GOD’S DOMINION

Job 38:31-41 / Keywords 38:33

Do you know the laws of the heavens? Can you set up God's dominion over the earth?

 

38:31 “Can you bind the chains[b] of the Pleiades?

    Can you loosen Orion’s belt?

32 Can you bring forth the constellations in their seasons[c]

    or lead out the Bear[d] with its cubs?

33 Do you know the laws of the heavens?

    Can you set up God’s[e] dominion over the earth?

34 “Can you raise your voice to the clouds

    and cover yourself with a flood of water?

35 Do you send the lightning bolts on their way?

    Do they report to you, ‘Here we are’?

36 Who gives the ibis wisdom[f]

    or gives the rooster understanding?[g]

37 Who has the wisdom to count the clouds?

    Who can tip over the water jars of the heavens

38 when the dust becomes hard

    and the clods of earth stick together?

39 “Do you hunt the prey for the lioness

    and satisfy the hunger of the lions

40 when they crouch in their dens

    or lie in wait in a thicket?

41 Who provides food for the raven

    when its young cry out to God

    and wander about for lack of food?

Footnotes

Job 38:7 Hebrew the sons of God

b. Job 38:31 Septuagint; Hebrew beauty

c. Job 38:32 Or the morning star in its season

d. Job 38:32 Or out Leo

e. Job 38:33 Or their

f. Job 38:36 That is, wisdom about the flooding of the Nile

g. Job 38:36 That is, understanding of when to crow; the meaning of the Hebrew for this verse is uncertain.

1. God continued by asking Job to consider his dominion over the earth. God is the one who set the stars in the heavens. He set each of the constellations, and he rules over their movements throughout the seasons and years. When God revealed himself to Abraham in Genesis 15, he took him outside and said, “Look up at the sky and count the stars—if indeed you can count them.” God reveals his awesome power in the heavens, and this he now revealed to Job.

 

2. God’s dominion is not impersonal. His might is also revealed in his care. He gives clouds and water to provide life. He gives the wisdom and understanding each animal needs to have life. He cares about the hunger of all his creation, from the lion to the raven. He is able to hear those who cry out to God. His dominion over the earth is expressed in his care for each of our needs.

 

Prayer Lord, you have dominion over the earth, and you know my need. Help me to cry out to you in my need.

One Word Bring your needs to God