Job 40

Job 40:1-24 . GOD'S SECOND ADDRESS.

He had paused for a reply, but Job was silent.

1. the Lord--Hebrew, "JEHOVAH."

2. he that contendeth--as Job had so often expressed a wish to do. Or, rebuketh. Does Job now still (after seeing and hearing of God's majesty and wisdom) wish to set God right?
answer it--namely, the questions I have asked.

3. Lord--JEHOVAH

4. I am (too) vile (to reply). It is a very different thing to vindicate ourselves before God, from what it is before men. Job could do the latter, not the former.
lay . . . hand . . . upon . . . mouth--I have no plea to offer ( Job 21:5 , Judges 18:19 ).

5. Once . . . twice--oftentimes, more than once ( Job 33:14 , compare with Job 33:29 , Psalms 62:11 ):
I have spoken--namely, against God.
not answer--not plead against Thee.

6. the Lord--JEHOVAH.

8. Wilt thou not only contend with, but set aside My judgment or justice in the government of the world?
condemn--declare Me unrighteous, in order that thou mayest be accounted righteous (innocent; undeservingly afflicted).

9. arm--God's omnipotence ( Isaiah 53:1 ).
thunder--God's voice ( Job 37:4 ).

10. See, hast thou power and majesty like God's, to enable thee to judge and govern the world?

11. rage--rather, pour out the redundant floods of, &c.
behold--Try, canst thou, as God, by a mere glance abase the proud ( Isaiah 2:12 , &c.)?

12. proud--high ( Daniel 4:37 ).
in their place--on the spot; suddenly, before they can move from

13. ( Isaiah 2:10 ). Abase and remove them out of the sight of men.
bind . . . faces--that is, shut up their persons [MAURER]. But it refers rather to the custom of binding a cloth over the faces of persons about to be executed ( Job 9:24 , Esther 7:8 ).
in secret--consign them to darkness.

14. confess--rather, "extol"; "I also," who now censure thee. But since thou canst not do these works, thou must, instead of censuring, extol My government.
thine own . . . hand . . . save--( Psalms 44:3 ). So as to eternal salvation by Jesus Christ ( Isaiah 59:16 , 63:5 ).