Job 24

Job 24:1

Why, seeing the times are not hidden from the Almighty, do they that know him not see his days?

It is good reason we should attribute so much to the most wise Providence of the Almighty, that he knows and hath determined of the fittest times for his own actions; but why will men be so presumptuous, as (though they know him not, yet) to foresee, and foreset the days and times for his judgments?

Job 24:2

Some remove the landmarks; they violently take away flocks.

There are wicked men, that give themselves to all violent and licentious outrages, of removing of landmarks, driving away the flocks and herds of their neighbours.

Job 24:5

Behold, as wild asses in the desert, go they forth to their work.

They run as eagerly after their spoil and rapine, as the wild ass in the desert runs after his prey.

Job 24:6

They reap every one his corn in the field: and they gather the vintage of the wicked.

They reap every one his share of corn in another man’s field; and gather that vintage, which their cruel oppression hath forced to be theirs.

Job 24:8

They are wet with the showers of the mountains, and embrace the rock for want of a shelter.

So as their naked bodies are exposed to the showers that fall from the mountains; and are fain to seek shelter of the rock, to keep them from the violence of the weather.

Job 24:11

Which make oil within their walls, and tread their winepresses, yet suffer thirst.

The poor and painful man toils hard for these oppressors, to scruze out their oil and wine within their own walls, and is forced to thirst the while; being by their cruelty abridged of his wages and livelihood, and not suffered so much as to taste of his own labours.

Job 24:13

They are of those that rebel against the light.

They are of those, that hate the light, which reproves their wicked deeds, and lays them open to the view of the world.

Job 24:18

He is swift as the waters; their portion is cursed upon earth: he beholdeth not the way of the vineyards.

Thus doth the evil man; but shall he prosper in his mischief? No; God shall soon be avenged of him: he shall pass away swiftly, even as a heady current of waters; and, while he continues here, he enjoys that which he hath, with a curse: his lot shall be barrenness, so as he shall not so much as look towards the way of the vineyards; he shall have no hope of receiving the benefit of his seasonable culture of the earth.

Job 24:19

Drought and heat consume the snow waters; so doth the grave those which have sinned.

As the moisture of the snow, which is more light and airy, is dried up by the heat of the sunbeams, so are the sinners suddenly

Job 24:23

Though it be given him to be in safety, whereon he resteth; yet his eyes are upon their ways.

Though this wicked man seem to pass his time in much security and confidence, yet the eyes of God are so upon his ways, as that he observes him to take his advantages against him, and to fit him with judgments.