mh_parser/vol_split/18 - Job/Chapter 36.xml

<div2 id="Job.xxxvii" n="xxxvii" next="Job.xxxviii" prev="Job.xxxvi" progress="17.90%" title="Chapter XXXVI">
<h2 id="Job.xxxvii-p0.1">J O B</h2>
<h3 id="Job.xxxvii-p0.2">CHAP. XXXVI.</h3>
<p class="intro" id="Job.xxxvii-p1">Elihu, having largely reproved Job for some of his
unadvised speeches, which Job had nothing to say in the vindication
of, here comes more generally to set him to rights in his notions
of God's dealings with him. His other friends had stood to it that,
because he was a wicked man, therefore his afflictions were so
great and so long. But Elihu only maintained that the affliction
was sent for his trial, and that therefore it was lengthened out
because Job was not, as yet, thoroughly humbled under it, nor had
duly accommodated himself to it. He urges many reasons, taken from
the wisdom and righteousness of God, his care of his people, and
especially his greatness and almighty power, with which, in this
and the following chapter, he persuades him to submit to the hand
of God. Here we have, I. His preface, <scripRef id="Job.xxxvii-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:Job.36.2-Job.36.4" parsed="|Job|36|2|36|4" passage="Job 36:2-4">ver. 2-4</scripRef>. II. The account he gives of the
methods of God's providence towards the children of men, according
as they conduct themselves, <scripRef id="Job.xxxvii-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:Job.36.5-Job.36.15" parsed="|Job|36|5|36|15" passage="Job 36:5-15">ver.
5-15</scripRef>. III. The fair warning and good counsel he gives to
Job thereupon, <scripRef id="Job.xxxvii-p1.3" osisRef="Bible:Job.36.16-Job.36.21" parsed="|Job|36|16|36|21" passage="Job 36:16-21">ver.
16-21</scripRef>. IV. His demonstration of God's sovereignty and
omnipotence, which he gives instances of in the operations of
common providence, and which is a reason why we should all submit
to him in his dealings with us, <scripRef id="Job.xxxvii-p1.4" osisRef="Bible:Job.36.22-Job.36.33" parsed="|Job|36|22|36|33" passage="Job 36:22-33">ver. 22-33</scripRef>. This he prosecutes and
enlarges upon in the following chapter.</p>
<scripCom id="Job.xxxvii-p1.5" osisRef="Bible:Job.36" parsed="|Job|36|0|0|0" passage="Job 36" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="Job.xxxvii-p1.6" osisRef="Bible:Job.36.1-Job.36.4" parsed="|Job|36|1|36|4" passage="Job 36:1-4" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Job.36.1-Job.36.4">
<h4 id="Job.xxxvii-p1.7">The Address of Elihu. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Job.xxxvii-p1.8">b. c.</span> 1520.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Job.xxxvii-p2">1 Elihu also proceeded, and said,   2
Suffer me a little, and I will show thee that <i>I have</i> yet to
speak on God's behalf.   3 I will fetch my knowledge from
afar, and will ascribe righteousness to my Maker.   4 For
truly my words <i>shall</i> not <i>be</i> false: he that is perfect
in knowledge <i>is</i> with thee.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Job.xxxvii-p3">Once more Elihu begs the patience of the
auditory, and Job's particularly, for he has not said all that he
has to say, but he will not detain them long. <i>Stand about me a
little</i> (so some read it), <scripRef id="Job.xxxvii-p3.1" osisRef="Bible:Job.36.2" parsed="|Job|36|2|0|0" passage="Job 36:2"><i>v.</i> 2</scripRef>. "Let me have your attendance,
your attention, awhile longer, and I will speak but this once, as
plainly and as much to the purpose as I can." To gain this he
pleads, 1. That he had a good cause, and a noble and very fruitful
subject: <i>I have yet to speak on God's behalf.</i> He spoke as an
advocate for God, and therefore might justly expect the ear of the
court. Some indeed pretend to speak on God's behalf who really
speak for themselves; but those who sincerely appear in the cause
of God, and speak in behalf of his honour, his truths, his ways,
his people, shall be sure neither to want instructions (<i>it shall
be given them in that same hour what they shall speak</i>) nor to
lose their cause or their fee. Nor need they fear lest they should
exhaust their subject. Those that have spoken ever so much may yet
find more to be spoken on God's behalf. 2. That he had something to
offer that was uncommon, and out of the road of vulgar observation:
<i>I will fetch my knowledge from afar</i> (<scripRef id="Job.xxxvii-p3.2" osisRef="Bible:Job.36.3" parsed="|Job|36|3|0|0" passage="Job 36:3"><i>v.</i> 3</scripRef>), that is, "we will have recourse
to our first principles and the highest notions we can make use of
to serve any purpose." It is worth while to go far for this
knowledge of God, to dig for it, to travel for it; it will
recompense our pains, and, though far-fetched, is not dear-bought.
3. That his design was undeniably honest; for all he aimed at was
to ascribe righteousness to his Maker, to maintain and clear this
truth, that God is righteous in all his ways. In speaking of God,
and speaking for him, it is good to remember that he is our Maker,
to call him so, and therefore to be ready to do him and the
interests of his kingdom the best service we can. If he be our
Maker, we have our all from him, must use our all for him, and be
very jealous for his honour. That his management should be very
just and fair (<scripRef id="Job.xxxvii-p3.3" osisRef="Bible:Job.36.4" parsed="|Job|36|4|0|0" passage="Job 36:4"><i>v.</i>
4</scripRef>): "<i>My words shall not be false,</i> neither
disagreeable to the thing itself nor to my own thoughts and
apprehensions. It is truth that I am contending for, and that for
truth's sake, with all possible sincerity and plainness." He will
make use of plain and solid arguments and not the subtleties and
niceties of the schools. "He who is perfect or upright in knowledge
is now reasoning with thee; and therefore let him not only have a
fair hearing, but let what he says be taken in good part, as meant
well." The perfection of our knowledge in this world is to be
honest and sincere in searching out truth, in applying it to
ourselves, and in making use of what we know for the good of
others.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Job.xxxvii-p3.4" osisRef="Bible:Job.36.5-Job.36.14" parsed="|Job|36|5|36|14" passage="Job 36:5-14" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Job.36.5-Job.36.14">
<p class="passage" id="Job.xxxvii-p4">5 Behold, God <i>is</i> mighty, and despiseth
not <i>any: he is</i> mighty in strength <i>and</i> wisdom.  
