Job 8

Chap. VIII. Ver. 1—22. Bildad. Job.—Stung by Job’s reproaches, a ut unmoved by his distresses, another of Job’s- friends takes up the accusation strong words without reason. amen him, and compares his preceding speech to a tempest to) on. Bildad argues, as his predecessors had done, on the principle of the divine equity, that Job and his family must have been heinous sinners, from the afflictions with which they had been overwhelmed; and yet, after all, he admits that, if Job would frankly confess his i hope of mercy with the Most High.. crimes, there was still ini by quoting some proverbial He then supports his opinions, _ By the ancients sayings of the ancients to the same effect. Antediluvian patriarchs, here, must evidently be intended the -when human life was in many instances extended nearly toa but was now probably reduced to one fourth thousand years, of that period.

To these venerable ancestors they Sens looked, as prodigies of wisdom and prudence; compared wit knew nothing.” whom, they were ‘“‘but of yesterday, and Thus the later patriarchs quoted the more early; prophets 16 He is green before the sun, and his branch shooteth forth in his garden. | 17 His roots are wrapped about the heap, and seeth the place of stones. 18 If he destroy him from his place, then 7 shall deny him, saying, I « have not seen thee. 19 Behold, this is the joy of his way, and out of the earth shall others ! grow. 20 Behold, God ™ will not cast away a perfect man, neither will he “help the evil-doers: 21 Till he fill thy mouth with laughing, and thy lips with ° rejoicing. ’ 22 They that hate thee shall be clothed with Pshame; and the dwelling place of the wicked shall 4come to nought.

=” =. 7 1 Job, acknowledging God’s justice, showeth there is no contending with him. 22 Man’s innocency is not to be c mned by afflictions. HEN Job answered and said, 2 1 know it is so of a truth: but * how should man be just » with God ? 3 If he will contend with him, he cannot answer him one of a thousand. 4 He °is wisein heart, and mighty instrength: who hath hardened himself against him, and hath prospered ? 5 Which removeth the mountains, and they know not: which overturneth them in his an- 6 Which ¢ shaketh the earth out of her place, and the pillars thereof tremble. 7 Which commandeth the ¢ sun, and it riseth not; and sealeth up the stars. 8 Which alone spreadeth out the ‘ heavens, and treadeth § upon the "

waves of the sea. 9 Which i maketh i Arcturus, Orion, and Pleiades, and the chambers of the south. 10 Which doeth great things past finding out; yea, and wonders without number. 11 Lo, he goeth by me, and I see Aim not: he passeth on also, but I perceive him not. and we have the advantage of quoting all of them. The next observation which presents itself is, the highly of the first sages, who, as we have already figurative ve all their wisdom in allegories, and poetic hinted, clothed aphorisms.—l1. As the rushes that grow on the borders of the green as they may appear at first, soon wither and if deprived of the slime by which they are nourished, however prosperous they so neither can men long flourish, may seem, without the blessing of the Almighty: and what reason have the ungodly to expect his blessing?

Or, 2. He in a garden, fair and verdant, and may be like a tree planted 1 ( whose stem may be well-rooted in the earth; yet if he be removed into another situation, he shall perish; the soil in him, and others grow up to which he first grew shall disown God will not cast away a per- It is argued, “ supply his place. i y fect” and upright man; neither will he take the part “ of evil But the Almighty had now manifestly taken part therefore, it is insinuated, be that against Job; he could not perfect and upright man which he had been considered. Job’s answer to Bildad.—‘‘I know Aap. LX. Ver. 1—35. that God doth what is right itis so of a truth,” says Job 5 “ How can” mortal ana sinful and can do no wrong; for A } “man be just before God ?’—referring, perhaps, to the vision “Tf God contend with man, of Eliphaz, in the 4th chapter.

him for one of a thousand” of his actions; he cannot answer 1 f d nor is it wise or prudent to think of contending with him: “ Him, wisest, strongest, of the wise and strong.” nn nnn ee LEEEEEEEESeE EEE