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<center><h1>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary
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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. XXXIV.</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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Elihu, it is likely, paused awhile, to see if Job had any thing to say
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against his discourse in the foregoing chapter; but he sitting silent,
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and it is likely intimating his desire that he would go on, he here
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proceeds. And,
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I. He bespeaks not only the audience, but the assistance of the company,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+33:2-4">ver. 2-4</A>.
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II. He charges Job with some more indecent expressions that had dropped
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from him,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+33:5-9">ver. 5-9</A>.
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III. He undertakes to convince him that he had spoken amiss, by showing
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very fully,
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1. God's incontestable justice,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+33:10-12,17,19,23">ver. 10-12, 17, 19, 23</A>.
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2. His sovereign dominion,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+33:13-15">ver. 13-15</A>.
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3. His almighty power,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+33:20,24">ver. 20, 24</A>.
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4. His omniscience,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+33:21,22,25">ver. 21, 22, 25</A>.
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5. His severity against sinners,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+33:26-28">ver. 26-28</A>.
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6. His overruling providence,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+33:29,30">ver. 29, 30</A>.
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IV. He teaches him what he should say,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+33:31,32">ver. 31, 32</A>.
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And then, lastly, he leaves the matter to Job's own conscience, and
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concludes with a sharp reproof of him for his peevishness and
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discontent,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+33:33-37">ver. 33-37</A>.
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All this Job not only bore patiently, but took kindly, because he saw
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that Elihu meant well; and, whereas his other friends had accused him
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of that from which his own conscience acquitted him, Elihu charged him
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with that only for which, it is probable, his own heart, now upon the
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reflection, began to smite him.</P>
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</FONT>
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<A NAME="Job34_1"> </A>
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<A NAME="Job34_2"> </A>
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<A NAME="Job34_3"> </A>
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<A NAME="Job34_4"> </A>
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<A NAME="Job34_5"> </A>
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<A NAME="Job34_6"> </A>
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<A NAME="Job34_7"> </A>
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<A NAME="Job34_8"> </A>
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<A NAME="Job34_9"> </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>The Address of Elihu.</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 Furthermore Elihu answered and said,
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2 Hear my words, O ye wise <I>men;</I> and give ear unto me, ye that
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have knowledge.
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3 For the ear trieth words, as the mouth tasteth meat.
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4 Let us choose to us judgment: let us know among ourselves
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what <I>is</I> good.
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5 For Job hath said, I am righteous: and God hath taken away my
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judgment.
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6 Should I lie against my right? my wound <I>is</I> incurable
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without transgression.
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7 What man <I>is</I> like Job, <I>who</I> drinketh up scorning like
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water?
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8 Which goeth in company with the workers of iniquity, and
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walketh with wicked men.
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9 For he hath said, It profiteth a man nothing that he should
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delight himself with God.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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Here,
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I. Elihu humbly addresses himself to the auditors, and endeavours, like
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an orator, to gain their good-will and their favourable attention.
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1. He calls them <I>wise men,</I> and men that <I>had knowledge,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+34:2"><I>v.</I> 2</A>.
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It is comfortable dealing with such as understand sense. <I>I speak as
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to wise men,</I> who can <I>judge what I say,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+10:15">1 Cor. x. 15</A>.
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Elihu differed in opinion from them, and yet he calls them wise and
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knowing men. Peevish disputants think all fools that are not of their
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mind; but it is a piece of justice which we owe to those who are wise
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to acknowledge it, though our sentiments do not agree with theirs.
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2. He appeals to their judgment, and therefore submits to their trial,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+34:3"><I>v.</I> 3</A>.
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<I>The ear</I> of the judicious <I>tries words,</I> whether what is
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said be true or false, right or wrong, and he that speaks must stand
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the test of the intelligent. As we must prove all things we hear, so we
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must be willing that what we speak should be proved.
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3. He takes them into partnership with him in the examination and
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discussion of this matter,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+34:4"><I>v.</I> 4</A>.
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He does not pretend to be sole dictator, nor undertake to say what is
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just and good and what is not, but he is willing to join with them in
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searching it out, and desires a consultation: "Let us agree to lay
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aside all animosities and feuds, all prejudices and affectation of
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contradiction, and all stiffness in adhering to the opinion we have
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once espoused, and <I>let us choose to ourselves judgment;</I> let us
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fix right principles on which to proceed, and then take right methods
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for finding out truth; and <I>let us know among ourselves,</I> by
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comparing notes and communicating our reasons, <I>what is good</I> and
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what is otherwise." Note, We are then likely to discern what is right
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when we agree to assist one another in searching it out.</P>
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<P>
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II. He warmly accuses Job for some passionate words which he had
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spoken, that reflected on the divine government, appealing to the house
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whether he ought not to be called to the bar and checked for them.</P>
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<P>
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1. He recites the words which Job had spoken, as nearly as he can
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remember.
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(1.) He had insisted upon his own innocency. Job hath said, <I>I am
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righteous</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+34:5"><I>v.</I> 5</A>),
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and, when urged to confess his guilt, had stiffly maintained his plea
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of, <I>Not guilty: Should I lie against my right?</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+34:6"><I>v.</I> 6</A>.
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Job had spoken to this purport, <I>My righteousness I hold fast,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+27:6"><I>ch.</I> xxvii. 6</A>.
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(2.) He had charged God with injustice in his dealings with him, that
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he had wronged him in afflicting him and had not righted him:
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<I>God has taken away my judgment;</I> so Job had said,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+27:2"><I>ch.</I> xxvii. 2</A>.
