Job confesses that he has challenged God repeatedly (this is what is meant by the words once… twice
). God’s speech has deepened Job’s awareness of his own limitations. Therefore, Job will say no more.
However, Job is not yet at the point where he regrets the arrogance with which he had spoken to God. He has not yet arrived at a confession of sin. This is the reason why God will make a second speech (Job 40:1 – 41:34).
5 I have spoken once, and I will not answer; twice, but I will proceed no further.”