Bible Commentaries
Job 26

Verses 1-14

JOB - CHAPTER 26

JOB’S REBUTTAL TO BILDAD

Verses 1-14:

BILDAD’S VIEWS LEAD TO DESPAIR BUT JOB HAS UNWAVERING FAITH IN GOD

Verses 1, 2 recount Job’s response to Bildad’s blaming him as a wicked man who was too obstinate to repent. He inquired of Bildad just what help had he offered to him in his suffering? How would he save, support, or deliver the arm of him (Job) who was without strength? Galatians 6:1-2; See also Proverbs 25:11; Isaiah 35:3-4; Isaiah 40:14; Isaiah 41:5; Isaiah 41:7.

Verses 3, 4 inquire with irony, just how Bildad had counseled "him that hath no wisdom?" For Bildad pretended to have great wisdom while assuming Job to be a stupid anarchist against God. How had Bildad shown abundant wisdom in his accusations against Job? Job in turn asked Bildad to whom he had addressed his remarks? And whose spirit came forth from him? It was the borrowed sentiment of Eliphaz that Bildad had mouthed against Job, Job 4:17-19; Job 15:14-16; Job 32:11; Job 32:13; 1 Corinthians 2:4.

Verses 5, 6 relate that dead things, or "dead ones" are formed from under the waters, even the inhabitants, those buried at sea.

They do not cease to be. They shall come forth in the resurrection. Hell, (Heb Sheol) is naked (uncovered) before the eyes of the Lord, having no cover to conceal its occupants from the all seeing eye of the Lord. Each shall one day come forth to be united with its own soul, John 5:28; John 5:19; 1 Corinthians 15:38; Psalms 139:8; Psalms 139:11; Proverbs 15:11; Hebrews 4:13; Isaiah 14:9; Amos 9:2.

Verse 7 declares that the Lord continually stretches out and sustains the north over the empty place, and hangs, supports, or sustains the earth upon nothing, nothing but His own sustaining power, Psalms 24:2. The north is believed to be the highest part of the earth, stretched out like a canopy, Isaiah 14:13; Psalms 104:2. While the southern hemisphere is called "the chambers of the south," consistent with the earth’s globe-like form, Job 9:9.

Verse 8 adds that the Lord binds up the waters in His or their dense clouds, which though light, do not burst under the weight of their water in them, Proverbs 30:4.

Verse 9 states that "He," the Lord "holds back" the face of His throne from the view of men, spreading His cloud as an earlier veil to screen the glory of His person from carnal men, from profane eyes; For he is invisible, Psalms 18:11; Psalms 104:3.

Verses 10, 11 certify that the Almighty God has circled the waters with bounds, so that the horizon appears as a circle, Proverbs 8:27; Psalms 104:9. This He does until the day and night come to an end, to fulfill their purpose, Genesis 1:4; Genesis 1:6; Genesis 1:9; Jeremiah 5:22. The "pillars of heaven" that tremble and are astonished at His reproof, allude to the mountains that seem to support the sky. The thunder reverberates from cliff to cliff, as if it were the voice of the creator in anger, Psalms 104:7; Psalms 104:32; Habakkuk 3:10; Nahum 1:5. See also Job 38:8; Psalms 33:7; Proverbs 8:29.

Verse 12 declares that the Almighty God divides or separates the sea (7 seas) by His power, at creation, Genesis 1:9-10 perhaps "in the days of Peleg," after the flood, Genesis 10:25. By His understanding "He smiteth through the proud," perhaps alluding to His judgment smiting of the flood, Genesis 8:1; Psalms 74:13; Psalms 104:7. See also Exodus 14:21; Isa 5115; Jeremiah 31:35.

Verse 13 explains that by the instrument of His spirit He, the Almighty, has garnished, polished the heavens; The Spirit is the Divine power of God that gives life and form to created things and persons, Genesis 1:2; Job 33:4; Psalms 33:6; Malachi 2:15. It is added that "his hand has formed the crooked serpent," the literal serpent and the constellation, splendor of all the stars which the Lord formed, Isaiah 27:1.

Verse 14 concludes that "these are parts (fragments) of His ways," but only a little portion, Isaiah 55:8-9. Job adds, "how little a portion is heard of him?" It is like a "word-whisper" only, of His acts of power that we really hear or heed. Who can comprehend the "thunder of His power?" Job asks. Israel could not in the mount, when He spoke from Sinai, Exodus ch. 19, 20. When He speaks man should give heed, obey, Acts 5:29; 1 Peter 4:17-18.