Job 26:14 Study Bible: Look, these are but the outskirts of his ways. How small a whisper do we hear of him. But the thunder of his power who can understand?"

◄ Job 26:14 ►

Indeed, these are but the fringes of His ways; how faint is the whisper we hear of Him! Who then can understand the thunder of His power?"

Study Bible

Indeed, these are but the fringes of His ways
The word "Indeed" serves as an affirmation, emphasizing the certainty and truth of the statement that follows. In Hebrew, the word often used is "hen," which underscores the importance of the message. "These are but the fringes" suggests that what we perceive or understand about God is merely the outermost edge of His vast and incomprehensible nature. The Hebrew word for "fringes" can be likened to the "edges" or "outskirts," indicating that human understanding is limited to the periphery of God's infinite wisdom and power. "His ways" refers to God's actions and plans, which are beyond full human comprehension. This phrase invites believers to approach God with humility, recognizing that His divine nature and purposes are far greater than what we can grasp.

and how faint is the whisper we hear of Him!
The phrase "how faint is the whisper" uses the imagery of a soft, barely audible sound to describe the limited revelation of God that humans can perceive. In Hebrew, the word for "whisper" can also mean a "small voice" or "murmur," suggesting that even the most profound insights we gain about God are but a quiet echo of His true essence. This highlights the contrast between God's immense power and the subtlety with which He often communicates His presence and will. The "whisper we hear of Him" implies that while God does reveal Himself to humanity, it is only a partial revelation, inviting believers to seek Him more earnestly and to trust in His greater, unseen purposes.

Who then can understand the thunder of His power?
The rhetorical question "Who then can understand" challenges the reader to acknowledge the limitations of human wisdom in comprehending God's full might and majesty. The "thunder of His power" evokes the imagery of a powerful storm, a common biblical metaphor for God's overwhelming strength and authority. In Hebrew, "thunder" is often associated with God's voice, as seen in other scriptural passages where God's voice is described as thunderous and commanding. This phrase serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty and the awe-inspiring nature of His power, which is beyond human understanding. It calls believers to a posture of reverence and worship, recognizing that God's ways and thoughts are higher than ours, as stated in Isaiah 55:9. This verse ultimately inspires faith and trust in God's divine plan, even when it is beyond our comprehension.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Job
The central figure in the Book of Job, a man known for his righteousness and suffering. In this chapter, Job is responding to his friends, expressing awe at God's incomprehensible power.

2. God
The Creator and Sustainer of the universe, whose power and majesty are the focus of Job's speech in this passage.

3. Job's Friends
Although not directly mentioned in this verse, they are the audience of Job's discourse. They have been debating with Job about the nature of God and suffering.

Teaching Points

The Majesty of God
Job 26:14 reminds us of the vastness and majesty of God. Even the most profound human understanding only scratches the surface of His ways. This should lead us to a posture of humility and worship.

Human Limitations
Our understanding of God is limited. We must recognize that our knowledge is but a whisper compared to the thunder of His power. This should encourage us to trust in God's wisdom and sovereignty, even when we do not understand our circumstances.

The Call to Faith
In acknowledging the limits of our understanding, we are called to live by faith. Trusting in God's character and His revealed word becomes essential when faced with the mysteries of His ways.

The Importance of Reverence
Recognizing the "fringes" of God's ways should lead us to a deeper reverence for Him. Our response should be one of awe and respect, acknowledging His greatness in our worship and daily lives.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does Job 26:14 challenge our understanding of God's nature and power?

2. In what ways can acknowledging the "fringes" of God's ways impact our daily walk with Him?

3. How can we cultivate a sense of awe and reverence for God in our personal and communal worship?

4. What are some practical steps we can take to trust in God's wisdom and sovereignty, especially when we face situations we do not understand?

5. How do other scriptures, such as Psalm 19:1 and Romans 11:33-36, enhance our understanding of Job 26:14 and its implications for our faith journey?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Psalm 19:1
This verse speaks of the heavens declaring the glory of God, similar to Job's acknowledgment of God's power in creation.

Isaiah 40:12-31
These verses describe God's incomparable power and wisdom, echoing Job's sentiments about the limits of human understanding of God's ways.

Romans 11:33-36
Paul reflects on the depth of God's wisdom and knowledge, resonating with Job's acknowledgment of the mystery of God's power.