6 He preserveth not the life of the wicked: but giveth right to the
poor.   7 He withdraweth not his eyes from the righteous: but
with kings <i>are they</i> on the throne; yea, he doth establish
them for ever, and they are exalted.   8 And if <i>they be</i>
bound in fetters, <i>and</i> be holden in cords of affliction;
  9 Then he showeth them their work, and their transgressions
that they have exceeded.   10 He openeth also their ear to
discipline, and commandeth that they return from iniquity.  
11 If they obey and serve <i>him,</i> they shall spend their days
in prosperity, and their years in pleasures.   12 But if they
obey not, they shall perish by the sword, and they shall die
without knowledge.   13 But the hypocrites in heart heap up
wrath: they cry not when he bindeth them.   14 They die in
youth, and their life <i>is</i> among the unclean.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Job.xxxvii-p5">Elihu, being to speak on God's behalf, and
particularly to ascribe righteousness to his Maker, here shows that
the disposals of divine Providence are all, not only according to
the eternal counsels of his will, but according to the eternal
rules of equity. God acts as a righteous governor, for,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Job.xxxvii-p6">I. He does not think it below him to take
notice of the meanest of his subjects, nor does poverty or
obscurity set any at a distance from his favour. If men are mighty,
they are apt to look with a haughty disdain upon those that are not
of distinction and make no figure; but <i>God is mighty,</i>
infinitely so, and yet he <i>despises not any,</i> <scripRef id="Job.xxxvii-p6.1" osisRef="Bible:Job.36.5" parsed="|Job|36|5|0|0" passage="Job 36:5"><i>v.</i> 5</scripRef>. He humbles himself to
take cognizance of the affairs of the meanest, to do them justice
and to show them kindness. Job thought himself and his cause
slighted because God did not immediately appear for him. "No," says
Elihu, <i>God despises not any,</i> which is a good reason why we
should honour all men. <i>He is mighty in strength and wisdom,</i>
and yet does not look with contempt upon those that have but a
little strength and wisdom, if they but mean honestly. Nay, for
this reason he despises not any, because his wisdom and strength
are incontestably infinite and therefore the condescensions of his
grace can be no diminution to him. Those that are wise and good
will not look upon any with scorn and disdain.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Job.xxxvii-p7">II. He gives no countenance to the
greatest, if they be bad (<scripRef id="Job.xxxvii-p7.1" osisRef="Bible:Job.36.6" parsed="|Job|36|6|0|0" passage="Job 36:6"><i>v.</i>
6</scripRef>): <i>He preserves not the life of the wicked.</i>
Though their life may be prolonged, yet not under any special care
of the divine Providence, but only its common protection. Job had
said that <i>the wicked live, become old, and are mighty in
power,</i> <scripRef id="Job.xxxvii-p7.2" osisRef="Bible:Job.21.7" parsed="|Job|21|7|0|0" passage="Job 21:7"><i>ch.</i> xxi.
7</scripRef>. "No," says Elihu: "he seldom suffers wicked men to
become old. He preserves not their life so long as they expected,
nor with that comfort and satisfaction which are indeed our life;
and their preservation is but a reservation for the day of wrath,"
<scripRef id="Job.xxxvii-p7.3" osisRef="Bible:Rom.2.5" parsed="|Rom|2|5|0|0" passage="Ro 2:5">Rom. ii. 5</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Job.xxxvii-p8">III. He is always ready to right those that
are any way injured, and to plead their cause (<scripRef id="Job.xxxvii-p8.1" osisRef="Bible:Job.36.6" parsed="|Job|36|6|0|0" passage="Job 36:6"><i>v.</i> 6</scripRef>): He <i>gives right to the
poor,</i> avenges their quarrel upon their persecutors and forces
them to make restitution of what they have robbed them of. If men
will not right the injured poor, God will.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Job.xxxvii-p9">IV. He takes a particular care for the
protection of his good subjects, <scripRef id="Job.xxxvii-p9.1" osisRef="Bible:Job.36.7" parsed="|Job|36|7|0|0" passage="Job 36:7"><i>v.</i> 7</scripRef>. He not only looks on them, but
he never looks off them: <i>He withdraws not his eyes from the
righteous.</i> Though they may seem sometimes neglected and
forgotten, and that befals them which looks like an oversight of
Providence, yet tender careful eye of their heavenly Father never
withdraws from them. If our eye be ever towards God in duty, his
eye will be ever upon us in mercy, and, when we are at the lowest,
will not overlook us.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Job.xxxvii-p10">1. Sometimes he prefers good people to
places of trust and honour (<scripRef id="Job.xxxvii-p10.1" osisRef="Bible:Job.36.7" parsed="|Job|36|7|0|0" passage="Job 36:7"><i>v.</i>
7</scripRef>): <i>With kings are</i> they <i>on the throne,</i> and
every sheaf is made to bow to theirs. When righteous persons are
advanced to places of honour and power, it is in mercy to them; for
God's grace in them will both arm them against the temptations that
attend preferment and enable them to improve the opportunity it
gives them of doing good. It is also in mercy to those over whom
they are set: <i>When the righteous bear rule the city
rejoices.</i> If the righteous be advanced, they are established.
Those that in honour keep a good conscience stand upon sure ground,
and high places are not such slippery ground to them as they are to
others. But, because it is not often that we see good men made
great men in this world, this may be supposed to refer to the
honour to which the righteous shall rise when their Redeemer shall
<i>stand at the latter day upon the earth;</i> for then only they
shall be exalted for ever, and established for ever; then shall
they all shine forth as the sun, and be made kings and priests to
our God.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Job.xxxvii-p11">2. If at any time he bring them into
affliction, it is for the good of their souls, <scripRef id="Job.xxxvii-p11.1" osisRef="Bible:Job.36.8-Job.36.10" parsed="|Job|36|8|36|10" passage="Job 36:8-10"><i>v.</i> 8-10</scripRef>. Some good people are
preferred to honour and power, but others are in trouble. Now
observe, (1.) The distress supposed (<scripRef id="Job.xxxvii-p11.2" osisRef="Bible:Job.36.8" parsed="|Job|36|8|0|0" passage="Job 36:8"><i>v.</i> 8</scripRef>): <i>If they be bound in
fetters,</i> laid in prison as Joseph was, or <i>holden in the
cords of</i> any other <i>affliction,</i> confined by pain and
sickness, hampered by poverty, bound in their counsels, and,
notwithstanding all their struggles, held long in this distress.
