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<center><h1>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary
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on the Whole Bible</h1>
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[<A HREF="MHC00000.HTM">Table of Contents</A>]<BR>
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Matthew Henry<BR><I>Commentary on the Whole Bible</I> (1710)
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<!-- (Begin Body) -->
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<CENTER>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+3><B>J O B</B></FONT>
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<BR>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+2>CHAP. XXIX.</FONT>
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<HR SIZE=1 WIDTH=50>
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</CENTER>
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<FONT SIZE=-1>
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<P>
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After that excellent discourse concerning wisdom in the foregoing
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chapter Job sat down and paused awhile, not because he had talked
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himself out of breath, but because he would not, without the leave of
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the company, engross the talk to himself, but would give room for his
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friends, if they pleased, to make their remarks on what he had said;
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but they had nothing to say, and therefore, after he had recollected
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himself a little, he went on with his discourse concerning his own
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affairs, as recorded in this and the two following chapters, in which,
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I. He describes the height of the prosperity from which he had fallen.
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And,
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II. The depth of the adversity into which he had fallen; and this he
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does to move the pity of his friends, and to justify, or at least
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excuse, his own complaints. But then,
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III. To obviate his friends' censures of him, he makes a very ample and
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particular protestation of his own integrity notwithstanding. In this
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chapter he looks back to the days of his prosperity, and shows,
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1. What comfort and satisfaction he had in his house and family,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+29:1-6">ver. 1-6</A>.
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2. What a great deal of honour and power he had in his country, and
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what respect was paid him by all sorts of people,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+29:7-10">ver. 7-10</A>.
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3. What abundance of good he did in his place, as a magistrate,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+29:11-17">ver. 11-17</A>.
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4. What a just prospect he had of the continuance of his comfort at
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home
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+29:18-20">ver. 18-20</A>)
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and of his interest abroad,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+29:21-25">ver. 21-25</A>.
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All this he enlarges upon, to aggravate his present calamities; like
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Naomi, "I went out full," but am brought "home again empty."</P>
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</FONT>
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<A NAME="Job29_1"> </A>
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<A NAME="Job29_2"> </A>
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<A NAME="Job29_3"> </A>
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<A NAME="Job29_4"> </A>
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<A NAME="Job29_5"> </A>
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<A NAME="Job29_6"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec1"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Former Prosperity of Job.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 1520.</TD></TR>
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<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>1 Moreover Job continued his parable, and said,
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2 Oh that I were as <I>in</I> months past, as <I>in</I> the days <I>when</I>
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God preserved me;
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3 When his candle shined upon my head, <I>and when</I> by his light
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I walked <I>through</I> darkness;
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4 As I was in the days of my youth, when the secret of God
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<I>was</I> upon my tabernacle;
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5 When the Almighty <I>was</I> yet with me, <I>when</I> my children
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<I>were</I> about me;
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6 When I washed my steps with butter, and the rock poured me
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out rivers of oil;
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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Losers may have leave to speak, and there is nothing they speak of more
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feelingly than of the comforts they are stripped of. Their former
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prosperity is one of the most pleasing subjects of their thoughts and
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talk. It was so to Job, who begins here with a wish
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+29:2"><I>v.</I> 2</A>):
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<I>O that I were as in months past!</I> so he brings in this account of
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his prosperity. His wish is,
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1. "O that I were in as good a state as I was in then, that I had as
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much wealth, honour, and pleasure, as I had then!" This he wishes, from
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a concern he had, not so much for his ease, as for his reputation and
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the glory of his God, which he thought were eclipsed by his present
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sufferings. "O that I might be restored to my prosperity, and then the
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censures and reproaches of my friends would be effectually silenced,
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even upon their own principles, and for ever rolled away!" If this be
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our end in desiring life, health, and prosperity, that God may be
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glorified, and the credit of our holy profession rescued, preserved,
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and advanced, the desire is not only natural, but spiritual.
