ob acknowledges God's justice. (1-13) He is not able to
contend with God. (14-21) Men not to be judged by outward
condition. (22-24) Job complains of troubles. (25-35)
Verses 1-13: In this answer Job declared that he did not doubt the
justice of God, when he denied himself to be a hypocrite; for
how should man be just with God? Before him he pleaded guilty of
sins more than could be counted; and if God should contend with
him in judgment, he could not justify one out of a thousand, of
all the thoughts, words, and actions of his life; therefore he
deserved worse than all his present sufferings. When Job
mentions the wisdom and power of God, he forgets his complaints.
We are unfit to judge of God's proceedings, because we know not
what he does, or what he designs. God acts with power which no
creature can resist. Those who think they have strength enough
to help others, will not be able to help themselves against it.
Verses 14-21: Job is still righteous in his own eyes, ch. (32:1), and
this answer, though it sets forth the power and majesty of God,
implies that the question between the afflicted and the Lord of
providence, is a question of might, and not of right; and we
begin to discover the evil fruits of pride and of a
self-righteous spirit. Job begins to manifest a disposition to
condemn God, that he may justify himself, for which he is
afterwards reproved. Still Job knew so much of himself, that he
durst not stand a trial. If we say, We have no sin, we not only
deceive ourselves, but we affront God; for we sin in saying so,
and give the lie to the Scripture. But Job reflected on God's
goodness and justice in saying his affliction was without cause.
Verses 22-24: Job touches briefly upon the main point now in dispute.
His friends maintained that those who are righteous and good,
always prosper in this world, and that none but the wicked are
in misery and distress: he said, on the contrary, that it is a
common thing for the wicked to prosper, and the righteous to be
greatly afflicted. Yet there is too much passion in what Job
here says, for God doth not afflict willingly. When the spirit
is heated with dispute or with discontent, we have need to set a
watch before our lips.
Verses 25-35: What little need have we of pastimes, and what great need
to redeem time, when it runs on so fast towards eternity! How
vain the enjoyments of time, which we may quite lose while yet
time continues! The remembrance of having done our duty will be
pleasing afterwards; so will not the remembrance of having got
worldly wealth, when it is all lost and gone. Job's complaint of
God, as one that could not be appeased and would not relent, was
the language of his corruption. There is a Mediator, a Daysman,
or Umpire, for us, even God's own beloved Son, who has purchased
peace for us with the blood of his cross, who is able to save to
the uttermost all who come unto God through him. If we trust in
his name, our sins will be buried in the depths of the sea, we
shall be washed from all our filthiness, and made whiter than
snow, so that none can lay any thing to our charge. We shall be
clothed with the robes of righteousness and salvation, adorned
with the graces of the Holy Spirit, and presented faultless
before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy. May we
learn the difference between justifying ourselves, and being
thus justified by God himself. Let the tempest-tossed soul
consider Job, and notice that others have passed this dreadful
gulf; and though they found it hard to believe that God would
hear or deliver them, yet he rebuked the storm, and brought them
to the desired haven. Resist the devil; give not place to hard
thoughts of God, or desperate conclusions about thyself. Come to
Him who invites the weary and heavy laden; who promises in
nowise to cast them out.
ob acknowledges God's justice. (1-13) He is not able to
contend with God. (14-21) Men not to be judged by outward
condition. (22-24) Job complains of troubles. (25-35)