word rendered "sin," may mean wander, or be disappointed: and perhaps the verse may imply, that when the believer goes from home, he may commit himself and family to the care of God, assured that no tempests, fires, or robbers shall come near his habitation; and that he shall be brought back in peace, without losing his way, or being disappointed at his return, by finding his family ruined, or murdered, or fallen into calamity. (Marg. Ref.) V. 25-27. In case Job committed his cause to God, he might also be confident that his posterity would be prosperous, that he would live long, and die in peace, when fully ripe for heaven. (Notes, 42:10—17. 1 Chr. 29:26-28.) These principles Eliphaz recommended, as the result of his own experience and observation, and those of his friends, and concluded with admonishing Job to regard them for his good, and to make them his own by a practical use of them.-They are indeed good general rules, but they admit of many exceptions: for, though the believer is under the peculiar protection of God in his person, character, family, and all relating to him, and should commit all to his keeping; the Lord often sees good to withhold the temporal comfort, in order to confer a spiritual blessing of greater value. Indeed, Job's sufferings, so far from being proofs of hypocrisy, were not so much as corrections for any particular of fence; but trials of his singular faith, piety, and constancy: so greatly did his friends mistake his case! They spoke general truths according to the light of that dispensation; but they erred in their application of them. The Holy Spirit has recorded that debate, as infallibly true in point of matter of fact: but we must decide from the general tenor of the scripture, whether they maintained right principles, and deduced legitímate consequences; and whether their arguments were or were not conclusive. (Note, 42:7-9.) PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS. V. 1-7. It is generally dangerous to deviate from the sentiments and practices of the saints of God, and it is very discouraging to be constrained to act contrary to their judgment. But it is common for men to boast, as if believers, in all ages and nations, were of their mind, when they are far from having even a majority in their favor. And at last the word of God is our all-sufficient rule, and not the sentiments of any number of fallible men: so that, in fact, they have sometimes been found right, who seemed not only to have all the world, but almost all the church, against them. We should watch ourselves, and caution others, against the tormenting and malignant passions of envy and anger; which rule in the hearts of weak and foolish men with most fatal energy, and not only expose them to the wrath of God, but to the temptations of Satan, and to various species of guilt and misery. But we must not rashly represent every gust of passion or agitation of spirit under trials, reproaches, and temptations, as an evidence of a malevolent disposition: for we should not choose to have our own infirmities treated with such severity; and we might reasonably expect that they would not. We may predict the final ruin of wicked men, || we have searched it, so it is; hear it, and know thou it for thy good. f Heb. ascendeth. Heb. for thyself. 22:2 Deut. g 8:8-10. 13:2. 15:9,10,17. 32: 10:13. 11,12. as exposed to the awful curse of God, even in the zenith of their prosperity, when all around are congratulating and envying them. Their tem poral success will soon vanish: and what is got by fraud, oppression, or cruelty, commonly entails a curse on their families and estates. Yel a man's wickedness must be very notorious, to authorize us to interpret his afflictions, or those of his posterity, into divine judgments upon him. -As we are born in sin, and soon run into actual transgression, we are naturally exposed to almost innumerable troubles: but they are all directed by the unerring hand of God, for some wise and righteous purpose; and we should regu|| late our conduct accordingly. V. 8-16. It is easy to say, what we would do in trying circumstances; but perhaps we should find it more difficult to observe our own rules, than we now imagine. We ought, however, to give proper advice, and to leave the event to God: and it becomes us under all our trials to seek unto him, and to commit our cause into his hands. Whatever difficulties may be in our case, the Lord knows how to extricate us, by a thousand ways that we never thought of. All his works are wonderful and unsearchable: we see what is wrought, and can discover his wisdom, power, and goodness, in the connexion of causes and effects in nature; but we cannot comprehend how he works. And too often the great Author of all our comforts, and the manner in which they are conveyed to us, are alike unnoticed, because they are received as things of course. He exalts or depresses, afflicts or comforts, as he pleases, with irresistible power, but in perfect justice, wisdom, and goodness.