ob's honour is turned into contempt. (1-14) Job a burden to
himself. (15-31)
Verses 1-14: Job contrasts his present condition with his former honour
and authority. What little cause have men to be ambitious or
proud of that which may be so easily lost, and what little
confidence is to be put in it! We should not be cast down if we
are despised, reviled, and hated by wicked men. We should look
to Jesus, who endured the contradiction of sinners.
Verses 15-31: Job complains a great deal. Harbouring hard thoughts of
God was the sin which did, at this time, most easily beset Job.
When inward temptations join with outward calamities, the soul
is hurried as in a tempest, and is filled with confusion. But
woe be to those who really have God for an enemy! Compared with
the awful state of ungodly men, what are all outward, or even
inward temporal afflictions? There is something with which Job
comforts himself, yet it is but a little. He foresees that death
will be the end of all his troubles. God's wrath might bring him
to death; but his soul would be safe and happy in the world of
spirits. If none pity us, yet our God, who corrects, pities us,
even as a father pitieth his own children. And let us look more
to the things of eternity: then the believer will cease from
mourning, and joyfully praise redeeming love.