Job's Reply to the Third Speech of Eliphaz. Job continues to miss any Moral Government of the World by God As before, in the two preceding cycles of debate, Job's mind is too much absorbed in contemplation of the painful mystery of God's providence, which he had set before his view in ch. 21, to be... [ Continue Reading ]
The A. V. is almost certainly wrong in its rendering of this verse, though a more satisfactory rendering is hard to give. The text is probably faulty. Literally tendered according to the usual meaning of the words the verse reads, _even to-day is my complaint rebellion, my hand is heavy upon my groa... [ Continue Reading ]
_his seat_ i. e. His judgment-seat, or tribunal.... [ Continue Reading ]
Job ardently desires that he could come to God's judgment-seat to plead his cause before Him; and that God would give heed to him and answer him. Then assuredly his innocence would be established.... [ Continue Reading ]
Job would not only plead his own cause, but he would hear from the Almighty what charges He had to make against him; comp. ch. Job 10:2; Job 13:23. and especially ch. Job 31:35-37.... [ Continue Reading ]
This verse runs: Would he plead against me in the greatness of his power? Nay, but he would give heed unto me. The words express the thought which the idea of appearing before God's judgment-seat immediately suggests to Job "Do I mean that God should exhibit His almighty power against me? far fro... [ Continue Reading ]
This verse, as rendered in the A.V., seems to mean that in such circumstances (Job 23:3) a righteous man might plead his cause before God. Rather the words run literally, _then a righteous man would be pleading with him_, i. e. then it would appear that the man who pleads with Him (i. e. Job) is rig... [ Continue Reading ]
From this fascinating dream of a Divine tribunal after the manner of that of a human judge, Job awakens to realise the actual circumstances in which he is placed. God, everywhere present, everywhere eludes him; he feels His omnipotent power, but in vain seeks to see His face.... [ Continue Reading ]
The reason of God's thus hiding Himself and refusing to allow Himself to be approached is that He knows Job's innocence, but is resolved to treat him as guilty and bring him to death (Job 23:13). _But he knoweth the way that I take_ Rather, FOR He knoweth, &c.; lit. _the way that is with me_, i. e.... [ Continue Reading ]
_hath held his steps_ Or, HELD FAST TO His steps, i. e. followed closely His footsteps; comp. Isaiah 2:3.... [ Continue Reading ]
Fuller particulars given by Job of "the way that is with him" his innocent, upright life.... [ Continue Reading ]
_more than my necessary food_ Lit. _more than_(or, above) _my own_ LAW; i. e. perhaps, more than the law of my own mind or inclination. The words recall the exhortation of Eliphaz, ch. Job 22:22. Any reference to _food_seems out of place.... [ Continue Reading ]
Job's innocency though known to God is disregarded by Him. He is unchangeable in His resolution, and He has resolved to destroy him.... [ Continue Reading ]
_For he performeth_ Or, YEA HE WILL PERFORM, or, accomplish. The "thing appointed" for Job is his death through his malady, which the Almighty has resolved upon. This is the profound enigma to Job; but it is far from being a solitary one: "many such things are with Him" the instance is but one out o... [ Continue Reading ]
It is this thought of the moral riddle which his history presents, and of the moral iniquity that characterizes God's government, that perplexes and paralyses Job. _at his presence_ Or, BEFORE HIM, i. e. because of Him, or, at the thought of Him; comp. "when I consider" in next clause. The thought... [ Continue Reading ]
_For God maketh_ Or, AND God. The emphasis is on _God_; it is God, the thought that God should act in this unrighteous manner that makes his heart "soft," i. e. makes him faint-hearted and terror-stricken.... [ Continue Reading ]
This verse reads, For I am not dismayed because of the darkness, Nor because of myself whom thick darkness covereth. The words refer back to the language of Eliphaz, ch. Job 22:11, "or seest thou not the darkness?" The "darkness" is the fatal calamity that has overtaken Job, a frequent use of the... [ Continue Reading ]