Job 24

Job 24:1

WHy] I doe not deny Gods justice in punishing the wicked, and rewarding of the just: I only dispute with you concerning the time: namely because hee doth not doe it alwayes, nor a like in this life, but at that time as hee pleaseth, which time is hidden to al men, even to the faithfull.

Job 24:2

Some] the Italian, the wicked, these words ought to be supplied out of the sixth verse, according to the frequent use of the scriptures.

Job 24:4

They drive away] the poore dare not stand in their way, either by reason of their pride, or by reason of their violence and thefts.

Job 24:5

As wilde asses] they are a fierce, cruell, and untamed kinde of people; for such is the nature of this beast, Iob 39. 8. Ier. 2. 24. Hos. 8 9. [to their work] namely to steale: [the wildernesse] the Italian, the field, or the desert, that is to say, they live upon what they steale in the fields.

Job 24:8

They are wet] those poore naked people, doe flie before the faces of these violent men, into solitary places, where they doe endure great wants: [embrace] an Hebrew phrase, as Lamentations 4:5. his meaning is, they lie upon the hard stone in stead of a bed, wherein other men doe wrap themselves up in blankets and cover-lids.

Job 24:9

The fatherlesse] namely to sell him into bondage.

Job 24:10

Take away &c.] the Italian, they suffer hunger which bring them the sheafes, they are so cruell that they suffer their servants and work-men to want, in harvest and vintage time, at which time nature it selfe teacheth liberality, Deuteronomy 25:4.

Job 24:12

From out of the citie] which is as it were besieged by these field-theeves, Iudg. 5. 11 Neh 4:23 [layeth not] hee doth not use them like malefactors.

Job 24:13

Against the light] whether it be the naturall light of the conscience, or the divine light of Gods Law and Word, or the inward light of Gods spirit, working oftentimes even in the very hearts of the wicked, for to reprove them.

Job 24:14

Rising] to goe into the fields to steale: [is as a thiefe] the Italian, worketh as a thiefe, steales secretly and cunningly.

Job 24:16

They know not] they take no delight in it they fly it and hate it, for feare of being discovered and taken.

Job 24:17

Shaddow of] horrible, and fearfull, even a the darknesse of hell.

Job 24:18

Their portion] they choose, woody and barren places for their habitations, as well to fly the society of men, which they are enemies to, as for to follow their theeving without fear and unpunished: [hee beholdeth not] they fly frequented places, such as ordinarily your vineyards are

Job 24:19

Drought] after they have led such a damnable and beastly life, they doe for all this, many times die a sweet and naturall death, Iob 21. 13. 31 Psa 73:4.

Job 24:20

Shall forget him] their dearest friends, as their owne mothers doe quickly forget the love of them: his meaning is, that they have no more communion with the living: [as a tree] that is rotten and worm-eaten.

Job 24:21

The barren] which was a wretched and dishonourable condition, as well as the widdow, see 1 Samuel 1:6.

Job 24:22

Draweth also] they subvert and overthrow all publick order, and lawfull government, with their violence, see Iob 9. 24.

Job 24:23

To be in safetie] namely meanes sufficient to maintaine themselves: [his eies] hee seemes to love and favour them, and to take an especiall care of them.