JOB CHAPTER 23 Job's reply: his desire to plead with God, JOB 23:1;
who should not confound, but strengthen him, JOB 23:6,7. He cannot
behold God's way; but he walked in the way of his law, JOB 23:8. God
in his providences bringeth about what he had decreed: Job's trouble
herein, JOB 23:13. No text... [ Continue Reading ]
i.e. Even at this time, notwithstanding all your promises and
pretended consolations, I find no ease or satisfaction in all your
discourses; and therefore in this and the following Chapter s Job
seldom applies his discourse to his friends, but only addresseth his
speech to God, or bewaileth himself.... [ Continue Reading ]
WHERE I MIGHT FIND HIM, to wit, God, as his friends well knew, and the
thing itself showeth. Thou biddest me _acquaint myself with him_, JOB
22:21. I desire nothing more than his acquaintance and presence; but,
alas, he hides his face from me that I cannot see him, nor come near
him. TO HIS SEAT, i.... [ Continue Reading ]
I WOULD orderly declare the things which concern and prove the right
of my cause; not only debating the controversy between my friends and
me, concerning my sincerity or hypocrisy before God, as a witness or
judge; but also pleading with God as a party, and modestly inquiring
whether he doth not dea... [ Continue Reading ]
I long to know what he would say, either to prove me a hypocrite, or
to justify his harsh proceedings against me; and if be should discover
to me any secret and unknown sins, for which he contendeth with me, I
should humble myself before him, and accept of the punishment of mine
iniquity.... [ Continue Reading ]
WILL HE oppress me with his sovereign and absolute power, as men do
those whom they cannot fairly and justly conquer? HE WOULD PUT
STRENGTH IN ME; the word _strength_, or _power_, being fitly supplied
out of the former branch of the verse, as is very usual in Scripture.
He would not use his power ag... [ Continue Reading ]
THERE; at that throne of grace, as it is called, HEBREWS 4:16, where
God lays aside his majesty and power, and judgeth according to his
wonted grace and clemency. THE RIGHTEOUS; such as I do and dare avow
myself to be, to wit, in sincerity, though not in perfection. _Might
dispute with him_; humbly... [ Continue Reading ]
I GO FORWARD, i.e. towards the east, which in Scripture is accounted
the forepart of the world, as the Hebrew name of it signifies, because
of the light of the sun, which ariseth there, and draweth the eye of
men towards it. HE IS NOT THERE, to wit, so as I would have him, as a
judge to hear and det... [ Continue Reading ]
WHERE HE DOTH WORK, to wit, in a special and peculiar manner, more
than in other parts of the world; for so indeed God did work in those
parts which were northward from Job, because there mankind (among whom
God delights to be and to work) were most numerous, and most ingenious
to discern God's work... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT, though I cannot see him, yet my comfort is, that he seeth me and
my heart, and all my actions. Or, _for_, as this particle commonly
signifies. So this verse contains a reason why he so vehemently
desired that he might plead his cause with or before God. HE KNOWETH
THE WAY THAT I TAKE; he cannot... [ Continue Reading ]
MY FOOT HATH HELD, i.e. made a free and fixed choice, and taken fast
hold of them; been firmly and strongly settled, and resolved to
continue in them, as the word signifies. HIS STEPS; either,
1. Actively, the steps or ways in which God himself walks; the paths
of holiness, justice, mercy, &c., whe... [ Continue Reading ]
NEITHER HAVE I GONE BACK, i.e. not turned aside to any crooked or
sinful path or course of life, human infirmity excepted. I HAVE
ESTEEMED, Heb. _I have hid_, or laid it up, as men do their best
treasures, or what they most love and value. The phrase notes a high
estimation of it, a hearty affection... [ Continue Reading ]
HE IS IN ONE MIND, i.e. notwithstanding all these evidences of my
sincere piety, and all my prayers to him, he still continues in the
same mind and course of afflicting me. Or, BUT HE IS, i.e. if he be,
_against one_, or _against any man_, as that word is oft used, as he
now setteth himself against... [ Continue Reading ]
Or, _he will perfect or finish my appointed portion_, i.e. those
calamities which he hath allotted to me for my portion, which as he
hath begun to lay on me, so he is resolved to make a full end of them.
AND MANY SUCH THINGS ARE WITH HIM; there are many such examples of
God's proceeding with men in... [ Continue Reading ]
THEREFORE; in consideration of his glorious majesty, and sovereign and
irresistible power, by which he can do whatsoever pleaseth him,
without giving any account of his matters. AT HIS PRESENCE; when I
present him to my thoughts. Or, when he appears or manifesteth himself
to me. Or, _for fear or dre... [ Continue Reading ]
SOFT, or _tender_. He hath bruised, and broken, or melted it, so that
I have no spirit, nor courage, nor strength in me, as this or the like
phrase is used, DEUTERONOMY 20:3 PSALMS 39:11 ISAIAH 7:4 JEREMIAH
51:46.... [ Continue Reading ]
BECAUSE I WAS NOT CUT OFF; because God did not cut me off by death.
_Before the darkness_, i.e. before these dark and dismal miseries came
upon me. Or, _before the face_, or _by reason of the darkness_, i.e.
that God hath not yet cut me off by these calamities, but prolonged
nay days under them, tha... [ Continue Reading ]