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(3.) He had despaired of relief and concluded that God could not, or
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would not, help him: <I>My wound is incurable,</I> and likely to be
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mortal, and yet <I>without transgression; not for any injustice in my
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hand,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+16:16,17"><I>ch.</I> xvi. 16, 17</A>.
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(4.) He had, in effect, said that there is nothing to be got in the
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service of God and that no man will be the better at last for his
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+34:9"><I>v.</I> 9</A>):
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<I>He hath said</I> that which gives occasion to suspect that he thinks
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<I>it profiteth a man nothing that he should delight himself with
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God.</I> It is granted that there is a present pleasure in religion;
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for what is it but to delight ourselves with God, in communion with
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him, in concurrence with him, in walking with him as Enoch did? this is
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a true notion of religion, and bespeaks its ways to be pleasantness.
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Yet the advantage of it is denied, as if it were <I>vain to serve
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God,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mal+3:14">Mal. iii. 14</A>.
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This Elihu gathers as Job's opinion, by an innuendo from what he said
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+9:22"><I>ch.</I> ix. 22</A>),
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<I>He destroys the perfect and the wicked,</I> which has a truth in it
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(for all things come alike to all), but it was ill expressed, and gave
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too much occasion for this imputation, and therefore Job sat down
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silently under it and attempted not his own vindication, whence Mr.
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Caryl well observes that good men sometimes speak worse than they mean,
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and that a good man will rather bear more blame than he deserves than
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to stand to excuse himself when he has deserved any blame.</P>
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<P>
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2. He charges Job very high upon it. In general, <I>What man is like
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Job?</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+34:7"><I>v.</I> 7</A>.
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"Did you ever know such a man as Job, or ever hear a man talk at such
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an extravagant rate?" He represents him,
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(1.) As sitting in the seat of the scornful: "He <I>drinketh up
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scorning like water,</I>" that is, "he takes a great deal of liberty to
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reproach both God and his friends, takes a pleasure in so doing, and is
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very liberal in his reflections." Or, "He is very greedy in receiving
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and hearkening to the scorns and contempts which others cast upon their
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brethren, is well pleased with them and extols them." Or, as some
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explain it, "By these foolish expressions of his he makes himself the
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object of scorn, lays himself very open to reproach, and gives occasion
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to others to laugh at him; while his religion suffers by them, and the
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reputation of that is wounded through his side." We have need to pray
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that God will never leave us to ourselves to say or do any thing which
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may <I>make us a reproach to the foolish,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+39:8">Ps. xxxix. 8</A>.
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(2.) As walking in the course of the ungodly, and standing in the way
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of sinners: He <I>goes in company with the workers of iniquity</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+34:8"><I>v.</I> 8</A>),
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not that in his conversation he did associate with them, but in his
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opinion he did favour and countenance them, and strengthen their hands.
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If (as it follows,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+34:9"><I>v.</I> 9</A>,
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for the proof of this) <I>it profits a man nothing to delight himself
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in God,</I> why should he not lay the reins on the neck of his lusts
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and herd with the workers of iniquity? He that says, I have <I>cleansed
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my hands in vain,</I> does not only <I>offend against the generation of
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God's children</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+72:13,14">Ps. lxxii. 13, 14</A>),
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but gratifies his enemies, and says as they say.</P>
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<A NAME="Job34_10"> </A>
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<A NAME="Job34_11"> </A>
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<A NAME="Job34_12"> </A>
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<A NAME="Job34_13"> </A>
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<A NAME="Job34_14"> </A>
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<A NAME="Job34_15"> </A>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>10 Therefore hearken unto me, ye men of understanding: far be
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it from God, <I>that he should do</I> wickedness; and <I>from</I> the
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Almighty, <I>that he should commit</I> iniquity.
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11 For the work of a man shall he render unto him, and cause
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every man to find according to <I>his</I> ways.
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12 Yea, surely God will not do wickedly, neither will the
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Almighty pervert judgment.
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13 Who hath given him a charge over the earth? or who hath
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disposed the whole world?
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14 If he set his heart upon man, <I>if</I> he gather unto himself
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his spirit and his breath;
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15 All flesh shall perish together, and man shall turn again
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unto dust.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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The scope of Elihu's discourse to reconcile Job to his afflictions and
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to pacify his spirit under them. In order to this he had shown, in the
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foregoing chapter, that God meant him no hurt in afflicting him, but
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intended it for his spiritual benefit. In this chapter he shows that
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he did him no wrong in afflicting him, nor punished him more than he
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deserved. If the former could not prevail to satisfy him, yet this
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ought to silence him. In these verses he directs his discourse to all
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the company: "<I>Hearken to me, you men of understanding</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+34:10"><I>v.</I> 10</A>),
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and show yourselves to be intelligent by assenting to this which I
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say." And this is that which he says, That the righteous God never did,
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nor ever will do, any wrong to any of his creatures, but his ways are
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equal, ours are unequal. The truth here maintained respects the justice
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of equity of all God's proceedings. Now observe in these verses,</P>
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<P>
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I. How plainly this truth is laid down, both negatively and positively.
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1. He does wrong to none: <I>God cannot do wickedness,</I> nor <I>the
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Almighty commit iniquity,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+34:10"><I>v.</I> 10</A>.
