Calvin observes that although all that happens – the rising of the sun and the sending forth of the rain – are in God’s hands, Job selects those acts of God which strike us as more remarkable, and more obviously from his hand. ‘Job’s meaning is this: when things happen in such a way that it seems that the order of nature is about to change, and there are such excessive droughts that everything is going to be burnt up, we must be aware that God has not loosened the bridle of fortune’s neck, but that it is he himself who works in this way. Also when any great rain falls as is likely to wreak havoc, let us assure ourselves that it is the work of God’ (Calvin – English updated). He goes on to say that there are times when men perceive that this is God’s vengeance on them, just as he threatens in his law to shut up the heavens as brass. God rightly threatens in his law that he will punish us for our sins. At other times we cannot discern why God works as he does, but we must still humble ourselves, whether we see the earth drowned with water or burned up with drought.