Commentary on Job 39:2

Job 39:2 reads: "Canst thou number the months that they fulfil? or knowest thou the time when they bring forth?" This verse is a profound question posed by God to Job, emphasizing the limitations of human understanding in contrast to divine omniscience. Various public domain commentaries provide deep insights that benefit pastors, students, theologians, and Bible scholars.

Context and Significance

The context of this verse is crucial for understanding its depth. Job is in a state of incomprehension regarding his suffering and the ways of God. God's response to Job's lamentations includes a series of questions about the creation and order of nature, illustrating His profound wisdom and power.

Viewpoint of Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry, a well-renowned Bible commentator, emphasizes that this verse is part of the Lord's discourse towards Job. He notes:

• Divine Orders: Henry observes that God's questioning serves to reveal the order of the creation He has established. The inquiry into the months of the animals and their birthing cycles showcases God's intimate knowledge of creation.
• Human Limitations: The perspective introduced by Henry suggests the inherent limitations of humanity in grasping God's purposes. The verse serves as a reminder that humans cannot fully comprehend God's wisdom, especially regarding the divine timing of events.
• Humility in Suffering: Through God’s questions, Henry indicates that Job is led to a place of humility, realizing that his understanding is minuscule in the face of divine majesty.

Insights from Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes provides additional depth regarding the interpretation of this verse:

• Creative Knowledge: He expands on the metaphor of the animal kingdom to discuss God's creative knowledge. Barnes asserts that God knows the precise moments and periods for every creature’s reproduction, indicating His meticulous oversight of creation.
• Rhetorical Nature of Questions: Barnes notes the rhetorical nature of God's questions, implying that the answers are known only to God. He emphasizes that the objective is not to receive answers from Job but to put Job into a position of reflection and awe.
• God's Sovereignty: The questions highlight God's sovereignty over all aspects of life, including the most natural and instinctive behaviors of animals, reaffirming that He is Lord over the created order.

Analysis by Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke also weighs in on this pivotal verse, addressing the uniqueness of God’s wisdom:

• The Nature of the Inquiry: Clarke articulates that God invokes Job to contemplate the animal world, challenging Job's ability to understand the mysteries of life and creation.
• Life Cycles as Divine Patterns: He notes that the monthly cycles of various creatures symbolize God’s design and purpose in nature, encouraging believers to trust in God's planning.
• Encouraging Trust: Clarke underlines that the focus of this passage is to instill faith in God's eternal wisdom, even when humans question or suffer, providing hope to those enduring trials.

Theological Applications

The implications of Job 39:2 are manifold:

• The Limitations of Human Understanding: This verse acts as a theological anchor, reminding believers that our understanding is limited in contrast to divine wisdom.
• Sovereignty of God: It stresses God’s sovereign control over creation, inviting reflections on His providence in personal suffering and broader existential questions.
• Encouragement for Suffering Believers: For pastors and scholars, this verse encourages preaching and teaching that emphasizes reliance on God's understanding rather than our own.

Conclusion

In closing, Job 39:2 poses significant questions regarding knowledge, creation, and divine timing. Through the lenses of Henry, Barnes, and Clarke, we glean that God’s immense wisdom surpasses human learning and that believers are invited to find solace in His divine order. This commentary should inspire deeper study and reflection within the community of faith, encouraging an attitude of reverence, humility, and trust in God’s perfect will.