An exposition with practical observations continued upon the fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh chapters…

So, we see, what we are here to understand, by the breath and by the blast of the Lord. And in this passage, Eliphaz seems to hint at the manner of the death of Jobs children, who were destroyed by the strength of a mighty wind, smiting the four corners of the house so, that it fell upon them: that wind may well be called the breath and the blast of God, both in regard of the wonder and strangeness of it, as also because (though Satan was the instrument) he had the ordering and disposing of it. Satan's breath, all the wind he can raise, cannot blow away a feather, unless the Lord give and continue leave and strength, to do it.

So, we see, what we are here to understand, by the breath and by the blast of the Lord. And in this passage, Eliphaz seems to hint at the manner of the death of Jobs children, who were destroyed by the strength of a mighty winde, smiting the foure corners of the house so, that it fell upon them: that winde may well be called the breath and the blast of God, both in regard of the wonder and strangenesse of it, as also because (though Satan was the instrument) he had the ordering and disposing of it. Satans breath, all the winde he can raise, cannot blow away a feather, unlesse the Lord give and continue leave and strength, to doe it.

Observe first, God can easily destroy wicked men. He doth it by a blast, or by a breath. Though, to themselves and others, they appear as great Mountains, yet before God they are but as dust, or chaff of the Mountains; by a blast or by a breath he scatters and consumes them: So David compares them (Psal. 1. 4.) The ungodly are not so, (not so, how? they are not as a tree planted by the waters side, that is the portion of the righteous; how are the ungodly then?) they are as the chaff, that the wind scattereth or driveth away, the best of them, the most solid of them are no better. And (Isa. 17. 13.) The Nations shall be chased, as the chaff of the mountains before the wind, and as a rolling thing before the whirlwind. Though Nations, mighty strong powerful Nations, come out against God, and his people, Fear them not: For if God set himself against them, they are no more before him, then a little chaff, he scatters them by the breath of his displeasure.