12 "Have you ever e in your life e commanded the morning , And caused the dawn to know its place , 13 That it might take hold of the ends of the earth , And the wicked be shaken out of it? 14 "It is changed like clay under the seal ; And they stand forth like a garment . 15 " From the wicked their light is withheld , And the uplifted arm is broken . 16 "Have you entered into the springs of the sea Or walked in the recesses of the deep ? 17 "Have the gates of death been revealed to you, Or have you seen the gates of deep darkness ? 18 "Have you understood the expanse of the earth ? Tell Me, if you know all this. 19 "Where is the way to the dwelling of light ? And darkness , where is its place , 20 That you may take it to its territory And that you may discern the paths to its home ? 21 "You know , for you were born then , And the number of your days is great ! 22 "Have you entered the storehouses of the snow , Or have you seen the storehouses of the hail , 23 Which I have reserved for the time of distress , For the day of war and battle ? 24 "Where is the way that the light is divided , Or the east wind scattered on the earth ?
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Job 38:12-24
Commentary on Job 38:12-24
(Read Job 38:12-24)
The Lord questions Job, to convince him of his ignorance, and shame him for his folly in prescribing to God. If we thus try ourselves, we shall soon be brought to own that what we know is nothing in comparison with what we know not. By the tender mercy of our God, the Day-spring from on high has visited us, to give light to those that sit in darkness, whose hearts are turned to it as clay to the seal, 2 Corinthians 4:6. God's way in the government of the world is said to be in the sea; this means, that it is hid from us. Let us make sure that the gates of heaven shall be opened to us on the other side of death, and then we need not fear the opening of the gates of death. It is presumptuous for us, who perceive not the breadth of the earth, to dive into the depth of God's counsels. We should neither in the brightest noon count upon perpetual day, nor in the darkest midnight despair of the return of the morning; and this applies to our inward as well as to our outward condition. What folly it is to strive against God! How much is it our interest to seek peace with him, and to keep in his love!