-Those who are perverse and ungodly, and proud of their abilities and sagacity, are generally made to feel, or to expose, their own folly and impotency. "Pro fessing themselves wise, they become fools:' they are often bewildered by their own fancies, and rendered the dupes of their own false reasonings or refined politics; they run into the grossest absurdities, commit the most egregious mistakes, are bewildered in uncertainty in the plainest matters, and grope at noon day as if it were midnight; for "God takes them in their own craftiness," and makes "foolish the wisdom of this world." Idolaters and atheistical philosophers of old; skeptics, infidels, and materialists of modern days, are awful proofs of these truths: and so are politic persecutors and oppressors of the church, in every age.-In vain have learning, wisdom, authority, cruelty, and every device of men and devils united, to subvert the church of God, and extirpate his poor despised people. The schemes of these enemies have been frustrated, "their hands have not been able to perform their enterprise;" their "counsels have been carried headlong," and they have been taken in their own snare, infatuated, and driven to destruction; and all their successors may expect the same fate. For the poor and despised people of God, though deemed weak, foolish, and defenceless, can neither be overcome, nor assaulted with impunity. The church still subsists; "the poor" in spirit "have hope," and expect to triumph at the destruction of their ene mies, when the boastings and blasphemies of the wicked will be for ever silenced, or turned into that his miseries might be impartially balanced shame and anguish. V. 17-27. "Happy is the man, whom God correcteth!" We should therefore consider our afflictions, as so many kind warnings to examine ourselves, confess our sins, seek mercy from God, and walk more diligently in his ways: we should humble ourselves before him, and neither despise his rod, nor seek help or relief from any one else. He alone can effectually remove temporal afflictions, and give peace to the wounded conscience, or relief to the troubled spirit. And when we have found pardon, peace with God, and deliverance from the power of sin, we may without reserve venture our all in his hands. He will provide for our real wants, and protect us in the way of duty, so that no evil can hurt us; and deliver us from all the troubles with which he may please to prove us. Our reputations may be torn by the scourge of the slanderer's tongue; but he will hide us from the effects of such accusers, and clear up our characters in due time. Our habitations, families, and the time and circumstances of our death, may be safely trusted to him; all creatures shall be instruments of good to us, though perhaps contrary to their nature or intention; all events will benefit us; and we may smile, nay exult, when others tremble. We may go out and come in, lie down and rise up, without distrustful fear, assured of the special care of heaven, till the Lord see good to call us home. We are not authorized to expect great wealth, long life, flourishing families, or exempuon from tribulations: but we are assured that all will be ordered in the best manner possible, and that we shall not be summoned by death till we are ripe for glory, and have lived as long as it is good for us in this world. This has been the confidence, observation, and experience of godly men, in all ages: may we hear it and know it for our good! against his complaints, assured that he should not have been so harshly censured, if his sorrows had not been made too light of: for, in fact, they were so numerous and weighty, that he could find nothing adequate with which to compare them; and all his words fell very short of fully describing them. In addition to his external troubles, the inward sense of the wrath of God, and the dread of his almighty vengeance, like poisoned arrows, infected his soul, and exhausted his courage and resolution; or, like a powerful army placed in array against him, they cut off his hope of escape, and almost drove him to distraction. (Marg. Ref.)