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It is inconsistent with the perfection of his nature, and so it is also
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with the purity of his will
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+34:12"><I>v.</I> 12</A>):
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<I>God will not do wickedly, neither will the Almighty pervert
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judgment.</I> He neither can nor will do a wrong thing, nor deal hardly
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with any man. He will never inflict the evil of punishment but where he
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finds the evil of sin, nor in any undue proportion, for that would be
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to commit iniquity and do wickedly. If appeals be made to him, or he be
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to give a definitive sentence, he will have an eye to the merits of the
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cause and not respect the person, for that were to pervert judgment. He
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will never either do any man wrong or deny any man right, but <I>the
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heavens will shortly declare his righteousness.</I> Because he is God,
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and therefore is infinitely perfect and holy, he can neither do wrong
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himself nor countenance it in others, nay more than he can die, or lie,
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or deny himself. Though he be Almighty, yet he never uses his power, as
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mighty men often do, for the support of injustice. He is
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<I>Shaddai</I>--God <I>all-sufficient,</I> and therefore he cannot be
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<I>tempted with evil</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jam+1:13">James i. 13</A>),
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to do an unrighteous thing.
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2. He ministers justice to all
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+34:11"><I>v.</I> 11</A>):
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<I>The work of a man shall he render unto him.</I> Good works shall be
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rewarded and evil works either punished or satisfied for; so that
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sooner or later, in this world or in that to come, he will cause every
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man to find according to his ways. This is the standing rule of
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distributive justice, to give to every man according to his work.
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<I>Say to the righteous, it shall be well with them; woe to the wicked,
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it shall be ill with them.</I> If services persevered in now go
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unrewarded, and sins persisted in now go unpunished, yet there is a day
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coming when God will fully render to every man according to his works,
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with interest for the delay.</P>
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<P>
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II. How warmly it is asserted,
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1. With an assurance of the truth of it: <I>Yea, surely,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+34:12"><I>v.</I> 12</A>.
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It is a truth which none can deny or call in question; it is what we
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may take for granted and are all agreed in, That God will not do
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wickedly.
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2. With an abhorrence of the very thought of the contrary
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+34:10"><I>v.</I> 10</A>):
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<I>Far be it from God that he should do wickedness,</I> and from us
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that we should entertain the least suspicion of it or say any thing
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that looks like charging him with it.</P>
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<P>
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|
|
III. How evidently it is proved by two arguments:</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. His independent absolute sovereignty and dominion
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+34:13"><I>v.</I> 13</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>Who has given him a charge over the earth</I> and deputed him to
|
|
manage the affairs of men upon the earth? Or, Who besides has disposed
|
|
the whole world of mankind? He has the sole administration of the
|
|
kingdoms of men, and has it of himself, nor is he entrusted with it by
|
|
or for any other.
|
|
|
|
(1.) It is certain that the government is his, and he does according to
|
|
his will in all the hosts both of heaven and earth; and therefore he is
|
|
not to be charged with injustice; for <I>shall not the Judge of all the
|
|
earth do right?</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+18:25">Gen. xviii. 25</A>.
|
|
|
|
How shall God either rule or judge the world if there be, or could be,
|
|
any <I>unrighteousness with him?</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+3:5,6">Rom. iii. 5, 6</A>.
|
|
|
|
He that is entitled to such unlimited power most certainly have in
|
|
himself unspotted purity. This is also a good reason why we should
|
|
acquiesce in all God's dealings with us. Shall not he that disposes of
|
|
the whole world dispose of us and our concerns?
|
|
|
|
(2.) It is as certain that he does not derive his power from any, nor
|
|
is it a dispensation that is committed to him, but his power is
|
|
original, and, like his being, of himself; and therefore, if he were
|
|
not perfectly just, all the world and the affairs of it would soon be
|
|
in the utmost confusion. The highest powers on earth have a God above
|
|
them, to whom they are accountable, because it is not far from them to
|
|
do iniquity. But <I>therefore</I> God has none above him, because it is
|
|
not possible that he should do any thing (such is the perfection of his
|
|
nature) that should need to be controlled. And, if he be an absolute
|
|
sovereign, we are bound to submit to him, for there is no higher power
|
|
to which we may appeal, so that the virtue is a necessity.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. His irresistible power
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+34:14"><I>v.</I> 14</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>If he set his heart upon man,</I> to contend with him, much more
|
|
<I>if</I> (as some read it) <I>he set his heart against man,</I> to
|
|
ruin him, if he should deal with man either by <I>summa potestas--mere
|
|
sovereignty,</I> or by <I>summum jus--strict justice,</I> there were no
|
|
standing before him; man's spirit and breath would soon be gone and
|
|
<I>all flesh would perish together,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+34:15"><I>v.</I> 15</A>.
|
|
|
|
Many men's honesty is owing purely to their impotency; they do not do
|
|
wrong because they cannot support it when it is done, or it is not in
|
|
their power to do it. But God is able to crush any man easily and
|
|
suddenly, and yet does not by arbitrary power crush any man, which
|
|
therefore must be attributed to the infinite perfection of his nature,
|
|
and that is immutable. See here,
|
|
|
|
(1.) What God can do with us. He can soon bring us to dust; there needs
|
|
not any positive act of his omnipotence to do it; if he do but withdraw
|
|
that concurrence of his providence by which we live, <I>if he gather
|
|
unto himself that spirit and breath</I> which was from his hand at
|
|
first and is still in his hand, we expire immediately, like an animal
|
|
in an air-pump when the air is exhausted.
|
|
|
|
(2.) What he may do with us without doing us wrong. He may recall the
|
|
being he gave, of which we are but tenants at will, and which also we
|
|
have forfeited; and therefore, as long as that is continued of his mere
|
|
favour, we have no reason to cry out of wrong, whatever other comforts
|
|
are removed.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Job34_16"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Job34_17"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Job34_18"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Job34_19"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Job34_20"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Job34_21"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Job34_22"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Job34_23"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Job34_24"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Job34_25"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Job34_26"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Job34_27"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Job34_28"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Job34_29"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Job34_30"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>16 If now <I>thou hast</I> understanding, hear this: hearken to the
|
|
voice of my words.
