Job 37:20

Shall it be told him that I speak? if a man speak, surely he shall be swallowed up.

Job 37:20 (KJV)

Context

The book of Job explores the problem of human suffering and the nature of God’s sovereignty. Job, a righteous man, loses his possessions, family, and health, and he questions God’s justice. His friends offer various explanations, but God finally speaks out of the whirlwind in Job 38-41. Job 37:20 is part of Elihu’s speech, delivered just before God’s dramatic response. Elihu emphasizes the greatness and incomprehensibility of God’s power, asking whether a mortal could effectively convey a message to God. The verse highlights the vast difference between God’s wisdom and human limitations.

Meaning

Elihu’s rhetorical question, “Shall it be told him that I speak?” underscores two truths. First, God is omniscient; He already knows every word spoken by humans, so there is no need to report our words to Him. Second, human words are so imperfect and inadequate that they are not worthy of being related to God. The second half, “if a man speak, surely he shall be swallowed up,” conveys that when a man attempts to speak of God’s being, perfections, or works, he is soon overwhelmed and lost, as these things are beyond human comprehension. This is not a literal threat of destruction but a poetic expression of the overwhelming difference between the Creator and the creature. Humans, in their finitude, cannot stand before God on their own merits or speak to Him as equals.

Biblical connections

This verse follows Elihu’s plea in Job 37:19, “Teach us what we shall say unto him; for we cannot order our speech by reason of darkness.” Elihu acknowledges that humans cannot even organize their words properly because of their ignorance. The verse also connects to God’s response in Job 38-41, where God reaffirms His control over creation. The appropriate response to God’s majesty is humility and reverence, not self-justification.

Application

Job 37:20 encourages us to approach God with humility, reverence, and trust. Instead of trying to grasp all of God’s ways, we should embrace the mystery and surrender to His sovereignty. We can find peace and assurance by entrusting our lives to the One who knows all things. Recognizing our limitations deepens our awe and dependence on God’s grace.

Reflection

When we face difficult circumstances and unanswered questions, we can take comfort in knowing that God’s wisdom surpasses our understanding. His ways are higher than ours, and He sees the bigger picture that we cannot perceive. Reflecting on God’s greatness should evoke reverence and awe, reminding us to approach Him with humility and trust, even when we cannot fully comprehend His purposes.