Job 40:9

9 Have you an arm like God? have you a voice of thunder like his?

Job 40:9 Meaning and Commentary

Job 40:9

Hast thou an arm like God?
&c.] Such power as he has, which is infinite, almighty, and uncontrollable, and therefore there is no contending with him; as he has an arm on which good men may lean on and trust in, and by which they are supported, protected, and saved, so he has an arm to crush like a moth all that strive with him or against him;

or canst thou thunder with a voice like him?
thunder is his voice; see ( Job 37:4 Job 37:5 ) ( Psalms 29:3 ) and is expressive of his power, ( Job 26:14 ) ; and his powerful voice may be observed in calling all things out of nothing into being in creation; in commanding and ordering all things in providence according to his pleasure; and in quickening sinners through his Gospel, by his Spirit and grace in conversion, and will be in calling men out of their graves and summoning them to judgment at the last day. God can both overpower and out voice men, and therefore it is in vain to oppose him and contend with him.

Job 40:9 In-Context

7 Get your strength together like a man of war: I will put questions to you, and you will give me the answers.

8 Will you even make my right of no value? will you say that I am wrong in order to make clear that you are right?

9 Have you an arm like God? have you a voice of thunder like his?

10 Put on the ornaments of your pride; be clothed with glory and power:

11 Let your wrath be overflowing; let your eyes see all the sons of pride, and make them low.