|
|
17 Shall even he that hateth right govern? and wilt thou
|
|
condemn him that is most just?
|
|
18 <I>Is it fit</I> to say to a king, <I>Thou art</I> wicked? <I>and</I> to
|
|
princes, <I>Ye are</I> ungodly?
|
|
19 <I>How much less to him</I> that accepteth not the persons of
|
|
princes, nor regardeth the rich more than the poor? for they all
|
|
<I>are</I> the work of his hands.
|
|
20 In a moment shall they die, and the people shall be troubled
|
|
at midnight, and pass away: and the mighty shall be taken away
|
|
without hand.
|
|
21 For his eyes <I>are</I> upon the ways of man, and he seeth all
|
|
his goings.
|
|
22 <I>There is</I> no darkness, nor shadow of death, where the
|
|
workers of iniquity may hide themselves.
|
|
23 For he will not lay upon man more <I>than right;</I> that he
|
|
should enter into judgment with God.
|
|
24 He shall break in pieces mighty men without number, and set
|
|
others in their stead.
|
|
25 Therefore he knoweth their works, and he overturneth <I>them</I>
|
|
in the night, so that they are destroyed.
|
|
26 He striketh them as wicked men in the open sight of others;
|
|
27 Because they turned back from him, and would not consider
|
|
any of his ways:
|
|
28 So that they cause the cry of the poor to come unto him, and
|
|
he heareth the cry of the afflicted.
|
|
29 When he giveth quietness, who then can make trouble? and
|
|
when he hideth <I>his</I> face, who then can behold him? whether <I>it
|
|
be done</I> against a nation, or against a man only:
|
|
30 That the hypocrite reign not, lest the people be ensnared.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
Elihu here addresses himself more directly to Job. He had spoken to the
|
|
rest
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+34:10"><I>v.</I> 10</A>)
|
|
|
|
as <I>men of understanding;</I> now, speaking to Job; he puts an
|
|
<I>if</I> upon his understanding: <I>If thou hast understanding,</I>
|
|
hear this and observe it,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+34:16"><I>v.</I> 16</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
I. Hear this, That God is not to be quarrelled with for any thing that
|
|
he does. It is daring presumption to arraign and condemn God's
|
|
proceedings, as Job had done by his discontents. It was,
|
|
|
|
1. As absurd as it would be to advance one to power that is a professed
|
|
enemy to justice: <I>Shall even he that hates right govern?</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+34:17"><I>v.</I> 17</A>.
|
|
|
|
The righteous Lord so loves righteousness that, in comparison with him,
|
|
even Job himself, though a perfect and upright man, might be said to
|
|
hate right; and shall he govern? Shall he pretend to direct God or
|
|
correct what he does? Shall such unrighteous creatures as we are give
|
|
law to the righteous God? or must he take his measures from us? When we
|
|
consider the corruption of our nature, and the contrariety there is in
|
|
us to the eternal rule of equity, we cannot but see it to be an
|
|
impudent impious thing for us to prescribe to God.
|
|
|
|
2. It was as absurd as it would be to call a most righteous innocent
|
|
person to the bar, and to give judgment against him, though it appeared
|
|
ever so plainly, upon the trial, that he was most just: <I>Wilt thou
|
|
condemn him that is righteous in all his ways,</I> and cannot but be
|
|
so?
|
|
|
|
3. It is more absurd and unbecoming than it would be to say to a
|
|
sovereign prince, <I>Thou art wicked,</I> and to judges upon the bench,
|
|
<I>You are ungodly,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+34:18"><I>v.</I> 18</A>.
|
|
|
|
This would be looked upon as an insufferable affront to majesty and to
|
|
magistracy; no king, no prince, would bear it. In favour of government,
|
|
we presume it is a right sentence that is passed, unless the contrary
|
|
be very evident; but, whatever we think, it is not fit to tell a king
|
|
to his face that he is wicked. Nathan reproved David by a parable. But,
|
|
whatever a high priest or a prophet might do, it is not for an ordinary
|
|
subject to make so bold with the powers that are. How absurd is then to
|
|
say so to God--to impute iniquity to him, who, having no respect of
|
|
persons, is in no temptation to do an unjust thing! <I>He regardeth not
|
|
the rich more than the poor,</I> and therefore it is fit he should
|
|
rule, and it is not fit we should find fault with him,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+34:19"><I>v.</I> 19</A>.
