Job 5:12

He disappointeth the devices of the crafty.

The disappointment of the crafty

The word “crafty” may mean “prudent,” but usually it denotes such as are wickedly “cunning.” The meaning of the text is, that with how much art and subtilty soever wicked men may lay their plots and ill designs, there is a God who both can and frequently doth disappoint and baffle them, make them vain, and of none effect.

I. When may we suppose the disappointments of crafty men’s devices to be from God? That is, as the extraordinary effects of His particular and special providence. Reference need not be made to such as are miraculous.

1. When a disappointment shall be brought about in a way evidently strange, surprising, and unusual.

2. The hand of God is in those disappointments which involve men either in those very mischiefs which they had prepared for others, or at least in others, for their grievousness and soreness, not unlike them.

3. When the devices of wicked men shall luckily meet with a disappointment, just at that very time, when they are ripe and ready for execution.

4. When good men, at the very time of their praying for their enemy’s disappointment, shall obtain their desire.

5. When a great number of unexpected accidents shall, as it were, conspire to begin, carry on, and at last consummate any notable disappointment.

II. How eminently God’s hand appeared in the deliverances of this nation. Which we this day, Nov. 5, commemorate.

III. Practical inferences. God’s deliverances should--

1. Discourage the crafty from forming any more schemes.

2. Encourage us, in all our straits and difficulties, to place our hope and confidence in God.

3. To make our earnest prayers to God for help in our time of need.

4. Since God has done such wonderful things for us, we must be sure not to forget to glorify Him. (Sir Wm. Dawes, Bart., D. D.)

The designing projects of ambitious men defeated

1. It hath been a matter of fatal experience that there always were, in all ages of the world, devices of wicked men, and designs of mischief; and it is consistent with the wisdom and goodness of God to suffer designing men to carry on their ambitious projects with a probable show of success.

(1) Possibly to exercise the prudence and courage of the innocent, and virtuous, when their designs are laid very deep.

(2) To discover the inveterate malice and secret cruelty of those men’s tempers, who, under the calm, mild, and endearing names of religion, and the public good, do stick to no villainies to push on their black designs.

(3) Perhaps that God may manifest His particular and vigilant care of His Church, even reduced to extremities.

2. These devices have been, by the good providence of God, miraculously defeated. They have been vain, not only in respect of others against whom they were levelled, but also mischievous to those that contrived them.

3. The natural result of these particulars is to praise God, and we, being delivered, ought to glorify Him. (Tho. Whincop, D. D.)