There was a man in the land of (a) Uz, whose name [was] Job; and that
man was perfect and (b) upright, and (c) one that feared God, and
eschewed evil.
The Argument - In this history the example of patience is set before
our eyes. This holy man Job was not only extremely afflicted in
outward things a... [ Continue Reading ]
His (d) substance also was seven thousand sheep, and three thousand
camels, and five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred she asses, and
a very great household; so that this man was the greatest of all the
men of (e) the east.
(d) His children and riches are declared, to commend his virtue in his... [ Continue Reading ]
And it was so, when the days of [their] feasting were gone about, that
Job sent and (f) sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning,
and (g) offered burnt offerings [according] to the number of them all:
for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and (h) cursed God
in their hearts. Thus... [ Continue Reading ]
Now there was a day when the (k) sons of God came to present
themselves (l) before the LORD, and Satan (m) came also among them.
(k) Meaning the angels, who are called the sons of God because they
are willing to execute his will.
(l) Because our infirmity cannot comprehend God in his majesty, he i... [ Continue Reading ]
And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence (n) comest thou? Then Satan
answered the LORD, and said, (o) From going to and fro in the earth,
and from walking up and down in it.
(n) This question is asked for our infirmity: for God knew where he
had come from.
(o) In this is described the nature of Satan,... [ Continue Reading ]
Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for (p)
nought?
(p) He fears you not for your own sake, but for the blessing that he
received from you.... [ Continue Reading ]
Hast not thou made (q) an hedge about him, and about his house, and
about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of
his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.
(q) Meaning, the grace of God, which served Job as a rampart against
all temptations.... [ Continue Reading ]
But put forth thine hand now, and (r) touch all that he hath, and he
will curse thee to (s) thy face.
(r) This signifies that Satan is not able to touch us, but it is God
that must do it.
(s) Satan notes the vice to which men are commonly subjected, that is,
to hide their rebellion and to be conte... [ Continue Reading ]
And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath [is] in (t) thy
power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth
from the (u) presence of the LORD.
(t) God does not give Satan power over man to gratify him, but to
declare that he has no power over man, but that which Go... [ Continue Reading ]
And the (x) Sabeans fell [upon them], and took them away; yea, they
have slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am
escaped alone to tell thee.
(x) That is, the Arabians.... [ Continue Reading ]
While he [was] yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The
(y) fire of God is fallen from heaven, and hath burned up the sheep,
and the servants, and consumed them; and I only am escaped alone to
tell thee.
(y) Which was also done by the craft of Satan, to tempt Job even more
grievously, s... [ Continue Reading ]
While he [was] yet speaking, there came also another, and said, Thy
(z) sons and thy daughters [were] eating and drinking wine in their
eldest brother's house:
(z) This last plague declares that when one plague is past which seems
hard to bear, God can send us another far more grievous, to try his... [ Continue Reading ]
Then Job arose, and (a) rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell
down upon the ground, and worshipped,
(a) Which came not from impatience, but declares that the children of
God are not insensible like blocks, but that in their patience they
feel affliction and grief of mind: yet they do not r... [ Continue Reading ]
And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I
return (b) thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; (c)
blessed be the name of the LORD.
(b) That is, into the belly of the earth, which is the mother of all.
(c) By this he confesses that God is just and good, although... [ Continue Reading ]
In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God (d) foolishly.
(d) But declared that God did all things according to justice and
equity.... [ Continue Reading ]