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2. "O that I were in as good a frame of spirit as I was in then!" That
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which Job complained most of now was a load upon his spirits, through
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God's withdrawing from him; and therefore he wishes he now had his
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spirit as much enlarged and encouraged in the service of God as he had
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then and that he had as much freedom and fellowship with him as then
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thought himself happy in. This was <I>in the days of his youth</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+29:4"><I>v.</I> 4</A>),
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when he was in the prime of his time for the enjoyment of those things
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and could relish them with the highest gust. Note, Those that prosper
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in the days of their youth know not what black and cloudy days they are
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yet reserved for. Two things made the months past pleasant to
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Job:--</P>
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<P>
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I. That he had comfort in his God. This was the chief thing he rejoiced
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in, in his prosperity, as the spring of it and the sweetness of it,
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that he had the favour of God and the tokens of that favour. He did not
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attribute his prosperity to a happy turn of fortune, nor to his own
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might, nor to the power of his own hand, but makes the same
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acknowledgment that David does.
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+30:7">Ps. xxx. 7</A>,
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<I>Thou, by thy favour, hast made my mountain stand strong.</I> A
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gracious soul delights in God's smiles, not in the smiles of this
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world. Four things were then very pleasant to holy Job:--
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1. The confidence he had in the divine protection. They were <I>the
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days when God preserved me,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+29:2"><I>v.</I> 2</A>.
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Even then he saw himself exposed, and did not make <I>his wealth his
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strong city</I> nor <I>trust in the abundance of his riches,</I> but
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<I>the name of the Lord was his strong tower;</I> in that only he
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thought himself safe, and to that he ascribed it that he was then safe
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and that his comforts were preserved to him. The devil saw a hedge
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about him of God's making
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+1:10"><I>ch.</I> i. 10</A>),
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and Job saw it himself, and owned it was <I>God's visitation that
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preserved his spirit,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+10:12"><I>ch.</I> x. 12</A>.
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Those only whom God protects are safe and may be easy; and therefore
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those who have ever so much of this world must not think themselves
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safe unless God preserve them.
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2. The complacency he had in the divine favour
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+29:3"><I>v.</I> 3</A>):
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<I>God's candle shone upon his head,</I> that is, God lifted up the
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light of his countenance upon him, gave him the assurances and sweet
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relishes of his love. The best of the communications of the divine
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favour to the saints in this world is but the candle-light, compared
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with what is reserved for them in the future state. But such abundant
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satisfaction did Job take in the divine favour that, by the light of
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that, he walked through darkness; that guided him in his doubts,
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comforted him in his griefs, bore him up under his burdens, and helped
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him through all his difficulties. Those that have the brightest
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sun-shine of outward prosperity must yet expect some moments of
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darkness. They are sometimes crossed, sometimes at a loss, sometimes
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melancholy. But those that are interested in the favour of God, and
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know how to value it, can, by the light of that, walk cheerfully and
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comfortably through all the darkness of this vale of tears. That puts
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gladness into the heart enough to counterbalance all the grievances of
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this present time.
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3. The communion he had with the divine word
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+29:4"><I>v.</I> 4</A>):
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<I>The secret of God was upon my tabernacle,</I> that is, God conversed
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freely with him, as one bosom-friend with another. He knew God's mind,
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and was not in the dark about it, as, of late, he had been. <I>The
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secret of the Lord is</I> said to be <I>with those that fear him,</I>
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for <I>he shows them</I> that in <I>his covenant</I> which others see
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not,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+25:14">Ps. xxv. 14</A>.
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God communicates his favour and grace to his people, and receives the
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return of their devotion in a way secret to the world. Some read it,
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<I>When the society of God was in my tabernacle,</I> which Rabbi
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Solomon understands of an assembly of God's people that used to meet at
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Job's house for religious worship, in which he presided; this he took a
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great deal of pleasure in, and the scattering of it was a trouble to
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him. Or it may be understood of the angels of God pitching their tents
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about his habitation.
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4. The assurance he had of the divine presence
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+29:5"><I>v.</I> 5</A>):
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<I>The Almighty was yet with me.</I> Now he thought God had departed
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from him, but in those days he was <I>with him,</I> and that was all in
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all to him. God's presence with a man in his house, though it be but a
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cottage, makes it both a castle and a palace.</P>
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<P>
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II. That he had comfort in his family. Every thing was agreeable there:
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he had both mouths for his meat and meat for his mouths; the want of
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either is a great affliction.
