Job 37:19 - Teach us what we shall tell him, for we can’t make our case by reason of darkness.
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What does "Job 37:19" mean?
Job 37:19, "Teach us what we shall tell him, for we can’t make our case by reason of darkness," is part of Elihu's lengthy speech to Job. Let's break down its meaning in context:
"Teach us what we shall tell him..." This refers to God. Elihu is essentially saying, "Guide us on what to say to God." It's a request for divine wisdom and understanding. Elihu and his companions, despite their attempts to understand God's actions, feel inadequate and unsure of how to properly present their perspective or Job's case to God.
"...for we can’t make our case by reason of darkness." This is the key to understanding the verse. "Darkness" here doesn't necessarily mean literal darkness, but rather a lack of understanding, knowledge, and clarity. Elihu acknowledges that their human intellect and limited understanding of God's ways are insufficient to argue or plead a case before Him effectively. They are admitting their ignorance and the obscurity surrounding God's actions. They can't rely on their own flawed reasoning because they are "in the dark" about the bigger picture of God's plan and justice.
In essence, Elihu is saying:
"We are asking for divine guidance because we cannot present a convincing argument to God based solely on our own limited understanding and reasoning. We recognize that we are ignorant of the full truth."
The significance in the context of the Book of Job:
Acknowledges human limitations: Elihu's words underscore the limitations of human understanding when it comes to comprehending God's actions and purposes. This is a recurring theme in Job.
Highlights the need for divine revelation: The plea for teaching implies a need for divine revelation or insight in order to properly understand and address God.
Foreshadows God's response: This verse subtly anticipates God's own response to Job later in the book. God will not engage in logical arguments or detailed explanations, but rather reveal his power and majesty, prompting Job to acknowledge his own insignificance and trust in God's wisdom.
Critique of simplistic explanations: Elihu (and the other friends) have been trying to explain Job's suffering through simplistic cause-and-effect reasoning (Job sinned, therefore he suffers). This verse suggests a growing awareness that those explanations are inadequate and based on incomplete knowledge.
So, Job 37:19 is a humble admission of human ignorance and a plea for divine guidance in the face of the mystery of God's ways.
Job 37:19 - Teach us what we shall tell him, for we can’t make our case by reason of darkness.
What does "Job 37:19" mean?
Job 37:19, "Teach us what we shall tell him, for we can’t make our case by reason of darkness," is part of Elihu's lengthy speech to Job. Let's break down its meaning in context:
"Teach us what we shall tell him..." This refers to God. Elihu is essentially saying, "Guide us on what to say to God." It's a request for divine wisdom and understanding. Elihu and his companions, despite their attempts to understand God's actions, feel inadequate and unsure of how to properly present their perspective or Job's case to God.
"...for we can’t make our case by reason of darkness." This is the key to understanding the verse. "Darkness" here doesn't necessarily mean literal darkness, but rather a lack of understanding, knowledge, and clarity. Elihu acknowledges that their human intellect and limited understanding of God's ways are insufficient to argue or plead a case before Him effectively. They are admitting their ignorance and the obscurity surrounding God's actions. They can't rely on their own flawed reasoning because they are "in the dark" about the bigger picture of God's plan and justice.
In essence, Elihu is saying:
"We are asking for divine guidance because we cannot present a convincing argument to God based solely on our own limited understanding and reasoning. We recognize that we are ignorant of the full truth."
The significance in the context of the Book of Job:
Acknowledges human limitations: Elihu's words underscore the limitations of human understanding when it comes to comprehending God's actions and purposes. This is a recurring theme in Job.
Highlights the need for divine revelation: The plea for teaching implies a need for divine revelation or insight in order to properly understand and address God.
Foreshadows God's response: This verse subtly anticipates God's own response to Job later in the book. God will not engage in logical arguments or detailed explanations, but rather reveal his power and majesty, prompting Job to acknowledge his own insignificance and trust in God's wisdom.
Critique of simplistic explanations: Elihu (and the other friends) have been trying to explain Job's suffering through simplistic cause-and-effect reasoning (Job sinned, therefore he suffers). This verse suggests a growing awareness that those explanations are inadequate and based on incomplete knowledge.
So, Job 37:19 is a humble admission of human ignorance and a plea for divine guidance in the face of the mystery of God's ways.