Job 5
DortEliphaz showeth, that it is not onely lost labour to contend with God, 1. But likewise very hurtful, 2. And exhorteth Job to convert himself to God, who doth good to all men, 8. And especially to the penitent, 11. But thrusteth the hypocrites into perdition, 12. Out of which he delivereth the Godly and poor, 15. Job is exhorted to patience in his suffering, 17. Because God delivereth the Godly out of the same, 18. And blesseth them abundantly, 24. He concludeth his discourse with assuring Job of the substance thereof, and pressing it upon him, 27.
1. Call now; shall there be any that will answer thee? [Oth. Whether, or, if there be nay that will answer thee: or hear thee? (exaudiate te) namely of Saints that are on Earth; or of the unholy and profane one, The holy ones, or Saints shall have no will to intercede for thee; the other shall not be able to do it. To whom then wilt thou turn thy self, in speaking against God thus? Implying he should find none at all.] and to which of the Saints wilt thou turn thy self ? [meaning such Saints, as live hear on earth yet. Some would understand it of holy Angels, as bel. V. 15. 15. In this sence, that they, how excellency soever gifted; should not be able to defend Jobs cause; but the circumstances of the Text make it appear that it is here spoken of godly men, in opposition to the foolish; and Eliphaz taketh it for granted, or assured, that the godly would never undertake the defending of his cause.
2. For the indignation [or wrath, namely of the LORD. Understand it so likewise of the jealousy, or zeal, servency, in the words following , viz. That which the LORD conceiveth for the vindicating of the honour of his name. Thus the word, Wrath , or Indignation, is set down by itself, without the addition of the Word, God , 2 Chron. 28. 13. See the annotation there : or by these words, may be understood the impatience and unrelenting heats of the foolish in their suffering, and under the Judgements of God. Some, for the word zeal or Jealousy, heat , put enviousness; namely of the imprudent and simple or silly ones.] killeth the fool [thus those for the most part are called, that are possessed with false opinions, and do not know, nor fear God as they ought. So likewise in the next verse. Item Psalms 107:17. Proverbs 1:7, & c.] and the jealousy [see the first annotation on this verse] slayeth the silly (one) [understand him, that by reason of his dullness doth easily believe, and suffer himself to be carried about and led away from good. Some do make this distinction betwixt the silly here, and the foresaid Fool; that the fool doth not endeavour after the requisite means to the right end; and the silly not so much as comprehend , what the right end is.]
3. I have seen a fool taking root [i.e. prospering, mighty, successful] yet straight I cursed his dwelling [viz. When I saw soon after that it was destroyed; compare Psalm 37. Ver. 35, 36. Or, as soon as (at the very instant when) I saw it, I judged it to be accursed.]
4. His sons were far from Salvation: and they were crushed in the gate [i.e. in the Court of Judicature, for the Judgements were kept in the gates of the City, in the presence and hearing of the people that went out and in there. See Gen. 22. On ver. 17.] and there was no deliverer.
5. Whose harvest the hungry consumed [viz. The wicked, called the fool just before v.3.] which also he had fetched out of the Briars: [i.e. out of the Fields and grounds that were beset and hedged about with thorns and briars] the hedge-robber swallowed in their substance [the Hebrew word, rendered robber or hedge, or highway robber, doth properly signify one, that hath long and rough hair, such as highway thieves and robbers use to wear, and so bel. Ch. 18. 9.]
6. For vexation [the Hebrew word doth signify indeed, the evil of guilt, that is to say, unrighteousness, or iniquity; but it is likewise taken for the evil of punishment. See Psalms 90:10. And Proverbs 12:21.] commeth not out of the dust: [the sence is; that the causes of human miseries ought not to be sought in casual accidents and sudden mischances, not merely in the ordinary course of nature; but in the sins of men, which God in his judgement doth visit and punish.] not doth the toil spring out of the earth.