This was Job's case; he was caught, and kept fast, <i>in the cords
of anguish</i> (as some read it); but observe, (2.) The design God
has, in bringing his people into such distresses as these; it is
for the benefit of their souls, the consideration of which should
reconcile us to affliction and make us think well of it. Three
things God intends when he afflicts us:—[1.] To discover past
sins to us, and to bring them to our remembrance. Then he shows
them that amiss in them which before they did not see. He discovers
to them the fact of sin: <i>He shows them their work.</i> Sin is
our own work. If there be any good in us, it is God's work; and we
are concerned to see what work we have made by sin. He discovers
the fault of sin, shows them <i>their transgressions</i> of the law
of God, and withal the sinfulness of sin, <i>that they have
exceeded,</i> and have been beyond measure sinful. True penitents
lay a load upon themselves, do not extenuate, but aggravate, their
sins, and own that they have exceeded in them. Affliction sometimes
answers to the sin; it serves, however, to awaken the conscience
and puts men upon considering. [2.] To dispose our hearts to
receive present instructions: Then <i>he opens their ear to
discipline,</i> <scripRef id="Job.xxxvii-p11.3" osisRef="Bible:Job.36.10" parsed="|Job|36|10|0|0" passage="Job 36:10"><i>v.</i>
10</scripRef>. Whom God chastens <i>he teaches</i> (<scripRef id="Job.xxxvii-p11.4" osisRef="Bible:Ps.94.12" parsed="|Ps|94|12|0|0" passage="Ps 94:12">Ps. xciv. 12</scripRef>), and the affliction
makes people willing to learn, softens the wax, that it may receive
the impression of the seal; yet it does not do this of itself, but
the grace of God working with and by it; it is he that opens the
ear, that opens the heart, who has the key of David. [3.] To deter
and draw us off from iniquity for the future. This is the errand on
which the affliction is sent; it is a command to <i>return from
iniquity,</i> to have no more to do with sin, to turn from it with
an aversion to it and a resolution never to return to it any more,
<scripRef id="Job.xxxvii-p11.5" osisRef="Bible:Hos.14.8" parsed="|Hos|14|8|0|0" passage="Ho 14:8">Hos. xiv. 8</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Job.xxxvii-p12">3. If the affliction do its work, and
accomplish that for which it is sent, he will comfort them again,
according to the time that he has afflicted them (<scripRef id="Job.xxxvii-p12.1" osisRef="Bible:Job.36.11" parsed="|Job|36|11|0|0" passage="Job 36:11"><i>v.</i> 11</scripRef>): <i>If they obey and
serve him,</i>—if they comply with his design and serve his
purpose in these dispensations,—if, when the affliction is
removed, they continue in the same good mind that they were in when
they were under the smart of it and perform the vows they made
then,—if they live in obedience to God's commands, particularly
those which relate to his service and worship, and in all instances
make conscience of their duty to him,—then <i>they shall spend
their days in prosperity</i> again <i>and their years in</i> true
<i>pleasures.</i> Piety is the only sure way to prosperity and
pleasure; this is a certain truth, and yet few will believe it. If
we faithfully serve God, (1.) We have the promise of outward
prosperity, the promise of the life that now is, and the comforts
of it, as far as is for God's glory and our good; and who would
desire them any further? (2.) We have the possession of inward
pleasures, the comfort of communion with God and a good conscience,
and that great peace which those have that love God's law. If we
rejoice not in the Lord always, and in hope of eternal life, it is
our own fault; and what better pleasures can we spend our years
in?</p>
<p class="indent" id="Job.xxxvii-p13">4. If the affliction do not do its work,
let them expect the furnace to be heated seven times hotter till
they are consumed (<scripRef id="Job.xxxvii-p13.1" osisRef="Bible:Job.36.12" parsed="|Job|36|12|0|0" passage="Job 36:12"><i>v.</i>
12</scripRef>): <i>If they obey not,</i> if they are not bettered
by their afflictions, are not reclaimed and reformed, they shall
perish by the sword of God's wrath. Those whom his rod does not
cure his sword will kill; and the consuming fire will prevail if
the refining fire do not; for when God judges he will overcome. If
<i>Ahaz, in his distress, trespass yet more against the Lord, this
is that king Ahaz</i> that is marked for ruin, <scripRef id="Job.xxxvii-p13.2" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.28.22 Bible:Jer.6.29-Jer.6.30" parsed="|2Chr|28|22|0|0;|Jer|6|29|6|30" passage="2Ch 28:22,Jer 6:29,30">2 Chron. xxviii. 22; Jer. vi. 29,
30</scripRef>. God would have instructed them by their afflictions,
but they received not instruction, would not take the hints that
were given them; and therefore <i>they shall die without
knowledge,</i> ere they are aware, without any further previous
notices given them; or <i>they shall die because they were without
knowledge</i> notwithstanding the means of knowledge which they
were blessed with. Those that <i>die without knowledge</i> die
without grace and are undone for ever.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Job.xxxvii-p14">V. He brings ruin upon hypocrites, the
secret enemies of his kingdom (such as Elihu described, <scripRef id="Job.xxxvii-p14.1" osisRef="Bible:Job.36.12" parsed="|Job|36|12|0|0" passage="Job 36:12"><i>v.</i> 12</scripRef>), who, though they were
numbered among the righteous whom Elihu had spoken of before, yet
did not obey God, but, being children of disobedience and darkness,
become children of wrath and perdition; these are the <i>hypocrites
in heart, who heap up wrath,</i> <scripRef id="Job.xxxvii-p14.2" osisRef="Bible:Job.36.13" parsed="|Job|36|13|0|0" passage="Job 36:13"><i>v.</i> 13</scripRef>. See the nature of hypocrisy:
it lies in the heart, which is for the world and the flesh when the
outside seems to be for God and religion. Many that are saints in
show and saints in word are hypocrites in heart. That spring is
corrupt, and there is an evil treasure there. See the
mischievousness of hypocrisy: hypocrites <i>heap up wrath.</i> They
are doing that every day which is provoking to God, and will be
reckoned with for it all together in the great day. <i>They
treasure up wrath against the day of wrath,</i> <scripRef id="Job.xxxvii-p14.3" osisRef="Bible:Rom.2.5" parsed="|Rom|2|5|0|0" passage="Ro 2:5">Rom. ii. 5</scripRef>. Their sins are <i>laid up in store
with God among his treasures,</i> <scripRef id="Job.xxxvii-p14.4" osisRef="Bible:Deut.32.34 Bible:Jas.5.3" parsed="|Deut|32|34|0|0;|Jas|5|3|0|0" passage="De 32:34,Jam 5:3">Deut. xxxii. 34. Compare Jam. v. 3</scripRef>.
