordon—Quiet Talks about Jesus

God's Restraining Power.
(New Year's Day.) TEXT: JOB xxxviii. 11. "Hitherto shalt thou come, and no further: and here shall thy proud waves be stayed." THESE words are taken from a sublime discourse, which -- is put by the writer in the mouth of the Highest Himself, the Creator and Preserver of the world. In it He answers Job out of the whirlwind, when he had complained, though reverently and humbly, that the Lord did not allow men to find Him; that, moreover, He gave no account of His matters to them, and that therefore
Friedrich Schleiermacher—Selected Sermons of Schleiermacher

The Joy of the Lord.
IT is written "the joy of the Lord is your strength." Every child of God knows in some measure what it is to rejoice in the Lord. The Lord Jesus Christ must ever be the sole object of the believer's joy, and as eyes and heart look upon Him, we, too, like "the strangers scattered abroad" to whom Peter wrote shall "rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory" (1 Pet. i:8). But it is upon our heart to meditate with our beloved readers on the joy of our adorable Lord, as his own personal joy. The
Arno Gaebelein—The Lord of Glory

The Evil of Sin visible in the Fall of Angels and Men.
1 When the great Builder arch'd the skies, And form'd all nature with a word, The joyful cherubs tun'd his praise, And every bending throne ador'd. 2 High in the midst of all the throng, Satan, a tall archangel, sat, Amongst the morning stars he sung [1] Till sin destroy'd his heavenly state. 3 ['Twas sin that hurl'd him from his throne, Grov'ling in fire the rebel lies: "How art thou sunk in darkness down, "Son of the morning, from the skies!" [2] 4 And thus our two first parents stood Till sin
Isaac Watts—Hymns and Spiritual Songs

The Old and New Creation.

John Newton—Olney Hymns

Whether it was Fitting that the Gathering Together of the Waters Should Take Place, as Recorded, on the Third Day?
Objection 1: It would seem that it was not fitting that the gathering together of the waters should take place on the third day. For what was made on the first and second days is expressly said to have been "made" in the words, "God said: Be light made," and "Let there be a firmament made."But the third day is contradistinguished from the first and the second days. Therefore the work of the third day should have been described as a making not as a gathering together. Objection 2: Further, the earth
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Whether this Name "Father" is Applied to God, Firstly as a Personal Name?
Objection 1: It would seem that this name "Father" is not applied to God, firstly as a personal name. For in the intellect the common precedes the particular. But this name "Father" as a personal name, belongs to the person of the Father; and taken in an essential sense it is common to the whole Trinity; for we say "Our Father" to the whole Trinity. Therefore "Father" comes first as an essential name before its personal sense. Objection 2: Further, in things of which the concept is the same there
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Whether it is Proper to the Rational Nature to be Adopted?
Objection 1: It would seem that it is not proper to the rational nature to be adopted. For God is not said to be the Father of the rational creature, save by adoption. But God is called the Father even of the irrational creature, according to Job 38:28: "Who is father of the rain? Or who begot the drops of dew?" Therefore it is not proper to the rational creature to be adopted. Objection 2: Further, by reason of adoption some are called sons of God. But to be sons of God seems to be properly attributed
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

'The End of the Lord'
'Then Job answered the Lord, and said, 2. I know that Thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can he withholden from Thee. 3. Who is he that hideth counsel without knowledge? therefore have I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not. 4. Hear, I beseech Thee, and I will speak: I will demand of Thee, and declare Thou unto me. 5. I have heard of Thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth Thee. 6. Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Being of God
Q-III: WHAT DO THE SCRIPTURES PRINCIPALLY TEACH? A: The Scriptures principally teach what man is to believe concerning God, and what duty God requires of man. Q-IV: WHAT IS GOD? A: God is a Spirit, infinite, eternal, and unchangeable, in his being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth. Here is, 1: Something implied. That there is a God. 2: Expressed. That he is a Spirit. 3: What kind of Spirit? I. Implied. That there is a God. The question, What is God? takes for granted that there
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