|
|
|
|
Note, Rich and poor stand upon the same level before God. A great man
|
|
shall fare never the better, nor find any favour, for his wealth and
|
|
greatness; nor shall a poor man fare ever the worse for his poverty,
|
|
nor an honest cause be starved. Job, now that he was poor, should have
|
|
as much favour with God, and be as much regarded by him, as when he was
|
|
rich; <I>for they are all the work of his hands.</I> Their persons are
|
|
so: the poor are made by the same hand, and of the same mould, as the
|
|
rich. Their conditions are so: the poor were made poor by the divine
|
|
providence, as well as the rich made rich; and therefore the poor shall
|
|
fare never the worse for that which is their lot, not their fault.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. Hear this, That God is to be acknowledged and submitted to in all
|
|
that he does. Divers considerations Elihu here suggests to Job, to
|
|
beget in him great and high thoughts of God, and so to persuade him to
|
|
submit and proceed no further in his quarrel with him.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. God is almighty, and able to deal with the strongest of men when he
|
|
enters into judgment with them
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+34:20"><I>v.</I> 20</A>);
|
|
|
|
even <I>the people,</I> the body of a nation, though ever so numerous,
|
|
<I>shall be troubled,</I> unhinged, and put into disorder, when God
|
|
pleases; even <I>the mighty</I> man, the prince, though ever so
|
|
honourable, ever so formidable among men, <I>shall,</I> if God speak
|
|
the word, <I>be taken away</I> out of his throne, nay, out of the land
|
|
of the living; they shall die; they shall pass away. What cannot he do
|
|
that has all the powers of death at his command? Observe the suddenness
|
|
of this destruction: <I>In a moment shall they die.</I> It is not a
|
|
work of time, with God, to bring down his proud enemies, but, when he
|
|
pleases, it is soon done; nor is he bound to give them warning, no, not
|
|
an hour's warning. <I>This night thy soul shall be required.</I>
|
|
Observe the season of it: <I>They shall be troubled at midnight,</I>
|
|
when they are secure and careless, and unable to help themselves; as
|
|
the Egyptians when their first-born were slain. This is the immediate
|
|
work of God: they are taken away, <I>without hand,</I> insensibly, by
|
|
secret judgments. God can himself humble the greatest tyrant, without
|
|
the assistance or agency of any man. Whatever hand he sometimes uses in
|
|
the accomplishing of his purposes, he needs none, but can do it without
|
|
hand. Nor is it one single mighty man only that he can thus overpower,
|
|
but even hosts of them
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+34:24"><I>v.</I> 24</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>He shall break in pieces mighty men without number;</I> for no
|
|
combined power can stand it out against Omnipotence. Yet, when God
|
|
destroys tyranny, he does not design anarchy; if those are brought down
|
|
that ruled ill, it does not therefore follow that people must have no
|
|
rulers; for, when he breaks mighty men, he <I>sets others in their
|
|
stead,</I> that will rule better, or, if they do not, <I>he overturns
|
|
them</I> also <I>in the night,</I> or in a night, <I>so that they are
|
|
destroyed,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+34:25"><I>v.</I> 25</A>.
|
|
|
|
Witness Belshazzar. Or, if he designs them space to repent, he does not
|
|
presently destroy them, but <I>he strikes them as wicked men,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+34:26"><I>v.</I> 26</A>.
|
|
|
|
Some humbling mortifying judgments are brought upon them; these wicked
|
|
rulers are stricken as other wicked men, as surely, as sorely, stricken
|
|
in their bodies, estates, or families, and this for warning to their
|
|
neighbours; the stroke is given <I>in terrorem--as an alarm to
|
|
others,</I> and therefore is given <I>in the open sight of others,</I>
|
|
that they also may see and fear, and tremble before the justice of God.
|
|
If kings stand not before him, how shall we stand!</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. God is omniscient, and can discover that which is most secret. As
|
|
the strongest cannot oppose his arm, so the most subtle cannot escape
|
|
his eye; and therefore, if some are punished either more or less than
|
|
we think they should be, instead of quarrelling with God, it becomes us
|
|
to ascribe it to some secret cause known to God only. For,
|
|
|
|
(1.) Every thing is open before him
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+34:21"><I>v.</I> 21</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>His eyes are upon the ways of man;</I> not only they are within
|
|
reach of his eye, so that he can see them, but his eye is upon them, so
|
|
that he actually observes and inspects them. He sees us all, and sees
|
|
all our goings; go where we will, we are under his eye; all our
|
|
actions, good and evil, are regarded and recorded and reserved to be
|
|
brought into judgment when the books shall be opened.
|
|
|
|
(2.) Nothing is or can be concealed from him
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+34:22"><I>v.</I> 22</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>There is no darkness nor shadow of death</I> so close, so thick, so
|
|
solitary, so remote from light or sight as that in it <I>the workers of
|
|
iniquity may hide themselves</I> from the discovering eye and avenging
|
|
hand of the righteous God. Observe here,
|
|
|
|
[1.] The workers of iniquity would hide themselves if they could from
|
|
the eye of the world for shame (and that perhaps they may do), and from
|
|
the eye of God for fear, as Adam among the trees of the garden. The day
|
|
is coming when mighty men, and chief captains, will call to the rocks
|
|
and mountains to hide them.
|
|
|
|
[2.] They would gladly be hid even by the shadow of death, be hid in
|
|
the grave, and lie for ever there, rather than appear before the
|
|
judgment-seat of Christ.
|
|
|
|
(3.) It is in vain to think of flying from God's justice, or absconding
|
|
when his wrath is in pursuit of us. The workers of iniquity may find
|
|
ways and means to hide themselves from men, but not from God: <I>He
|
|
knows their works</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+34:25"><I>v.</I> 25</A>),
|
|
|
|
both what they do and what they design.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
3. God is righteous, and, in all his proceedings, goes according to the
|
|
rules of equity. Even when he is overturning mighty men, and breaking
|
|
them in pieces, yet <I>he will not lay upon man more than right,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+34:23"><I>v.</I> 23</A>.
|
|
|
|
As he will not punish the innocent, so he will not exact of those that
|
|
are guilty more than their iniquities deserve; and of the proportion
|
|
between the sin and the punishment Infinite Wisdom shall be the judge.
|
|
He will not give any man cause to complain that he deals hardly with
|
|
him, nor shall any man <I>enter into judgment with God,</I> or bring an
|
|
action against him. If he do, God will be justified when he speaks and
|
|
clear when he judges. Therefore Job was very much to be blamed for his
|
|
complaints of God, and is here well-advised to let fall his action, for
|
|
he would certainly be cast or non-suited. <I>It is not for man ever to
|
|
purpose to enter into judgment with the Omnipotent;</I> so some read
|
|
the whole verse. Job had often wished to plead his cause before God.
