Job 40:9

9 Do you have an arm like my arm? Can you shout in thunder the way I can?

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 "I have some more questions for you, and I want straight answers.
8 "Do you presume to tell me what I'm doing wrong? Are you calling me a sinner so you can be a saint?
9 Do you have an arm like my arm? Can you shout in thunder the way I can?
10 Go ahead, show your stuff. Let's see what you're made of, what you can do.
11 Unleash your outrage. Target the arrogant and lay them flat.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.