Did You Know, Ancient Men Knew the Earth Was Suspended in Space? (Job 25; Job 26)

Did You Know, Ancient Men Knew the Earth Was Suspended in Space? (Job 25; Job 26)

Scripture reading - Job 25; Job 26





In his final speech, Bildad declared lofty truths concerning God, and identified Him as the Sovereign of creation (Job 25:2a) whose reign brings peace (Job 25:2b). He described the heavenly armies of the Lord as innumerable, and declared the bright light of His countenance never sets upon His creation (Job 25:3). Indeed, the righteousness of God surpasses the moon, and is purer than the brilliance of the stars of heaven (Job 25:5).

In light of God’s character and person, Bildad questioned, “How then can man be justified with God? Or how can he be clean that is born of a woman?” (Job 25:4) The universal doctrine of the Scriptures is man cannot be justified (declared righteous) in the sight of God. We know that all men are sinners by nature, and “there is none righteous” (Romans 3:10). “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).  

What is man? In contrast to God who is altogether holy, man is “a worm…and the son of man, which is a worm” (Job 25:6). The “worm” defined here was a maggot; a disgusting worm that feeds upon dead flesh. In other words, men are so depraved, so inferior to God, we are as maggots.

If sinful man is hopelessly depraved, and cannot find peace with God, what is a sinner to do? Paul answered man’s dilemma when he declared, “being justified [declared righteous and acceptable] by faith [in God’s offer of salvation and forgiveness], we have peace with God through [by] our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1).

Friend, there is no peace apart from God’s peace.

Job 26 – The Majesty of Our Creator

Job 26 commences Job’s longest, and last speech (Job 26-31:40). He denounced Bildad for his miserable failure. Instead of comfort, he condemned (Job 26:2). Rather than spiritual counsel, he taught error, and brought sorrow (Job 26:3-4). Having listened to his “friends” claims of wisdom, Job then imparted a knowledge of God and creation that is amazing to study, even from the perspective of 21st century students. Recalling the Book of Job is believed to be the oldest book in the Scriptures, we find truths in Job 26 that are a marvel to consider, and only in the past millennium accepted by scientists. Contrary to “scientific opinions” as late as the Middle Ages, we read:



Job 26:7 - He [God] stretcheth out the north over the empty place, And hangeth the earth upon nothing.

Did you know, astrologers have found a space above the north pole where there are no visible stars? In other words, it is an “empty place?” (Job 26:7a). Job went on to reveal that God “hangeth the earth upon nothing” (Job 26:7b).



Job 26:8 - He [God] bindeth up [wraps up; locks up] the waters in his thick clouds; And the cloud is not rent [breached; torn] under them.

Job knew the Creator locked up tons of water in the fluffy, beautiful clouds suspended in the sky. Though bearing vast sums of water, the clouds are “not rent,” until God has determined where and when rain will fall upon the earth. Much more might be considered, but I conclude our study with Job’s assertion:



Job 26:14 -  Lo, these are parts [limits; vastness] of his [God’s] ways: But how little a portion [only a whisper] is heard of him? But the thunder [roar] of his power who can understand [grasp; make sense of]? 





God is not only the Creator of all things; He is the Sustainer of all He has created.

Copyright © 2023 – Travis D. Smith  

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