|
|
Elihu asks, "To what purpose? The judgment already given concerning
|
|
thee will certainly be affirmed; no errors can be found in it, nor any
|
|
exceptions taken to it, but, after all, it must rest as it is." All is
|
|
well that God does, and will be found so. To prove that when God
|
|
destroys the mighty men, and <I>strikes them as wicked men,</I> he does
|
|
not <I>lay upon them more than right,</I> he shows what their
|
|
wickedness was
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+34:27,28"><I>v.</I> 27, 28</A>);
|
|
|
|
and let any compare that with their punishment, and then judge whether
|
|
they did not deserve it. In short, these unjust judges, whom God will
|
|
justly judge, neither <I>feared God nor regarded man,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Lu+18:2">Luke xviii. 2</A>.
|
|
|
|
(1.) They were rebels to God: They <I>turned back from him,</I> cast
|
|
off the fear of him, and abandoned the very thoughts of him; for
|
|
<I>they would not consider any of his ways,</I> took no heed either to
|
|
his precepts or to his providences, but lived without God in the world.
|
|
This is at the bottom of all the wickedness of the wicked, they turn
|
|
back from God; and it is because they do not consider, not because they
|
|
cannot, but because they will not. From inconsideration comes impiety,
|
|
and thence all immorality.
|
|
|
|
(2.) They were tyrants to all mankind,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+34:28"><I>v.</I> 28</A>.
|
|
|
|
They will not call upon God for themselves; but they <I>cause the cry
|
|
of the poor to come to him,</I> and that cry is against them. They are
|
|
injurious and oppressive to the poor, wrong them, crush them,
|
|
impoverish them yet more, and add affliction to the afflicted, who cry
|
|
unto God, make their complaint to him, and he hears them and pleads
|
|
their cause. Their case is bad who have the prayers and tears of the
|
|
poor against them; for the cry of the oppressed will, sooner or later,
|
|
draw down vengeance on the heads of the oppressors, and no one can say
|
|
that this is <I>more than right,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ex+22:23">Exod. xxii. 23</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
4. God has an uncontrollable dominion in all the affairs of the
|
|
children of men, and so guides and governs whatever concerns both
|
|
communities and particular persons, that, as what he designs cannot be
|
|
defeated, so what he does cannot be changed,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+34:29"><I>v.</I> 29</A>.
|
|
|
|
Observe,
|
|
|
|
(1.) The frowns of all the world cannot trouble those whom God quiets
|
|
with his smiles. <I>When he gives quietness</I> who then <I>can make
|
|
trouble?</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+34:29"><I>v.</I> 29</A>.
|
|
|
|
This is a challenge to all the powers of hell and earth to disquiet
|
|
those to whom God speaks peace, and for whom he creates it. If God give
|
|
outward peace to a nation, he can secure what he gives, and disable the
|
|
enemies of it to give it any disturbance. If God give inward peace to a
|
|
man only, the quietness and everlasting assurance which are the effect
|
|
of righteousness, neither the accusations of Satan nor the afflictions
|
|
of this present time, no, nor the arrests of death itself, can give
|
|
trouble. What can make those uneasy whose <I>souls dwell at ease in
|
|
God?</I> See
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Php+4:7">Phil. iv. 7</A>.
|
|
|
|
(2.) The smiles of all the world cannot quiet those whom God troubles
|
|
with his frowns; for if he, in displeasure, <I>hide his face,</I> and
|
|
withhold the comfort of his favour, <I>who then can behold him?</I>
|
|
that is, Who can behold a displeased God, so as to bear up under his
|
|
wrath or turn it away? Who can make him show his face when he resolves
|
|
to hide it, or see through the clouds and darkness which are round
|
|
about him? Or, Who can behold a disquieted sinner, so as to give him
|
|
effectual relief? Who can stand a friend to him to whom God is an
|
|
enemy? None can relieve the distresses of the outward condition without
|
|
God. <I>If the Lord do not help thee, whence shall I?</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Ki+6:27">2 Kings vi. 27</A>.
|
|
|
|
Nor can any relieve the distresses of the mind against God and his
|
|
terrors. If he impress the sense of his wrath upon a guilty conscience,
|
|
all the comforts the creature can administer are ineffectual. <I>As
|
|
vinegar upon nitre, so are songs to a heavy heart.</I> The
|
|
irresistibleness of God's operations must be acknowledged in his
|
|
dealings both with communities and with particular persons: what he
|
|
does cannot be controlled, <I>whether it be done against a nation</I>
|
|
in its public capacity <I>or against a man only</I> in his private
|
|
affairs. The same Providence that governs mighty kingdoms presides in
|
|
the concerns of the meanest individual; and neither the strength of a
|
|
whole nation can resist his power nor the smallness of a single person
|
|
evade his cognizance; but what he does shall be done effectually and
|
|
victoriously.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
5. God is wise, and careful of the public welfare, and therefore
|
|
provides <I>that the hypocrite reign not, lest the people be
|
|
ensnared,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+34:30"><I>v.</I> 30</A>.
|
|
|
|
See here,
|
|
|
|
(1.) The pride of hypocrites. They aim to reign; the praise of men, and
|
|
power in the world, are their reward, what they aim at.
|
|
|
|
(2.) The policy of tyrants. When they aim to set up themselves they
|
|
sometimes make use of religion as a cloak and cover for their ambition
|
|
and by their hypocrisy come to the throne.
|
|
|
|
(3.) The danger the people are in when hypocrites reign. They are
|
|
likely to be ensnared in sin, or trouble, or both. Power, in the hands
|
|
of dissemblers, is often destructive to the rights and liberties of a
|
|
people, which they are more easily wheedled out of than forced out of.
