Woe unto him that striveth with his Maker! [Let] the potsherd [strive] with the potsherds of the earth. Shall the clay say to him that fashioneth it, What makest thou? or thy work, He hath no hands?
Ver. 9. Woe unto him that striveth with his Maker.] That contends with him, Rom 9:20 or presumes to prescribe to him, as some impatient spirits among the captives may seem to have done. We may not measure God's dealings by our models, nor murmur against his counsels; since his holy will is the most perfect rule of right.
Let the potsherd strive with the potsherds of the earth.] And not dash against the rock of ages; let him meddle with his match, and not "contend with a mightier than he," Ecc 6:10 What though God create him darkness and evil, as Isa 45:7 let him wait upon God for better times, and not think to mend himself by murmuring against his Maker as too severe.
Shall the clay say, &c., ] q.d., This were an intolerable petulance.
Or thy work, it hath no hands?] Or, He hath no hands, sc., to fashion me aright. Thus the work seemeth to make answer to the clay; for as the clay said to the potter, Quid fecisti, What hast thou made? so the work saith, by way of jeer, he hath no hands, sc., to make me as he should have done.