As what goes up a vapour comes down a shower, so what goes up sin,
if not repented of, will come down wrath. They think they are
heaping up wealth, heaping up merits, but, when the treasures are
opened, it will prove they were heaping up wrath. Observe, 1. What
they do to heap up wrath. What is it that is so provoking? It is
this, <i>They cry not when he binds them,</i> that is, when they
are in affliction, bound with the cords of trouble, their hearts
are hardened, they are stubborn and unhumbled, and will not cry to
God nor make their application to him. They are stupid and
senseless as stocks and stones, despising the chastening of the
Lord. 2. What are the effects of that wrath? <i>They die in youth,
and their life is among the unclean,</i> <scripRef id="Job.xxxvii-p14.5" osisRef="Bible:Job.36.14" parsed="|Job|36|14|0|0" passage="Job 36:14"><i>v.</i> 14</scripRef>. This is the portion of
hypocrites, whom Christ denounced many woes against. If they
continue impenitent, (1.) They shall die a sudden death, <i>die in
youth,</i> when death is most a surprise, and death (that is, the
consequence of it) is always such to hypocrites; as those that die
in youth die when they hoped to live, so hypocrites, at death, go
to hell, when they hoped to go to heaven. <i>When a wicked man dies
his expectations shall perish.</i> (2.) They shall die the second
death. <i>Their life,</i> after death (for so it comes in here),
<i>is among the unclean,</i> among the <i>fornicators</i> (so
some), among the worst and vilest of sinners, notwithstanding their
specious and plausible profession. It is among the <i>Sodomites</i>
(so the margin), those filthy wretches, who <i>going after strange
flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of
eternal fire,</i> <scripRef id="Job.xxxvii-p14.6" osisRef="Bible:Jude.1.7" parsed="|Jude|1|7|0|0" passage="Jude 1:7">Jude 7</scripRef>.
The souls of the wicked live after death, but they live among the
unclean, the unclean spirits, the devil and his angels, forever
separated from the new Jerusalem, into which <i>no unclean thing
shall enter.</i></p>
</div><scripCom id="Job.xxxvii-p14.7" osisRef="Bible:Job.36.15-Job.36.23" parsed="|Job|36|15|36|23" passage="Job 36:15-23" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Job.36.15-Job.36.23">
<p class="passage" id="Job.xxxvii-p15">15 He delivereth the poor in his affliction, and
openeth their ears in oppression.   16 Even so would he have
removed thee out of the strait <i>into</i> a broad place, where
<i>there is</i> no straitness; and that which should be set on thy
table <i>should be</i> full of fatness.   17 But thou hast
fulfilled the judgment of the wicked: judgment and justice take
hold <i>on thee.</i>   18 Because <i>there is</i> wrath,
<i>beware</i> lest he take thee away with <i>his</i> stroke: then a
great ransom cannot deliver thee.   19 Will he esteem thy
riches? <i>no,</i> not gold, nor all the forces of strength.  
20 Desire not the night, when people are cut off in their place.
  21 Take heed, regard not iniquity: for this hast thou chosen
rather than affliction.   22 Behold, God exalteth by his
power: who teacheth like him?   23 Who hath enjoined him his
way? or who can say, Thou hast wrought iniquity?</p>
<p class="indent" id="Job.xxxvii-p16">Elihu here comes more closely to Job;
and,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Job.xxxvii-p17">I. He tells him what God would have done
for him before this if he had been duly humbled under his
affliction. "We all know how ready God is to <i>deliver the poor in
his affliction</i> (<scripRef id="Job.xxxvii-p17.1" osisRef="Bible:Job.36.15" parsed="|Job|36|15|0|0" passage="Job 36:15"><i>v.</i>
15</scripRef>); he always was so. The poor in spirit, those that
are of a broken and contrite heart, he looks upon with tenderness,
and, when they are in affliction, is ready to help them. He
<i>opens their ears,</i> and makes them to hear joy and gladness,
even <i>in</i> their <i>oppressions;</i> while he does not yet
deliver them he speaks to them good words and comfortable words,
for the encouragement of their faith and patience, the silencing of
their fears, and the balancing of their griefs; and <i>even so</i>
(<scripRef id="Job.xxxvii-p17.2" osisRef="Bible:Job.36.16" parsed="|Job|36|16|0|0" passage="Job 36:16"><i>v.</i> 16</scripRef>) would he
have done to thee if thou hadst submitted to his providence and
conducted thyself well; he would have delivered and comforted thee,
and we should have had none of these complaints. If thou hadst
accommodated thyself to the will of God, thy liberty and plenty
would have been restored to thee with advantage." 1. "Thou wouldst
have been enlarged, and not confined thus by thy sickness and
disgrace: <i>He would have removed thee into a broad place where is
no straitness,</i> and thou wouldst no longer have been cramped
thus and have had all thy measures broken." 2. "Thou wouldst have
been enriched, and wouldst not have been left in this poor
condition; thou wouldst have had thy table richly spread, not only
with food convenient, but with the finest of the wheat" (see
<scripRef id="Job.xxxvii-p17.3" osisRef="Bible:Deut.32.14" parsed="|Deut|32|14|0|0" passage="De 32:14">Deut. xxxii. 14</scripRef>) "and the
fattest of the flesh." Note, It ought to silence us under our
afflictions to consider that, if we were better, it would be every
way better with us: if we had answered the ends of an affliction,
the affliction would be removed; and deliverance would come if we
were ready for it. God would have done well for us if we had
conducted ourselves well; <scripRef id="Job.xxxvii-p17.4" osisRef="Bible:Ps.81.13-Ps.81.14 Bible:Isa.48.18" parsed="|Ps|81|13|81|14;|Isa|48|18|0|0" passage="Ps 81:13,14,Isa 48:18">Ps. lxxxi. 13, 14; Isa. xlviii.
