The Pulpit Commentary on Job 38:3

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

Gird up now thy loins like a man. Job had desired to contend with God, to plead with him, and argue out his case (Job 9:32-35; Job 13:3, Job 13:18-22; Job 23:4-7; Job 31:35). God now offers to grant his request, and bids him stand forth "as a man'" and "gird himself" for the contest, which he has challenged.

For I will demand of thee, and answer thou me. He will begin with interrogatories which Job must answer; then Job will be entitled to put questions to him. Job, however, on the opportunity being given him, shrinks back, and says, "Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer thee?

I will lay my hand upon my mouth. Once have I spoken: but I will not answer: yea, twice; but I will proceed no further" (Job 40:4, Job 40:5). The confident boldness which he felt when God seemed far off disappears in his presence, and is replaced by diffidence and distrust.

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commentaryMatthew Henry on Job 38:1-3Job had silenced, but had not convinced his friends. Elihu had silenced Job, but had not brought him to admit his guilt before God. It pleased the Lord to interpose. The Lord, in this discourse, humbles Job, and brings…Matthew Henry commentaryGod Answers Out of the Whirlwind. (b. c. 1520.)GOD ANSWERS OUT OF THE WHIRLWIND. (B. C. 1520.) Let us observe here, 1. Who speaks—The Lord, Jehovah, not a created angel, but the eternal Word himself, the second person in the blessed Trinity, for it is he by whom the…Matthew Henry commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Job 38:1-41CLOSE OF THE CONTROVERSY BY THE INTERFERENCE OF THE ALMIGHTY. EXPOSITION The discourse, by which the Almighty answers Job and rebukes his "friends," occupies four chapters (ch. 38-41.). It is broken into two parts by th…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Job 38:1-3Jehovah to Job: the first answer-the theophany. I. THE LORD'S APPEARANCE TO JOB. 1. The time of this appearance. At the close of Elihu's address. Not too soon, when neither had Elihu finished his expositions nor had Job…Joseph S. Exell and contributors