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1. He had a numerous offspring to enjoy his estate: <I>My children were
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about me.</I> He had many children, enough to compass him round, and
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they were observant of him and obsequious to him; they were about him,
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to know what he would have and wherein they might serve him. It is a
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comfort to tender parents to see their children about them. Job speaks
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very feelingly of this comfort now that he was deprived of it. He
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thought it an instance of God's being with him that his children were
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about him; and yet reckon amiss if, when we have lost our children, we
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cannot comfort ourselves with this, that we have not lost our God.
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2. He had a plentiful estate for the support of this numerous family,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+29:6"><I>v.</I> 6</A>.
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His dairy abounded to such a degree that he might, if he pleased,
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<I>wash his steps with butter;</I> and his olive-yards were so
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fruitful, beyond expectation, that it seemed as if the <I>rock poured
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him out rivers of oil.</I> He reckons his wealth, not by his silver and
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gold, which were for hoarding, but by his butter and oil, which were
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for use; for what is an estate good for unless we take the good of it
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ourselves and do good with it to others?</P>
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<A NAME="Job29_7"> </A>
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<A NAME="Job29_8"> </A>
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<A NAME="Job29_9"> </A>
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<A NAME="Job29_10"> </A>
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<A NAME="Job29_11"> </A>
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<A NAME="Job29_12"> </A>
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<A NAME="Job29_13"> </A>
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<A NAME="Job29_14"> </A>
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<A NAME="Job29_15"> </A>
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<A NAME="Job29_16"> </A>
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<A NAME="Job29_17"> </A>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>7 When I went out to the gate through the city, <I>when</I> I
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prepared my seat in the street!
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8 The young men saw me, and hid themselves: and the aged arose,
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<I>and</I> stood up.
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9 The princes refrained talking, and laid <I>their</I> hand on their
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mouth.
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10 The nobles held their peace, and their tongue cleaved to the
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roof of their mouth.
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11 When the ear heard <I>me,</I> then it blessed me; and when the
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eye saw <I>me,</I> it gave witness to me:
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12 Because I delivered the poor that cried, and the fatherless,
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and <I>him that had</I> none to help him.
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13 The blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon me:
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and I caused the widow's heart to sing for joy.
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14 I put on righteousness, and it clothed me: my judgment <I>was</I>
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as a robe and a diadem.
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15 I was eyes to the blind, and feet <I>was</I> I to the lame.
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16 I <I>was</I> a father to the poor: and the cause <I>which</I> I knew
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not I searched out.
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17 And I brake the jaws of the wicked, and plucked the spoil
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out of his teeth.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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We have here Job in a post of honour and power. Though he had comfort
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enough in his own house, yet he did not confine himself to that. We are
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not born for ourselves, but for the public. When any business was to be
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done in the gate, the place of judgment, Job <I>went out to</I> it
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<I>through the city</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+29:7"><I>v.</I> 7</A>),
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not in an affectation of pomp, but in an affection to justice. Observe,
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Judgment was administered in the gate, in the street, in the places of
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concourse, to which every man might have a free access, that every one
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who would might be a witness to all that was said and done, and that
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when judgment was given against the guilty others might hear and fear.
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Job being a prince, a judge, a magistrate, a man in authority, among
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the children of the east, we are here told,</P>
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<P>
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I. What a profound respect was paid to him by all sorts of people, not
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only for the dignity of his place, but for his personal merit, his
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eminent prudence, integrity, and good management.
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1. The people honoured him and stood in awe of him,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+29:8"><I>v.</I> 8</A>.
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The gravity and majesty of his looks and mien, and his known strictness
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in animadverting upon every thing that was evil and indecent, commanded
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all about him into due decorum. <I>The young men,</I> who could not
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keep their countenances, or, it may be, were conscious to themselves of
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something amiss, <I>hid themselves,</I> and got out of his way; <I>and
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the aged,</I> though they kept their ground, yet would not keep their
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seats: they <I>arose and stood up</I> to do homage to him; those who
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expected honour from others gave honour to him. Virtue and piety
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challenge respect from all, and usually have it; but those that not
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only <I>are</I> good, but <I>do</I> good, are worthy of double honour.
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Modesty becomes those that are young and in subjection as much as
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majesty becomes those that are aged and in power. Honour and fear are
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due to magistrates, and must be rendered to them,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+13:7">Rom. xiii. 7</A>.
