Furthermore Elihu answered and said, Ver. 1. _Furthermore Elihu answered and said_] _i.e._ He prosecuted his former discourse, he thus pronounced (as the Vulgate hath it) in answer to some of Job's former speeches, which he here reciteth, but not so candidly; and refelleth, but not so mildly as was... [ Continue Reading ]
Hear my words, O ye wise [men]; and give ear unto me, ye that have knowledge. Ver. 2. _Hear my words, O ye wise men_] And those are not many, Hosea 14:9. He excludeth poor Job, whom yet he had promised to teach wisdom, Job 33:33. And that he spoke not to the many it is probable, for they have not t... [ Continue Reading ]
For the ear trieth words, as the mouth tasteth meat. Ver. 3. _For the ear trieth words_] And for that end we have that excellent sense of hearing given us, that we may hear with judgment, and trying all things, hold fast that which is good, 1 Thessalonians 5:21, taking heed what we hear, Mark 4:24,... [ Continue Reading ]
Let us choose to us judgment: let us know among ourselves what [is] good. Ver. 4. _Let us choose to us judgment_] Let us summon the sobriety of our senses before our judgments; laying aside all prejudice; for, _Omne iudicium a se aufert qui praeiudicium affert,_ He can never judge aright who comes... [ Continue Reading ]
For Job hath said, I am righteous: and God hath taken away my judgment. Ver. 5. _For Job hath said, I am righteous_] So he was with a twofold righteousness: imputed, or the righteousness of justification; and imparted, or the righteousness of sanctification. But Elihu understood him as if he had sa... [ Continue Reading ]
Should I lie against my right? my wound [is] incurable without transgression. Ver. 6. _Should I lie against my right?_] _Ut meam causam prodam,_ so as to betray my cause, and yield myself guilty when I know myself innocent (R. Levi). This I will never do, said Job; no more would that peerless Lady... [ Continue Reading ]
What man [is] like Job, [who] drinketh up scorning like water? Ver. 7. _What man is like Job?_] This Elihu speaketh by way of angry admiration, as if he would make Job a very nonsuch, a matchless offender; and that he much wondered with what face he could speak in that sort, _Exclamatio admirativa_... [ Continue Reading ]
Which goeth in company with the workers of iniquity, and walketh with wicked men. Ver. 8. _Which goeth in company with the workers of iniquity_] Strange if he should; for the wicked is abomination to the righteous, Proverbs 29:27. "Lord, gather not my soul with sinners, nor my life with bloody men,... [ Continue Reading ]
For he hath said, It profiteth a man nothing that he should delight himself with God. Ver. 9. _For he hath said, It profiteth a man not_] Did Job ever say so or think so? where? and when? He said indeed, and truly, that in this life it is oft seen, that bad men prosper and good men suffer. But must... [ Continue Reading ]
Therefore hearken unto me, ye men of understanding: far be it from God, [that he should do] wickedness; and [from] the Almighty, [that he should commit] iniquity. Ver. 10. _Therefore hearken unto me, ye men of understanding_] Heb. Ye men of heart, _Cor est sedes sapientiae. Egregie cordati viri._... [ Continue Reading ]
For the work of a man shall he render unto him, and cause every man to find according to [his] ways. Ver. 11. _For the work of a man shall he render unto him_] This is both his covenant and his custom; so far is he from doing wrong to any, that every man shall be sure to reap as he sows, to drink a... [ Continue Reading ]
Yea, surely God will not do wickedly, neither will the Almighty pervert judgment. Ver. 12. _Yea, surely God will not do wickedly_] This must be laid down for a certain truth, and is, therefore, so reiterated. Job had said as much to this purpose as Elihu could do; but then he had seemingly dashed a... [ Continue Reading ]
Who hath given him a charge over the earth? or who hath disposed the whole world? Ver. 13. _Who hath given him a charge over all the earth?_] _sc._ To govern it. Is not he the Maker and Monarch of all men? Who is his superior? and to whom shall he give account? and who shall expostulate with him ab... [ Continue Reading ]
If he set his heart upon man, [if] he gather unto himself his spirit and his breath; Ver. 14. _If he set his heart upon man_] viz. For evil, and not for good, and have a purpose to unmake him again, which he can as easily do as will it to be done. _ If he gather unto himself his spirit and his brea... [ Continue Reading ]
All flesh shall perish together, and man shall turn again unto dust. Ver. 15. _All flesh shall perish together_] _i.e._ All men, called here "All flesh," as, Mark 16:16, they are called every creature, a little world. If God command it to be so they shall all breathe out together. _ And man shall... [ Continue Reading ]
If now [thou hast] understanding, hear this: hearken to the voice of my words. Ver. 16. _If now thou hast understanding, hear this_] Hear it, and know it for thy good, as Job 4:2,7, if at least thou hast any wit for thyself or care of thine own well doing. This is a stinging apostrophe to Job. _Si... [ Continue Reading ]
Shall even he that hateth right govern? and wilt thou condemn him that is most just? Ver. 17. _Shall even he that hateth right govern?_] Heb. Bind; _sc._ malefactors, whom magistrates use to hamper? Others take it to be binding up the wounded after the manner of chirurgeons. _An qui odit iudicium,... [ Continue Reading ]
Job 34:18 [Is it fit] to say to a king, [Thou art] wicked? [and] to princes, [Ye are] ungodly? Ver. 18. _Is it fit to say to a king, Thou art wicked?_] Heb. Belial; that is, Thou yokeless, lawless, masterless monster. Kings are not wont to be so accosted and aviled, nor is it lawful, Exodus 22:28.... [ Continue Reading ]
Job 34:19 [How much less to him] that accepteth not the persons of princes, nor regardeth the rich more than the poor? for they all [are] the work of his hands. Ver. 19. _How much less to him that accepteth not the person of princes_] How much more both dangerous and indecent must it needs be wrong... [ Continue Reading ]
