What does Job 38:15 mean?

"And from the wicked their light is withholden, and the high arm shall be broken." - Job 38:15

Job 38:15 - "And from the wicked their light is withholden, and the high arm shall be broken."

Job 38:15 - "And from the wicked their light is withholden, and the high arm shall be broken."

Job 38:15 (KJV) - "And from the wicked their light is withholden, and the high arm shall be broken."

The book of Job is one of the most profound and thought-provoking books in the Bible, encompassing themes of suffering, faith, and the nature of God. In the 38th chapter, God speaks to Job out of the whirlwind, challenging him with a series of rhetorical questions that highlight the limitations of human wisdom and understanding compared to the infinite wisdom and power of God.

In verse 15, God speaks of the wicked and their light being withheld from them. This verse is a powerful reminder of the consequences of living a life in opposition to God's will. The withholding of light can be seen as a metaphor for the absence of divine guidance, protection, and righteousness in the lives of the wicked. It represents the spiritual darkness and moral confusion that comes from rejecting God and embracing sin.

The imagery of light and darkness is a recurring theme throughout the Bible, symbolizing the concepts of good and evil, truth and deception, and God's presence versus the absence of God. In this context, the absence of light from the wicked serves as a warning of the spiritual and moral consequences of straying from God's ways.

The second part of the verse, "and the high arm shall be broken," further emphasizes the idea of the downfall and judgment of the wicked. The "high arm" can be interpreted as a symbol of human pride, arrogance, and power. In biblical imagery, the breaking of the arm signifies the loss of strength, authority, and the inability to carry out one's will. This can be seen as a sign of the ultimate futility of human efforts when they are opposed to God's righteous order.

Furthermore, the broken arm can also be seen as a form of divine justice and retribution. Throughout the Bible, God is portrayed as the ultimate judge who brings low the proud and exalts the humble. This verse echoes the sentiment found in the Psalms and Proverbs, where the downfall of the wicked and the exaltation of the righteous are themes often repeated.

The context of this verse is essential for understanding its full meaning. Job, a righteous and blameless man, has been subjected to unimaginable suffering and loss. His friends have mistakenly attributed his suffering to his hidden sins, and Job has been questioning the justice and righteousness of God. In response, God's words challenge Job's limited perspective and reaffirm God's sovereignty and wisdom.

The verse can be seen as a reminder that, despite appearances, God is ultimately in control, and the wicked will ultimately face judgment and defeat. It serves as a warning to those who oppose God's will, that their efforts will ultimately be in vain, and they will be subject to divine justice.

In conclusion, Job 38:15 (KJV) is a powerful and potent verse that encapsulates themes of divine justice, the consequences of wickedness, and the sovereignty of God. It serves as a stark reminder of the futility of opposing God's will and the inevitable downfall of the wicked. Its imagery of light and darkness, strength and brokenness, conveys profound spiritual truths that resonate throughout the Bible. In the context of the book of Job, it serves as a pivotal moment in God's response to Job's suffering and questions, reaffirming God's wisdom and justice in the face of human suffering.

Job 38:15 Artwork

Job 38:15 - "And from the wicked their light is withholden, and the high arm shall be broken."

Job 38:15 - "And from the wicked their light is withholden, and the high arm shall be broken."

Job 38

Job 38

Job 38

Job 38

Job 38:1

Job 38:1

Job 38:1

Job 38:1

Job 38:4-7

Job 38:4-7

Job 38:1 - "Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said,"

Job 38:1 - "Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said,"

Job 38:38 - "When the dust groweth into hardness, and the clods cleave fast together?"

Job 38:38 - "When the dust groweth into hardness, and the clods cleave fast together?"

Job 38:14 - "It is turned as clay to the seal; and they stand as a garment."

Job 38:14 - "It is turned as clay to the seal; and they stand as a garment."

Job 38:2 - "Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge?"

Job 38:2 - "Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge?"

Job 38:30 - "The waters are hid as with a stone, and the face of the deep is frozen."

Job 38:30 - "The waters are hid as with a stone, and the face of the deep is frozen."

Joshua 15:38 - "And Dilean, and Mizpeh, and Joktheel,"

Joshua 15:38 - "And Dilean, and Mizpeh, and Joktheel,"

Job 38:40 - "When they couch in their dens, and abide in the covert to lie in wait?"

Job 38:40 - "When they couch in their dens, and abide in the covert to lie in wait?"

Job 38:28 - "Hath the rain a father? or who hath begotten the drops of dew?"

Job 38:28 - "Hath the rain a father? or who hath begotten the drops of dew?"

Job 38:10 - "And brake up for it my decreed place, and set bars and doors,"

Job 38:10 - "And brake up for it my decreed place, and set bars and doors,"

Job 38:7 - "When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?"

Job 38:7 - "When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?"

Job 38:26 - "To cause it to rain on the earth, where no man is; on the wilderness, wherein there is no man;"

Job 38:26 - "To cause it to rain on the earth, where no man is; on the wilderness, wherein there is no man;"

Job 38:39 - "Wilt thou hunt the prey for the lion? or fill the appetite of the young lions,"

Job 38:39 - "Wilt thou hunt the prey for the lion? or fill the appetite of the young lions,"

Job 38:9 - "When I made the cloud the garment thereof, and thick darkness a swaddlingband for it,"

Job 38:9 - "When I made the cloud the garment thereof, and thick darkness a swaddlingband for it,"

Job 38:18 - "Hast thou perceived the breadth of the earth? declare if thou knowest it all."

Job 38:18 - "Hast thou perceived the breadth of the earth? declare if thou knowest it all."

Job 38:6 - "Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof;"

Job 38:6 - "Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof;"

Job 38:25 - "Who hath divided a watercourse for the overflowing of waters, or a way for the lightning of thunder;"

Job 38:25 - "Who hath divided a watercourse for the overflowing of waters, or a way for the lightning of thunder;"

Job 38:13 - "That it might take hold of the ends of the earth, that the wicked might be shaken out of it?"

Job 38:13 - "That it might take hold of the ends of the earth, that the wicked might be shaken out of it?"

Job 38:19 - "Where is the way where light dwelleth? and as for darkness, where is the place thereof,"

Job 38:19 - "Where is the way where light dwelleth? and as for darkness, where is the place thereof,"

Job 31:38 - "If my land cry against me, or that the furrows likewise thereof complain;"

Job 31:38 - "If my land cry against me, or that the furrows likewise thereof complain;"

Job 38:31 - "Canst thou bind the sweet influences of Pleiades, or loose the bands of Orion?"

Job 38:31 - "Canst thou bind the sweet influences of Pleiades, or loose the bands of Orion?"

Job 38:37 - "Who can number the clouds in wisdom? or who can stay the bottles of heaven,"

Job 38:37 - "Who can number the clouds in wisdom? or who can stay the bottles of heaven,"

Job 38:22 - "Hast thou entered into the treasures of the snow? or hast thou seen the treasures of the hail,"

Job 38:22 - "Hast thou entered into the treasures of the snow? or hast thou seen the treasures of the hail,"

Job 38:16 - "Hast thou entered into the springs of the sea? or hast thou walked in the search of the depth?"

Job 38:16 - "Hast thou entered into the springs of the sea? or hast thou walked in the search of the depth?"

Job 38:24 - "By what way is the light parted, which scattereth the east wind upon the earth?"

Job 38:24 - "By what way is the light parted, which scattereth the east wind upon the earth?"