In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.

Nor charged God foolishly - rather, allowed himself to commit no folly against God (Umbreit). Job 2:10 proves that this is the meaning. Not as margin, nor attributed folly to God. Hasty words against God, though natural in the bitterness of grief, are folly: literally, an insipid, unsavoury thing, (Job 6:6; Jeremiah 23:13, margin). Folly in Scripture is continually equivalent to wickedness (Job 24:12; Lamentations 2:14). For when man sins, it is himself, not God, whom he injures (Proverbs 8:36).

Remarks:

(1) No degree of worldly prosperity is a guarantee against sudden and great reverses; therefore, Blessed is the man who, in prosperity, feareth always, and woe to them who, "because they have no changes, fear not God" (Psalms 55:19).

(2) In festive enjoyments, however innocent in themselves, there is a danger of the natural heart becoming so intoxicated with the excitement of pleasure as to forget God, the source of all true enjoyment: we therefore should ask God's pardon if we have forgotten Him, and should go into no scene of festivity whereinto we cannot bring God with us, and whereupon we cannot ask God's blessing at its close. Job had many expiatory offerings to make from time to time in order to sanctify his sons: we Christians have one offering that has once for all been made, by which Christ has forever perfected them that are sanctified (Hebrews 10:12; Hebrews 10:14).

(3) The dispensations of Providence in the present world which are most perplexing to the believer (cf. Psalms 73:1) would be in a great measure cleared up if we could remove the veil which hides from us the unseen world. We should then realize the fact that the present world is a scene of probation, in which Satan's malice, though for a time let loose upon the saints, is actually being overruled by God for His final glory and their eternal good.

(4) We see in Jobs case the power of true religion exemplified. True piety recognizes God's right to do as He will with His own; and sees in affliction the hand of an Almighty Father who loves us, and therefore chastens us in order that we may be partakers of His holiness (Hebrews 12:10). We are to submit to trials, not because we see the reasons for them, nor yet as though, they were matters of chance, but because God wills them, and has a right to send them, and has His own good reasons in sending them.

Continues after advertising
Continues after advertising