Job Mocks Bildad's Advice
Study note
Job sarcastically asks Bildad how much help he has been to someone without power. What great wisdom has Bildad shared? Who inspired his words? Job's point is that Bildad's short speech was shallow and unhelpful.
1 Then Job responded, But Job answered and said,
2 'What an amazing help you have been to the weak and powerless! You have truly done a lot for the arm that has no strength!' How hast thou helped him that is without power? how savest thou the arm that hath no strength?
3 'What fantastic advice you have offered to someone who lacks wisdom! What incredible understanding you have displayed!' How hast thou counselled him that hath no wisdom? and how hast thou plentifully declared the thing as it is?
4 'Who exactly helped you come up with these words? Whose spirit was speaking through you?' To whom hast thou uttered words? and whose spirit came from thee?
The Majesty of God's Power
Study note
Job then describes God's power far more beautifully than any of his friends have. The dead tremble beneath the waters. The realm of the dead is naked before God. He stretches out the northern sky over empty space and hangs the earth on nothing. He wraps up the waters in clouds, and the clouds do not burst. He marks out the horizon on the face of the waters. By his power he stills the sea. By his breath the skies become clear. Yet these are only the outer edges of his works -- just a faint whisper. Who could ever understand the thunder of his full power?
5 'Deep beneath the waters, the spirits of the dead tremble -- they and everything that lives down there.' Dead things are formed from under the waters, and the inhabitants thereof.
6 'The world of the dead lies completely exposed before God. The place of destruction has nothing to hide behind.' Hell is naked before him, and destruction hath no covering.
7 'He stretches the northern sky over empty space. He hangs the entire earth on nothing.' He stretcheth out the north over the empty place, and hangeth the earth upon nothing.
8 'He bundles the water up in his clouds, and yet the clouds do not tear open under all that weight.' He bindeth up the waters in his thick clouds; and the cloud is not rent under them.
9 'He hides the face of the full moon by spreading his clouds across it.' He holdeth back the face of his throne, and spreadeth his cloud upon it.
10 'He draws a circle on the surface of the waters to mark where light ends and darkness begins.' He hath compassed the waters with bounds, until the day and night come to an end.
11 'The very pillars that hold up the sky tremble and are stunned when he speaks sharply to them.' The pillars of heaven tremble and are astonished at his reproof.
12 'With his power, he calmed the raging sea. With his understanding, he defeated the great sea monster.' He divideth the sea with his power, and by his understanding he smiteth through the proud.
13 'His breath cleared the skies until they were beautiful. His hand pierced the twisting serpent.' By his spirit he hath garnished the heavens; his hand hath formed the crooked serpent.
14 'And keep in mind -- all of this is only the faintest outline of what he does. We barely catch a whisper of him. So who could ever begin to understand the full thunder of his power?' Lo, these are parts of his ways: but how little a portion is heard of him? but the thunder of his power who can understand?