Sermons

A Discourse Upon the Power of God	S. Charnock.	Job 26:14
Limited Knowledge of the Creator	Joseph Caryl.	Job 26:14
On the Incomprehensibleness of God	Johnson Grant.	Job 26:14
Our Ignorance of God	J. Mason, A. M.	Job 26:14
Parts of His Ways	Joseph Parker, D. D.	Job 26:14
The Jubilee of Science in 1881	E. M. Geldart, M. A.	Job 26:14
The Mystery of Providence	Henry A. Boardman, D. D.	Job 26:14
The Power of God	Skeletons of Sermons	Job 26:14
The Thunder of His Power	W.F. Adeney	Job 26:14
The Veil Partly Lifted	T. De Witt Talmage.	Job 26:14
Praises of the Eternal	E. Johnson	Job 26:1-14
The Transcendent Greatness of God	Homilist	Job 26:1-14
The Divine Ways But Partially Revealed	R. Green	Job 26:6-14

People

Abaddon, Job, Rahab

Places

Topics

Acts, Behold, Borders, Deeds, Ears, Faint, Fringe, Fringes, Matter, Mighty, Outside, Outskirts, Portion, Power, Thunder, Understand, Whisper, Works

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Job 26:14

     1441   revelation, necessity
     4852   thunder
     5196   voice
     8355   understanding

Library

Mosaic Cosmogony.
ON the revival of science in the 16th century, some of the earliest conclusions at which philosophers arrived were found to be at variance with popular and long-established belief. The Ptolemaic system of astronomy, which had then full possession of the minds of men, contemplated the whole visible universe from the earth as the immovable centre of things. Copernicus changed the point of view, and placing the beholder in the sun, at once reduced the earth to an inconspicuous globule, a merely subordinate …
Frederick Temple—Essays and Reviews: The Education of the World

The Principle of Life in the Creature.
"By His Spirit He hath garnished the heavens; His hand hath formed the crooked serpent."-- Job xxvi. 13. We have seen that the work of the Holy Spirit consists in leading all creation to its destiny, the final purpose of which is the glory of God. However, God's glory in creation appears in various degrees and ways. An insect and a star, the mildew on the wall and the cedar on Lebanon, a common laborer and a man like Augustine, are all the creatures of God; yet how dissimilar they are, and how varied …
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit

Whether Fear Remains in Heaven
Whether Fear Remains in Heaven We proceed to the eleventh article thus: 1. It seems that fear does not remain in heaven. For it is said in Prov. 1:33: " . . . shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil," and this is to be understood as referring to those who already enjoy wisdom in eternal blessedness. Now all fear is fear of evil, since evil is the object of fear, as was said in Arts. 2 and 5, and in 12ae, Q. 42, Art. 1. There will therefore be no fear in heaven. 2. Again, in heaven …
Aquinas—Nature and Grace

Whether the virtues of Heaven Will be Moved when Our Lord Shall Come?
Objection 1: It would seem that the virtues of heaven will not be moved when our Lord shall come. For the virtues of heaven can de. note only the blessed angels. Now immobility is essential to blessedness. Therefore it will be impossible for them to be moved. Objection 2: Further, ignorance is the cause of wonder (Metaph. i, 2). Now ignorance, like fear, is far from the angels, for as Gregory says (Dial. iv, 33; Moral. ii, 3), "what do they not see, who see Him Who sees all." Therefore it will be …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Whether Wisdom is the Greatest of the Intellectual virtues?
Objection 1: It would seem that wisdom is not the greatest of the intellectual virtues. Because the commander is greater than the one commanded. Now prudence seems to command wisdom, for it is stated in Ethic. i, 2 that political science, which belongs to prudence (Ethic. vi, 8), "orders that sciences should be cultivated in states, and to which of these each individual should devote himself, and to what extent." Since, then, wisdom is one of the sciences, it seems that prudence is greater than wisdom. …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

The Power of the Holy Ghost
We shall look at the power of the Holy Ghost in three ways this morning. First, the outward and visible displays of it; second, the inward and spiritual manifestations of it; and third, the future and expected works thereof. The power of the Spirit will thus, I trust, be made clearly present to your souls. I. First, then, we are to view the power of the Spirit in the OUTWARD AND VISIBLE DISPLAYS OF IT. The power of the Sprit has not been dormant; it has exerted itself. Much has been done by the Spirit …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 1: 1855

