12 “Have you commanded the morning in your days,
and caused the dawn to know its place; 13 that it might take hold of the ends of the earth,
and shake the wicked out of it? 14 It is changed as clay under the seal,
and stands forth as a garment. 15 From the wicked, their light is withheld.
The high arm is broken. 16 “Have you entered into the springs of the sea?
Or have you walked in the recesses of the deep? 17 Have the gates of death been revealed to you?
Or have you seen the gates of the shadow of death? 18 Have you comprehended the earth in its breadth?
Declare, if you know it all. 19 “What is the way to the dwelling of light?
As for darkness, where is its place, 20 that you should take it to its bound,
that you should discern the paths to its house? 21 Surely you know, for you were born then,
and the number of your days is great! 22 Have you entered the treasuries of the snow,
or have you seen the treasures of the hail, 23 which I have reserved against the time of trouble,
against the day of battle and war? 24 By what way is the lightning distributed,
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!