Job 21

To bring the dispute to a speedier issue, Job (after a shoTt preface, reproving their incivility) comes close to the business: and doth not content himself merely with denying what they had said, but shews them where the fallacy in their discourse lay: viz. in concluding an universal from some particulars. For he maintains from as good history and observations as they coufd produce, that though God do make some wicked men such ex^ amples of his vengeance, as they had said, yet He lets others, and they of the vilest sort, atheists and deriders of Divine providence, live prosperously, and die peaceably, and have • stately monuments built to perpetuate their memory. In brief, he shews there is great variety in*God’£ proceedings about the punishment of the wicked; which makes them so bold as they are in their impiety. And seems to have respect to the history of Ishmael, who was a wild or barbarous man, grasping at all he could lay his hands on, and persecuting Isaa6; and yet had twelve princes descended from him, settled in their several fortresses, as we read Gen. xvi. 12. xvii. 20. xxv. 1G. And it is possible, to the history of Eliphaz’s own country: Esau’s ancestor bcin^ very rich, (Gen. xxxvi. G, 7.) and having many dukesy whofe6 posterity afterward advanced themselves to the title of kings, that sprang from him e before there was any king over the children of Israel, (Gen. xxxvi. 15. 31.) % gubernator absque Domino, one who lives without God in the world, and seeks not the guidance of his Spirit, nor values and regards the light of his revelation, but sets up for his own ruler; or, in general, an uncontrolled director of his own life and actions, driving furiously and madly, without any check or restraint. A life led without the fear of the Lord, or a regard to his precepts, and which consists rather in licentiousness than true liberty, is very properly here compared to a chariot run away with by unruly horses, without a skilful driver to manage them. Such ungovernable things are men’s unruly lusts and passions; so helpless is reason itself unassisted!

Job 21:1

JljUT Job answered and said. But Job, who knew the falseness of this assertion (in which Zophar secretly struck at him), that God always punishes sinners in this manner, would not let it pass without answer, and therefore said again unto them; JtjLAST thou sinned? do so no more, but ask pardon for thy former sins.] The most wise and cautious find themselves frail, and are often falling into sin, but they do not persevere or continue long in it, they rise again by confessing their faults, repenting sincerely of them, and avoiding them for the future. Whereas the wicked are continually relapsing, and by repeated acts strengthen themselves in their iniquities. They are rolling down/ as * it were, from one precipice to another, and have neither grace nor strength to recover themselves. St. Chrysostom well observes, ov% ovrto to hjiapruv yakiirbv cl>c to t$ ajxapTiipart lirtfiivuv, that it is not so bad to fall into sin as to continue in it, and illustrates this from the instance of Noah, whom we may infer, from the silence of Scripture, to have fallen into the sin of drunkenness but once, and that this was recorded in Scripture, that if we should offend in the like particular, we should be more cautious for the future, and not wallow again in the mire. (Horn. 29. in ix. Gen.) The advice of a most learned writer is very seasonable and pertinent: " Let not sin enter the first door of sense, either eye or ear, nor the second of fancy, nor the third of understanding, nor the fourth of will, lest it break out into act; and one act will produce more, and so it will increase infinitely, till the heart is made hard and insensible, and the very principles of nature and grace are obliterated/’ (Jackson’s Works, toin. iii.)

Job 21:2

Hear diligently mi) speech; andUt this be your consolations. Let me prevail with you to attend better than you have done hitherto to my discourse: do me this kindness, and it shall servd instead’of all the consolations I promised myself from you. Flee from sin as from the face of a serpent, for if thou comest too neurit, it will bite thee.’] The Vulgate renders, Si accesseris ad ilia, suscipient te, following a faulty copy probably, which had SiZtrat instead of S/j&rtu. Sin is what men bring upon themselves, it does not attack them till they go in search of it; like a serpent indeed it is always ready to bite, but it does not seize upon any, but those who rashly come too near it, Solomon uses this comparison with regard to the sin of drunkenness in particular, Prov. xxiii, 31. Our author very probably uses this simile, and mentions it in the first place, a^ our first parents were deluded under this form, and the effects of its sting are yet felt. And as sin has the venom of the serpent, so it has likewise the fierceness of the lion; but this lion does not prey at random, it fastens upon those only who either imprudently throw themselves into its paws, or whom it finds asleep, and off their guard. It is also well compared in the next verse to a two-edged sword, as it attacks both God and man; the majesty of the former, and the safety of the latter; and its wounds are mortal, and only the sovereign Physician can cure them. The wise man did not without reason make uso of so many comparisons, because if we join together all the ideas that can any ways create fear, they are few, and little enough to possess a man with that dread and horror which he ought to have of sin.

Job 21:3

Suffer me that I may speak; and after that I have spoken, mock on. Hear me patiently, anddonbtso hastily interrupt me as Zophar just now did; (xx. 2.) who, Microsoft® [chap. XXI. after I have done, may begin, if he please, to deride me again.

