JOB 26 Job s 4 th & Final Response Friends Failure to Provide Help & Comfort God s Dominion Reigns Supreme Introduction: This chapter marks Job s 4 th and final discourse which continues through the end of chapter 31 and concludes with the words of Job are ended. During these six chapters Job takes the time to discuss the following in successive order: Contrasts man s vulnerability with God s majestic power Maintains his integrity & faithfulness Gives a discourse on wisdom and its true source Summarizes his defense giving specific examples of his blameless character Summarizes his current condition and prognosis Defends his character by giving specific examples of his righteousness While all this may sound a egotistical of Job, we need to remember that Job is acting like a wounded animal and feels forced to defend himself against his friends false presumptions and accusations. The apostle Paul was forced to do that as well [by boasting about himself], although he admits that in doing so he is speaking as a fool {see 2 Cor. 11:16-12:11} and summarizes in 2 Cor. 10:17-18; But he who glories, let him glory in the Lord 1. For not he who commends himself is approved, but whom the Lord commends. Also, we need to remember what the LORD Himself said about Job on two occasions: Then the LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil?" Job 1:8 Then the LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil? And still he holds fast to his integrity, although you incited Me against him, to destroy him without cause." Job 2:3 All this does not excuse Job from boasting, but it does indicate that he was on the right track. Job now takes the opportunity to give his closing arguments. vv. 1-4 JOB CHASTISES HIS FRIENDS FOR THEIR FALSE MOTIVES & LACK OF COMPASSION [1 But Job answered and said: 2 How have you helped him who is without power? How have you saved the arm that has no strength? 3 How have you counseled one who has no wisdom? And how have you declared sound advice to many? 4 To whom have you uttered words? And whose spirit came from you? ] Job contrasts his human vulnerability and his friends inability to show him compassion, provide comfort or wise counsel. By asking several questions, he is actually listing six specific areas in which they ve failed to provide adequate help and comfort. All of them can be answered in the negative. 1 Jer. 9:24: But let him who glories glory in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord, exercising loving-kindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight, says the Lord. 1
[How have you helped him who is without power?] They haven t been able to help the one [i.e., Job] without the ability to help himself. [How have you saved the arm that has no strength?] They haven t upheld Job in most desperate time of need when he needed encouragement the most. [How have you counseled one who has no wisdom?] They haven t treated Job with respect but mocked him and treated him as one who has no wisdom. [And how have you declared sound advice to many?] They haven t been able to give Job advice that made sense and was consistent with God s ways. [To whom have you uttered words?] Their words have been empty, powerless to comfort Job. [And whose spirit came from you? ] Their motives and methods are questionable. Note that in the way these questions are phrased they demand a negative answer. So what s the final score? ELIPHAZ, BILDAD S & ZOPHAR S REPORT CARD: Providing help to the powerless Fail Providing strength to the weak. Fail Providing wise counsel.. Fail Providing sound advice. Fail Providing comforting words.. Fail Providing a gentle and merciful spirit Fail Looks like his friends are getting an F- in Counseling 101. v. 5-6 ALL OF CREATION IS EXPOSED TO GOD S MAJESTY INCLUDING THOSE IN SHEOL [5 The dead tremble, those under the waters and those inhabiting them. 6 Sheol is naked before Him and Destruction has no covering. ] Job is referring to the those who have died at sea and the remains of the dead bodies which are there. For most people during Job s time the sea was mysterious and many did not travel there. It is considered a deep place of darkness representing an environment that is foreign and unknown. King Solomon, the Preacher tells us that, Sheol and Destruction are before the Lord; so how much more the hearts of the sons of men {Prov. 15:10}. Sheol is the grave, the place where the spirits/souls of those who have died go. It is equivalent to the Greek term Hades in the New Testament. It is one of the places created by God to temporarily house the souls of the dead {e.g., Luke 16:19-31} until either (a) the time of Christ s resurrection {see Eph. 4:7-10; 2 Cor. 5:6-8} [those saved by their faith] or (b) the time of the final resurrection, when HADES [i.e., SHEOL] give up the dead who died [those unsaved, without faith] 2 : 2 Refer also to Dan. 12:2-3; John 5:28-29. 2