18</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Job.xxxvii-p18">II. He charges him with standing in his own
light, and makes him the cause of the continuance of his own
trouble (<scripRef id="Job.xxxvii-p18.1" osisRef="Bible:Job.36.17" parsed="|Job|36|17|0|0" passage="Job 36:17"><i>v.</i> 17</scripRef>):
"<i>But thou hast fulfilled the judgment of the wicked,</i>" that
is, "Whatever thou art really, in this thing thou hast conducted
thyself like a wicked man, hast spoken and done like the wicked,
hast gratified them and served their cause; and <i>therefore</i>
judgment and justice take hold on thee as a wicked man, because
thou goest in company with them, actest as if thou wert in their
interest, aiding and abetting. <i>Thou hast maintained the cause of
the wicked;</i> and such as a man's cause is such will the judgment
of God be upon him;" so bishop Patrick. It is dangerous being on
the wrong side: accessaries to treason will be dealt with as
principals.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Job.xxxvii-p19">III. He cautions him not to persist in his
frowardness. Several good cautions he gives him to this
purport.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Job.xxxvii-p20">1. Let him not make light of divine
vengeance, nor be secure, as if he were in no danger of it
(<scripRef id="Job.xxxvii-p20.1" osisRef="Bible:Job.36.18" parsed="|Job|36|18|0|0" passage="Job 36:18"><i>v.</i> 18</scripRef>):
"<i>Because there is wrath</i>" (that is, "because God is a
righteous governor, who resents all the affronts given to his
government, because he has revealed his wrath from heaven against
all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, and because thou hast
reason to fear that thou art under God's displeasure) therefore
<i>beware lest he take thee away</i> suddenly <i>with his
stroke,</i> and be so wise as to make thy peace with him quickly
and get his anger turned away from thee." A warning to this purport
Job had given his friends (<scripRef id="Job.xxxvii-p20.2" osisRef="Bible:Job.19.29" parsed="|Job|19|29|0|0" passage="Job 19:29"><i>ch.</i>
xix. 29</scripRef>): <i>Be you afraid of the sword, for wrath
brings the punishment of the sword.</i> Thus contenders are apt,
with too much boldness, to bind one another over to the judgment of
God and threaten one another with his wrath; but he that keeps a
good conscience needs not fear the impotent menaces of proud men.
But his was a friendly caution to Job, and necessary. Even good men
have need to be kept to their duty by the fear of God's wrath.
"Thou art a wise and good man, but beware lest he take thee away,
for the wisest and best have enough in them to deserve his
stroke."</p>
<p class="indent" id="Job.xxxvii-p21">2. Let him not promise himself that, if
God's wrath should kindle against him, he could find out ways to
escape the strokes of it. (1.) There is no escaping by money, no
purchasing a pardon with silver, or gold, and such corruptible
things: "Even <i>a great ransom cannot deliver thee</i> when God
enters into judgment with thee. His justice cannot be bribed, nor
any of the ministers of his justice. <i>Will he esteem thy
riches,</i> and take from them a commutation of the punishment?
<i>No, not gold,</i> <scripRef id="Job.xxxvii-p21.1" osisRef="Bible:Job.36.19" parsed="|Job|36|19|0|0" passage="Job 36:19"><i>v.</i>
19</scripRef>. If thou hadst as much wealth as ever thou hadst,
that would not ease thee, would not secure thee from the strokes of
God's wrath, in the day of the revelation of which <i>riches profit
not,</i>" <scripRef id="Job.xxxvii-p21.2" osisRef="Bible:Prov.11.4" parsed="|Prov|11|4|0|0" passage="Pr 11:4">Prov. xi. 4</scripRef>. See
<scripRef id="Job.xxxvii-p21.3" osisRef="Bible:Ps.49.7-Ps.49.8" parsed="|Ps|49|7|49|8" passage="Ps 49:7,8">Ps. xlix. 7, 8</scripRef>. (2.) There
is no escaping by rescue: "If <i>all the forces of strength</i>
were at thy command, if thou couldst muster ever so many servants
and vassals to appear for thee to force thee out of the hands of
divine vengeance, it were all in vain; God would not regard it.
There is <i>none that can deliver out of his hand.</i>" (3.) There
is no escaping by absconding (<scripRef id="Job.xxxvii-p21.4" osisRef="Bible:Job.36.20" parsed="|Job|36|20|0|0" passage="Job 36:20"><i>v.</i> 20</scripRef>): "<i>Desire not the night,</i>
which often favours the retreat of a conquered army and covers it;
think not that thou canst so escape the righteous judgment of God,
for the <i>darkness hideth not from him,</i>" <scripRef id="Job.xxxvii-p21.5" osisRef="Bible:Ps.139.11-Ps.139.12" parsed="|Ps|139|11|139|12" passage="Ps 139:11,12">Ps. cxxxix. 11, 12</scripRef>. See <scripRef id="Job.xxxvii-p21.6" osisRef="Bible:Job.34.22" parsed="|Job|34|22|0|0" passage="Job 34:22"><i>ch.</i> xxxiv. 22</scripRef>. "Think not,
because in the night people retire to their place, go up to their
beds, and it is then easy to escape being discovered by them, that
God also ascends to his place, and cannot see thee. No; he
<i>neither slumbers nor sleeps.</i> His eyes are open upon the
children of men, not only in all places, but at all times. No rocks
nor mountains can shelter us from his eye." Some understand it of
the night of death; that is the night by which men are <i>cut off
from their place,</i> and Job had earnestly breathed for that
night, as the hireling desires the evening, <scripRef id="Job.xxxvii-p21.7" osisRef="Bible:Job.7.2" parsed="|Job|7|2|0|0" passage="Job 7:2"><i>ch.</i> vii. 2</scripRef>. "But do not do so," says
Elihu; "for thou knowest not what the night of death is." Those
that passionately wish for death, in hopes to make that their
shelter from God's wrath, may perhaps be mistaken. There are those
whom wrath pursues into that night.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Job.xxxvii-p22">3. Let him not continue his unjust quarrel
with God and his providence, which hitherto he had persisted in
when he should have submitted to the affliction (<scripRef id="Job.xxxvii-p22.1" osisRef="Bible:Job.36.21" parsed="|Job|36|21|0|0" passage="Job 36:21"><i>v.</i> 21</scripRef>): "<i>Take heed,</i> look well
to thy own spirit, and <i>regard not iniquity,</i> return not to it
