God’s sovereignty far surpasses our ability to fully fathom it.
Elihu continues his discourse, reminding Job of God’s greatness beyond human comprehension. He wonders if humans can presume to speak to God about His works. Thus, he declares, “Shall it be told Him that I would speak? Or should a man say that he would be swallowed up?” (v.20) This rhetorical question suggests we must tread carefully and humbly when we approach the Almighty’s grandeur. It also highlights the limits of human knowledge and the danger of assuming we have complete understanding before the Lord. Elihu’s question portrays the audacity of claiming an audience with God as though we could stand on equal footing with Him.
In many ways, this message echoes throughout scripture, emphasizing that God’s knowledge vastly exceeds human limitations. The phrase “Shall it be told Him that I would speak?” (v.20) conveys the weight of appearing before God, who already knows everything about our intentions and thoughts. It is reminiscent of passages throughout the Bible that remind us of God’s omniscience and authority, and how man’s attempts at wisdom often fall short (Romans 11:33). In the same vein, the concern “Or should a man say that he would be swallowed up?” (v.20) reflects the fear and humility that come from recognizing God’s immeasurable power.
Job and his friends have wrestled with divine justice and suffering, but Elihu is clear that ultimately, God’s purposes and majesty leave no room for prideful defiance. Instead, it urges us to respond to God with reverence. This ties to the central theme that humanity’s perspective remains incomplete until we view it in light of God’s eternal design. In the New Testament, Jesus also exemplifies humility and submission to the Father’s will (Matthew 26:39), illustrating the kind of reverent posture believers are to maintain.
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Job 37:20 meaning
Elihu continues his discourse, reminding Job of God’s greatness beyond human comprehension. He wonders if humans can presume to speak to God about His works. Thus, he declares, “Shall it be told Him that I would speak? Or should a man say that he would be swallowed up?” (v.20) This rhetorical question suggests we must tread carefully and humbly when we approach the Almighty’s grandeur. It also highlights the limits of human knowledge and the danger of assuming we have complete understanding before the Lord. Elihu’s question portrays the audacity of claiming an audience with God as though we could stand on equal footing with Him.
In many ways, this message echoes throughout scripture, emphasizing that God’s knowledge vastly exceeds human limitations. The phrase “Shall it be told Him that I would speak?” (v.20) conveys the weight of appearing before God, who already knows everything about our intentions and thoughts. It is reminiscent of passages throughout the Bible that remind us of God’s omniscience and authority, and how man’s attempts at wisdom often fall short (Romans 11:33). In the same vein, the concern “Or should a man say that he would be swallowed up?” (v.20) reflects the fear and humility that come from recognizing God’s immeasurable power.
Job and his friends have wrestled with divine justice and suffering, but Elihu is clear that ultimately, God’s purposes and majesty leave no room for prideful defiance. Instead, it urges us to respond to God with reverence. This ties to the central theme that humanity’s perspective remains incomplete until we view it in light of God’s eternal design. In the New Testament, Jesus also exemplifies humility and submission to the Father’s will (Matthew 26:39), illustrating the kind of reverent posture believers are to maintain.