-Doubtless, this was the effect of Satan's temptations, who endeavored, by every horrible impression on his imagination, to drive him to curse God, or blaspheme, as he had declared that he would, if fully tried; (Notes, 1:9-11. 2:4,5,12,13.) while the Lord was pleased to favor the trial, by withholding from him all sensible comfort, and leaving him in darkness and dismay.-In this he was a type of Christ, when agonizing in the garden; and when upon the cross he exclaimed, “My God! my God! why hast thou forsaken me?" (Notes, Matt. 26:36-39. 27:46.) V. 5-7. In these verses Job intimated, that his friends, being free from trouble and temptation, did nothing more, in being contented, than the wild ass or the ox does, when at ease and plentifully fed. But he must be allowed to express his anguish by groans and complaints; which were no more to be censured, than the braying of the wild ass, or the lowing of the ox, when destitute of provender. And indeed the discourse of Eliphaz had so little of the savor of wisdom and kindness, and was so unsuitable for the occasion, that it was impossible he should relish it: yet this, as "sorrowful meat" was all he had to feed his soul upon, under his affliction and depression; though at any time he should have entirely disregarded it.-Some think he meant, that it was as natural to expect encouraging CHAP. VI. V. 1-4. Job, conscious of integ-words under heavy trials, as it is to ask for salt rity, and displeased, rather than convinced, by to eat with the white of an egg; whereas the disthe reasonings of Fliphaz, replied, by wishing course of Eliphaz tended to render his trials NOTES. hope? and what is mine end, that I should prolong my life? 12 Is my strength the strength of stones? or is my flesh of brass? c 19 The troops of Tema looked, the companies of Sheba waited for them. 20 They were confounded, because they had hoped: they came thither, and e 13 Is not my help in me? * and is were ashamed. wisdom driven quite from me? 14 To him that is afflicted pity should be shewed from his friend; but he forsaketh the fear of the Almighty. a [Practical Observations.] b 15 My brethren have dealt deceitfully as a brook, and as the stream of brooks they pass away; 21 For now ye are "nothing; 'ye see my casting down, and are afraid. 22 Did I h say, Bring unto me? or, Give a reward for me of your substance? 23 Or, Deliver me from the enemy's hand? or, Redeem me from the hand of the mighty? i 24 Teach me, and I will hold my cause me to understand 16 Which are blackish by reason of tongue: and m the ice, and wherein the snow is hid: wherein I have erred. 17 What time they wax warm, they vanish; when it is hot, they are consumed out of their place. 18 The paths of their way are turned aside; they go to nothing, and perish. Heb. brazen. 40:18. 41:24. u 13.22. 2 Cor. 1:12. Gal. 6:4. x 12:2,3. 13:2. 4.3.4. 16:5. 19:21. Prov. 17:17. Rom. 12:15. 1 Cor. 12:26. 2 Cor. 11:29. Gal. 6:2. Heb. 13: 3. † Heb. melteth. z. Gen. 20:11. Pg. 36:1-3. Luke more burdensome than they were before. It is plain, however, that he rejected and undervalued the good advice which had been given; because of the injurious reflections on his character, with which it was introduced. (Notes, 5:2–7.) Lev. 25:48. Neh. 5:8. Ps. 49:7,8,15. 107:2. Jer. 15: 21. k 5:27. 32:11,15,16. 33:1,31-33: f Ps. 62:9. Is. 2:22. Jer. 17:5,6.1 Ps. 39:1,2. Jam. 3:2. g 2:11-13. Ps. 38:11. Prov. m 10:2. Ps. 19:12. n 4:4. 16:5. Prov. 12:18. 16:21 -24. 18:21. 25:11. Ec. 12:10, 11. o 13:5. 16:3,4. 21:34. 24:25. 32:3 unbeliever, would not have been so scrupulous (Notes, 2:9,10. 3:20-23.) V. 14. He, who does not compassionate his afflicted friend, but reproaches him, casts off his regard to the authority of God, as well as love to his brother. (Marg. Ref.)-Some, however, understand the verse, as Job's representation of the behavior of his friends to him; in which sense it may be rendered, "They say of him that is af flicted more than his neighbor, He hath forsaken mercy, and the fear of the Almighty." (Note, 4:3—6.) V. 8-13. The passionate earnestness, with which Job here requested to die, and the vehement language which he used, were very unbecoming. It seemed as if God could bestow on him no greater favor than instantaneous death, in whatever manner it should come. (Notes, Num. 11:11-15. 1 Kings 19:3,4. Jon. 4:1—8.)|| This was his chief desire and request, and almost his only one: but it was very rash in him to speak of God's "destroying," or crushing, or "letting loose his hand" and "cutting him off," and "not sparing him;" and of his "hardening himself in sorrow," and being "comforted" in the prospect of immediate dissolution. Alas! he knew not what he said; for who, during a single hour, could endure the wrath of the Almighty, if he spared not, but let loose his hand against him?