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But, if a great and good man was thus reverenced, how is the great and
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good God to be feared!
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2. The princes and nobles paid great deference to him,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+29:9,10"><I>v.</I> 9, 10</A>.
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Some think that these were inferior magistrates under him, and that the
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respect they paid him was due to his place, as their sovereign and
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supreme. It should rather seem that they were his equals in place, and
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joined in commission with him, and that the peculiar honour they gave
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him was gained by his extraordinary abilities and services. It was
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agreed that he excelled them all in quickness of apprehension,
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soundness of judgment, closeness of application, clearness and
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copiousness of expression; and therefore he was among his fellows an
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oracle of law, and counsel, and justice, and what he said all attended
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to and acquiesced in. When he came into court, especially when he stood
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up to speak to any business, <I>the princes refrained talking, the
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nobles held their peace,</I> that they might the more diligently
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hearken to what he said and might be sure to understand his meaning.
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Those that had been forward to speak their own thoughts, loved to hear
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themselves talk, and cared not much what any body else said, yet, when
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it came to Job's turn to speak, were as desirous to know his thoughts
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as ever they had been to vent their own. Those that suspected their own
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judgment were satisfied in his, and admired with what dexterity he
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split the hair and untied the knots which puzzled them and which they
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knew not what to make of. When the princes and nobles wrangled among
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themselves all agreed to refer the matters in dispute to Job and to
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abide by his judgment. Happy the men that are blessed with such eminent
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gifts as these; they have great opportunities of honouring God and
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doing good, but have great need to watch against pride. Happy the
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people that are blessed with such eminent men; it is a token for good
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to them.</P>
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<P>
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II. What a great deal of good he did in his place. He was very
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serviceable to his country with the power he had; and here we shall see
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what it was which Job valued himself by in the day of his prosperity.
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It is natural to men to have some value for themselves, and we may
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judge something of our own character by observing what that is upon
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which we value ourselves. Job valued himself, not by the honour of his
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family, the great estate he had, his large income, his full table, the
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many servants he had at his command, the ensigns of his dignity, his
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equipage and retinue, the splendid entertainments he gave, and the
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court that was made to him, but by his usefulness. Goodness is God's
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glory, and it will be ours; if we are merciful as God is, we are
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perfect as he is.</P>
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<P>
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1. He valued himself by the interest he had in the esteem, affections,
|
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and prayers, of sober people; not by the studied panegyrics of the wits
|
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and poets, but the unconstrained praises of all about him. All that
|
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heard what he said, and saw what he did, how he laid out himself for
|
|
the public good with all the authority and tender affection of a father
|
|
to his country, blessed him, and gave witness to him,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+29:11"><I>v.</I> 11</A>.
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Many a good word they said of him, and many a good prayer they put up
|
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for him. He did not think it an honour to make every body fear him
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(<I>Oderint dum metuant--Let them hate, provided they also fear</I>)
|
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nor to be arbitrary, and to have his own will and way, not caring what
|
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people said of him; but, like Mordecai, to be <I>accepted of the
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|
multitude of his brethren,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Es+10:3">Esth. x. 3</A>.
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He did not so much value the applauses of those at a distance as the
|
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attestations of those that were the witnesses of his conduct, that
|
|
constantly attended him, saw him, and heard him, and could speak of
|
|
their own knowledge, especially theirs who had themselves been the
|
|
better for him and could speak by their own experience: such was the
|
|
blessing of him who was ready to perish
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+29:13"><I>v.</I> 13</A>)
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and who by Job's means was rescued from perishing. Let great men, and
|
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men of estates, thus do good, and they shall have praise of the same;
|
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and let those who have good done to them look upon it as a just debt
|
|
they owe to their protectors and benefactors to bless them and give
|
|
witness to them, to use their interest on earth for their honour and in
|
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heaven for their comfort, to praise them and pray for them. Those are
|
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ungrateful indeed who grudge these small returns.</P>
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|
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<P>
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2. He valued himself by the care he took of those that were least able
|
|
to help themselves, the poor and the needy, the widows and fatherless,
|
|
the blind and the lame, who could not be supposed either to merit his
|
|
favour or ever to be in a capacity to recompense it.