7. But man is born to toil, like [Heb. And Thus the Hebrew particle Vau, is frequently used; as bel. chapter 12. 11. And 14. V. 12. Et. 16. 21. Et. 34. 3. Proverbs 25:25.] the sparks of fiery coals [Heb. The sons of fiery. Thus an Arrow is called by the Hebrews, the Son of the Bow; bel. 41. 19. Again; a Son of the Quiver, Lamentations 3:13. The Wheat, a Son of the threshing floor, Isaiah 21:10.] elevate themselves (to) flying [the meaning is here. Even as the sparks of a burning coal fly upwards, and cause mischief, so out of the inbred, or original sin, there commeth forth the actual, which causeth many miseries, plagues and troubles in the World. Or, as it is natural for the sparks to fly upward; so is it natural likewise for sinful man to come forth in this world to misery.]
8. Yet I would seek after God [Eliphaz doth counsel Job, that he should rather reconcile himself with God, by confessing of his sins, and entreating for Grace and favour, then break out thus in such passionate impatience.] and direct my speech to God.
9. Which doth great things, that cannot be searched through [Heb. And there is no searching out, viz. Of the great things which the LORD doth: and also cha. 9. Ver. 10.] wonder past numbering [Heb. Until there is no number; and so again below in the place last quoted.]
10. Which giveth the rain upon the Earth [Heb. Upon the face of thew earth: and so in the sequel of this verse, and bel. Ch. 18. 17.] and sendeth water upon the streets; [The Hebrew word doth not only signify the streets without and along the houses, but other places likewise, without the Cities; as fields, grounds, meadows, highways, gardens, closes, and c. As may be gathered by Psalms 144:13.]
11. To set on high the humble [or, brought low, i.e. such as are reduced to a low and mean condition, by poverty, and all manner of misery, proceeding principally from the want of Gods blessing] that the mourners [Heb. The black (ones) i.e. those that go in black apparel, as they that mourn or wear mourning. Understand it of the disconsolate and heavy hearted] be exalted through salvation.
12. He annibilateth [or, bringeth to nothing] the thought of the crafty, that their hands perform not a thing [or nothing that hath a being; nothing substantial; (that is) settled, or nothing that is of any concernment: or do not execute (go through with) their purposes, intendments. The Hebrew word doth signify Being, Essence, substance, Subsistency; something that truly is, and existeth, as here and below ch. 11. 6. Et 30. 22. And again. Law, Wisdom, Reason, Vertue, in regard that these things are constant, settled and abiding, as below, chapter 6. 13. Et 12. 16. Proverbs 2:7. & 3. 21. & 8. 14.]
13. He catcheth the wise [viz. In their own conceit, or in the worlds account. So likewise Isaiah 44:25. Obad. 8. Matth. 11. 25.] in their craftiness, that the counsel of the wretched (ones) (or, perverse, or counter-wrastlers. Understand such as do perversely toil and moil and wrestle, to put their wily designs and plots into practise. Thus, wrested for perverted. Proverbs 8:8.] is overthrown [Heb. Overhasted, or precipitated, i.e. turned upside down, and quit overthrown.]
14. By day they meet the darkness, [Understand by this, that they are blind in the clearest things, and without the guide of right reason; although they think themselves very wise and subtle. Compare Deuteronomy 28:29. Et below 11. 17. Isaiah 59:10. Jeremiah 15:8. Thus the Word Noon, or midday, is taken for that which is very clear, Psal. 37. 6.]
15. But he delivereth the needy[i.e. the poor, who, being oppressed by the wicked, doth stand in need of the LORDS help, and is called poor, in the next verse, by a word in the original, which signifieth not only want, or scarcity of means, but likewise weakness, or feebleness of body, 2 Samuel 13:4. Psalms 41:2.] from the sword; from their mouth [i.e. from the evil slanders, reproaches, threatening, plots; and practices of those conceited wise and wily ones, spoken of ab. V. 13.] and from the hand of the strong.
16. So (there) is expectation [i.e. some good to be expected; bel. Ch. 8. 13. & 17. 15.] for the poor, and the malice stoppeth her mouth [i.e. the wicked stand as dumb, and astonished, being amazed with the judgements of God, and knocked on the head as it were by wonderfulness of them. See this kind of speaking likewise Psal. 147. 42]
17. Behold, happy is the man [of the Hebrew word see above ch. 4. on v. 17.] when God chasteneth, therefore reject not the correction of the Almighty [See Gen. 17. On v. 1]