-Relief from lingering misery was Job's great object; yet he evidently thought of a future world, when he declared that "he had not concealed the words of the Holy One." He meant, that he was no hypocrite; but as he had professed the words of the holy God, so he had believed and obeyed them, as the avowed and real rule of his conduct. He seems, however, to have spoken too much in a way of self-justification, and despondency; and not simply, as stating the ground of his desire to leave this world, and go to a better.-He added that he had no strength left, which could inspire a hope of a termination to his afflictions, except in death; and if he had the strength of stones or brass, his sufferings would soon wear it out: but his understanding, and the testimony of a good conscience, were continued to him; he knew what he was discoursing of, and his wisdom was not quite driven from him; yet his friends despised his words.-lation to his soul. Though Job thus longed and prayed for death, he did not think that he was authorized to commit suicide: a heathen philosopher, or a modern V. 15-23. The friends of Job had appeared very affectionate to him, when prosperous; and in his calamity he had hoped for support and consolation from their visit: but he had been miserably disappointed. This he represented by an appropriate simile. In those countries, the ice and snow, melting upon the mountains, at certain seasons filled the brooks with water, so that they appeared like rivers, swelled and discolored with the inundation: and the Arabian companies, or caravans, travelling through the deserts, marked the course of these brooks, which were full of water when it was not wanted. But when in the heat of summer, they were parched with thirst, and resorted thither in hopes of a supply, they found that these brooks were entirely dried up, and this filled them with distress and confusion. (Note, Jer. 15:15-18.) Thus Job's expectations from his friends came to nothing, and he was ashamed of his former confidence. (Notes, Is. 28:16. 45:15-17. Joel 1:11.) For when his friends looked on his miseries, they seemed afraid lest he should become a burden or a disgrace to them; and therefore they treated him with unkindness. But had he ever requested them to make up his losses by presents? to rescue or ransom his substance from the Sabeans and Chaldeans? or even to protect him from further violence? indeed he chiefly wanted conso V. 24, 25. Job was unwilling, that his friends should suppose he refused to receive instruction, or reproof. If therefore they would mildly teach 26 Do you imagine to P reprove words, upon me: for it is and the speeches of one that is desperate, which are as wind? overwhelm the fatherless, and ye dig a pit for your friend. 28 Now therefore, be content: look I lie. evident unto you, " if y 29 Return, I pray you, let it not be iniquity; yea, return again, my righteousness is in it. 30 Is there iniquity in my tongue? a cannot my Ex. 22:22-24. Ps. 82:3. Prov. things? $ 22.9. 24:3,9. 23:12. 31:17,21. 23:10,11. Ex. 22:7. Mal. 3:5. t Ps. 7:15. 57:6. Jer. 18:20,22. him any useful lesson, or point out his mistakes, he would silently hearken. For "right words," or salutary truths, proposed with conclusive proofs and fair application, were powerfully convincing; but the unfounded suspicions and uncandid censures of Eliphaz could not be received as just reproof. Heb. before your face. u 11:3. 13:4. x 17:10. Mal. 3:18. taste discern perverse That is, in this matter. z 33:8-12 42:3-6. a 6. 12:11. 34.3. Heb. 5:14. Heb. palate. properly with those, who are thus deserted, oppressed, and overwhelmed.-What then did the Savior endure in the garden and on the cross, when "he bare our sins," and his soul was made a sacrifice to divine justice for us! and what will sinners, who neglect so great salvation, for ever endure in the regions of darkness and despair! V. 26. Eliphaz had nothing explicit, for which There, indeed, "the arrows of the Almighty are he could reprove Job, except some passionate within them, the poison whereof drinketh up their words, which excess of anguish had extorted from spirit. The terrors of God set themselves in array him, when almost driven to desperation. (Notes, against them," and they can neither escape nor 2:12, 13. 3:) These ought therefore to have been endure them.