The Pulpit Commentary on Job 38:33

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

Knowest thou the ordinances of heaven? i.e. the physical laws by which the course of nature is governed (comp. Psalms 119:90, Psalms 119:91; Psalms 148:6). The general prevalence of law in the material world is quite as strongly asserted by the sacred writers as by modern science.

The difference is that modern science regards the laws as physical necessities, self-subsisting, while Scripture looks upon them as the ordinances of the Divine will. This latter view involves, of course, the further result that the Divine will can at any time suspend or reverse any of its enactments.

Canst thou set the dominion thereof in the earth? If Job does not even know the laws whereby the world is governed, much less can he establish such laws himself, and make them work.

More for Job 38:33

Continue with other commentaries and DiscipleDeck content connected to this verse, chapter, or topic.

Other commentaries

The Pulpit Commentary on Job 38:1-41Job 38:1-41 · The Pulpit CommentaryCLOSE OF THE CONTROVERSY BY THE INTERFERENCE OF THE ALMIGHTY. EXPOSITION The discourse, by which the Almighty answers Job and rebukes his "friends," occupies four chapters (ch. 38-41.). It is broken into two parts by th…Matthew Henry on Job 38:25-41Job 38:25-41 · Matthew Henry Concise CommentaryHitherto God had put questions to Job to show him his ignorance; now God shows his weakness. As it is but little that he knows, he ought not to arraign the Divine counsels; it is but little he can do, therefore he ought…God's Sovereign Dominion and Goodness. (b. c. 1520.)Job 38:25-41 · Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole BibleGOD'S SOVEREIGN DOMINION AND GOODNESS. (B. C. 1520.) Hitherto God had put such questions to Job as were proper to convince him of his ignorance and short-sightedness. Now he comes, in the same manner, to show his impote…The Pulpit Commentary on Job 38:31-41Job 38:31-41 · The Pulpit CommentaryJehovah to Job: the first answer-the examination: 5. Concerning four worlds. I. THE WORLD OF STARS. Jehovah invites Job to reflect upon his own impotence, and therefore also inferentially upon his (i.e. Jehovah's) omnip…

commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Job 38:1-41CLOSE OF THE CONTROVERSY BY THE INTERFERENCE OF THE ALMIGHTY. EXPOSITION The discourse, by which the Almighty answers Job and rebukes his "friends," occupies four chapters (ch. 38-41.). It is broken into two parts by th…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryMatthew Henry on Job 38:25-41Hitherto God had put questions to Job to show him his ignorance; now God shows his weakness. As it is but little that he knows, he ought not to arraign the Divine counsels; it is but little he can do, therefore he ought…Matthew Henry commentaryGod's Sovereign Dominion and Goodness. (b. c. 1520.)GOD'S SOVEREIGN DOMINION AND GOODNESS. (B. C. 1520.) Hitherto God had put such questions to Job as were proper to convince him of his ignorance and short-sightedness. Now he comes, in the same manner, to show his impote…Matthew Henry commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Job 38:31-41Jehovah to Job: the first answer-the examination: 5. Concerning four worlds. I. THE WORLD OF STARS. Jehovah invites Job to reflect upon his own impotence, and therefore also inferentially upon his (i.e. Jehovah's) omnip…Joseph S. Exell and contributors