Literature: In this short passage, Jacob constructs an intricate argument. He begins by praising Yahweh and his works. It is impossible to praise Yahweh’s works without understanding that those works are related to humankind. God demonstrates his connection to us through works that benefit us—beginning with the spectacular provision of the world and our existence.
Having established a God of works who maintains a relationship to us, Jacob notes that Yahweh is still separate from us because we cannot comprehend all of his purposes. Thus, while we may see that some of his works are wonderful, yet both Yahweh and many of his works are mysterious and incomprehensible. Here, Jacob conceptually echoes Isaiah 55:8–9: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Jacob has neatly constructed a philosophical quandary: Yahweh is interested in us and does works directed toward us, yet is utterly incomprehensible to us. How can we please a God we cannot understand? How may we properly interact with a God who is unfathomable? Jacob tells us that there is no way save revelation from Yahweh to the prophets. Thus, we ignore prophets at our peril; for without their instructions, we are unable to understand how to relate to Yahweh.
Narrative: At this point, Jacob’s style begins to closely resemble oral discourse. Even though he is not presenting this message to a present audience (at least at this time), his style is more compatible with a present audience. Either he is treating the future audience as though it were present, or he is recording a sermon already given to his people.