In a moment shall they die, and the people shall be troubled at midnight, and pass away: and the mighty shall be taken away without hand. Ver. 20. _In a moment shall they die_] Be they mean or mighty, they are, when God pleaseth, suddenly swept away by the hand of death; as chess men are into the b... [ Continue Reading ]
For his eyes [are] upon the ways of man, and he seeth all his goings. Ver. 21. _For his eyes are upon the ways of man_] God's providence (like a well drawn picture, that eyeth each one in the room) observeth all things; he seeth cause enough thus to proceed in judgment against a person or people, t... [ Continue Reading ]
Job 34:22 [There is] no darkness, nor shadow of death, where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves. Ver. 22. _There is no darkness, nor shadow of death, &c._] Sinners would fain shroud and secrete themselves from God's all seeing eye; for which end they search all corners, with Adam, and hope... [ Continue Reading ]
For he will not lay upon man more [than right]; that he should enter into judgment with God. Ver. 23. _For he will not lay upon men more than right_] _Plus quam par est._ He cannot over do likely, _Nam non super virum ponet ultra; _ no, though he should inflict upon him all the torments here, and t... [ Continue Reading ]
He shall break in pieces mighty men without number, and set others in their stead. Ver. 24. _He shall break in pieces mighty men, &c._] _Infinite conterit validos,_ so Tremellius rendereth it. He infinitely mauleth the mighty; and breaketh them in pieces like a potter's vessel, Psalms 2:9 . _ With... [ Continue Reading ]
Therefore he knoweth their works, and he overturneth [them] in the night, so that they are destroyed. Ver. 25. _Therefore he knoweth their works_] It appeareth by their punishment that God took notice of their wicked works, though they thought otherwise; yea, when they know not, or are not aware of... [ Continue Reading ]
He striketh them as wicked men in the open sight of others; Ver. 26. _He striketh them as wicked men, &c._] _Complodit cos,_ saith Junius, _scilicet ut inflatas vesicas in sun ipsorum sede,_ he striketh upon them, as blown bladders, in their own seat. This is an elegant similitude, setting forth th... [ Continue Reading ]
Because they turned back from him, and would not consider any of his ways: Ver. 27. _Because they have turned back from him_] To pursue after lying vanities, broken cisterns; which whosoever do, as they fall into two foul sins at once (such as heaven and earth have cause to be astonished at and afr... [ Continue Reading ]
So that they cause the cry of the poor to come unto him, and he heareth the cry of the afflicted. Ver. 28. _So that they cause the cry of the poor, &c._] These they compel, by their oppressions, to wash the earth with their tears, and to importune heaven with their complaints, as Senault phraseth i... [ Continue Reading ]
When he giveth quietness, who then can make trouble? and when he hideth [his] face, who then can behold him? whether [it be done] against a nation, or against a man only: Ver. 29. _When he giveth quietness, who then can make trouble?_] _Ipse tranquillabit, et quis inquietabit?_ This is like that of... [ Continue Reading ]
_That the hypocrite reign not, lest the people be ensnared._ Ver. 30. _That the hypocrite reign not_] That he reign no longer. Almighty God taketh order, by putting these mighties from their seat, and exalting them of low degree, Luke 1:52. And why? 1. Lest the hypocrite, or the impure and impious... [ Continue Reading ]
Surely it is meet to be said unto God, I have borne [chastisement], I will not offend [any more]: Ver. 31. _Surely it is meet to be said unto God, I have borne chastisement_] To convince a man of a fault, and not to advise him how to do better, is to snuff a lamp and not pour more oil into it. Elih... [ Continue Reading ]
Job 34:32 [That which] I see not teach thou me: if I have done iniquity, I will do no more. Ver. 32. _That which I see not, teach thou me_] For I am yet in the dark, and know not the right cause wherefore thou afflictest me. Herein men are very apt to mistake themselves, and when God calls one way... [ Continue Reading ]
Job 34:33 [Should it be] according to thy mind? he will recompense it, whether thou refuse, or whether thou choose; and not I: therefore speak what thou knowest. Ver. 33. _Should it be according to thy mind_] Heb. From with thee; _q.d._ Must things be as thou wilt? And is it fit for thee to prescri... [ Continue Reading ]
Let men of understanding tell me, and let a wise man hearken unto me. Ver. 34. _Let men of understanding tell me_] Or, say with me; say as I say; viz. That Job hath spoken without knowledge, as Job 34:35, and that I have spoken the thing that is right in vindicating the divine justice from thy caus... [ Continue Reading ]
_Job hath spoken without knowledge, and his words [were] without wisdom._ Ver. 35. _Job hath spoken without knowledge_] _Inscienter et inscite,_ He hath outlashed and overshot himself in some words against God; yea, amidst his complaints, he hath let slip not a few lavish and loose speeches; which... [ Continue Reading ]
My desire [is that] Job may be tried unto the end because of [his] answers for wicked men. Ver. 36. _My desire is that Job may be tried unto the end_] Or, unto victory, till he be vanquished and set down, _Usque ad victoriam_ (Trem). It is conceived that Job, by clapping his hands, as Job 34:37, or... [ Continue Reading ]
For he addeth rebellion unto his sin, he clappeth [his hands] among us, and multiplieth his words against God. Ver. 37. _For he addeth rebellion unto his sin_] Or, he will add, viz. unless he be exercised and subdued by more and longer load of afflictions; there will else be no hoe with him, no gro... [ Continue Reading ]