The Third Circle of Speeches In the first round of speeches the three friends exhausted the argument from the general conception of God. In the second they exhausted the argument from the operation of His providence in the world, as observed in the fate of the wicked. To the last Job had replied by... [ Continue Reading ]
This verse reads, Can a man be profitable unto God? Nay, he that is wise is profitable unto himself. A man's actions cannot affect God; the advantage of wisdom, that is, prudent and right conduct, can only accrue to a man himself.... [ Continue Reading ]
God's treatment of men cannot be due to any respect which He has to Himself, for He is too lofty to be affected by anything human. He deals with men according to their ways, and Job's afflictions can be due only to his sin.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Is it any pleasure_ Or, ADVANTAGE, concern; see on ch. Job 21:21. The idea that men's actions cannot affect God is common in the Book, see ch. Job 7:20; Job 35:5-8; Job 22:2-3 go together, and express this single conception that God's treatment of men is not due to any respect He has to Himself, bu... [ Continue Reading ]
God's treatment of men being for their sakes and according to what they are, it is inconceivable that He should chastise them for their piety. _for fear of thee_ Rather, FOR THY (godly) FEAR, thy piety; comp. ch. Job 4:6; Job 15:4 for this use of the word _fear_by Eliphaz. The words scarcely contain... [ Continue Reading ]
Job's afflictions are because of his sins sins which Eliphaz now suggests and enumerates. They are such sins as a powerful Oriental ruler naturally falls into, inhumanity, avarice, and abuse of power.... [ Continue Reading ]
Compare the laws, Exodus 22:26; Deuteronomy 24:10. The "naked" are those poorly clad. See Job's reply to this, ch. Job 31:19.... [ Continue Reading ]
Compare Job's answer, ch. Job 31:16-17.... [ Continue Reading ]
The "mighty man," lit. _man of arm_, i. e. the powerful (Psalms 10:15), and the "honourable," lit. _man of respect_, i. e. high in rank (Isaiah 3:5), is of course Job himself. _he had the earth_ Or, _his is the land_. _dwelt in it_ Or, _shall dwell in it_. These words describe the feeling that, a... [ Continue Reading ]
His treatment of widows he ejected them empty; or when they came seeking redress, or pleading their rights, he let them go unheard. Comp. Job's own language as to himself, ch. Job 29:13; Job 31:16. The "arms" of the fatherless are their helps or rights, on which they relied, and by which they were... [ Continue Reading ]
The consequence of this inhumanity and injustice is seen in the snares and terrors from God that surround Job. 11. This verse should probably be read, Or seest thou not the darkness, And the floods of waters that cover thee? i. e. dost thou not perceive the true meaning of the darkness and the o... [ Continue Reading ]
Eliphaz points to God's place of abode in the lofty heavens (Job 22:12); and under this feeling of His infinite distance from the earth Job said, How doth God know? Men's conduct was not observed by Him; the thick clouds obscured His vision. _And thou sayest_ Rather, AND THOU SAIDST. On this mode o... [ Continue Reading ]
Eliphaz, having in Job 22:6 suggested what Job's offences must have been, now suggests under what feeling in regard to God he must have committed them. He thought God so far removed from the world that He did not observe men's conduct.... [ Continue Reading ]
_in the circuit of heaven_ Rather, ON THE CIRCLE, i. e. the arch of heaven that overspans the earth, Isaiah 40:22.... [ Continue Reading ]
It was under a similar feeling in regard to God that the great sinners before the Flood filled the earth with violence, and Eliphaz asks Job whether he will go the length of accepting the principles and following the conduct of such men? Compare the words of Elihu, ch. Job 34:8. _Hast thou marked t... [ Continue Reading ]
_out of time_ i. e. before their time, prematurely, by the judgment of God for their sin. Comp. Job 15:32. _whose foundation was overthrown_ lit. _whose foundation was poured away_and became _a flood_that on which they stood became a flood in which they sank. The reference is probably to the Deluge... [ Continue Reading ]
_do for them_ Rather, do UNTO them.... [ Continue Reading ]
Eliphaz expresses his abhorrence of the ingratitude and evil principles of such men, repeating the words employed by Job, ch. Job 21:16 (far be from me the counsel of the wicked); but while Job referred to the worldly prosperity of such persons, in spite of their ungodliness, Eliphaz lays stress upo... [ Continue Reading ]
The righteous see it and are glad, And the innocent laugh them to scorn, 20. _Saying_, Surely our adversaries are cut off, And that which they have left the fire hath consumed. The "remnant" of the wicked, or "that which they leave," is their substance and possessions.... [ Continue Reading ]
These two verses are connected together,... [ Continue Reading ]
_and be at peace_ i. e. thus shalt thou have peace, or, safety.... [ Continue Reading ]
Eliphaz exhorts Job to reconcile himself with God; assuring him of restoration and great felicity if he will do so. The passage consists of two parts, first, a series of exhortations, each of which is accompanied by a promise (Job 22:21); and second, a series of great promises simply (Job 22:26). T... [ Continue Reading ]
_the law_ Or, INSTRUCTION. The word is a general expression for "every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God," as the parallel "his words" in the next clause indicates. Comp. Job's reply to this advice, ch. Job 23:11-12.... [ Continue Reading ]
_built up_ i. e. probably _rebuilt_, or, restored. _thou shalt put away_ Or, IF THOU PUT AWAY. The words take up "if thou return" of the first clause.... [ Continue Reading ]
These verses read, 24. And lay thou thy treasure in the dust, And gold of Ophir among the stones of the brooks; 25. Then shall the Almighty be thy treasure, And silver in plenty unto thee. The word rendered "treasure" means properly _ore_. The expression "silver in plenty" is obscure, meaning p... [ Continue Reading ]
_lift up thy face unto God_ i. e. in confidence, and no more ashamed by God's afflictions. Cf. Job 10:15 and Job 11:15.... [ Continue Reading ]
_pay thy vows_ In making requests in prayer it was customary to make a vow to sacrifice or offer unto the Lord if the prayer was granted. Job shall have cause to fulfil his vows, his prayers being heard.... [ Continue Reading ]
_When men are cast down_ The words must mean either: _when they_(i. e. thy ways, Job 22:28) _go downwards_, when decline or misfortune befalls thee; or, _when men cast thee down_. _there is lifting up_ The word "lifting up" or simply, "Up!" is that which Job shall utter in prayer. The "humble perso... [ Continue Reading ]
_the island of the innocent_ Rather, HIM THAT IS NOT INNOCENT. Even others who are blameworthy shall be saved through Job's intercession, because of the cleanness of his hands, for the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. The curious translation "island of the innocent" arose f... [ Continue Reading ]