|
|
|
|
(1.) If the poor were injured or oppressed, they might cry to Job, and,
|
|
if he found the allegations of their petitions true, they had not only
|
|
his ear and his bowels, but his hand too: He <I>delivered the poor that
|
|
cried</I>
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|
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|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+29:12"><I>v.</I> 12</A>)
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and would not suffer them to be trampled upon and run down. Nay
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+29:16"><I>v.</I> 16</A>),
|
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he was <I>a father to the poor,</I> not only a judge to protect them
|
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and to see that they were not wronged, but a father to provide for them
|
|
and to see that they did not want, to counsel and direct them, and to
|
|
appear and act for them upon all occasions. It is no disparagement to
|
|
the son of a prince to be a father to the poor.
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|
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(2.) The fatherless that had none to help them found Job ready to help
|
|
them, and, if they were in straits, to deliver them. He helped them to
|
|
make the best of what little they had, helped them to pay what they
|
|
owed and to get in what was owing to them, helped them out into the
|
|
world, helped them into business, helped them to it, and helped them in
|
|
it; thus should the fatherless be helped.
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|
|
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(3.) Those that were ready to perish he saved from perishing, relieving
|
|
those that were hungry and ready to perish for want, taking care of
|
|
those that were sick, that were outcasts, that were falsely accused, or
|
|
in danger of being turned out of their estates unjustly, or, upon any
|
|
other account, were ready to perish. The extremity of the peril, as it
|
|
quickened Job to appear the more vigorously for them, so it made his
|
|
seasonable kindness the more affecting and the more obliging, and
|
|
brought their blessings the more abundantly upon him.
|
|
|
|
(4.) The widows that were sighing for grief, and trembling for fear, he
|
|
made to sing for joy, so carefully did he protect them and provide for
|
|
them, and so heartily did he espouse their interest. It is a pleasure
|
|
to a good man, and should be so to a great man, to give those occasion
|
|
to rejoice that are most acquainted with grief.
|
|
|
|
(5.) Those that were upon any account at a loss Job gave suitable and
|
|
seasonable relief to
|
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|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+29:15"><I>v.</I> 15</A>):
|
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|
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<I>I was eyes to the blind,</I> counselling and advising those for the
|
|
best that knew not what to do, and <I>feet to the lame,</I> assisting
|
|
those with money and friends that knew what they should do, but knew
|
|
not how to compass it. Those we best help whom we help out in that
|
|
very thing wherein they are defective and most need help. We may come
|
|
to be blind or lame ourselves, and therefore should pity and succour
|
|
those that are so,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+35:3,4,Heb+12:13">Isa. xxxv. 3, 4; Heb. xii. 13</A>.</P>
|
|
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|
<P>
|
|
|
|
3. He valued himself by the conscience he made of justice and equity in
|
|
all his proceedings. His friends had unjustly censured him as an
|
|
oppressor. "So far from that," says he, "I always made it my business
|
|
to maintain and support right."
|
|
|
|
(1.) He devoted himself to the administration of justice
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+29:14"><I>v.</I> 14</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>I put on righteousness and it clothed me,</I> that is, he had an
|
|
habitual disposition to execute justice and put on a fixed resolution
|
|
to do it. It was <I>the girdle of his lions,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+11:5">Isa. xi. 5</A>.
|
|
|
|
It kept him tight and steady in all his motions. He always appeared in
|
|
it, as in his clothing, and never without it. Righteousness will clothe
|
|
those that put it on; it will keep them warm, and be comfortable to
|
|
them; it will keep them safe, and fence them against the injuries of
|
|
the season; it will adorn them, and recommend them to the favour both
|
|
of God and man.
|
|
|
|
(2.) He took pleasure in it, and, as I may say, a holy delight. He
|
|
looked upon it as his greatest glory to do justice to all and injury to
|
|
none: <I>My judgment was as a robe and a diadem.</I> Perhaps he did not
|
|
himself wear a robe and a diadem; he was very indifferent to those
|
|
ensigns of honour; those were most fond of them who had least intrinsic
|
|
worth to recommend them. But the settled principles of justice, by
|
|
which he was governed and did govern, were to him instead of all those
|
|
ornaments. If a magistrate do the duty of his place, that is an honour
|
|
to him far beyond his gold or purple, and should be, accordingly, his
|
|
delight; and truly if he do not make conscience of his duty, and in
|
|
some measure answer the end of his elevation, his robe and diadem, his
|
|
gown and cap, his sword and mace, are but a reproach, like the purple
|
|
robe and crown of thorns with which the Jews studied to ridicule our
|
|
Saviour; for, as clothes on a dead man will never make him warm, so
|
|
robes on a base man will never make him honourable.