The word rendered Destruction is the Hebrew word Abaddon which means perishing. It is a reference to effect that Sheol has on the souls men who are unsaved. It is equivalent to the Greek term Apollyon in the New Testament {see Rev. 9:11}. In that case it is associated with the bottomless pit or abyss. In either case, it refers to a place of torment and hopelessness, where all is lost. Jesus words take on special meaning in light of this fact: For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life {John 3:16}. The word perish is an continuously active verb and could be translated not be perishing. Salvation and Destruction are mutually exclusive and the Christian never has to worry about their future hope! Later Job personifies DESTRUCTION [i.e., SHEOL] by declaring, Destruction and Death say, We have heard a report about it with our ears {Job 28:22}. This is because the two are related. In the New Testament revelation we learn that these two, SHEOL and DEATH will ultimately, and ironically, be themselves destroyed in the LAKE OF FIRE: The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and DEATH and HADES delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. Then DEATH and HADES were cast into the lake of fire. This is the SECOND DEATH. And anyone not found written in the BOOK OF LIFE was cast into the LAKE OF FIRE. Rev. 20:13-15 Job is saying that not even death can provide a hiding place from God. Therefore, (a) even those who have died in the vast expanse of the sea tremble (b) SHEOL is naked before God and (c) DESTRUCTION has no covering with which to hide itself. In other words, God sees all and knows all even the things hidden and unknown to the living! The sea, SHEOL and DESTRUCTION are all associated with death yet even there God is feared and respected. Those who dwell in such places [i.e., the souls of the dead] still tremble, i.e., they are awestruck, by God s power and majesty. vv. 7-12 JOB DESCRIBES PHYSICAL PROCESSES & STATES SOME SCIENTIFIC FACTS [7 He stretches out the north over empty space; He hangs the earth on nothing. 8 He binds up the water in His thick clouds, yet the clouds are not broken under it. 9 He covers the face of His throne and spreads His cloud over it. 10 He drew a circular horizon on the face of the waters, at the boundary of light and darkness. 11 The pillars of heaven tremble and are astonished at His rebuke. 12 He stirs up the sea with His power and by His understanding He breaks up the storm. ] Although the Bible is NOT a scientific textbook, where it speaks about scientific principles, be they geologic, biological, hydrologic, atmospheric or cosmological, it speaks with accuracy. Here Job, living in a very ancient time, describes three scientific facts: 3
FACT #1: COSMOLOGY 3 : [He stretches out the north over empty space ] The Hebrew word rendered north here literally means obscured or hidden by darkness. It is probably a reference to the night sky, which is directly overhead of an observer [i.e., the zenith ]. Thus, although one can see stars [and some planets] most of the nighttime sky is dark and foreboding. Empty is a Hebrew word which means without substance and is used in Gen. 1:2 and Jer. 4:23 to describe the initial state of the earth as without form [before God began sculpting and creating life on it]. Thus, what Job is saying is self-explanatory, he s referring to the space observed overhead in the night sky as empty yet it is stretched out! Despite what the atheist may say, the Lord God Almighty created the universe and earth. Isaiah uses similar language as Job to poetically describe what God did. It is He who sits above the circle of the earth and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers, Who stretches out the heavens like a curtain and spreads them out like a tent to dwell in. Isa. 40:22 Thus says God the Lord, Who created the heavens and stretched them out, Who spread forth the earth and that which comes from it.. Isa. 42:5 I believe this is a reference to the fact that empty space is stretched out as the effects of the gravity caused by the masses of stars and planets on it [as Einstein s Special Theory of Relativity describes]! Although