18. For he maketh to smart, and he bindeth, he woundeth throw, and his hands doth heal.
19. In six straights [a certain number for an uncertain. See Lev. 26. On v. 8. The meaning is, that God doth show forth assistance to his in many straights, yea in very many, causeth his hand so to appear, that the evil which was feared doth not come upon them at all. See the like manner of putting down, a great uncertain number for a certain, Proverbs 6:16. And 24. 16. And 30. 18, 29.] he will deliver thee [viz. If so be, that thou put thy trust in him, and call upon him by prayer, and reform thy life according to his commandments by true Repentance] and in the seventh [oth. In seven. That here the number of six is put down first, and that of seven upon it, serveth only for an exaggeration and ornament of speech. Comp, Proverbs 6:16. & 30. 15, 18, 21, 29.] the evil shall not touch thee.
20. In the Famine shall he redeem thee from death, and in War from the power of the Sword: [Hebr. From the hands of the Sword. i.e. from the power and violence of war, or arms. See Psal. 63. Ver. 11. Item from the hand of the grave, Psalms 49:16. From the hand of the Snare, Psalms 141:9. Again, from the hand of the grave, Hosea 13:14. And so also, from the hand of the Lion, and of the Bear, 1 Samuel 17:37. From the hand of the hound, or dog, Psalms 22:21. & c.]
21. Against the scourge of the Tongue [i.e. against the reproaches, slanders, backbitings and lying tales, whereby the malicious tongues of the wicked men, do rail and rage against the godly. Others, in i.e. when thou art reproached, or, from, & c.] shalt thou, be hid; and thou shalt not be hid; and thou shalt not be afraid of the desolation when it commeth.
22. Against the desolation, and against the Famine, shalt thou laugh: [i.e. thou shall laugh at; deride, despise them, and not be troubled or dismayed by reason of them, and not be troubled or dismayed by reason of them. Laughing is put for contemning, scorning, as below chapter 39. 10, 15. Psalms 2:4. Et 37. 13. Proverbs 31:25.] and of Beasts of the earth thou shalt not be afraid.
23. For with the Stones of the Field shall thy covenant be: [viz. Not to hurt thy foot against them, i.e. thou shall receive no hurt nor damage by them. The meaning is, That he should be free from all perils and dangers, especially travelling and journeying by land. Some do understand by the stones, rude, fierce and insolent men, whom God should so overawe and refrain, what the Godly should receive no harm by them. See likewise Hos. 2. V. 18.] and the beasts of the field shall be at peace with thee.
24. And thou shalt find [thus the Hebrew word is taken Genesis 3:7. And 8. 11. Numb. 14. 34. And so likewise in the next verse] that the tent [i.e. thine house, or dwelling, as the word following showeth; and so below chapter 8. 22. And 11. 14, & c. See also 2 Kings 13. On v. 5.] is in peace [in a prosperous and happy condition, See Gen. 37. On v. 14.] and thou shalt provide for thy dwelling, [Heb. Visit, i.e. provide, improve, and take care of it, performing thy duty towards thy family. Thus God is said to have visited his people, Ruth 1:16. When he had given them bread again; and man Psalms 8:5. When he taketh care of him; his vineyard, Psal. 80. 5. When he protecteth the same against the Enemies. Compare Gen. 21. On v. 1.] and shalt not fail [i.e. performing thy duty in governing and providing for thine house, thou shalt not suffer want, or have no lack, or default, in regard that the LORD shall make all thy doings to prosper. The Hebrew would Chata, or hata is likewise taken for failing, or missing, Judges 20:16. See the annotation there.]
25. Thou shalt find likewise that thy seed shall be manifold; and thy sprouts [i.e. the children that shall come forth of thee and thine. So also below ch. 21. 8. And 27. 14. Isaiah 22:24. And 48. 19.] as the herb of the earth.
26. Thou shalt come to the grave in thy old age, as the corn-shock is carried in, [Heb. Riseth up, or ascendeth] in its time [or season. This Comparison is taken from the fields in Sheaves, is laid up there in great heaps or shocks, and carried home after wards into the Barns: for as these are not piled or heaped up thus, and brought to the barn before their full ripeness; even so shall the godly, (if the same may be a blessing to them) not be gathered to their graves (called likewise an heap of earth, bel. Until a good, & c. Full old age.]
27. Behold this, We have searched it, it is so: hear it, and observe it for thee. [i.e. for thy own good and benefit.]