ob's troubles. (1-6) Job expostulates with God. (7-16) He
begs release. (17-21)
Verses 1-6: Job here excuses what he could not justify, his desire of
death. Observe man's present place: he is upon earth. He is yet
on earth, not in hell. Is there not a time appointed for his
abode here? yes, certainly, and the appointment is made by Him
who made us and sent us here. During that, man's life is a
warfare, and as day-labourers, who have the work of the day to
do in its day, and must make up their account at night. Job had
as much reason, he thought, to wish for death, as a poor servant
that is tired with his work, has to wish for the shadows of the
evening, when he shall go to rest. The sleep of the labouring
man is sweet; nor can any rich man take so much satisfaction in
his wealth, as the hireling in his day's wages. The comparison
is plain; hear his complaint: His days were useless, and had
long been so; but when we are not able to work for God, if we
sit still quietly for him, we shall be accepted. His nights were
restless. Whatever is grievous, it is good to see it appointed
for us, and as designed for some holy end. When we have
comfortable nights, we must see them also appointed to us, and
be thankful for them. His body was noisome. See what vile bodies
we have. His life was hastening apace. While we are living,
every day, like the shuttle, leaves a thread behind: many weave
the spider's web, which will fail, ch. (8:14). But if, while we
live, we live unto the Lord, in works of faith and labours of
love, we shall have the benefit, for every man shall reap as he
sowed, and wear as he wove.
Verses 7-16: Plain truths as to the shortness and vanity of man's life,
and the certainty of death, do us good, when we think and speak
of them with application to ourselves. Dying is done but once,
and therefore it had need be well done. An error here is past
retrieve. Other clouds arise, but the same cloud never returns:
so a new generation of men is raised up, but the former
generation vanishes away. Glorified saints shall return no more
to the cares and sorrows of their houses; nor condemned sinners
to the gaieties and pleasures of their houses. It concerns us to
secure a better place when we die. From these reasons Job might
have drawn a better conclusion than this, I will complain. When
we have but a few breaths to draw, we should spend them in the
holy, gracious breathings of faith and prayer; not in the
noisome, noxious breathings of sin and corruption. We have much
reason to pray, that He who keeps Israel, and neither slumbers
nor sleeps, may keep us when we slumber and sleep. Job covets to
rest in his grave. Doubtless, this was his infirmity; for though
a good man would choose death rather than sin, yet he should be
content to live as long as God pleases, because life is our
opportunity of glorifying him, and preparing for heaven.
Verses 17-21: Job reasons with God concerning his dealings with man.
But in the midst of this discourse, Job seems to have lifted up
his thoughts to God with some faith and hope. Observe the
concern he is in about his sins. The best men have to complain
of sin; and the better they are, the more they will complain of
it. God is the Preserver of our lives, and the Saviour of the
souls of all that believe; but probably Job meant the Observer
of men, whose eyes are upon the ways and hearts of all men. We
can hide nothing from Him; let us plead guilty before his throne
of grace, that we may not be condemned at his judgment-seat. Job
maintained, against his friends, that he was not a hypocrite,
not a wicked man, yet he owns to his God, that he had sinned.
The best must so acknowledge, before the Lord. He seriously
inquires how he might be at peace with God, and earnestly begs
forgiveness of his sins. He means more than the removing of his
outward trouble, and is earnest for the return of God's favour.
Wherever the Lord removes the guilt of sin, he breaks the power
of sin. To strengthen his prayer for pardon, Job pleads the
prospect he had of dying quickly. If my sins be not pardoned
while I live, I am lost and undone for ever. How wretched is
sinful man without a knowledge of the Saviour!
ob's troubles. (1-6) Job expostulates with God. (7-16) He
begs release. (17-21)