Job 38

At length, God Himself, to whom Job had repeatedly appealed (see xxxi. 35), interposes to put an end to the protracted controversy; but it is remarkable that, in this sublime discourse, He gives no explanation of the difficulties which had so much embarrassed Job and his friends. He does not vindicate His proceedings, or state why the wicked often prosper and the righteous suffer; nor does He refer to the retributions of a future world. The great truth held up to view is, that there ought to be entire confidence in a Being whose works prove Him to be infinitely great and wise. Various Divine operations in nature are introduced, relating to the earth and the ocean (xxxviii. 4-18), the heavens (19-38), and the animal creation (39-41; xxxix. 1-30); and, as man is unable to give an explanation of these, it is declared to be awfully presumptuous to arraign God’s moral government, and to complain of His secret counsels and purposes.

2. Who is this, etc.? Probably referring to Job: see ver. 1.

3. Gird up now thy loins like a man. As one who is preparing for some great effort.

6 fastened. Or, “sunk.” The earth is poetically represented, in 5, 6, as a building.

7 the morning stars. This word may be taken literally, as in Psa. exiviii. 3; or figuratively, as in Isa. xiv. 12; and may refer to angels, “the sons of God,” and to the acclamations with which the foundation or completion of great edifices were celebrated: see Ezra iii. 10; Zech. iv. 7.

10. And brake up for it my decreed place. Rather, “when I apportioned to it my limit.”

12 since thy days. This means, “in thy lifetime.” 13 might be shaken out of it. That is, out of the earth. The light, spreading to the ends of the earth, dispenses the wicked (xxiv. 13-17).

14. It is turned as clay, etc. Rather, “It (the earth) changeth itself as the clay of a seal, and [things] stand out as a garment.” The objects upon the earth, before enveloped in darkness, at the return of light are rendered visible and prominent, like the impression formed by a seal, and clothe it in a robe of beauty.

15 their light is withholden. The night being the daytime of the wicked (i.e., their time for action), the light is to them as darkness, and “the uplifted arm is broken,” their plans being thwarted: ep. xxiv. 13-17.

16 in the search of the depth. Rather, as R.V., “in the recesses of the deep.”

19. Where is the way, etc.? Or, “Where is the way to the abode of light?”

21. Knowest thou it, because thou wast then born? Or, as irony, “Thou [surely] knowest it, for then thou wast born, and the number,” etc.

22 treasures. i.e., “treasuries,” or storehouses. 25 the overflowing of waters. Or, “torrents of rain.”

26 where no man is. Consequently, neither by man’s agency, nor immediately for his use.

30 as with a stone, etc. Rather, “as a stone; and the face of the deep is congealed.”

31 sweet influences. Or, “bands”; referring to the “cluster” of the Pleiades, consisting of seven stars: see note on ix. 9. For a notable chapter on this passage, see Hugh Macmillan: Bible Teachings in Nature.

32. Mazzaroth. See note on 2 Kings xxiii. 5.

Arcturus with his sons. The “sons” of Arcturus or “the Bear” are the “train” (R.V.) of its stars: see note on ix. 9. It is to be remembered that, if modern discoveries seem to explain some of these things, they only advance our knowledge a few steps further, and then we are met by questions as difficult to us as these were to Job.

36. Who hath put wisdom, etc.? Some render this, “Who hath put wisdom in the dark clouds? or who hath given to meteors intelligence?”

37 in wisdom. Or, “with wisdom”; i.e., who, by his wisdom, can determine their proper number?

who can stay, etc. Or, “lay down,” i.e., empty. The Arabs still compare heavy clouds to waterskins.

38 groweth into hardness. Rather, “is molten into mire”; the effect of rain.

39. Will thou hunt the prey? Or, “Dost thou?” There is here a transition from the inorganic to the organic creation—the region of life, instinct, and appetite, in which creatures are governed by other laws than those of matter. This deepens our impression of the littleness of man, in comparison with Him who made and sustains them all.