That the Self-Existent Being must be All-Powerful.
The self-existent being, the supreme cause of all things, must of necessity have infinite power.--This proposition is evident, and undeniable. For since nothing (as has been already proved,) can possibly be self-existent, besides himself; and consequently all things in the universe were made by him, and are entirely dependent upon him; and all the powers of all things are derived from him, and must therefore be perfectly subject and subordinate to him; it is manifest that nothing can make any difficulty …
Samuel Clarke—A Discourse Concerning the Being and Attributes of God

Use to be Made of the Doctrine of Providence.
Sections. 1. Summary of the doctrine of Divine Providence. 1. It embraces the future and the past. 2. It works by means, without means, and against means. 3. Mankind, and particularly the Church, the object of special care. 4. The mode of administration usually secret, but always just. This last point more fully considered. 2. The profane denial that the world is governed by the secret counsel of God, refuted by passages of Scripture. Salutary counsel. 3. This doctrine, as to the secret counsel of …
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion

"Seek First the Kingdom of God," &C.
Matt. vi. 33.--"Seek first the kingdom of God," &c. It may seem strange, that when so great things are allowed, and so small things are denied, that we do not seek them. The kingdom of God and his righteousness are great things indeed, great not only in themselves, but greater in comparison of us. The things of this world, even great events, are but poor, petty, and inconsiderable matters, when compared with these. Yet he graciously allows a larger measure of these great things relating to his kingdom …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

The Host of Heaven and of Earth.
"The Spirit of God hath made me."--Job xxxiii. 4. Understanding somewhat the characteristic note of the work of the Holy Spirit, let us see what this work was and is and shall be. The Father brings forth, the Son disposes and arranges, the Holy Spirit perfects. There is one God and Father of whom are all things, and one Lord Jesus Christ through whom are all things; but what does the Scripture say of the special work the Holy Spirit did in creation and is still doing? For the sake of order we examine …
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit

God Incomprehensible and Sovereign.
1 Can creatures to perfection find [1] Th' eternal uncreated mind? Or can the largest stretch of thought Measure and search his nature out? 2 'Tis high as heaven, 'tis deep as hell, And what can mortals know or tell? His glory spreads beyond the sky, And all the shining worlds on high. 3 But man, vain man, would fain be wise, Born like a wild young colt he flies Thro' all the follies of his mind, And swells and snuffs the empty wind. 4 God is a King of power unknown, Firm are the orders of his throne; …
Isaac Watts—Hymns and Spiritual Songs

Christian Perfection
"Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect." Phil. 3:12. 1. There is scarce any expression in Holy Writ which has given more offence than this. The word perfect is what many cannot bear. The very sound of it is an abomination to them. And whosoever preaches perfection (as the phrase is,) that is, asserts that it is attainable in this life, runs great hazard of being accounted by them worse than a heathen man or a publican. 2. And hence some have advised, wholly to lay aside …
John Wesley—Sermons on Several Occasions

Of Creation
Heb. xi. 3.--"Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear."--Gen. i. 1. "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth." We are come down from the Lord's purposes and decrees to the execution of them, which is partly in the works of creation and partly in the works of providence. The Lord having resolved upon it to manifest his own glory did in that due and predeterminate time apply his …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Epistle iv. To Cyriacus, Bishop.
To Cyriacus, Bishop. Gregory to Cyriacus, Bishop of Constantinople. We have received with becoming charity our common sons, George the presbyter and Theodore your deacon; and we rejoice that you have passed from the care of ecclesiastical business to the government of souls, since, according to the voice of the Truth, He that is faithful in a little will be faithful also in much (Luke xvi. 10). And to the servant who administers well it is said, Because thou hast been faithful over a few things, …
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great

The First Commandment
Thou shalt have no other gods before me.' Exod 20: 3. Why is the commandment in the second person singular, Thou? Why does not God say, You shall have no other gods? Because the commandment concerns every one, and God would have each one take it as spoken to him by name. Though we are forward to take privileges to ourselves, yet we are apt to shift off duties from ourselves to others; therefore the commandment is in the second person, Thou and Thou, that every one may know that it is spoken to him, …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

Job
The book of Job is one of the great masterpieces of the world's literature, if not indeed the greatest. The author was a man of superb literary genius, and of rich, daring, and original mind. The problem with which he deals is one of inexhaustible interest, and his treatment of it is everywhere characterized by a psychological insight, an intellectual courage, and a fertility and brilliance of resource which are nothing less than astonishing. Opinion has been divided as to how the book should be …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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