(so some), for it is at thy peril if thou do." Let us never dare to
think a favourable thought of sin, never indulge it, nor allow
ourselves in it. Elihu thinks Job had need of this caution, he
having <i>chosen iniquity rather than affliction,</i> that is,
having chosen rather to gratify his own pride and humour in
contending with God than to mortify it by a submission to him and
accepting the punishment. We may take it more generally, and
observe that those who choose iniquity rather than affliction make
a very foolish choice. Those that ease their cares by sinful
pleasures, increase their wealth by sinful pursuits, escape their
troubles by sinful projects, and evade sufferings for
righteousness' sake by sinful compliances against their
consciences, make a choice they will repent of; for there is more
evil in the least sin than in the greatest affliction. It is an
evil, and only evil.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Job.xxxvii-p23">4. Let him not dare to prescribe to God,
nor give him his measures (<scripRef id="Job.xxxvii-p23.1" osisRef="Bible:Job.36.22-Job.36.23" parsed="|Job|36|22|36|23" passage="Job 36:22,23"><i>v.</i> 22, 23</scripRef>): "<i>Behold, God
exalteth by his power,</i>" that is, "He does, may, and can set up
and pull down whom he pleases, and therefore it is not for thee nor
me to contend with him." The more we magnify God the more do we
humble and abase ourselves. Now consider, (1.) That God is an
absolute sovereign: <i>He exalts by his</i> own <i>power,</i> and
not by strength derived from any other. He exalts whom he pleases,
exalts those that were afflicted and cast down, by the strength and
power which he gives his people; and therefore <i>who has enjoined
him his way?</i> Who presides above him in his way? Is there any
superior from whom he has his commission and to whom he is
accountable? No; he himself is supreme and independent. <i>Who puts
him in mind of his way?</i> so some. Does the eternal Mind need a
remembrancer? No; his own way, as well as ours, is ever before him.
He has not received orders or instructions from any (<scripRef id="Job.xxxvii-p23.2" osisRef="Bible:Isa.60.13-Isa.60.14" parsed="|Isa|60|13|60|14" passage="Isa 60:13,14">Isa. lx. 13, 14</scripRef>), nor is he
accountable to any. He enjoins to all the creatures their way; let
not us then enjoin him his, but leave it to him to govern the
world, who is fit to do it. (2.) That he is an incomparable
teacher: <i>Who teaches like him?</i> It is absurd for us to teach
him who is himself the fountain of light, truth, knowledge, and
instruction. <i>He that teaches man knowledge,</i> and so as none
else can, <i>shall not he know?</i> <scripRef id="Job.xxxvii-p23.3" osisRef="Bible:Ps.94.9-Ps.94.10" parsed="|Ps|94|9|94|10" passage="Ps 94:9,10">Ps. xciv. 9, 10</scripRef>. Shall we light a candle to
the sun? Observe, When Elihu would give glory to God as a ruler he
praises him as a teacher, for rulers must teach. God does so. He
binds with the cords of a man. In this, as in other things, he is
unequalled. None so fit to direct his own actions as he himself is.
He knows what he has to do, and how to do it for the best, and
needs no information nor advice. Solomon himself had a
privy-council to advise him, but the King of kings has none. Nor is
any so fit to direct our actions as he is. None teaches with such
authority and convincing evidence, with such condescension and
compassion, nor with such power and efficacy, as God does. He
teaches by the Bible, and that is the best book, teaches by his
Son, and he is the best Master. (3.) That he is unexceptionably
just in all his proceedings: <i>Who can say, Thou hast wrought
iniquity?</i> Not, Who <i>dares</i> say it? (many do iniquity, and
those who tell them of it do so at their peril), but Who <i>can</i>
say it? Who has any cause to say it? Who can say it and prove it?
It is a maxim undoubtedly true, without limitation, that <i>the
King of kings can do no wrong.</i></p>
</div><scripCom id="Job.xxxvii-p23.4" osisRef="Bible:Job.36.24-Job.36.33" parsed="|Job|36|24|36|33" passage="Job 36:24-33" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Job.36.24-Job.36.33">
<p class="passage" id="Job.xxxvii-p24">24 Remember that thou magnify his work, which
men behold.   25 Every man may see it; man may behold
<i>it</i> afar off.   26 Behold, God <i>is</i> great, and we
know <i>him</i> not, neither can the number of his years be
searched out.   27 For he maketh small the drops of water:
they pour down rain according to the vapour thereof:   28
Which the clouds do drop <i>and</i> distil upon man abundantly.
  29 Also can <i>any</i> understand the spreadings of the
clouds, <i>or</i> the noise of his tabernacle?   30 Behold, he
spreadeth his light upon it, and covereth the bottom of the sea.
  31 For by them judgeth he the people; he giveth meat in
abundance.   32 With clouds he covereth the light; and
commandeth it <i>not to shine</i> by <i>the cloud</i> that cometh
betwixt.   33 The noise thereof showeth concerning it, the
cattle also concerning the vapour.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Job.xxxvii-p25">Elihu is here endeavouring to possess Job
with great and high thoughts of God, and so to persuade him into a
cheerful submission to his providence.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Job.xxxvii-p26">I. He represents the work of God, in
general, as illustrious and conspicuous, <scripRef id="Job.xxxvii-p26.1" osisRef="Bible:Job.36.24" parsed="|Job|36|24|0|0" passage="Job 36:24"><i>v.</i> 24</scripRef>. His whole work is so. God does
nothing mean. This is a good reason why we should acquiesce in all
the operations of his providence concerning us in particular. His
visible works, those of nature, and which concern the world in
general, are such as we admire and commend, and in which we observe
the Creator's wisdom, power, and goodness; shall we then find fault
with his dispensations concerning us, and the counsels of his will
concerning our affairs? We are here called to <i>consider the work
of God,</i> <scripRef id="Job.xxxvii-p26.2" osisRef="Bible:Eccl.7.13" parsed="|Eccl|7|13|0|0" passage="Ec 7:13">Eccl. vii. 13</scripRef>.
