Job 34

Job 34:36

36, 37. My desire is &c.] My desire is, that Job’s speeches concerning God’s providence may be fully scanned, till the point be brought to an issue; because he speaks in behalf of the wicked, teaching them how to argue against God and His providence, quarrelling with God, justifying himself in the evil he hath spoken, and insulting over us. Clark.

Job 34:37

37. For he addeth rebellion &c.] Job’s discontent with the measures of Providence towards him broke out in his very first speech, grew more loud and vehement in the course of the dispute, and arrived to its height in his presumptuous challenge of God, chap. xxxi. 35—37. This progress and increase are what Elihu marks by the expression, “he addeth rebellion unto his sin.” The phraseology denotes continual augmentation; like that in Ps. lxix. 27, “add iniquity unto their iniquity.” Compare Ps. lxxxiv. 7. Scott. — he clappeth his hands &c.] He exults not only over his three opponents, but also over God Himself, particularly in chap. xxxi. 35—37. Scott. Chap. XXXV. Elihu, who has undertaken to instruct at the same time both Job and his friends, observes that our piety can be of no advantage, nor our wickedness injurious to the Deity; but that God punishes the wicked for the sake of mankind, though not so quickly as the impatient sufferers expect, who in their misery are apt to forget all former blessings, and the Being who bestowed them. Michaelis. Ver. 2. Thinkest thou this to be right, &c.] By insisting so much on your own righteousness, and complaining of God’s dealings with thee, thou in effect makest thyself more righteous than God. Clark.