Whether There Can be any Suitable Cause for the Sacraments of the Old Law?
Objection 1: It would seem that there can be no suitable cause for the sacraments of the Old Law. Because those things that are done for the purpose of divine worship should not be like the observances of idolaters: since it is written (Dt. 12:31): "Thou shalt not do in like manner to the Lord thy God: for they have done to their gods all the abominations which the Lord abhorreth." Now worshippers of idols used to knive themselves to the shedding of blood: for it is related (3 Kings 18:28) that they
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

The Careless Sinner Awakened.
1, 2. It is too supposable a case that this Treatise may come into such hands.--3, 4. Since many, not grossly vicious, fail under that character.--5, 6. A more particular illustration of this case, with an appeal to the reader, whether it be not his own.--7 to 9. Expostulation with such.--10 to 12. More particularly--From acknowledged principles relating to the Nature of Got, his universal presence, agency, and perfection.--13. From a view of personal obligations to him.--14. From the danger Of this
Philip Doddridge—The Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul

The Blessed Privilege of Seeing God Explained
They shall see God. Matthew 5:8 These words are linked to the former and they are a great incentive to heart-purity. The pure heart shall see the pure God. There is a double sight which the saints have of God. 1 In this life; that is, spiritually by the eye of faith. Faith sees God's glorious attributes in the glass of his Word. Faith beholds him showing forth himself through the lattice of his ordinances. Thus Moses saw him who was invisible (Hebrews 11:27). Believers see God's glory as it were
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12

They Shall be Called the Children of God
They shall be called the children of God. Matthew 5:9 In these words the glorious privilege of the saints is set down. Those who have made their peace with God and labour to make peace among brethren, this is the great honour conferred upon them, They shall be called the children of God'. They shall be (called)', that is, they shall be so reputed and esteemed of God. God never miscalls anything. He does not call them children which are no children. Thou shalt be called the prophet of the Highest'
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12

"This Then is the Message which we have Heard of Him, and Declare unto You, that God is Light,"
1 John i. 5.--"This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light," &c. Who is a fit messenger to declare this message? Can darkness comprehend the light, or apprehend it? Or can those that are blind form any lively notion of light, to the instruction and persuasion of others? Truly, no more can we conceive or speak of God, who is that pure light, than a blind man can discourse on colours, or a deaf man on sounds. "Who is blind as the Lord's servant?" And
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

The Eternity of God
The next attribute is, God is eternal.' Psa 90:0. From everlasting to everlasting thou art God.' The schoolmen distinguish between aevun et aeternum, to explain the notion of eternity. There is a threefold being. I. Such as had a beginning; and shall have an end; as all sensitive creatures, the beasts, fowls, fishes, which at death are destroyed and return to dust; their being ends with their life. 2. Such as had a beginning, but shall have no end, as angels and the souls of men, which are eternal
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

On the Animals
The birds are the saints, because they fly to the higher heart; in the gospel: and he made great branches that the birds of the air might live in their shade. [Mark 4:32] Flying is the death of the saints in God or the knowledge of the Scriptures; in the psalm: I shall fly and I shall be at rest. [Ps. 54(55):7 Vulgate] The wings are the two testaments; in Ezekiel: your body will fly with two wings of its own. [Ez. 1:23] The feathers are the Scriptures; in the psalm: the wings of the silver dove.
St. Eucherius of Lyons—The Formulae of St. Eucherius of Lyons

That Deep Things Ought not to be Preached at all to Weak Souls.
But the preacher should know how to avoid drawing the mind of his hearer beyond its strength, lest, so to speak, the string of the soul, when stretched more than it can bear, should be broken. For all deep things should be covered up before a multitude of hearers, and scarcely opened to a few. For hence the Truth in person says, Who, thinkest thou, is the faithful and wise steward, whom his Lord has appointed over his household, to give them their measure of wheat in due season? (Luke xii. 42).
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

Links
Job 38:23 NIV
Job 38:23 NLT
Job 38:23 ESV
Job 38:23 NASB
Job 38:23 KJV

Job 38:23 Commentaries

Bible Hub
Job 38:22
Top of Page
Top of Page