1. It is plain before our eyes, nothing more obvious: it is what
<i>men behold.</i> Every man that has but half an eye may see it,
may behold it afar off. Look which way we will, we see the
productions of God's wisdom and power; we see that done, and that
doing, concerning which we cannot but say, This is <i>the work of
God,</i> the finger of God; it is the Lord's doing. Every man may
see, afar off, the heaven and all its lights, the earth and all its
fruits, to be the work of Omnipotence; much more when we behold
them nigh at hand. Look at the minutest works of nature through a
microscope; do they not appear curious? The eternal power and
godhead of the Creator are <i>clearly seen and understood</i> by
the <i>things that are made,</i> <scripRef id="Job.xxxvii-p26.3" osisRef="Bible:Rom.1.20" parsed="|Rom|1|20|0|0" passage="Ro 1:20">Rom.
i. 20</scripRef>. Every man, even those that have not the benefit
of divine revelation, may see this; for <i>there is no speech or
language where the voice</i> of these natural constant preachers
<i>is not heard,</i> <scripRef id="Job.xxxvii-p26.4" osisRef="Bible:Ps.19.3" parsed="|Ps|19|3|0|0" passage="Ps 19:3">Ps. xix.
3</scripRef>. 2. It ought to be marvellous in our eyes. The beauty
and excellency of the work of God, and the agreement of all the
parts of it, are what we must remember to magnify and highly to
extol, not only justify it as right and good, and what cannot be
blamed, but magnify it as wise and glorious, and such as no
creature could contrive or produce. Man may see his works, and is
capable of discerning his hand in them (which the beasts are not),
and therefore ought to praise them and give him the glory of
them.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Job.xxxvii-p27">II. He represents God, the author of them,
as infinite and unsearchable, <scripRef id="Job.xxxvii-p27.1" osisRef="Bible:Job.36.26" parsed="|Job|36|26|0|0" passage="Job 36:26"><i>v.</i> 26</scripRef>. The streams of being, power,
and perfection should lead us to the fountain. <i>God is great,</i>
infinitely so,—great in power, for he is omnipotent and
independent,—great in wealth, for he is self-sufficient and
all-sufficient,—great in himself,—great in all his works,—great,
and therefore greatly to be praised,—great, and therefore <i>we
know him not.</i> We know that he is, but not what he is. We know
what he is not, but not what he is. We know in part, but not in
perfection. This comes in here as a reason why we must not arraign
his proceedings, nor find fault with what he does, because it is
speaking evil of the things that we understand not and answering a
matter before we hear if. We know not the duration of his
existence, for it is infinite. <i>The number of his years
cannot</i> possibly <i>be searched out,</i> for he is eternal;
there is no number of them. He is a Being without beginning,
succession, or period, whoever was, and ever will be, and ever the
same, the great <i>I AM.</i> This is a good reason why we should
not prescribe to him, nor quarrel with him, because, as he is, such
are his operations, quite out of our reach.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Job.xxxvii-p28">III. He gives some instances of God's
wisdom, power, and sovereign dominion, in the works of nature and
the dispensations of common providence, beginning in this chapter
with the clouds and the rain that descends from them. We need not
be critical in examining either the phrase or the philosophy of
this noble discourse. The general scope of it is to show that God
is infinitely great, and the Lord of all, the first cause and
supreme director of all the creatures, and <i>has all power in
heaven and earth</i> (whom therefore we ought, with all humility
and reverence, to adore, to speak well of, and to give honour to),
and that it is presumption for us to prescribe to him the rules and
methods of his special providence towards the children of men, or
to expect from him an account of them, when the operations even of
common providences about the meteors are so various and so
mysterious and unaccountable. Elihu, to affect Job with God's
sublimity and sovereignty, had directed him (<scripRef id="Job.xxxvii-p28.1" osisRef="Bible:Job.35.5" parsed="|Job|35|5|0|0" passage="Job 35:5"><i>ch.</i> xxxv. 5</scripRef>) to look unto the clouds.
In <scripRef id="Job.xxxvii-p28.2" osisRef="Bible:Job.36.24-Job.36.33" parsed="|Job|36|24|36|33" passage="Job 36:24-33">these verses</scripRef> he
shows us what we may observe in the clouds we see which will lead
us to consider the glorious perfections of their Creator. Consider
the clouds,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Job.xxxvii-p29">1. As springs to this lower world, the
source and treasure of its moisture, and the great bank through
which it circulates—a very necessary provision, for its stagnation
would be as hurtful to this lower world as that of the blood to the
body of man. It is worth while to observe in this common
occurrence, (1.) That the clouds above distil upon the earth below.
If the heavens become brass, the earth becomes iron; therefore thus
the promise of plenty runs, <i>I will hear the heavens and they
shall hear the earth.</i> This intimates to us that every good gift
is from above, from him who is both Father of lights and Father of
the rain, and it instructs us to direct our prayers to him and to
look up. (2.) That they are here said to <i>distil upon man</i>
(<scripRef id="Job.xxxvii-p29.1" osisRef="Bible:Job.36.28" parsed="|Job|36|28|0|0" passage="Job 36:28"><i>v.</i> 28</scripRef>); for,
though indeed God <i>causes it to rain in the wilderness where no
man is</i> (<scripRef id="Job.xxxvii-p29.2" osisRef="Bible:Job.38.26 Bible:Ps.104.11" parsed="|Job|38|26|0|0;|Ps|104|11|0|0" passage="Job 38:26,Ps 104:11"><i>ch.</i>
xxxviii. 26, Ps. civ. 11</scripRef>), yet special respect is had to
man herein, to whom the inferior creatures are all made serviceable
and from whom the actual return of the tribute of praise is
required. Among men, he <i>causes his rain to fall upon the just
and upon the unjust,</i> <scripRef id="Job.xxxvii-p29.3" osisRef="Bible:Matt.5.45" parsed="|Matt|5|45|0|0" passage="Mt 5:45">Matt. v.
45</scripRef>. (3.) They are said to distil the water in <i>small
drops,</i> not in spouts, as when the <i>windows of heaven were
opened,</i> <scripRef id="Job.xxxvii-p29.4" osisRef="Bible:Gen.7.11" parsed="|Gen|7|11|0|0" passage="Ge 7:11">Gen. vii. 11</scripRef>.