|
|
|
|
(3.) He took pains in the business of his place
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+29:16"><I>v.</I> 16</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>The cause which I knew not I searched out.</I> He diligently
|
|
enquired into the matters of fact, patiently and impartially heard both
|
|
sides, set every thing in its true light, and cleared it from false
|
|
colours; he laid all circumstances together, that he might find out the
|
|
truth and the merits of every cause, and then, and not until then, gave
|
|
judgment upon it. He never answered a matter before he heard it, nor
|
|
did he judge a man to be righteous, however he seemed, for his being
|
|
<I>first in his own cause,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+18:17">Prov. xviii. 17</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
4. He valued himself by the check he gave to the violence of proud and
|
|
evil men
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+29:17"><I>v.</I> 17</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>I broke the jaws of the wicked.</I> He does not say that he broke
|
|
their necks. He did not take away their lives, but he broke their jaws,
|
|
he took away their power of doing mischief; he humbled them, mortified
|
|
them, and curbed their insolence, and so plucked the spoil out of their
|
|
teeth, delivered the persons and estates of honest men from being made
|
|
a prey of by them. When they had got the spoil between their teeth, and
|
|
were greedily swallowing it down, he bravely rescued it, as David did
|
|
the lamb out of the mouth of the lion, not fearing, though they roared
|
|
and raged like a lion disappointed of his prey. Good magistrates must
|
|
thus be a terror and restraint to evil-doers and a protection to the
|
|
innocent, and, in order to this, they have need to arm themselves with
|
|
zeal, and resolution, and an undaunted courage. A judge upon the bench
|
|
has as much need to be bold and brave as a commander in the field.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Job29_18"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Job29_19"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Job29_20"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Job29_21"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Job29_22"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Job29_23"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Job29_24"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Job29_25"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>18 Then I said, I shall die in my nest, and I shall multiply
|
|
<I>my</I> days as the sand.
|
|
19 My root <I>was</I> spread out by the waters, and the dew lay all
|
|
night upon my branch.
|
|
20 My glory <I>was</I> fresh in me, and my bow was renewed in my
|
|
hand.
|
|
21 Unto me <I>men</I> gave ear, and waited, and kept silence at my
|
|
counsel.
|
|
22 After my words they spake not again; and my speech dropped
|
|
upon them.
|
|
23 And they waited for me as for the rain; and they opened
|
|
their mouth wide <I>as</I> for the latter rain.
|
|
24 <I>If</I> I laughed on them, they believed <I>it</I> not; and the
|
|
light of my countenance they cast not down.
|
|
25 I chose out their way, and sat chief, and dwelt as a king in
|
|
the army, as one <I>that</I> comforteth the mourners.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
That which crowned Job's prosperity was the pleasing prospect he had of
|
|
the continuance of it. Though he knew, in general, that he was liable
|
|
to trouble, and therefore was not secure
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+3:26"><I>ch.</I> iii. 26</A>,
|
|
|
|
<I>I was not in safety, neither had I rest</I>), yet he had no
|
|
particular occasion for fear, but as much reason as ever any man had to
|
|
count upon the lengthening out of his tranquility.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
I. See here what his thoughts were in his prosperity
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+29:18"><I>v.</I> 18</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>Then I said, I shall die in my nest.</I> Having made himself a warm
|
|
and easy nest, he hoped nothing would disturb him in it, nor remove him
|
|
out of it, till death removed him. He knew he had never stolen any coal
|
|
from the altar which might fire his nest; he saw no storm arising to
|
|
shake down his nest; and therefore concluded, <I>To morrow shall be as
|
|
this day;</I> as David
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+30:6">Ps. xxx. 6</A>),
|
|
|
|
<I>My mountain stands strong, and shall not be moved.</I> Observe,
|
|
|
|
1. In the midst of his prosperity he thought of dying, and the thought
|
|
was not uneasy to him. He knew that, though his nest was high, it did
|
|
not set him out of the reach of the darts of death.
