Pompous prefaces, like the teeming mountain, often
introduce poor performances; but Elihu's discourse here does not
disappoint the expectations which his preface had raised. It is
substantial, and lively, and very much to the purpose. He had, in
the foregoing chapter, said what he had to say to Job's three
friends; and now he comes up close to Job himself and directs his
speech to him. I. He bespeaks Job's favourable acceptance of what
he should say, and desires he would take him for that person whom
he had so often wished for, that would plead with him, and receive
his plea on God's behalf,
1 Wherefore, Job, I pray thee, hear my speeches, and hearken to all my words. 2 Behold, now I have opened my mouth, my tongue hath spoken in my mouth. 3 My words shall be of the uprightness of my heart: and my lips shall utter knowledge clearly. 4 The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life. 5 If thou canst answer me, set thy words in order before me, stand up. 6 Behold, I am according to thy wish in God's stead: I also am formed out of the clay. 7 Behold, my terror shall not make thee afraid, neither shall my hand be heavy upon thee.
Several arguments Elihu here uses to
persuade Job not only to give him a patient hearing, but to believe
that he designed him a good office, and to take it kindly, and be
willing to receive the instructions he was now about to give him.
Let Job consider, 1. That Elihu does not join with his three
friends against him. He has, in the foregoing chapter, declared his
dislike of their proceedings, disclaimed their hypothesis, and
quite set aside the method they took of healing Job. "Wherefore,
Job, I pray thee, hear my speech,
8 Surely thou hast spoken in mine hearing, and I have heard the voice of thy words, saying, 9 I am clean without transgression, I am innocent; neither is there iniquity in me. 10 Behold, he findeth occasions against me, he counteth me for his enemy, 11 He putteth my feet in the stocks, he marketh all my paths. 12 Behold, in this thou art not just: I will answer thee, that God is greater than man. 13 Why dost thou strive against him? for he giveth not account of any of his matters.
In these verses,
I. Elihu particularly charges Job with some
indecent expressions that had dropped from him, reflecting upon the
justice and goodness of God in his dealings with him. He does not
ground the charge upon report, but was himself an ear-witness of
what he here reproves him for (
II. He endeavours to convince him that he
had spoken amiss in speaking thus, and that he ought to humble
himself before God for it, and by repentance to unsay it (
14 For God speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not. 15 In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumberings upon the bed; 16 Then he openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction, 17 That he may withdraw man from his purpose, and hide pride from man. 18 He keepeth back his soul from the pit, and his life from perishing by the sword.
Job had complained that God kept him wholly
in the dark concerning the meaning of his dealings with him, and
therefore concluded he dealt with him as his enemy. "No," says
Elihu, "he speaks to you, but you do not perceive him; so that the
fault is yours, not his; and he is designing your real good even in
those dispensations which you put this harsh construction upon."
Observe in general, 1. What a friend God is to our welfare: He
speaketh to us once, yea, twice,
In
I. The proper season and opportunity for
these admonitions (
II. The power and force with which those
admonitions come,
III. The end and design of these
admonitions that are sent. 1. To keep men from sin, and
particularly the sin of pride (
19 He is chastened also with pain upon his bed, and the multitude of his bones with strong pain: 20 So that his life abhorreth bread, and his soul dainty meat. 21 His flesh is consumed away, that it cannot be seen; and his bones that were not seen stick out. 22 Yea, his soul draweth near unto the grave, and his life to the destroyers. 23 If there be a messenger with him, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to show unto man his uprightness: 24 Then he is gracious unto him, and saith, Deliver him from going down to the pit: I have found a ransom. 25 His flesh shall be fresher than a child's: he shall return to the days of his youth: 26 He shall pray unto God, and he will be favourable unto him: and he shall see his face with joy: for he will render unto man his righteousness. 27 He looketh upon men, and if any say, I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, and it profited me not; 28 He will deliver his soul from going into the pit, and his life shall see the light.
God has spoken once to sinners by their own consciences, to keep them from the paths of the destroyer, but they perceive it not; they are not aware that the checks their own hearts give them in a sinful way are from God, but they are imputed to melancholy or the preciseness of their education; and therefore God speaks twice; he speaks a second time, and tries another way to convince and reclaim sinners, and that is by providences, afflictive and merciful (in which he speaks twice), and by the seasonable instructions of good ministers setting in with them. Job complained much of his diseases and judged by them that God was angry with him; his friends did so too: but Elihu shows that they were all mistaken, for God often afflicts the body in love, and with gracious designs of good to the soul, as appears in the issue. This part of Elihu's discourse will be of great use to us for the due improvement of sickness, in and by which God speaks to men. Here is,
I. The patient described in his extremity.
See what work sickness makes (
4. He is given up for gone, and his life
despaired of (
II. The provision made for his instruction,
in order to a sanctified use of his affliction, that, when God in
that way speaks to man, he may be heard and understood, and not
speak in vain,
III. God's gracious acceptance of him, upon
his repentance,
IV. The recovery of the sick man hereupon.
Take away the cause and the effect will cease. When the patient
becomes a penitent see what a blessed change follows. 1. His body
recovers its health,
V. The general rule which God will go by in
dealing with the children of men inferred from this instance,
29 Lo, all these things worketh God oftentimes with man, 30 To bring back his soul from the pit, to be enlightened with the light of the living. 31 Mark well, O Job, hearken unto me: hold thy peace, and I will speak. 32 If thou hast any thing to say, answer me: speak, for I desire to justify thee. 33 If not, hearken unto me: hold thy peace, and I shall teach thee wisdom.
We have here the conclusion of this first
part of Elihu's discourse, in which, 1. He briefly sums up what he
had said, showing that God's great and gracious design, in all the
dispensations of his providence towards the children of men, is to
save them from being for ever miserable and bring them to be for
ever happy,