-Those who know no want, and no more regarded, than a sudden gust of wind, feel no pain, may easily be composed, and critiwhich is soon followed by a calm: or, as some un-cally comment on the words and actions of such, derstand the passage, the rest of his discourse as are in overwhelming trouble: but their disshould not on that account have been treated with contempt, as empty sound.-Had Eliphaz calmly shewed Job, that his passionate language was unbecoming his character for piety, in the manner that the latter had reproved his wife, he might have submitted to the rebuke: (Note, 2:10.) but his intimations, that Job had been a hypocrite, entirely defeated this end, and made Job think himself excusable. V. 27-30. In Job's opinion, his friends acted as cruelly, as if they had oppressed a fatherless child, who had none to defend him; and as ungratefully and unfaithfully, as if they had digged a pit for their friend to fall into and perish. He therefore entreated them to be content with his sufferings, which they might perceive to be very great, and not to aggravate them by reproaches; and to favor him by reconsidering his cause, examining it more accurately, and deciding upon it more candidly. If he had spoken any falsehood, they might easily confute him: if he were a wicked man, they might detect him. If they could not do either of these, let them retract their sentence, and not impute his sufferings to his iniquity; for he was conscious that he was upright in the sight of God, which would be made evident by fuller investigation. He thought he could savor what was true and good, and distinguish what was perverse and profane: and though he allowed he had spoken rash words, he was not conscious, that there had been iniquity in his tongue. courses are generally insipid, and often distressing. Indeed, these in general appear worse than they really are: for in anguish a man loses his relish for truths which before were palatable; he is disposed to be fretful and fastidious; and a little which galls him sets him against all that might comfort him. This should be well considered by those, who discourse with persons in great distress: and, except they can command evident affection, sympathy, and caution, it is better to let the storm subside before they speak at all, lest they cause it to rage with still greater impetuosity.-Furious passions are peculiarly culpable when they dictate prayers; for men seldom wish or pray for death, except when they are in a rebellious frame of spirit. We should indeed be habitually ready and willing to depart; and indifferent about earthly objects, which may so soon render life itself a burden. But surely we may find something more excellent to request of Goď, than to be delivered from present suffering: and it ill suits our state and character, to speak of hardening our hearts under the strokes of the Almighty, if he should "not spare," but "let loose his hand to cut us off." Rather we should humble ourselves under his mighty hand; bow down in submission to his will; hope in his mercy; and entreat him to lighten the weight of his chastisements, and to consider how frail we are. In his favor we may yet have comfort, let our outward condition be ever so bad; whether he please to be with us in the furnace o' affliction on earth, until he take us unto himself, or to restore us to peace and prosperity: for "the things that are impossible with man, are possible with God."-We may In deciding on the conduct of those who seen easily see that we ought to act thus under every impatient, we should carefully consider the num- possible trial; but if we were tempted as Job was, ber and aggravations of their distresses, which we know not how we should behave.-The testioften appear to the sufferer even greater than his mony of conscience to our integrity in our past heaviest complaints, and beyond the power of conduct, as professed Christians, may properly be words to express. A heart, wounded with the our rejoicing: yet it may be so pleaded, as to safear or sense of the wrath of God, assaulted with vor of pride, rebellion, and despondency. It is grievous temptations, filled with horror, and verg- also a mercy under severe diseases to retain the ing to despair, is far more dreadful and intoler-exercise of our reasoning faculties: but sometimes able, than any external afflictions: yet, these men use them with perverse ingenuity, to argue "pains of hell" have often taken hold of the most against their own comfort, and to vindicate their beloved servants of God. (Notes, 2 Sam. 22:5,6. unbelief and impatience. Persons of this descripPs. 