Job 34

Notes

Ver. 2. I appeal to you, O men of sense, and I beseech you seriously to consider what I say. 3. For the mind can judge of the truth or falsehood of doctrines, as well as the mouth can judge of the taste of food. 4. Let us, without any passion or prejudice, thoroughly examine this cause: 5, 6. For Job has uttered some very dangerous expressions in his own justification, as if he could not vindicate himself without accusing God of unjust severity towards him, 7, 8. Did ever a good man deride, not only his friends, but even his God, with such greediness and delight? Did ever a good man under trouble speak and act so like the wicked? 10-12. It is impossible that God can deny justice to any, or punish without cause, or forbear to reward men according to their deeds, either in this life or in that which is to come. 13-17. Without supposing him perfectly just he could never govern the world; and men are so far from being able to give him his charge or directions, that their existence and life depend wholly upon his mere good pleasure and bounty. 18, 19. If it be improper rudely to charge earthly princes with wickedness and impiety, how daring is it to accuse him who formed all mankind equally subject to his power and pleasure, and therefore regards the greatest no more than the least, and can never do anything unjust to gain their favour or to avoid their anger. 20. At his pleasure whole nations, in their midnight security, are in a terrible manner, by earthquakes or the like, hurried into eternity; and the mightiest princes or warriors are, by his immediate influence, displaced from their station or deprived of their life. 21. His omniscient eye discerns enough in men for which he may justly punish them. 25. He takes a full and exact account of their works; and because they are wicked he rolls a night of destructive judgment upon them; and they are bruised, as in a mortar, under the weight of it. 26. He suddenly, and with shame, hisses away these eminent ones in the open view of unnumbered spectators. 27. Because of their manifest apostasy from and obstinate rebellion against him: 28. That he may encourage mean persons to apply to him for relief; and may graciously hear the plaintive cries of the poor and afflicted. 29. And if he give deliverance, rest, and comfort, none can make trouble. If he withhold his favourable smiles, none can procure help from him. 30. He also punishes wicked men, that their insolence may be controlled, and that their subjects may not be encouraged to imitate their impieties or be perpetually held in the fetters of tyranny and oppression. 31, 32. Instead of quarrelling with God's afflictive providences, we should kindly submit to them, and with holy resolution to avoid it, beseech him to discover to us the sinful cause of them, however secret. 33. Has not God inflicted these troubles upon thee as a part of thy due reward, because thou hast grievously murmured against him? Since thou hast chosen what I never would, declare plainly thy reason for it.

Ver. 8. [Not as if Job had ever practically or intentionally taken part with these, but that his doctrines finally coincided with theirs, and rendered him a party to all their erroneous conclusions.—Note, How easily may any one, through oversight, be found in the sight of God walking with the very men whom, in his judgment and heart, he fancies that he most abhors! C.]

Ver. 32. [Delitzsch translates, 'For one, indeed, saith to God, I have been proud, I will not do evil; what I see not, show thou me; if I have done wrong, I will do it no more.' This is given by Elihu as a model confession. It is not directly urged upon Job; but indirectly it is recommended to his consideration. Job was proud of his own integrity. To humble him, and bring him a suppliant to the throne of grace, was the object of all Job's afflictions. P.]

Ver. 33. [Speak what thou knowest. What thou truly knowest upon divine evidence, and not what is the product of thine own dissatisfied feelings. C.]

Ver. 36. ['O would that Job were proved to the extreme on account of his answers after the manner of evil men' (Delitzsch). The Hebrew word translated in the text 'my desire,' and in the margin 'my father,' appears to be from an Arabic root, and is equivalent to our expression 'O that.' It expresses an earnest wish or petition. The wish here is that Job's trials may continue until the whole controversy regarding his boasted uprightness be decided. P.]

Reflections.—Mutual assistance is necessary in searching out truth or convincing the mistaken. But often good men, in the heat of their spirit, speak worse than they mean; and reproach both themselves and their God, in speaking or acting like the profane world. Just views of God's perfections are requisite to prevent our sinful freedoms with him, or to render us penitent for them. The eye of God constantly observes our hearts and ways. How foolish is it then to hide our sin! Rejection of his warnings, and obstinate disregard of his will, fill up men's iniquity. And they who will not be guided by his word shall be smitten with his rod of judgment: and quickly will he resent the groans of the poor and oppressed, and redress their grievances. What God gives to nations or persons none but himself can take from them. If a soul enjoy a sense of his favour through faith in Jesus, no accusations of sin, nor fears of death or hell, can any longer disturb him. And when God is our enemy the whole world cannot protect us. Let wicked men crouch as they will, and profess as they will, in order to obtain power, he can easily disappoint them in mercy to mankind. The more persons are humbled for sin the less they will complain of their sufferings; but, conscious of the depth of iniquity in their heart, and the spread of it in their life, will search out the cause, and turn from it to God. Humble confessions of our ignorance and crimes, earnest supplications for necessary instructions and supplies of grace, and holy resolutions to walk in his way, are necessary in all our dealings with God. To struggle with him who best knows how to manage us, and does all things well, is at once extremely foolish and criminal. But, alas! how often the best of men, when left to their own passions under heavy troubles, practically take part with God's enemies, insult his friends, and obstinately murmur against himself! And it is then a distinguished kindness faithfully to reprove them, and to help them to see and be affected with their offence.