Job 25

Bidad setteth before Job the dreadful Majesty of God, 1. Etc. That he should not justice himself before God in regard he was impure like other men, 4. And the heavenly lights themselves must lose their lustre before God, 5.

1. Then answered Bildad the Suhite, and said:

2. Dominion and fear [i.e. the Soveraign rule and government joined with an infinite power and incomprehensible Majesty, which all must stand in aw and fear of.] are with him; [God namely, with whom nevertheless, thou O Job, didst presume to enter into judgement: above 23.3,4. Whereas it would have become thee better, with fear and supplication to have humbled thy self under his Almighty hand.] he maketh [or holdeth, keepeth] peace in his heights. [The sense is, that God doth keep all Celestial creatures in good order and obedience; not only those endued with reason, such as are the blessed Angels; but the others also, that are void of reason, as the Sun, Moon, Stars, &c. Whence Bildad concludeth, that it was folly for Job to enter into any debate with such an Almighty God: considering he knew well enough how to keep him as well in awe and order, as he doth any of those great and excellent Creatures; in his heights, i.e. in the heavens, among his Angels. Compare above 16.on v.19.]

3. Is there a number of his Bands? [or, Troops; Understand his Angels, together with all other Creatures, who like so many great hosts, must stand ready at Gods command, and execute the same, when ever he is pleased to punish the wicked, so that none is able to withstand him. See 1 Kings 18.on v.15.] and over whom doth his light arise? [the Sun namely, whereby God doth good not to mankind only, but likewise to the whole Universe. So below 31.26. and 37.21. Or, understand Gods omnipotency, and omnipresent Government; whereby he maintaineth, guideth, and governeth all things in general and in particular, even as the light of the Sun is spread abroad over all the Creatures, to act and operate in every one according to its nature and condition. Mat.5.45. Job.1.4. Acts 17:28. Heb.1.3.]

4. How then should a man be righteous by (or with) God? And how should be he pure, that is born of a Woman?

5. Behold (even) unto the Moon, and she shall give no shining: [i.e. let a man make his observation, from the highest heaven downwards, to the circuit of the Moon, and he shall find no where any splendour, brightness, pureness, excellency or glory, to be compared with Gods Majesty. He maketh mention of the moon, and not of the Sun; because he would make his instance in that same heavenly body which is nearest to us, intimating and comprehending thereby all the rest.] and the stars are not pure in his eyes.

6. How much less man, [this name, and the next also, child of man, doth regard and concern all mankind in general, and so must that also, which here is pronounced of them. See above chap.5.on verse 17. And 1 Kin.8.on v.39.] being a mouth: and the child of man being a worm?