Job 9:8

_WHICH ALONE SPREADETH OUT THE HEAVENS, AND TREADETH UPON THE WAVES OF THE SEA._ Spreadeth out. "He stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in" (Isaiah 40:22; Psalms 104:2). But throughout it is not so much God's creating, as His governing power over nature that is set forth. A storm seems a struggle between Nature and her Lord! Better, therefore, 'Who boweth х_ NAATAAH _ (H5186)] the heavens alone,' without help of any other (Maurer). God descends from the bowed-down heaven to the earth - "He bowed the heavens, and came down" (Psalms 18:9). The storm, wherein the clouds descend, suggests this image. In the descent o

1-13 In this answer Job declared that he did not doubt the justice of God, when he denied himself to be a hypocrite; for how should man be just with God? Before him he pleaded guilty of sins more than could be counted; and if God should contend with him in judgment, he could not justify one out of a thousand, of all the thoughts, words, and actions of his life; therefore he deserved worse than all his present sufferings. When Job mentions the wisdom and power of God, he forgets his complaints. We are unfit to judge of God's proceedings, because we know not what he does, or what he designs. God acts with power which no creature can resist. Those who think they have strength enough to help others, will not be able to help themselves against it....

Verse Job 9:8. _AND TREADETH UPON THE WAVES_] This is a very majestic image. God not only walks upon the waters, but when the sea runs mountains high, he steps from billow to billow in his almighty and essential majesty. There is a similar sentiment in David, Psalms 29:10: "The Lord sitteth upon the flood; yea, the Lord sitteth King for ever." But both are far outdone by the Psalmist, Psalms 18:9, and especially in these words, Psalms 18:10, _He did fly on the wings of the wind_. Job is great, but in every respect David is greater....

WHICH ALONE SPREADETH OUT THE HEAVENS - As an expanse, or a curtain; see the notes at Isaiah 40:22. AND TREADETH UPON THE WAVES OF THE SEA - Margin, “Heights.” So it is in the Hebrew. It means the “high waves;” that is, he walks upon the waves of the ocean when lifted up by a storm. This is spoken of here as a proof of the greatness of God; and the meaning of all is, that he is seen in the storm, in the heaving ocean, when the heavens are black with tempest, and when the earth is convulsed. It may be added here, that the Lord Jesus walked amidst the howling winds on the lake, and thus gave evidence that he was God; Matthew 14:25. “The Egyptian hieroglyphic for what was not possible to be done, was a man walking on the water.” Burder

EXPOSITION JOB 9:1 Job, in answer to Bildad, admits the truth of his arguments, but declines to attempt the justification which can alone entitle him to accept the favourable side of Bildad's alternative. Man cannot absolutely justify himself before God. It is in vain to attempt to do so. The contest is too unequal. On the one side perfect wisdom and absolute strength (verse 4); on the other, weakness, imperfection, ignorance. guilt (verses 17-20). And no "daysman," or umpire, between them; no third party to hold the balance even, and preside authoritatively over the controversy, and see that justice is done (verses 33-35). Were it otherwise, Job would not shrink from the controversy; but he thinks it ill arguing with omnipotent power. What he seems to lack is the absolute conviction expressed by Abraham in the emphatic words'"_ _Shall not the Judge of al

WHICH ALONE SPREADETH OUT THE HEAVENS,.... The expanse, or what we commonly translate "firmament"; but has its name in the Hebrew language from its being expanded, spread, and stretched out, over the earth and all around it; and seems chiefly to design the ether or atmosphere, which is a fine thin matter and substance spread around us, and which is sometimes spread with clouds; this is said to be stretched out like a curtain and a tent to dwell in, tents being made of curtains spread out, Isaiah 40:21; and the allusion may be to a military tent, the pavilion of a general of an army, as Pineda observes, from whence Jehovah plays his artillery upon his enemies, thunder, lightning, hailstones, and coals of fire; see Psalms 18:11; this respects not so much the first creation, or spreading of the air or the heav

CHAPTER S 9-10 JOB ANSWERS BILDAD _ 1. The supremacy and power of God (Job 9:1)_ 2. How then can Job meet Him? (Job 9:11) 3. He destroyeth the perfect and the wicked (Job 9:22) 4. Confession of weakness and the need of a daysman (Job 9:25) 5. Murmuring against God (Job 10:1) 6. Welcoming death (Job 10:18) Job 9:1. The final words of Bildad seemed to have had a momentary soothing

JOB 9:1 is Job's answer to the position taken up by Bildad, viz. that the Almighty cannot judge falsely (Job 8:3). In Job 2 accepts the general principle that God judges according to merit. But of what use is this? Man has no chance of asserting his righteousness before God, of putting in his claim to reward. There is no equality between the Judge and the person judged. If man wishes to maintain an argument with God (Job 9:3 _mg._) God can ask him a thousand questions that will baffle him. God is all-wise and almighty: who can withstand Him? (Job 9:4). He is almighty (Job 9:5 f). There follows a series of

WAVES OF THE SEA. The celebrated Mugah Codex (the earliest quoted in the _Massorah_ itself), App-30, reads "cloud": i.e. thick cloud....

Description of God's omnipotent power as it displays itself in the material world. _they know not_ Suddenly and unexpectedly, Psalms 35:8; Jeremiah 50:24....