Old Testament Commentary - Job 26

by Don R. Hender

Scriptural Text [& Editorial]	Commentary & Explanation	Footnotes ~ References ~ JST
CHAPTER 26 Job reproves Bildad's lack of empathy—He extols the power and greatness and strength of the Lord.
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?^a 5 Dead things are formed from under the waters, and the inhabitants thereof. 6 ^aHell is naked before him, and destruction hath no covering.	4^a whose spirit came from thee? Job answering and reproving Bildad, question him as to 'whose spirit came from thee?' Often men are excited to offer counsel to others but the question is by 'whose spirit comes such counsel?' Is it of the man himself that he is speaking in and of himself only. Does the man truly speak under the influence of the guidance of the Spirit of the Lord? Or is his counsel and 'attack' from a far more sinister source and does even the man speak by the voice and inspiration of the Devil? Job does not directly accuse Bildad, but he does ask him the question which should turn Bildad to the inter-inspection of self, and by whose voice did and does he speak?	6^a Ps. 139:8 (1-16)
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.
13 By his ^aspirit he hath ^bgarnished the ^cheavens; his hand hath formed the crooked ^dserpent. 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?		13^a 1 Ne. 19:12 ^b TG Jesus Christ, Creator ^c TG Heaven ^d Isa. 27:1