“The sun,
The moon,
The stars
Are bright.
When sent
To do a service,
They are obedient.
So also the lightning.
When it flashes,
It is widely seen.
The wind likewise blows
In every land.
When God commands
The clouds to go
Over the whole world,
They carry out
His command.
The fire sent from above
To consume mountains
Or woods
Does what it is ordered.
But these idols
Are not to be
Compared with them
In appearance
Or power.
Therefore anyone
Must not think
That they are gods.
They are not called gods.
They are not able
Either to decide a case
Or to do good to anyone.
Since you know then
That they are not gods,
Do not fear them!”
This author notes that the sun, the moon, and the stars are bright. However, they do what they are told to do. The same is true about lightning flashes and the wind. It blows wherever God commands it. The clouds go all over the whole world as they carry out God’s commands also. Fire does what it is ordered to do. How can you compare these great works of obedient nature to these false idol gods, since they have no power. They cannot solve cases or do good for any humans. How can you call them gods, since you know that they are not gods? Thus there is no need to fear them.
Eugene Finnegan Bible Project 