XXXIII. (1) WHEREFORE, JOB, I PRAY THEE. — He begins by professing his sincerity and integrity; and with reference to Job’s expressed desire to find an umpire (Job 9:33), and one who would maintain his right with God (Job 16:21), he declares that he is ready to do so, and that he is, like Job, made... [ Continue Reading ]
NEITHER SHALL MY HAND BE HEAVY UPON THEE — _i.e._, I will deal gently with thee, and not be harsh.... [ Continue Reading ]
I AM CLEAN WITHOUT TRANSGRESSION. — Job has nowhere used this language; but many of his statements were capable of being so perverted and misrepresented (Job 9:20; Job 16:17; Job 23:10; Job 27:5). This shows that Elihu even was incapable of entering fully into Job’s position. He did not understand t... [ Continue Reading ]
BEHOLD, HE FINDETH OCCASIONS AGAINST ME. — See Job 13:24; Job 13:26; Job 19:11.... [ Continue Reading ]
HE PUTTETH MY FEET IN THE STOCKS. — Referring, probably, to Job 13:27.... [ Continue Reading ]
BEHOLD, IN THIS THOU ART NOT JUST. — But had not Job said the same thing? (Job 9:2, &c., Job 9:14, &c.); and is it possible to conceive that any one could think otherwise, more especially as Elihu used the word which specially means man in his frailty?... [ Continue Reading ]
WHY DOST THOU STRIVE AGAINST HIM? — Job had not striven against God, he had only expressed his longing to come into judgment with Him (Job 23:3, &c.). Job was striving with and against the darkness that was round about His throne, not with the justice of God, which he entirely trusted. Some render t... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR GOD SPEAKETH ONCE, YEA TWICE. — The two ways are dilated upon (Job 33:15). Abimelech (Genesis 20:3) and Daniel (Daniel 4:5) were instances of this first method. (Comp. also Genesis 15:12. &c., Genesis 28:12, &c.)... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN HE OPENETH THE EARS OF MEN AND SEALETH. — Comp. Job 14:17 : “My transgression is sealed in a bag.” “He openeth their ear,” that is, He showeth them that He will decree, confirm, and seal up their chastisement, the sentence that is to be executed upon them, if they will not repent. If taken in t... [ Continue Reading ]
FROM HIS PURPOSE. — Rather, _That He may witharaw man from carrying out his evil actions, and may remove that pride from man which he secretly_ _cherishes._ This is the main point of Elihu’s teaching: that the purposes of God are disciplinary, to keep man from the sin which otherwise he would be pro... [ Continue Reading ]
HE IS CHASTENED. — This is the second manner in which God speaks — first by dreams, &c., then by afflictions. AND THE MULTITUDE OF HIS BONES WITH STRONG PAIN. — Or, reading it otherwise, we may render, _And with continual strife in his bones_ — _e.g.,_ rheumatism and gout.... [ Continue Reading ]
TO SHOW UNTO MAN HIS UPRIGHTNESS. — Some render, “to show unto man what is right for him,” but it seems rather to mean, _to declare concerning that man his uprightness,_ to plead his cause before God and be his advocate. (Comp. 1 Kings 14:13; 2 Chronicles 19:3, &c.) This angel, who is one among a th... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN HE IS GRACIOUS UNTO HIM — _i.e._, God is gracious; He accepts the mediation of the mediating angel. These words of Elihu’s must have fallen on Job’s ear with a grateful and refreshing sound, confirming to him his longing for the daysman (Job 9:33). AND SAITH — _i.e.,_ to the destroying angels... [ Continue Reading ]
HE WILL BE FAVOURABLE UNTO HIM. — Very beautiful is this description of the restoration of the penitent sinner and his recovery from sickness. He shall thankfully resort unto the house of God with joy, for that He has rewarded him according to his righteousness, which was the fruit of faith (Genesis... [ Continue Reading ]
HE LOOKETH UPON MEN, AND IF ANY SAY. — Rather, _He looketh upon men, and saith, I have sinned, &c.:_ that is the confession of the restored sinner. Some render it, _He shall sing_ _before men,_ but hardly so probably or appropriately.... [ Continue Reading ]
HE WILL DELIVER HIS SOUL. — There are two readings in the Hebrew here, of which one is represented by the Authorised Version; but the better one is, “He hath redeemed my soul from going into the pit, and my life shall see the light” — this is part of the restored man’s confession, which appears to b... [ Continue Reading ]
TO BRING BACK HIS SOUL. — Here, again, is the very key-note of Elihu’s doctrine. God’s dealings are for the purpose of education and discipline, and this is what he wishes to impress upon Job.... [ Continue Reading ]
I DESIRE TO JUSTIFY THEE. — He wishes to justify Job before his friends, that is, to maintain that his afflictions are not on account of past sin, but as a preservative against possible future defection. This being so, he considers that Job’s case may justly be defended, and Job himself vindicated a... [ Continue Reading ]