Job 21:4

As for me, is my complaint to man? and if it were so, why should not my spirit be troubled?. Have I not all this while made my appeal to God? why then do you interrupt me, and take upon you to pronounce that sentence which I expect from him alone? but if my complaint had been to you, yet, seeing thero is a just cause for it, can I choose but be vexed to see you will not hear me patiently? To terrify and do wrong will waste riches: thus the house of the proud man shall be made desolate.] The proud and insolent oppress the weak for a time, but by such imperious usage they create themselves enemies, and the great number of those whom they have insulted and injured will at length join together, and prove their overthrow, Pehoboam by the advice and instigation of the young men returned the people, who sued for a removal of some grievances, a haughty and threatening answer, My father chastised you ivith whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions, and thereby alienated the hearts often tribes from him. (1 Kings xii.) Pride and oppression w T ere the cause of the expulsion of the Tarquins from Rome. And it appears from the annals of almost all histories, that tyranny and arbitrary power have been of short continuance.

Job 21:5

Mark me, and be astonished, and lay your hand upon your mouth. Consider well my misery, and being astonished at the greatness of it, and of your rudeness, be so civil now as to impose silence on yourselves, while I am speaking to you. Ver. G. Even when I remember I am afraid, and trembling taketh hold on my flesh.] I am sure I myself am astonished at the very remembrance of it: were I free from it, yet the thought of what is past makes every joint of my body tremble. A prayer out of a poor man’s mouth reacheth to the ears of God, and his judgment cometh speedily.’] Mr\mQ TtTwypv Ik (TTo/iaroc cue £yriu)v abrov. The generality of interpreters, and the oriental versions, understand this of God’s care for the poor; that he listens to their cry, is always ready to help them in their affliction, and to revenge the injuries done them. So Coverdale’s and the Geneva versions. This, indeed, is a truth confessed by all, and confirmed by numberless passages of Scripture, which may be the reason of its being so expressed here. But the words of God are not in any Greek copy, nor in the Vulgate, and, therefore, another sense of this place has been offered: That the prayer of the poor reacheth to the ears of the proud man, mentioned in the former verse, and is neglected and disregarded by hiin, and toucheth not his heart. Ad aures solum Wins, according to Junius, as the humble supplications of Lazarus were by the rich man in the gospel; (Luke xvi. 20.) and therefore his judgment, i. e. the proud man’s punishment, shall not slumber. This is Grotius and Badwell’s sense. Castalio is particular in rendering the latter part; viz. that the poor man ought to be answered speedily, because his case will not admit of delay. But either of the former seems preferable.

Job 21:6

He that hateth to be reproved is in the way of sinners, but he that feareth the Lord, will repent from his heart. i.e. He treads h\ his steps, and will go on in the way of sinners, and become incorrigible: for if he will not listen to the seasonable advice given him for his good, how shall he reform? If he is angry at the attendance of the physician, and rejects his salutary prescriptions, how shall he be cured? If he throws aside or breaks the mirror which shews him his deformity, how shall he know to remove or correct it? But he that feareth the Lord, imarpiipu Iv KapSiq, will sincerely repent, or be converted thoroughly. Clemens Alcxandrinus reads, l-jnarpi^u Inl Kapdtav avTov. And so the Vulgate and Jerome’s Bible, Convertclur ad cor suum, i. e. will return to himself, like the penitent prodigal, will change his way of life, acknowledge with contrition his past faults, and keep his heart with all diligence for the future.

Job 21:7

Wherefore do the wicked live, become old, yea, are mighty in power?. Let me therefore again desire you to answer mc this question more leisurely; if what you have said be true, bow come we to see so many wicked men, not only enjoy all the good things of this life, but grow old in their enjoyment, and want no honour or power to which riches can advance them? Ver. S. Their seed is established in their sight with them, and tlieir offspring before their eyes.] Nay, live to see their children settled in the world; yea, their children’s children grow up like young plants before their eyes. An eloquent man is known far and near; but a man of understanding knoweth when he slippetlu] If by

Job 21:9

Their houses are safe from fear, neither is the rod of God upon them. There is nobody disturbs their tranquillity in any of their habitations; nor doth God inflict any punishment on them for their sins.

Job 21:10

Their bull gendereth, andfaileth not; their cow calveth, and casteth not her calf. But extends his care even to the herds of cattle; where the kine never fail to conceive, and in due time bring forth their calves, and cfo not miscarry.

Job 21:11

They send forth their little ones like a flock, and their children dance. And so do their flocks of sheep, with whom their wives may be compared; who bring forth their little ones as easily and as numerously: and their children dance about their houses, like the little lambs which skip about their fields.

Job 21:12

They take tlie timbrel and harp, and rejoice at the sound of the organ. They lift up their voice, and sing to the timbrel and harp: they dance for joy at the sound of the pipe.

Job 21:13

They spend their days in wealth, and in a moment go down to the graveJ. In a word, they prolong their days to a great old age, in all manner of pleasure; and then do not lie long languishing on a bed of sickness or pain, but go easily and suddenly to their grave. •

Job 21:14

Therefore they say unto God, Departfrom us; for we desire not the knowledge ofthyxcays. And yet these are the men that never thinkof God; or,‘if they do, presently bid those thoughts be gone; for they desire to have nothing to do with him or with his laws.