God waters the earth with that with which he once drowned it, only
dispensing it in another manner, to let us know how much we lie at
his mercy, and how kind he is, in giving rain by drops, that the
benefit of it may be the further and the more equally diffused, as
by an artificial water-pot. (4.) Though sometimes the rain comes in
very small drops, yet, at other times, it pours down in great rain,
and this difference between one shower and another must be resolved
into the divine Providence which orders it so. (5.) Though it comes
down in drops, yet it distils upon man <i>abundantly</i> (<scripRef id="Job.xxxvii-p29.5" osisRef="Bible:Job.36.28" parsed="|Job|36|28|0|0" passage="Job 36:28"><i>v.</i> 28</scripRef>), and therefore is
called <i>the river of God which is full of water,</i> <scripRef id="Job.xxxvii-p29.6" osisRef="Bible:Ps.65.9" parsed="|Ps|65|9|0|0" passage="Ps 65:9">Ps. lxv. 9</scripRef>. (6.) The clouds <i>pour
down according to the vapour</i> that they draw up, <scripRef id="Job.xxxvii-p29.7" osisRef="Bible:Job.36.27" parsed="|Job|36|27|0|0" passage="Job 36:27"><i>v.</i> 27</scripRef>. So just the heavens
are to the earth, but the earth is not so in the return it makes.
(7.) The produce of the clouds is sometimes a great terror, and at
other times a great favour, to the earth, <scripRef id="Job.xxxvii-p29.8" osisRef="Bible:Job.36.31" parsed="|Job|36|31|0|0" passage="Job 36:31"><i>v.</i> 31</scripRef>. When he pleases <i>by them he
judges the people</i> he is angry with. Storms, and tempests, and
excessive rains, destroying the fruits of the earth and causing
inundations, come from the clouds; but, on the other hand, from
them, usually, he gives meat in abundance; they drop fatness upon
the pastures that are clothed with flocks, and the valleys that are
<i>covered with corn,</i> <scripRef id="Job.xxxvii-p29.9" osisRef="Bible:Ps.65.11-Ps.65.13" parsed="|Ps|65|11|65|13" passage="Ps 65:11-13">Ps. lxv.
11-13</scripRef>. (8.) Notice is sometimes given of the approach of
rain, <scripRef id="Job.xxxvii-p29.10" osisRef="Bible:Job.36.33" parsed="|Job|36|33|0|0" passage="Job 36:33"><i>v.</i> 33</scripRef>. <i>The
noise thereof,</i> among other things, <i>shows concerning it.</i>
Hence we read (<scripRef id="Job.xxxvii-p29.11" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.18.41" parsed="|1Kgs|18|41|0|0" passage="1Ki 18:41">1 Kings xviii.
41</scripRef>) of <i>the sound of abundance of rain,</i> or (as it
is in the margin) <i>a sound of a noise of rain,</i> before it
came; and a welcome harbinger it was then. As the noise, so the
face of the sky, shows concerning it, <scripRef id="Job.xxxvii-p29.12" osisRef="Bible:Luke.12.56" parsed="|Luke|12|56|0|0" passage="Lu 12:56">Luke xii. 56</scripRef>. The cattle also, by a strange
instinct, are apprehensive of a change in the weather nigh at hand,
and seek for shelter, shaming man, who will not foresee the evil
and hide himself.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Job.xxxvii-p30">2. As shadows to the upper world (<scripRef id="Job.xxxvii-p30.1" osisRef="Bible:Job.36.29" parsed="|Job|36|29|0|0" passage="Job 36:29"><i>v.</i> 29</scripRef>): <i>Can any understand
the spreading of the clouds?</i> They are spread over the earth as
a curtain or canopy; how they come to be so, how stretched out, and
how poised, as they are, we cannot understand, though we daily see
they are so. Shall we then pretend to understand the reasons and
methods of God's judicial proceedings with the children of men,
whose characters and cases are so various, when we cannot account
for the spreadings of the clouds, which <i>cover the light?</i>
<scripRef id="Job.xxxvii-p30.2" osisRef="Bible:Job.36.32" parsed="|Job|36|32|0|0" passage="Job 36:32"><i>v.</i> 32</scripRef>. It is a
cloud coming <i>betwixt,</i> <scripRef id="Job.xxxvii-p30.3" osisRef="Bible:Job.36.32 Bible:Job.26.9" parsed="|Job|36|32|0|0;|Job|26|9|0|0" passage="Job 36:32,Job 26:9"><i>v.</i> 32; <i>ch.</i> xxvi. 9</scripRef>.
And this we are sensible of, that, by the interposition of the
clouds between us and the sun, we are, (1.) Sometimes favoured; for
they serve as an umbrella to shelter us from the violent heat of
the sun, which otherwise would beat upon us. A <i>cloud of dew in
the heat of harvest</i> is spoken of as a very great refreshment.
<scripRef id="Job.xxxvii-p30.4" osisRef="Bible:Isa.18.4" parsed="|Isa|18|4|0|0" passage="Isa 18:4">Isa. xviii. 4</scripRef>. (2.)
Sometimes we are by them frowned upon; for they darken the earth at
noon-day and eclipse the light of the sun. Sin is compared to a
cloud (<scripRef id="Job.xxxvii-p30.5" osisRef="Bible:Isa.44.22" parsed="|Isa|44|22|0|0" passage="Isa 44:22">Isa. xliv. 22</scripRef>),
because it comes between us and the light of God's countenance and
obstructs the shining of it. But though the clouds darken the sun
for a time, and pour down rain, yet (<i>post nubila
Phoebus</i>—<i>the sun shines forth after the rain</i>), after he
has wearied the cloud, <i>he spreads his light upon it,</i>
<scripRef id="Job.xxxvii-p30.6" osisRef="Bible:Job.36.30" parsed="|Job|36|30|0|0" passage="Job 36:30"><i>v.</i> 30</scripRef>. There is a
<i>clear shining after rain,</i> <scripRef id="Job.xxxvii-p30.7" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.23.4" parsed="|2Sam|23|4|0|0" passage="2Sa 23:4">2
Sam. xxiii. 4</scripRef>. The sunbeams are darted forth, and reach
to <i>cover</i> even <i>the bottom of the sea,</i> thence to exhale
a fresh supply of vapours, and so raise recruits for the clouds,
<scripRef id="Job.xxxvii-p30.8" osisRef="Bible:Job.36.30" parsed="|Job|36|30|0|0" passage="Job 36:30"><i>v.</i> 30</scripRef>. In all this,
we must remember to magnify the work of God.</p>
</div></div2>