|
|
|
|
2. Yet he flattered himself with vain hopes,
|
|
|
|
(1.) That he should live long, should <I>multiply his days as the
|
|
sand.</I> He means as the sand on the sea-shore; whereas we should
|
|
rather reckon our days by the sand in the hourglass, which will have
|
|
run out in a little time. See how apt even good people are to think of
|
|
death as a thing at a distance, and to put far from them that evil day,
|
|
which will really be to them a good day.
|
|
|
|
(2.) That he should die in the same prosperous state in which he had
|
|
lived. If such an expectation as this arise from a lively faith in the
|
|
providence and promise of God, it is well, but if from a conceit of our
|
|
own wisdom, and the stability of these earthly things, it is
|
|
ill-grounded and turns into sin. We hope Job's confidence was like
|
|
David's
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+27:1">Ps. xxvii. 1</A>,
|
|
|
|
<I>Whom shall I fear?),</I> not like the rich fool's
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+12:19">Luke xii. 19</A>),
|
|
|
|
<I>Soul, take thy ease.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. See what was the ground of these thoughts.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. If he looked at home, he found he had a good foundation. His stock
|
|
was all his own, and none of all his neighbours had any demand upon
|
|
him. He found no bodily distemper growing upon him; his estate did not
|
|
lie under any incumbrance; nor was he sensible of any worm at the root
|
|
of it. He was getting forward in his affairs, and not going
|
|
behind-hand; he lost no reputation, but gained rather; he knew no rival
|
|
that threatened either to eclipse his honour or abridge his power. See
|
|
how he describes this,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+29:19,20"><I>v.</I> 19, 20</A>.
|
|
|
|
He was like a tree whose root is not only spread out, which fixes it
|
|
and keeps it firm, so that it is in no danger of being overturned, but
|
|
<I>spread out by the waters,</I> which feed it, and make it fruitful
|
|
and flourishing, so that it is in no danger of withering. And, as he
|
|
thought himself blessed with the fatness of the earth, so also with the
|
|
kind influences of heaven too; for the <I>dew lay all night upon his
|
|
branch.</I> Providence favoured him, and made all his enjoyments
|
|
comfortable and all his enterprises successful. Let none think to
|
|
support their prosperity with what they draw from this earth without
|
|
that blessing which is derived from above. God's favour being
|
|
continued to Job, in the virtue of that his glory was still fresh in
|
|
him. Those about him had still something new to say in his praise, and
|
|
needed not to repeat the old stories: and it is only by constant
|
|
goodness that men's glory is thus preserved fresh and kept from
|
|
withering and growing stale. His <I>bow</I> also <I>was renewed in his
|
|
hand,</I> that is, his power to protect himself and annoy those that
|
|
assailed him still increased, so that he thought he had as little
|
|
reason as any man to fear the insults of the Sabeans and Chaldeans.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. If he looked abroad, he found he had a good interest and well
|
|
confirmed. As he had no reason to dread the power of his enemies, so
|
|
neither had he any reason to distrust the fidelity of his friends. To
|
|
the last moment of his prosperity they continued their respect to him
|
|
and their dependence on him. What had he to fear who so gave counsel as
|
|
in effect to give law to all his neighbours? Nothing surely could be
|
|
done against him when really nothing was done without him.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(1.) He was the oracle of his country. He was consulted as an oracle,
|
|
and his dictates were acquiesced in as oracles,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+29:21"><I>v.</I> 21</A>.
|
|
|
|
When others could not be heard all men <I>gave ear</I> to him, <I>and
|
|
kept silence at his counsel,</I> knowing that, as nothing could be said
|
|
against it, so nothing needed to be added to it. And therefore,
|
|
<I>after his words, they spoke not again,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+29:22"><I>v.</I> 22</A>.
|
|
|
|
Why should men meddle with a subject that has already been
|
|
exhausted?</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(2.) He was the darling of his country. All about him were well pleased
|
|
with every thing he said and did, as David's people were with him,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+3:36">2 Sam. iii. 36</A>.
|
|
|
|
He had the hearts and affections of all his neighbours, all his
|
|
servants, tenants, subjects; never was man so much admired nor so well
|
|
beloved.
