Today I thought that I would talk a little about Job 38:33-36. For the context, we were just talking about plants and season in relation to the creation.
33 Knowest thou the ordinances of heaven? canst thou set the dominion thereof in the earth?
What is an ordinance? An ordinance is an outward expression of faith. Such as baptism, which is also a covenant. Also, the sacrifices of the Old Testament were ordinances. Indeed we have sacred ordinances that are performed in the temples that allow us to further covenant with our Father in Heaven.
So with this definition of "ordinance" what would they be in heaven. Possibly righteous ordinances, or proper covenants made by the priesthood authority of God. More likely given the context, it is the planets in their systems.
For fun lets break down "ordinance" into "ordain". To ordain is to set apart, or give authority and responsibility to some one, or something. So maybe the planets and the signs of the sky are "ordained" to purposes. Or perhaps pre-ordination, ordaining of individuals in the pre-mortal life.
This would also make sense with all of the questions God has been asking Job. Can you do this, do you know that. Maybe God is asking him if he knows what he was fore-ordained to do.
"Canst thou set the dominion thereof in the earth?" "Dominion" or authority, stewardship or even power or the ordinances. Could Job give the authority of heaven to people on the earth? Or set stewardships? Do those ordinances have power upon the earth? Oooo!
The Sun is to rule the day, and the moon the night, according to Genesis, maybe the "ordinances" of the stars also have dominion upon the earth.
34 Canst thou lift up thy voice to the clouds, that abundance of waters may cover thee?
As far as I can tell, God is asking Job if he can call down rain. Or flood.
35 Canst thou send lightnings, that they may go, and say unto thee, Here we are?
Lightning, or voice of lightning, like angels.
36 Who hath put wisdom in the inward parts? or who hath given understanding to the heart?
These last two questions are the same. Basically asking, "Who is the Holy Ghost? and what is His purpose?" Makes me wonder, if the Holy Ghost, under the direction of the Father of All, makes it possible to have the priesthood and perform saving ordinances such as baptism. Indeed even the power of God to perform miracles, and call forth angels. Then the greatest of all, to touch the human heart and testify to them of truth, that they may learn, grow, and be protected.
I hope that the Holy Ghost was with you as you read this.
Love,
Elder Smithson
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