ob declares his uprightness. (1-8) His integrity. (9-15) Job
merciful. (16-23) Job not guilty of covetousness or idolatry.
(24-32) Job not guilty of hypocrisy and violence. (33-40)
Verses 1-8: Job did not speak the things here recorded by way of
boasting, but in answer to the charge of hypocrisy. He
understood the spiritual nature of God's commandments, as
reaching to the thoughts and intents of the heart. It is best to
let our actions speak for us; but in some cases we owe it to
ourselves and to the cause of God, solemnly to protest our
innocence of the crimes of which we are falsely accused. The
lusts of the flesh, and the love of the world, are two fatal
rocks on which multitudes split; against these Job protests he
was always careful to stand upon his guard. And God takes more
exact notice of us than we do of ourselves; let us therefore
walk circumspectly. He carefully avoided all sinful means of
getting wealth. He dreaded all forbidden profit as much as all
forbidden pleasure. What we have in the world may be used with
comfort, or lost with comfort, if honestly gotten. Without
strict honestly and faithfulness in all our dealings, we can
have no good evidence of true godliness. Yet how many professors
are unable to abide this touchstone!
Verses 9-15: All the defilements of the life come from a deceived
heart. Lust is a fire in the soul: those that indulge it, are
said to burn. It consumes all that is good there, and lays the
conscience waste. It kindles the fire of God's wrath, which, if
not quenched by the blood of Christ, will consume even to
eternal destruction. It consumes the body; it consumes the
substance. Burning lusts bring burning judgments. Job had a
numerous household, and he managed it well. He considered that
he had a Master in heaven; and as we are undone if God should be
severe with us, we ought to be mild and gentle towards all with
whom we have to do.
Verses 16-23: Job's conscience gave testimony concerning his just and
charitable behaviour toward the poor. He is most large upon this
head, because in this matter he was particularly accused. He was
tender of all, and hurtful to none. Notice the principles by
which Job was restrained from being uncharitable and unmerciful.
He stood in awe of the Lord, as certainly against him, if he
should wrong the poor. Regard to worldly interests may restrain
a man from actual crimes; but the grace of God alone can make
him hate, dread, and shun sinful thoughts and desires.
Verses 24-32: Job protests, 1. That he never set his heart upon the
wealth of this world. How few prosperous professors can appeal
to the Lord, that they have not rejoiced because their gains
were great! Through the determination to be rich, numbers ruin
their souls, or pierce themselves with many sorrows. 2. He never
was guilty of idolatry. The source of idolatry is in the heart,
and it corrupts men, and provokes God to send judgments upon a
nation. 3. He neither desired nor delighted in the hurt of the
worst enemy he had. If others bear malice to us, that will not
justify us in bearing malice to them. 4. He had never been
unkind to strangers. Hospitality is a Christian duty, (1Pe 4:9).
Verses 33-40: Job clears himself from the charge of hypocrisy. We are
loth to confess our faults, willing to excuse them, and to lay
the blame upon others. But he that thus covers his sins, shall
not prosper, (Pr 28:13). He speaks of his courage in what is
good, as an evidence of his sincerity in it. When men get
estates unjustly, they are justly deprived of comfort from them;
it was sown wheat, but shall come up thistles. What men do not
come honestly by, will never do them any good. The words of Job
are ended. They end with a bold assertion, that, with respect to
accusation against his moral and religious character as the
cause for his sufferings, he could appeal to God. But, however
confident Job was, we shall see he was mistaken, chap. (40:4,5;
1Jo 1:8). Let us all judge ourselves; wherein we are guilty, let
us seek forgiveness in that blood which cleanseth from all sin;
and may the Lord have mercy upon us, and write his laws in our
hearts!
ob declares his uprightness. (1-8) His integrity. (9-15) Job
merciful. (16-23) Job not guilty of covetousness or idolatry.
(24-32) Job not guilty of hypocrisy and violence. (33-40)