XXIV. (1) WHY, SEEING TIMES ARE NOT HIDDEN. — Job, in this chapter, gives utterance to this perplexity, as it arises, not from his own case only, but from a survey of God’s dealings with the world generally. “Why is it,” he asks, “since times and events are not hidden from the Almighty, that they w... [ Continue Reading ]
SOME REMOVE THE LANDMARKS. — Now follows a description of the wrong-doings of various classes of men. The removal of landmarks was expressly provided against by the Mosaic Law (Deuteronomy 19:14; Deuteronomy 27:17). AND FEED THEREOF. — Rather, probably, _feed them: i.e.,_ pasture them, the more eas... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY DRIVE AWAY THE ASS. — The ass and the ox, the fatherless and the widow presumably having no more than one. He first describes the oppression of the country, and then that of the city (Job 24:12). We seem here to catch a glimpse of the sufferings of some oppressed and subject aboriginal race, su... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY REAP EVERY ONE HIS CORN. — Or, probably, _the corn,_ that is, _of the wicked tyrant._ While they reap his corn and cut his provender, they have to go without themselves.... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY CAUSE HIM TO GO NAKED WITHOUT CLOTHING. — Rather, _they go about,_ or, _so that they go about, naked without clothing_ (the tautology is expressive in Hebrew, though meaningless in English), _and an hungered they carry the sheaves. _... [ Continue Reading ]
MEN GROAN FROM OUT OF THE CITY. — Here a survey of the oppressions wrought within the city walls is taken. YET GOD LAYETH NOT FOLLY TO THEM. — That is, to those who are the cause of their wrongs, their oppressors.... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY ARE OF THOSE THAT REBEL AGAINST THE LIGHT. — A very remarkable expression, which seems to anticipate the teaching of St. John (Job 1:9, &c.).... [ Continue Reading ]
WITH THE LIGHT. — The mention of light as a moral essence suggests its physical analogue, so that by the contrast of the one with the violence done to the other, the moral turpitude of the wrong-doing is heightened. It seems impossible to interpret the light in the former case (Job 24:13) otherwise... [ Continue Reading ]
WHICH THEY HAD MARKED FOR THEMSELVES IN THE DAYTIME. — Or, as some understand, _they seal_ (_i.e_., shut) _themselves up in the daytime._ It is said that it is still the custom in Eastern cities for such persons to endeavour to obtain access to the harem in female attire. THEY KNOW NOT THE LIGHT. —... [ Continue Reading ]
HE IS SWIFT. — That is — each of these rebels against the light _is swift to make his escape over the face of the waters._ So we ought to read it, and not, with Authorised Version, as a comparison. THEIR PORTION IS CURSED IN THE EARTH. — That is, _men so regard it;_ it has an evil name, and is of b... [ Continue Reading ]
SO DOTH THE GRAVE THOSE WHICH HAVE SINNED. — Job had already spoken of the sudden death of the wicked as a blessing (Job 9:23; Job 21:13), as compared with the lingering torture he himself was called upon to undergo.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE WOMB SHALL FORGET HIM. — Some understand this verse as expressing what _ought_ rather to be the doom of the wicked. “His own mother _should_ forget him; the worm should feed sweetly on him; he should be no more remembered; and _then_ unrighteousness would be broken as a tree.”... [ Continue Reading ]
HE DRAWETH ALSO THE MIGHTY. — He now appears to revert to his former line, and describes another case — that, namely, of a great tyrant who draws others by his influence and example to the same courses. HE RISETH UP, AND NO MAN IS SURE OF HIS LIFE. — Being so completely under his sway.... [ Continue Reading ]
THOUGH IT BE GIVEN. — “Yea, he, that is each of them, giveth him tribute, &c., that he may be secure and stable.” YET HIS EYES — that is, the great tyrant’s eyes — ARE UPON THEIR WAYS. — They are exalted for a little while, but are soon gone, and are taken out of the way like all others. Some under... [ Continue Reading ]
AND IF IT BE NOT SO NOW. — Job also has his facts, as ready and as incontrovertible as those of his friends, and yet irreconcilable with theirs.... [ Continue Reading ]