116:3.) Mere spectators cannot estimate tion, however, are entitled to our peculiar comtrials of this kind; and few pious men have suffi- passion; their wounds require healing balm, not cient wisdom, experience, and tenderness, to deal || sharp corrosives: and if we do not behave with PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS. V. 1-14. tenderness to the afflicted, we despise the author- ever, still more unbecoming to retaliate on reity of God, and fail of our duty to him. V. 15-30. provers, and to charge them with malice, when perhaps they spoke from genuine love. Yet, if we have rashly condemned any one, we ought to review the evidence with impartiality and candor, and to retract our censure if found unmerited. We do not love to be treated as hypocrites, contrary to evidence, or the testimony of our consciences; and we should not thus condemn others. But it is best to commit our character to him who keeps our souls: and to appeal to that day, when he will "bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and make manifest the counsels of all hearts;" and then shall every upright believer "have praise of God." It is our duty and wisdom to "cease from men:" (Notes, Ps. 146:3,4. P. O. Is. 2:22. P. O. 1022, close:) the nearest friends and relatives, though wise and pious, through mistake and prejudice, often disappoint our expectations. They may be exceedingly kind and attentive, while we are at ease and in affluence: yet, in adversity, we shall find most of them like the brook, which by the land-flood became a torrent, but in the drought of summer proves a dry channel, and disappoints the hopes of the fainting traveller. But they who trust in God shall never be ashamed of their confidence; for he will be peculiarly helpful to them, when all other helpers and comforts fail: yea, though "flesh and heart fail, he will be the Strength of their hearts, and their Portion for ever." When men see their friends cast down, they too commonly fear being involved with them, and exposed to danger, expense, and trouble; and so they appear shy of them, and perhaps unjustly criminate their conduct, to excuse their own. Yet sometimes the afflicted suspect their friends without cause. It is our duty to help others to the utmost of our ability; but it is generally our wisdom to bear our own losses and difficulties as well as we can, and to avoid becoming a burden to our friends. Prudence therefore requires us, when prosperous, to avoid needless indulgences, and to inure ourselves to some degree of hardship; that if a change should take place, (and none can know "what a day may bring forth,") we may not have to say, "the things, that my soul refused to touch, are become as my sorrowful meat."-A wise man will, at all times, be glad to be counelled, and convinced of his errors, by right words, which forcibly rectify his judgment and impress is heart. But most of us are apt to be too impatient, when we hear men argue inconclusively, especially when their discourse bears hard on our sentiments and conduct. Indeed rash expressions, dictated by anguish of spirit, should not be severely criticised: but, though they do not prove us hypocrites, they evince that we are far from humbly acquiescing in the divine will. It is, how-ing up the simile. VOL. III. 4 NOTES. CHAP. VII. V. 1-6. Job here represented the life of man on earth, to be like the appointed time of warfare to the soldier, (for so the expres sion may be interpreted,) or the laborer's day for his work. The one earnestly wished for his discharge, that he might be exempted from further labors and perils; the other looked with desire for the shadows of the evening, when he should receive his wages and go to rest: and why might not Job wish for death to terminate his sorrows, and bring him to that happier state for which he yet hoped? (Note, 2 Tim. 4:6-8.) This was the more allowable, as his life was now both joyless and useless, and full of tedious sufferings, without any remission even by night; for that season which brings rest to others, was spent by him in agony, and in longing for the dawning of the day: (Deut. 28:67.) nay his disease was so noisome, that it made him like a putrefied corpse even before his death. (Notes, 2:7,8. 30:15-19.) All this had come upon him so suddenly, that his happier days were gone instantaneously; and his remnant of life, which in itself was exceedingly short and transient, was vanishing without hope of returning health and comfort. Spent, &c. (6) Finished for want of thread.' E. Smith.-The original will admit this transiation, and several critics have adopted it as keep [25 |