dealings with him; and this he does, by calling upon Job to compare God's being from everlasting
to everlasting, with his own time; God's knowledge of all things, with his own ignorance; and God's
almighty power, with his own weakness. Our darkening the counsels of God's wisdom with our
folly, is a great provocation to God. Humble faith and sincere obedience see farthest and best into
the will of the Lord.
Verses 4–11
For the humbling of Job, God here shows him his ignorance, even concerning the earth and the
sea. As we cannot find fault with God's work, so we need not fear concerning it. The works of his
providence, as well as the work of creation, never can be broken; and the work of redemption is
no less firm, of which Christ himself is both the Foundation and the Corner-stone. The church
stands as firm as the earth.
Verses 12–24
The Lord questions Job, to convince him of his ignorance, and shame him for his folly in
prescribing to God. If we thus try ourselves, we shall soon be brought to own that what we know
is nothing in comparison with what we know not. By the tender mercy of our God, the Day-spring
from on high has visited us, to give light to those that sit in darkness, whose hearts are turned to it
as clay to the seal, 2Co 4:6. God's way in the government of the world is said to be in the sea; this
means, that it is hid from us. Let us make sure that the gates of heaven shall be opened to us on the
other side of death, and then we need not fear the opening of the gates of death. It is presumptuous
for us, who perceive not the breadth of the earth, to dive into the depth of God's counsels. We
should neither in the brightest noon count upon perpetual day, nor in the darkest midnight despair
of the return of the morning; and this applies to our inward as well as to our outward condition.
What folly it is to strive against God! How much is it our interest to seek peace with him, and to
keep in his love!
Verses 25–41
Hitherto God had put questions to Job to show him his ignorance; now God shows his weakness.
As it is but little that he knows, he ought not to arraign the Divine counsels; it is but little he can
do, therefore he ought not to oppose the ways of Providence. See the all-sufficiency of the Divine
Providence; it has wherewithal to satisfy the desire of every living thing. And he that takes care of
the young ravens, certainly will not be wanting to his people. This being but one instance of the
Divine compassion out of many, gives us occasion to think how much good our God does, every
day, beyond what we are aware of. Every view we take of his infinite perfections, should remind
us of his right to our love, the evil of sinning against him, and our need of his mercy and salvation.
Chapter 39