|
|
Much mischief has been done likewise to the power of godliness under
|
|
the pretence of a form of godliness.
|
|
|
|
(4.) The care which divine Providence takes of the people, to prevent
|
|
this danger, <I>that the hypocrite reign not,</I> either that he do not
|
|
reign at all or that he do not reign long. If God has mercy in store
|
|
for a people, he will either prevent the rise or hasten the ruin of
|
|
hypocritical rulers.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Job34_31"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Job34_32"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Job34_33"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Job34_34"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Job34_35"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Job34_36"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="Job34_37"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>31 Surely it is meet to be said unto God, I have borne
|
|
<I>chastisement,</I> I will not offend <I>any more:</I>
|
|
32 <I>That which</I> I see not teach thou me: if I have done
|
|
iniquity, I will do no more.
|
|
33 <I>Should it be</I> according to thy mind? he will recompense it,
|
|
whether thou refuse, or whether thou choose; and not I: therefore
|
|
speak what thou knowest.
|
|
34 Let men of understanding tell me, and let a wise man hearken
|
|
unto me.
|
|
35 Job hath spoken without knowledge, and his words <I>were</I>
|
|
without wisdom.
|
|
36 My desire <I>is that</I> Job may be tried unto the end because of
|
|
<I>his</I> answers for wicked men.
|
|
37 For he addeth rebellion unto his sin, he clappeth <I>his
|
|
hands</I> among us, and multiplieth his words against God.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
In these verses,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
I. Elihu instructs Job what he should say under his affliction,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+34:31,32"><I>v.</I> 31, 32</A>.
|
|
|
|
Having reproved him for his peevish passionate words, he here puts
|
|
better words into his mouth. When we reprove for what is amiss we must
|
|
direct to what is good, that our reproofs may be <I>the reproofs of
|
|
instruction,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+6:23">Prov. vi. 23</A>.
|
|
|
|
He does not impose it upon Job to use these words, but recommends it to
|
|
him, as that which was <I>meet to be said.</I> In general, he would
|
|
have him repent of his misconduct, and indecent expressions, under his
|
|
affliction. Job's other friends would have had him own himself a wicked
|
|
man, and by overdoing they undid. Elihu will oblige him only to own
|
|
that he had, in the management of this controversy, <I>spoken
|
|
unadvisedly with his lips.</I> Let us remember this, in giving
|
|
reproofs, and not make the matter worse than it is; for the stretching
|
|
of the crime may defeat the prosecution. Elihu drives the right nail,
|
|
and speeds accordingly. He directs Job,
|
|
|
|
1. To humble himself before God for his sins, and to accept the
|
|
punishment of them: "<I>I have borne chastisement.</I> What I suffer
|
|
comes justly upon me, and therefore I will bear it, and not only
|
|
justify God in it, but acknowledge his goodness." Many are chastised
|
|
that do not bear chastisement, do not bear it well, and so, in effect,
|
|
do not bear it at all. Penitents, if sincere, will take all well that
|
|
God does, and will bear chastisement as a medicinal operation intended
|
|
for good.
|
|
|
|
2. To pray to God to discover his sins to him
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+34:32"><I>v.</I> 32</A>):
|
|
|
|
"<I>That which I see not teach thou me.</I> Lord, upon the review, I
|
|
find much amiss in me and much done amiss by me, but I have reason to
|
|
fear there is much more that I am not aware of, greater abominations,
|
|
which through ignorance, mistake, and partiality to myself, I do not
|
|
yet see; Lord, give me to see it, awaken by conscience to do its office
|
|
faithfully." A good man is willing to know the worst of himself, and
|
|
particularly, under affliction, desires to be told wherefore God
|
|
contends with him and what God designs in correcting him.
|
|
|
|
3. To promise reformation
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+34:31"><I>v.</I> 31</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>I will not offend any more. "If I have done iniquity (or seeing that
|
|
I have), I will do so no more;</I> whatever thou shalt discover to me
|
|
to have been amiss, by thy grace I will amend it for the future." This
|
|
implies a confession that we have offended, true remorse and godly
|
|
sorrow for the offence, and a humble compliance with God's design in
|
|
afflicting us, which is to separate between us and our sins. The
|
|
penitent here completes his repentance; for it is not enough to be
|
|
sorry for our sins, but we must go and sin no more, and, as here, bind
|
|
ourselves with the bond of a fixed resolution never more to return to
|
|
folly. This is meet to be said in a stedfast purpose, and meet to be
|
|
said to God in a solemn promise and vow.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. He reasons with him concerning his discontent and uneasiness under
|
|
his affliction,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+34:23"><I>v.</I> 23</A>.
|
|
|
|
We are ready to think every thing that concerns us should be just as we
|
|
would have it; but Elihu here shows,
|
|
|
|
1. That it is absurd and unreasonable to expect this: "<I>Should it be
|
|
according to thy mind?</I> No, what reason for that?" Elihu here speaks
|
|
with a great deference to the divine will and wisdom, and a
|
|
satisfaction therein: it is highly fit that every thing should be
|
|
according to God's mind. He speaks also with a just disdain of the
|
|
pretensions of those that are proud, and would be their own carvers:
|
|
<I>Should it be according to thy mind?</I> Should we always have the
|
|
good we have a mind to enjoy? We should then wrongfully encroach upon
|
|
others and foolishly ensnare ourselves. Must we never be afflicted,
|
|
because we have no mind to it? Is it fit that sinners should feel no
|
|
smart, that scholars should be under no discipline? Or, if we must be
|
|
afflicted, is it fit that we should choose what rod we will be beaten
|
|
with? No; it is fit that every thing should be according to God's mind,
|
|
and not ours; for he is the Creator, and we are creatures. He is
|
|
infinitely wise and knowing; we are foolish and short-sighted. He is in
|
|
one mind; we are in many.
