He increaseth the nations, and destroyeth them: he enlargeth the nations, and straiteneth them again.
The verse stands in the oldest book in the Bible and the oldest of the poetical books, written by Moses in the land of Midian. It belongs to the debate between Job and his three friends on the subject of his afflictions in chapters 4 to 31, formed by three circles of speeches on the part of each, distinct from the prose prologue in chapters 1 and 2, the prose epilogue in chapter 42:7-17, the speeches of Elihu in chapters 32 to 37, and the speeches of the Lord out of the storm-cloud. It stands in Job's reply to the constant accusations, implied and otherwise, of his friends, before they cease troubling him and before the middle of his last reply.
It belongs to Job's account of God's rule over political leaders, armies, and the course of history. It teaches that God governs the rise, growth, decline, and destruction of nations: He increases them in number and power and enlarges them in territory, extent, and influence, and He can destroy them, restrict them again, bring them low, or lead them captive. His oversight extends to the interests of every nation, and includes removing the understanding of leaders and causing them to lose their way.
History is one way God speaks to humanity, alongside His word and nature, and these forms of revelation shed light on one another. The rise and fall of nations is part of the unfolding of God's wisdom, by which He shapes their destiny. Even when nations act destructively, He keeps His glory and eternal purposes in view, so that human wrath praises Him while He restrains what remains.
The verse stands in the oldest book in the Bible and the oldest of the poetical books, written by Moses in the land of Midian. It belongs to the debate between Job and his three friends on the subject of his afflictions in chapters 4 to 31, formed by three circles of speeches on the part of each, distinct from the prose prologue in chapters 1 and 2, the prose epilogue in chapter 42:7-17, the speeches of Elihu in chapters 32 to 37, and the speeches of the Lord out of the storm-cloud. It stands in Job's reply to the constant accusations, implied and otherwise, of his friends, before they cease troubling him and before the middle of his last reply.
It belongs to Job's account of God's rule over political leaders, armies, and the course of history. It teaches that God governs the rise, growth, decline, and destruction of nations: He increases them in number and power and enlarges them in territory, extent, and influence, and He can destroy them, restrict them again, bring them low, or lead them captive. His oversight extends to the interests of every nation, and includes removing the understanding of leaders and causing them to lose their way.
History is one way God speaks to humanity, alongside His word and nature, and these forms of revelation shed light on one another. The rise and fall of nations is part of the unfolding of God's wisdom, by which He shapes their destiny. Even when nations act destructively, He keeps His glory and eternal purposes in view, so that human wrath praises Him while He restrains what remains.