XXIX. (1) JOB CONTINUED HIS PARABLE. — In this chapter he recounts wistfully his past happiness. In his case it was indeed not without cause, though in point of fact he was _then_ passing through a time of trial which was itself bringing fast on his time of deliverance, and which was to make his na... [ Continue Reading ]
PRESERVED. — Or, _watched over me._ When does God not watch over us, if we only knew it?... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN HIS CANDLE SHINED. — See Isaiah 1:10.... [ Continue Reading ]
IN THE DAYS OF MY YOUTH. — Literally, my _autumn: i.e.,_ in the ripeness, maturity of my days. He was then in the depth of winter. (Comp. the words “in which it seemed always afternoon.”) Some suppose, however, that as with the ancient and modern Jews the year began with the autumn, it is used much... [ Continue Reading ]
TO THE GATE. — There business was transacted. (Comp. the expression, which is still used with reference to the Turkish Empire, of “the Sublime Porte,” or the supreme Place of government; Psalms 127:5; Jer. 35:20, &c.)... [ Continue Reading ]
THE PRINCES RETRAINED TALKING. — Comp. Isaiah 52:15.... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN THE EAR HEARD ME, THEN IT BLESSED ME. — This is a direct negative to the charges of Eliphaz in Job 22:6, &c. He has felt them too deeply to pass them by in total silence.... [ Continue Reading ]
I PUT ON RIGHTEOUSNESS. — Comp. Isaiah 61:10; Isaiah 28:5; Isaiah 62:3; 2 Timothy 4:8; James 1:12; 1 Peter 5:4; 1 Thessalonians 2:19. His judgment, the result of his personal righteousness, was as a robe of honour and a crown of glory to him. IT CLOTHED ME. — Literally, _it clothed itself with me._... [ Continue Reading ]
I SHALL DIE IN MY NEST. — Very touching is this spontaneous expression of his almost unconscious hope when in prosperity. Some have suggested the transposition of these three verses to the end of the chapter. Though this is obviously their natural position in one sense, yet in another it is less nat... [ Continue Reading ]
MY ROOT WAS SPREAD. — It is perhaps better to read this and the next verse in the present: “My root is spread out ... and the dew lieth. My glory is fresh in me, and my bow is renewed.” (Comp. Genesis 49:24.)... [ Continue Reading ]
IF I LAUGHED ON THEM. — That is, “They would not believe that I could be so affable to them, could so condescend to them — they looked up to me with the greatest deference.”... [ Continue Reading ]
I SAT. — It is still the custom among the Jews for mourners to sit upon the ground and for one who wishes to console them to occupy a seat above them. Such is Job’s pathetic lamentation over the days that were gone. He appears before us as a conspicuous example of one who had worn the poet’s crown o... [ Continue Reading ]