Job probably did not appreciate the full implications of this, he nevertheless had knowledge that space, although empty, is still stretched out [he just didn t know what caused the stretching ]. [ He hangs the earth on nothing] This is literally saying that the earth is suspended in emptiness, i.e., empty space. It does not sit on anything. This is a scientific fact and Job declares it! The pagan civilizations had a very distorted and fanciful depiction of the earth and how it fit into space. For example, the Hindus idea was that the earth was a flat disc sitting on top of four elephants which in turn were standing on a giant sea turtle swimming through space! FACT #2: METEOROLOGY 4 : [He binds up the water in His thick clouds, yet the clouds are not broken under it] Here Job is referring to the fact that although clouds are made out of water, and water is heavier than air, they still float in the sky 5. We know this to be the case scientifically and it has to do with the density of the clouds, air currents and temperature to keep the water vapor perfectly balanced with its surroundings. 3 The scientific study of the Universe. 4 The scientific study of the earth s atmosphere. 5 Solomon elaborates on this about 1000 years later when he says; All the rivers run into the sea, yet the sea is not full; to the place from which the rivers come, there they return again. {Eccl. 1:7}. 4
FACT #3: GEOPHYSICS 6 : [He drew a circular horizon on the face of the waters..] This would indicate that the earth is created as spherical, not flat! Why? Because Job is describing the distant horizon over the sea as observed from an elevated vantage point as curved not straight [which is what it would be if the earth was flat]. And the way Job phrases this it is independent of the position of the observer. If one is high enough [like in a jet airliner or the top of a high mountain] no matter where one is, the distant horizon will always appear curved and not straight, indicating that the earth is a sphere. Note that Isaiah knew about this as well. In the same passage of scripture cited earlier he writes: It is He who sits above the circle of the earth and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers, Who stretches out the heavens like a curtain and spreads them out like a tent to dwell in. Isa. 40:22 [.at the boundary of light and darkness.] Job qualifies his statement about the circular horizon as being observed at the boundary of light and darkness; that is, day and night. It s almost as if his description of the distant horizon as being curved is more noticeable during the dawn or twilight. vv. 13-14 JOB SUMMARIZES GOD S POWER & MAJESTY [13 By His Spirit He adorned the heavens; His hand pierced the fleeing serpent. 14 Indeed these are the mere edges of His ways and how small a whisper we hear of Him! But the thunder of His power who can understand? ] [By His Spirit He adorned the heavens] This harkens back to the very beginning of the creation of the heavens and earth when we are told, In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. Gen. 1:1-2 God literally brightened the Universe with stars which shine and twinkle like jewels. [His hand pierced the fleeing serpent] The Hebrew word rendered serpent in this verse is nachash and refers to an animal that hisses; i.e., a snake. The word fleeing refers to the smooth and quick motion of a snake. The fleeing serpent is associated elsewhere with a creature named Leviathan 7, which Job has already mentioned in Job 3:8. Evidently it was an exceedingly formidable and terrifying animal, one of God s most awesome creations. Note: In that day the Lord with His severe sword, great and strong will punish Leviathan the fleeing serpent, Leviathan that twisted serpent and He will slay the reptile 8 that is in the sea. Isa. 27:1 6 The scientific study of the physical nature of the earth. 7 This Hebrew word literally refers to a wreathed or joined creature whose skin appears joined or braided, i.e., having scales. Some would like to believe this is a reference to a very large crocodile; but the detailed description given of it by the Lord in Job 41:1-34 precludes such a presumption. Taking all the scriptures referring to it, it appears to be a serpent-like marine creature of large size. 5