|
|
|
|
2. That it is in vain, and to no purpose, to expect it: "<I>He will
|
|
recompense it whether thou refuse or whether thou choose.</I> God will
|
|
take his own way, fulfil his own counsel, and recompense according to
|
|
the sentence of his own justice, whether thou art pleased or
|
|
displeased; he will neither ask thy leave nor ask thy advice, but, what
|
|
he pleases, that will he do. It is therefore thy wisdom to be easy, and
|
|
make a virtue of necessity; <I>make the best of that which is,</I>
|
|
because it is out of thy power to make it otherwise. If thou pretend
|
|
to choose and refuse," that is, "to prescribe to God and except against
|
|
what he does, so will not I--I will acquiesce in all he does; and
|
|
<I>therefore speak what thou knowest;</I> say what thou wilt do,
|
|
whether thou wilt oppose or submit. The matter lies plainly before
|
|
thee; be at a point; thou art in God's hand, not in mine."</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
III. He appeals to all intelligent indifferent persons whether there
|
|
was not a great deal of sin and folly in that which Job said.
|
|
|
|
1. He would have the matter thoroughly examined, and brought to an
|
|
issue
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+34:36"><I>v.</I> 36</A>):
|
|
|
|
"<I>My desire is that Job may be tried unto the end.</I> If any will
|
|
undertake to justify what he has said, let them do it; if not, let us
|
|
all agree to bear our testimony against it." Many understand it of his
|
|
trial by afflictions: "Let his troubles be continued till he be
|
|
thoroughly humbled, and his proud spirit brought down, till he be made
|
|
to see his error and to retract what he has so presumptuously said
|
|
against God and his providence. Let the trial be continued till the end
|
|
be obtained."
|
|
|
|
2. He appeals both to God and man, and desires the judgment of both
|
|
upon it.
|
|
|
|
(1.) Some read
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+34:36"><I>v.</I> 36</A>
|
|
|
|
as an appeal to God: <I>O, my Father! let Job be tried.</I> So the
|
|
margin of our Bibles, for the same word signifies <I>my desire</I> and
|
|
<I>my father;</I> and some suppose that he lifted up his eyes when he
|
|
said this, meaning, "<I>O my Father who art in heaven!</I> let Job be
|
|
tried till he be subdued." When we are praying for the benefit of
|
|
afflictions either to ourselves or others we must eye God as a Father,
|
|
because they are fatherly corrections and a part of our filial
|
|
education,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+12:7">Heb. xii. 7</A>.
|
|
|
|
(2.) He appeals to the by-standers
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+34:34"><I>v.</I> 34</A>):
|
|
|
|
"<I>Let men of understanding tell me</I> whether they can put any more
|
|
favourable construction upon Job's words than I have put, and whether
|
|
he has not spoken very ill and ought not to cry, <I>Peccavi--I have
|
|
done wrong.</I>" In what Job had said he thought it appeared,
|
|
|
|
[1.] That he did not rightly understand himself, but had talked
|
|
foolishly,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+34:35"><I>v.</I> 35</A>.
|
|
|
|
He cannot say that Job is without knowledge and wisdom; but, in this
|
|
matter, <I>he has spoken without knowledge,</I> and, whatever his heart
|
|
is, <I>his words were without prudence.</I> What he said to his wife
|
|
may be retorted upon himself (<I>He speaks as one of the foolish men
|
|
speak</I>) and for the same reason, <I>Shall we not receive evil as
|
|
well as good</I> at God's hand?
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+2:10"><I>ch.</I> ii. 10</A>.
|
|
|
|
Sometimes we need and deserve those reproofs ourselves which we have
|
|
given to others. Those that reproach God's wisdom really reproach their
|
|
own.
|
|
|
|
[2.] That he had not a due regard to God, but had talked wickedly. If
|
|
what he had said <I>be tried to the end,</I> that is, if one put it to
|
|
the utmost stretch and make the worst of it, it will be found,
|
|
<I>First,</I> That he has taken part with God's enemies: <I>His
|
|
answers</I> have been <I>for wicked men;</I> that is, what he had said
|
|
tended to strengthen the hands and harden the hearts of wicked people
|
|
in their wickedness, he having carried the matter of their prosperity
|
|
much further than he needed. Let wicked men, like Baal, plead for
|
|
themselves if they will, but far be it from us that we should answer
|
|
for them, or say any thing in favour of them. <I>Secondly,</I> That he
|
|
has insulted God's friends, and hectored over them: "<I>He clappeth his
|
|
hands among us;</I> and, if he be not thoroughly tried and humbled,
|
|
will grow yet more insolent and imperious, as if he had gotten the day
|
|
and silenced us all." To speak ill is bad enough, but to clap our hands
|
|
and triumph in it when we have done, as if error and passion had won
|
|
the victory, is much worse. <I>Thirdly,</I> That he has spoken against
|
|
God himself, and, by standing to what he had said, <I>added rebellion
|
|
to his sin.</I> To speak, though but one word, against God, by whom we
|
|
speak and for whom we ought to speak, is a great sin; what is it then
|
|
to multiply words against him, as if we would out-talk him? What is it
|
|
to repeat them, instead of unsaying them? Those that have sinned, and,
|
|
when they are called to repent, thus go on frowardly, add rebellion to
|
|
their sin and make it exceedingly sinful. <I>Errare possum,
|
|
Hæreticus esse nolo--I may fall into error, but I will not plunge
|
|
into heresy.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
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