Then Job answered and said, Ver. 1. _Then Job answered and said_] viz. In defence of his own integrity, against Eliphaz's calumnies in the foregoing chapter. To make apology to every one that shall traduce us, Plato holdeth to be both base and bootless, Pασιν απολογεισθαι θεραπευτικον (Plat.). But... [ Continue Reading ]
Even to day [is] my complaint bitter: my stroke is heavier than my groaning. Ver. 2. _Even today is my complaint bitter_] _q.d._ After all mine endeavour to satisfy you, I am still misinterpreted, and accounted by you, my friends, no better than a malcontent and a murmurer against God; albeit my la... [ Continue Reading ]
Oh that I knew where I might find him! [that] I might come [even] to his seat! Ver. 3. _Oh that I knew where I might find him!_] That is, God, so oft in his mind and mouth, that his acquaintance might easily know whom he meant. _Aph-Hu,_ even he, 2 Kings 2:4, as held by some to be one of God's attr... [ Continue Reading ]
I would order [my] cause before him, and fill my mouth with arguments. Ver. 4. _I would order my cause before him_] I would not stick to approach to his tribunal, there to plead my cause (not against him, as being the supreme Judge, and not either plaintiff or defendant, but) against your false and... [ Continue Reading ]
I would know the words [which] he would answer me, and understand what he would say unto me. Ver. 5. _I would know the words that he would answer me_] _q.d._ I cannot know your minds, O my friends, nor understand your words, which yet I believe are little to the purpose; but God (I know) will utter... [ Continue Reading ]
Will he plead against me with [his] great power? No; but he would put [strength] in me. Ver. 6. _Will he plead against me with his great power?_] No; for then you were in a woe-case. For if God's breath blow us to destruction, as so many dust heaps, Job 4:9, if he frown us to death, and nod us to d... [ Continue Reading ]
There the righteous might dispute with him; so should I be delivered for ever from my judge. Ver. 7. _There the righteous might dispute with him_] There for then; _sc. _ when God shall put strength into him; the upright or honest man (who draweth near with a true heart, in full assurance of faith,... [ Continue Reading ]
Behold, I go forward, but he [is] not [there]; and backward, but I cannot perceive him: Ver. 8. _Behold, I go forward_] Heb. Eastward, which is reckoned the forepart of the world; because that eye of the world, the sun, riseth there; and every man looketh to the rising sun. _ But he is not there_]... [ Continue Reading ]
On the left hand, where he doth work, but I cannot behold [him]: he hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see [him]: Ver. 9. _On the left hand, where he doth work_] _i.e._ Northward; where God is said to work; either because that in the north part of heaven are more signs, and of more rem... [ Continue Reading ]
But he knoweth the way that I take: [when] he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold. Ver. 10. _But he knoweth the way that I take_] Heb. That is with me. He perfectly understandeth that there is no way of wickedness in me, Psalms 139:24, no sin that I do favour, allow, and wallow in; but that t... [ Continue Reading ]
My foot hath held his steps, his way have I kept, and not declined. Ver. 11. _My foot hath held his steps_] I have followed God step by step, walking as I had him for an example, and pressing his footsteps. This Job speaketh of himself, not as vaunting, but as vindicating and defending his own inno... [ Continue Reading ]
Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary [food]. Ver. 12. _Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips_] _i.e._ _Ab ipsissimo Dei verbo,_ from the very word of God, that sure _cynosura,_ which he that hold... [ Continue Reading ]
But he [is] in one [mind], and who can turn him? and [what] his soul desireth, even [that] he doeth. Ver. 13. _But he is in one mind, and who can turn him?_] He is ever like himself, not mutable, inconstant, or various, as men who are (as Tertullian saith of the peacock) all in changeable colours,... [ Continue Reading ]
For he performeth [the thing that is] appointed for me: and many such [things are] with him. Ver. 14. _For he performeth the thing that is appointed for me_] He hath performed all my necessaries; so Vatablus rendereth it. It is the word that was used for appointed or necessary food, Job 23:12. _Vol... [ Continue Reading ]
Therefore am I troubled at his presence: when I consider, I am afraid of him. Ver. 15. _Therefore am I troubled at his presence_] At the consideration of his formidable power and majesty, I am troubled and terrified; troubled at my present calamities, and afraid of fiercer. This verse then seemeth... [ Continue Reading ]
For God maketh my heart soft, and the Almighty troubleth me: Ver. 16. _For God maketh my heart soft_] Methinks I feel it fall asunder in my bosom like drops of water, and dissolved with manifold afflictions, so that I am hardly able to bear up any longer; I am almost done, as we use to speak, and m... [ Continue Reading ]
Because I was not cut off before the darkness, [neither] hath he covered the darkness from my face. Ver. 17. _Because I was not cut off before the darkness_] _i.e._ The afflictions that now are upon me. It is a mercy to some to die sometimes, as Josiah, and those righteous ones, Isaiah 57:1, who we... [ Continue Reading ]