Job 21:15

Wliat is the Almighty, that we should serve him? and what profit should we have if we pray unto him?. They know no such being, they say, as the Almighty; nor do they owe him any service: and if they should worship and serve him, they do riot believe iuey shall be a whit the better for it. Ver. 1G. Lo, their good is not in their hand: the counsel of the wicked is far from me.] Do not imagine that I am of their opinion; I know very well that they cannot make themselves rich and prosperous without God; and therefore, far be it from me to join with them in their impiety.

Job 21:17

How oft is the candle of the wicked put out? and how oft cometh their destruction upon them? God distributeth sorrows in his anger. But yet, I say, how oft is it that we see the joy of these wicked men extinguished? Sometimes, indeed, God takes a speedy vengeance on them; but it is not his usual course to destroy them, and to give them such plagues and torments (as you speak of) for their portion.

Job 21:18

They are as stubble before the wind, and as chaff that the storm carrieth away. We do not see them so frequently as you say, driven away like stubble before the wind, and all their estates scattered like the chaff which is blown away with a storm.

Job 21:19

God layeth up his iniquity for his children: he rewardeth him, and he shall know it. And when doth God punish the iniquity of the wicked in his children, (as you pretend he always doth, xx.10.) arid that while he lives, and beholds it himself?

Job 21:20

His eyes shall sec his destruction, and he shall drink of the wrath of the Almighty. It is not such a common thing as you make it, for him to see his own ruin, and to feel the effects of the dreadful wrath of the Almighty.

Job 21:21

For what pleasure hath he in his house after him, when the number of his months is cut off in the midst?. As for what befals his children when he is dead, he concerns not himself; it is nothing to him though they be cut ofF in their most flourishing estate. •Ver. 22. Shall any teach God knowledge? seeing he judgeth those that are high.] Shall we be so bold as to instruct God how to govern the world? and tell him he is not just, unless he punish the wicked when w T e expect it? He judges the highest beings, and therefore knows sure how to govern us.

Job 21:23

One dieth in his full strength, being wholly at ease and quiet. Who must not think to tie him to our rules. For one man dies in the highest and firmest worldly prosperity, meeting with nothing all his days to disturb his quiet and tranquillity.

Job 21:24

His breasts are full of milk, and his bones are moistened with marrow. Health as well as riches accompany him to his grave; his ribs are fat, and his bones full of marrow, even in his old age. •

Job 21:25

And another dieth in the bitterness of his soul, and never eateth with pleasure. When another man (who perhaps is better than ho) dies in great pain and anguish; after a miserable life, in which he never enjoyed any pleasure. Ver. 2G. They shall lie down alike in the dust, and the worms shall cover them.] They shall both alike have the dust for their bed, and worms for their covering; and no distinction, that we can see, be made between them.

Job 21:27

Behold, I know your thoughts, and the devices which ye wrongfully imagine against me. I am sensible Digitized tfy Microsoft ® CHAP. XXII.] THE BOOK OF JOB. that in all this I very much contradict your thoughts; which are as well known to me as to yourselves: I see by what arguments you are studying to oppress me.

Job 21:28

For ye say, JVJiere is the house of the prince?. and where are the dwelling-places of the wicked?. I hear you say within yourselves, What is become of the house of Job, who lived like a prince? what difference is therebetween him and those wicked men, whose dwelling-places are destroyed?

Job 21:29

Have ye not asked them that go by the way? and do ye not know their tokens. But let me answer you; or rather go and ask the first passengers you meet with (for it is a thing vulgarly known), and they are not interested in our disputes, let them tell you their observations about God’s providence:

Job 21:30

That the wicked is reserved to the day of destruction? they shall be brought forth to the day of wrath. Which all agree in this, that the wicked is spared very often in a common calamity; though it be very general as well as terrible, yet many of them escape it.

Job 21:31

Wlio shall declare hisway to his face? and who shall repay him what he hath done?. Which makes the wicked so bold, that none dare reprove him: much less is he in danger of being punished for his offences, since God spares him, and man dreads him.

Job 21:32

Yet shall he be brought to the grave, and shall remain in the tomb. The pomp of his funeral is answerablo to the splendour wherein he lived; and a stately monument is raised to preservo his memory, and represent him as if he were still living.

Job 21:33

The clods of the valley shall be sweet unto him, and every man shall draw after him, as there are innumerable before him. There ho lies quietly in the earth, and none disturbs his ashes: he suffers nothing but what all men shall do after him, as innumerable have done before him.

Job 21:34

How then comfort ye me in vain, seeing in your answers there remaineth falsehood?. See then how ill you discharge the office of comforters, whose answers have so little truth in them. For you maintain that prosperity is the inseparable companion of piety; when every body can tell you, that none flourish more than the wicked, and that calamities are common to all mankind.