Job 26:1-14 - The Biblical Illustrator

Reader Related Verse
Bible Comments

But Job answered and said.

The transcendent greatness of God

I. God appears incomprehensibly great in that portion of the universe that is brought under human observation.

1. In connection with the world of disembodied spirits. “Dead things are formed from under the waters and the inhabitants thereof. Hell is naked before Him, and destruction hath no covering.”

2. In connection with this terraqueous globe. “He stretcheth out the north over the empty place, and hangeth the earth upon nothing.” “It is evident that the true figure of the earth had early engaged the attention of men, and that occasionally the truth on this subject was before their minds, though it was neither brought into a system nor sustained there by sufficient evidence to make it an article of established belief.”

3. In connection with the starry universe. “By His Spirit He hath garnished the heavens.” W. Herschell observed one hundred and sixteen thousand stars pass the feeblest telescope in one quarter of an hour. But what are they? Only a few drops to the ocean.

II. Insignificant compared with those parts that are undiscovered in immensity. “Lo, these are parts of His ways; but how little a portion is heard of Him? but the thunder of His power who can understand?” Conclusion--

1. God’s greatness is not inconsistent with His attention to little things.

2. God’s greatness is a vital subject for human thought. No subject is so soul quickening. No subject is so humbling. (Homilist.)

Related Commentaries of Job 26:1

Job 26:1-14

1 But Job answered and said,

2 How hast thou helped him that is without power? how savest thou the arm that hath no strength?

3 How hast thou counselled him that hath no wisdom? and how hast thou plentifully declared the thing as it is?

4 To whom hast thou uttered words? and whose spirit came from thee?

5 Dead things are formed from under the waters, and the inhabitants thereof.

6 Hell is naked before him, and destruction hath no covering.

7 He stretcheth out the north over the empty place, and hangeth the earth upon nothing.

8 He bindeth up the waters in his thick clouds; and the cloud is not rent under them.

9 He holdeth back the face of his throne, and spreadeth his cloud upon it.

10 He hath compassed the waters with bounds, until the day and night come to an end.

11 The pillars of heaven tremble and are astonished at his reproof.

12 He divideth the sea with his power, and by his understanding he smiteth through the proud.a

13 By his spirit he hath garnished the heavens; his hand hath formed the crooked serpent.

14 Lo, these are parts of his ways: but how little a portion is heard of him? but the thunder of his power who can understand?