Can you draw out Leviathan with a hook, or snare his tongue with a line which you lower? Can you put a reed through his nose, or pierce his jaw with a hook?...can you fill his skin with harpoons, or his head with fishing spears? Lay your hand on him; remember the battle never do it again!...indeed, any hope of overcoming him is false; shall one not be overwhelmed at the sight of him? No one is so fierce that he would dare stir him up. Who then is able to stand against Me?...His heart is as hard as stone, even as hard as the lower millstone. When he raises himself up, the mighty are afraid; because of his crashings they are beside themselves. Though the sword reaches him, it cannot avail; nor does spear, dart, or javelin. He regards iron as straw and bronze as rotten wood..on earth there is nothing like him, which is made without fear. He beholds every high thing; he is king over all the children of pride. Job 41:1-2, 7-10, 24-27, 33-34 Here then is the second reference in Job to what is most probably a large marine reptile possibly a plesiosaur 9! Later, the Lord Himself describes this creature to Job in great detail {Job 41:1-34}. Job is referring the majesty and power of the Lord in creating not only the Universe but formidable and terrifying creatures for their size, power and appearance. [His hand pierced the fleeing serpent] A reference to the fact that, as Creator, God has power to pierce, i.e., overcome, the awesome beast He s created. Others, in keeping with the heavenly context, see here not a reference to a living animal but to the constellation known as Draco [i.e., the Dragon ] which is made up of about 80 stars. The phrase His hand pierced is seen as a reference to several of the stars which line up through the body of the creature, which are made up of the other stars. [Indeed these are the mere edges of His ways..] Job poetically describes the facts he s given by saying these are only the mere edges, literally the small fragments of his paths and just a small whisper we can hear of Him. We could use a similar expression, we ve barely scratched the surface of God s ways. Job concludes by asking a simple question, who can really understand the thunder, i.e., the shear power, of God s majesty because it is so limitless and fathomless. It is obvious that Job has a pretty good handle on appreciating the glory, power and majesty of ELOHIYM-SHADDAI God Almighty! After having glorified God, Job turns his attention to defending his integrity and continuing his discourse on the fate of the wicked in the next chapter. 8 This Hebrew word [tanniym] is usually translated dragon in the KJV or sea monster in some other translations. It also refers to a large, serpent-like creature but not necessarily marine in nature. 9 Refer to detailed notes of Job 3:8 for more information. 6
Table 26-1. The Major Themes Repeated in Job s Responses First Round of Speeches Theme 1 st Speech 2 nd Speech 3 rd Speech Disappointment in his friends 6:14-30 12:1-6; 13:1-12 Declaration of God s greatness 9:1-12 12:7-25 Disillusionment with God s ways 7:11-19 9:13-10:17 Despair with life (or desire to die) Desire for vindication with God 7:20-21 Bildad s Response 8:1-22 6:8-13; 7:1-10 10:18-22 14:1-22 Zophar s Response 11:1-20 13:13-19 Eliphaz Response 15:1-35 Second Round of Speeches Theme 1 st Speech 2 nd Speech 3 rd Speech Disappointment in his friends 16:1-5; 17:3-5 19:1-4 21:1-6 Declaration of God s greatness 19:28-29 21:19-22 Disillusionment with God s ways 16:6-17 19:5-22 21:7-18, 23-24 Despair with life (or desire to die) Desire for vindication with God 16:18-17:2 Bildad s Response 18:1-21 17:6-16 19:23-27 Zophar s Response 20:1-29 Eliphaz Response 22:1-30 Third Round of Speeches Theme 1 st Speech 2 nd Speech Disappointment in his friends 26:1-4 Declaration of God s greatness 23:8-17 26:5-14; 27; 28 Disillusionment with God s ways 24:1-17 Despair with life (or desire to die) Desire for vindication with God 23:1-7 Bildad s Response 25:1-6 29:1-30:31 31:1-40 Elihu Speaks Chapters 32 37 The LORD Speaks Chapters 38 41 7
Bibliography (1) New Unger's Bible Dictionary, Moody Press of Chicago, Illinois. 1988. (2) Nelson s Bible Dictionary; Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1986. (3) Bible Knowledge Commentary/New Testament, Cook Communications Ministries; Copyright 1983, 2000. (4) Barnes Notes, (5) Thru the Bible Commentary: Poetry (Job), Vol. 16; J. Vernon McGee, Thomas Nelson; Nashville. 1991. (6) Vincent s Word Studies of the New Testament, Hendrickson Publishers, Copyright 1886. (7) Wycliffe Bible Commentary, edited by Charles F. Pfeiffer, Everett F. Harrison, Moody Publishers, Copyright 1962. (8) New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary, International Bible Translators, Inc; Copyright 1994, 2003. 8