Bible Commentaries

Then answered Bildad the Shuhite, and said,

He tries to show Job's rashness (Job 23:3), by arguments borrowed from Eliphaz (Job 15:15), with which cf. Job 11:17. Verse 2. Power and terror - i:e., terror-inspiring power.

Peace in his high places - implying that His power is such on high as to quell all opposition, not merely there, but on earth also. The Holy Spirit here shadowed forth Gospel truths (Colossians 1:20); Ephesians 1:10).

Verse 3. Armies - angels and stars (Isaiah 40:26; Jeremiah 33:22; Genesis 15:5; countless, Daniel 7:10).

His light - (James 1:17).

Verse 4. (Job 4:17-18; Job 14:4; Job 15:14.)

Verse 5. Look up 'even unto the moon (Job 15:15). "Stars" here answer to "saints" (angels) there; "the moon" here, to "the heavens" there. Even the "stars," the most dazzling object to man's eye, and the angels, of which the stars are emblems (Job 4:18; Revelation 9:1), are imperfect in His sight. Theirs is the light and purity of but creatures; His, of the Creator.

Verse 6. (Job 4:19-21; Job 15:16.)

Worm ... worm - two distinct Hebrew words. The first [ rimaah ], a worm bred in putridity; alluding to man's corruption. The second [ towlee`aah ], a crawling worm; implying that man is weak and groveling.

Remarks:

(1) In order to realize our own insignificance, we ought to contemplate the majesty and awe-inspiring dominion of Yahweh (Job 25:2-3).

(2) Satan, by his impious revolt, once introduced an element of discord in the heavenly "high places." God in Christ, "the King that cometh in the name of the Lord," hath re-established "peace in heaven, and glory in the highest" (Luke 19:38).

(3) If even the stars are not absolutely pure in God's sight, how vain is it for man to set up the plea of cleanness and inherent righteousness before God!

(4) Our only way of salvation is, worms that we are, to look solely to Him, who for our sakes became "a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people" (Psalms 22:6). Our vileness commends, God's love: washed in the fountain of Christ's blood, opened for uncleanness (Zechariah 13:1), we shall be to the praise of the glory of His grace throughout eternity.