Jesus Walks on the Stormy Sea Beside the BoatBible World
9:8Job 9:8
Which alone spreadeth out the heavens, and treadeth upon the waves of the sea.
God alone spread out the heavens and treads upon the waves of the sea, as the sole Creator and ruler over the heavens and the sea. Treading upon the waves means the tossing, roaring sea is under his irresistible power and control, held to the bounds he set until day and night come to an end. His creative power as the one who alone did this identifies him as the true God in distinction from false gods of every description and supports his authority as ruler over all creation. That appeal to creation is drawn from the fourth commandment, naming him Maker of heaven and earth and sea and all things therein, setting forth his title of royalty, the extent of his dominion and his right to reign and receive worship as his signature and seal, and confirming the Sabbath as his memorial of creative power enduring throughout all generations. Since God alone is the one who walks upon the sea, Jesus overtaking the disciples by coming to them on foot over the water shows Jesus to be that divine Being.
Setting and Meaning in Job
The book of Job has four parts: the prose prologue in chapters 1 and 2, the debate between Job and his three friends on the subject of his afflictions in chapters 4 to 31, the speeches of Elihu in chapters 32 to 37, and the speeches of the Lord out of the storm-cloud, with the prose epilogue in chapter 42:7-17. It is the oldest book in the Bible and the oldest of all poetical books come down to us. The verse stands in the second of these four parts, the debate conducted in three circles of speeches on the part of each participant.
It belongs to Job's answer in Job 8-10, where he maintains that affliction is no proof of sin. That portion presents the great problems that have perplexed humanity through all ages, of overruling providence and sin and suffering. In it God is disciplining Job by bringing him through the fire of affliction while his three friends charge him with sin and declare his sufferings are because of sin. It teaches readers not to misjudge fellow sufferers in the same way.
The verse declares that God alone spread out the heavens and treads upon the waves of the sea, presenting him as the sole Creator and ruler over the heavens and the sea. It is a foundation for studying astronomy, alongside the description of the stars and constellations in the surrounding verses. The ordered courses of the stars, including Orion, testify to his enduring power and the truth of creation, and the heavens still speak of that truth as they did in Job's time.
Treading upon the waves means the tossing, roaring sea is under God's irresistible power and control. It is held to the bounds he compassed around the waters until day and night come to an end and weighed by his measure. This is part of the great things he does past finding out, which Job knew well and revered him for.
True God and Worship
The verse points out the true God in distinction from false gods of every description by appeal to creation. He is identified as the One who alone spread out the heavens and treads upon the waves of the sea and rules the sea. His creative power distinguishes Him from all false gods and upholds His authority as ruler over all creation. That appeal to creation is an expression derived from the fourth commandment. It identifies Him as the Maker of heaven and earth and sea and all things therein.
He is thereby shown to be the Supreme Ruler over all His works. His dominion is the extent of His creation, and because He made all things He has right to demand obedience and to receive worship. The verse thus brings to view His title of royalty, the extent of His dominion, and His right to reign. In doing so it functions as His signature and seal. His creation of heaven, earth, and sea establishes His identity, His dominion, and His right to rule.
The same creation truth contained in the fourth commandment confirms that the Sabbath is God's memorial of His creative power. His name and memorial endure throughout all generations. Since God alone is the One who walks upon the sea, Jesus overtaking the disciples by coming to them on foot over the water shows Jesus to be that divine Being.
God alone spread out the heavens and treads upon the waves of the sea, as the sole Creator and ruler over the heavens and the sea. Treading upon the waves means the tossing, roaring sea is under his irresistible power and control, held to the bounds he set until day and night come to an end. His creative power as the one who alone did this identifies him as the true God in distinction from false gods of every description and supports his authority as ruler over all creation. That appeal to creation is drawn from the fourth commandment, naming him Maker of heaven and earth and sea and all things therein, setting forth his title of royalty, the extent of his dominion and his right to reign and receive worship as his signature and seal, and confirming the Sabbath as his memorial of creative power enduring throughout all generations. Since God alone is the one who walks upon the sea, Jesus overtaking the disciples by coming to them on foot over the water shows Jesus to be that divine Being.
Setting and Meaning in Job
The book of Job has four parts: the prose prologue in chapters 1 and 2, the debate between Job and his three friends on the subject of his afflictions in chapters 4 to 31, the speeches of Elihu in chapters 32 to 37, and the speeches of the Lord out of the storm-cloud, with the prose epilogue in chapter 42:7-17. It is the oldest book in the Bible and the oldest of all poetical books come down to us. The verse stands in the second of these four parts, the debate conducted in three circles of speeches on the part of each participant.
It belongs to Job's answer in Job 8-10, where he maintains that affliction is no proof of sin. That portion presents the great problems that have perplexed humanity through all ages, of overruling providence and sin and suffering. In it God is disciplining Job by bringing him through the fire of affliction while his three friends charge him with sin and declare his sufferings are because of sin. It teaches readers not to misjudge fellow sufferers in the same way.
The verse declares that God alone spread out the heavens and treads upon the waves of the sea, presenting him as the sole Creator and ruler over the heavens and the sea. It is a foundation for studying astronomy, alongside the description of the stars and constellations in the surrounding verses. The ordered courses of the stars, including Orion, testify to his enduring power and the truth of creation, and the heavens still speak of that truth as they did in Job's time.
Treading upon the waves means the tossing, roaring sea is under God's irresistible power and control. It is held to the bounds he compassed around the waters until day and night come to an end and weighed by his measure. This is part of the great things he does past finding out, which Job knew well and revered him for.
True God and Worship
The verse points out the true God in distinction from false gods of every description by appeal to creation. He is identified as the One who alone spread out the heavens and treads upon the waves of the sea and rules the sea. His creative power distinguishes Him from all false gods and upholds His authority as ruler over all creation. That appeal to creation is an expression derived from the fourth commandment. It identifies Him as the Maker of heaven and earth and sea and all things therein.
He is thereby shown to be the Supreme Ruler over all His works. His dominion is the extent of His creation, and because He made all things He has right to demand obedience and to receive worship. The verse thus brings to view His title of royalty, the extent of His dominion, and His right to reign. In doing so it functions as His signature and seal. His creation of heaven, earth, and sea establishes His identity, His dominion, and His right to rule.
The same creation truth contained in the fourth commandment confirms that the Sabbath is God's memorial of His creative power. His name and memorial endure throughout all generations. Since God alone is the One who walks upon the sea, Jesus overtaking the disciples by coming to them on foot over the water shows Jesus to be that divine Being.