Job 40:2

Contendeth. God’s question to Job revolves around four verbs, “contendeth,” “instruct,” “reproveth,” “answer.” Job has heard the profound questions of chapters 38 and 39. Now the question comes to him, Can he, the faultfinder, the contender, instruct the God of all nature? The answer that Job will give is obvious, in view of the revelations of the previous two chapters. Job is pointedly challenged to defend his endeavors to instruct God. Satan predicted that Job would curse God. This he had not done. But he had erred in trying to tell God what to do.

Job had expressed himself as anxious to argue his case with God. He seemed to feel that, somehow, God did not quite understand. Now, after God has given a new revelation of His wisdom, Job is asked whether he still feels himself qualified to be the plaintiff in a case against God.