The Pulpit Commentary — Job — Section 598

HOMILETICS. Vers. 1-3.-Jehovah to Job: the first answer-the ·theophany. I. THE Lonn's APPEARANCE TO JoB. 1. The time of this appearance. .At the close of Elihu's address. Not too soon, when neither had Elihu finished his expositions nor had Job's heart been suitably prepared for such an interview as he was on the eve of obtaining, but precisely at the moment when the purpose of his coming was most likely to be effected. God never mistimes any of his visits to his people, whether he comes for judgment or for mercy. In this case the preaching of Elihu had begun to tell upon the turbulent spirit of the patriarch. The thunderstorm had helped to solemnize his mind, and lay him prostrate before the majesty of that Worker who had hitherto remained invisible. 'J.'hen, amid the crashing of the thunder and the lurid gleams of the lightning, while the fierce whirlwind swept up from the southern desert-then was the moment God. selected for making his presence known to his afflicted servant. 2. The mode of this appearance. Whether there was a visible form presented to the patriarch's eye it is impossible to say. Probably there was only a voice, like that which spoke to Adam in the garden (Gen. iii. 9, 10), to .Abraham on Moriah (Gen. x:xii. 11), to Israel at Sinai (Exod. xix. 19; xx. 1; Deut. iv. 12), and to Elijah at Horeb (1 Kings m. 12); like that which spoke to Christ at the Jordan (Matt. iii. 17), on the Mount of Tra.ns- figurati.Qn (Matt. xvii. 5), anrl in the city of Jerusalem (John xii. 30); like that which arrested Saul (Acts ix. 4), and afterwards St. John (Rev. i. 10). That this voice should have issued from the midst of a whirlwind (by the way, an indirect confirma- tion of the authenticity of the Elihu section) was doubtless designed (1) to arrest job's attention, (2) to convey some impression of the majesty of God, and (3) to indicate the weighty character of the truth about to be communicated. 3. The reality of this appearance. It has been suggested that there was no objective appear- ance presented to any of Job's senses except what was afforded by the phenomena ot' the thunderstorm; that the voice was purely subjective-the inner voice of Job's own spirit, as it were, rising up within him to proclaim the overpowering sense of the Divine majooty under which it. lay. "As the storm passes away with a vehement wind, clearing the heavens and presenting a lively symbol of the terrible majesty of God, Job feels the near presence of his Maker; the word rings through his heart, it brings back all that he had ever learned of his works; creation arises before him to witness for its Maker, the Spirit of God moulds his thoughts and completes his knowledge," and le11ds him to pour forth the sentiments here recorded in that "methodical and artistic form which pertains to the highest order of Hebrew poetry" (Canon Cook). 'l'o such an interpretation of the dramatist's language there is no very serious objection ; but, on the other hand, it is permissible to hold that the entire phenomenon was objec- tive. 4. The object of this appearance. (1) To meet Job's desires. Repeatedly and earnestly had the patriarch expressed a wish, at first dubiously, but afterwards with something like defiance, that God would admit him to an interview, that he might have an opportunity of stating his case and pleading his cause (eh. ix. 34, 35; xiii. 3, 22 i uiii. 3; xxxi. 37). Well, in amazing condescension to this almost impious  614 THE BOOK OF JOB. [OB. X1XV1D. 1-...4,1,