|
|
|
|
[1.] Those were thought happy to whom he spoke, and they thought
|
|
themselves so. Never were the dews of heaven so acceptable to the
|
|
parched ground as his wise discourses were to those that attended on
|
|
them, especially to those to whom they were particularly accommodated
|
|
and directed. His speech dropped upon them, and they waited for its as
|
|
for the rain
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+29:22,23"><I>v.</I> 22, 23</A>),
|
|
|
|
wondering at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth,
|
|
catching at them, laying hold on them, and treasuring them up as
|
|
apophthegms. His servants that stood continually before him to hear his
|
|
wisdom would not have envied Solomon's. Those are wise, or are likely
|
|
to be so, that know how to value wise discourse, that wish for it, and
|
|
wait for it, and drink it in as the earth does <I>the rain that comes
|
|
often upon it,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+6:7">Heb. vi. 7</A>.
|
|
|
|
And those who have such an interest as Job had in the esteem of others
|
|
whose <I>ipse dixit--bare assertion</I> goes so far, as they have a
|
|
great opportunity of doing good, so they must take great care lest they
|
|
do hurt, for a bad word out of their mouths is very infectious.
|
|
|
|
[2.] Much more happy were those thought on whom he smiled, and they
|
|
thought themselves so,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+29:24"><I>v.</I> 24</A>.
|
|
|
|
"<I>If I laughed on them,</I> designing thereby to show myself pleased
|
|
in them, or pleasant with them, it was such a favour that <I>they
|
|
believed it not</I> for joy," or because it was so rare a thing to see
|
|
this grave man smile. <I>Many seek the ruler's favour.</I> Job was a
|
|
ruler whose favour was courted and valued at a high rate. He to whom a
|
|
great prince gave a kiss was envied by another to whom he only gave a
|
|
golden cup. Familiarity often breeds contempt; but if Job at any time
|
|
saw fit, for his own diversion, to make himself free with those about
|
|
him, yet it did not in the least diminish the veneration they had for
|
|
him: <I>The light of his countenance they cast not down.</I> So wisely
|
|
did he dispense his favours as not to make them cheap, and so wisely
|
|
did they receive them as not to make themselves unworthy of them
|
|
another time.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
(3.) He was the sovereign of his country,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+29:25"><I>v.</I> 25</A>.
|
|
|
|
He <I>chose out their way,</I> sat at the helm, and steered for them,
|
|
all referring themselves to his conduct and submitting themselves to
|
|
his command. To this perhaps, in many countries, monarchy owed its
|
|
rise: such a man as Job, that so far excelled all his neighbours in
|
|
wisdom and integrity, could not but sit chief, and the fool will, of
|
|
course, be servant to the wise in heart: and, if the wisdom did but for
|
|
a while run in the blood, the honour and power would certainly attend
|
|
it and so by degrees become hereditary. Two things recommended Job to
|
|
the sovereignty:--
|
|
|
|
[1.] That he had the authority of a commander or general. He <I>dwelt
|
|
as a king in the army,</I> giving orders which were not to be disputed.
|
|
Every one that has the spirit of wisdom has not the spirit of
|
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government, but Job had both, and, when there was occasion, could
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assume state, as the king in the army does, and say, "Go," "Come," and
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"Do this,"
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+8:9">Matt. viii. 9</A>.
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[2.] That yet he had the tenderness of a comforter. He was as ready to
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succour those in distress as if it had been his office to comfort the
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mourners. Eliphaz himself owned he had been very good in that respect
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+4:3"><I>ch.</I> iv. 3</A>):
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<I>Thou hast strengthened the weak hands.</I> And this he now reflected
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upon with pleasure, when he was himself a mourner. But we find it
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easier to comfort others with the comforts wherewith we ourselves have
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been formerly comforted than to comfort ourselves with those comforts
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wherewith we have formerly comforted others.</P>
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<P>
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I know not but we may look upon Job as a type and figure of Christ in
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his power and prosperity. Our Lord Jesus is such a King as Job was, the
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poor man's King, who loves righteousness and hates iniquity, and upon
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whom the blessing of a world ready to perish comes; see
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+72:2-17">Ps. lxxii. 2</A>,
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&c.
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To him therefore let us give ear, and let him sit chief in our
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hearts.</P>
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