Job 29
PATVer. l.tt-EZEKIAH began to reign when he was fiveand-tiventy years old; andhe reigned nine-and-twenty years in Jerusalem: andhis mothers name tvas Abijah the daughter of Zechariah. See upon 2 Kings xviii, 1, 2. where I have noted, that Ahaz therefore was very young when he begat Hezekiah. And we may grant, as Jacobus Capellus thinks, that he was but ten years old (though, as Ihave there shewn, Bochartus thinks he was more); for though this was wonderful, yet not incredible, as his words are. For he refers us to Scaliger in his first oration against Parseus, where he mentions a city, in which a boy not twelve years old begat a child of a girl, a cousin of his, not ten years old; and adds, “Rem nofam narro,” &c. I tell a known story, whose memory is still fresh in Aquitain. (Sec his Histor. Sacra et Exotica, ad Annum Mundi, 22)2.) horrible contempt of the service of God, as it follows in the next words. And have turned away their faces from the habitation of the Lord, and turned their backs,’] This seems to signify that Ahaz brought in a way of worship directly contrary to the law of God; which commanded them to worship towards the ark, which was placed in the west But he ordered they should turn their backs upon that (which was a disrespect and contumely to the Divine Majesty), and worship towards the east, where he had set his altar. And at last he shut up the doors of the temple, that they should not worship there at all, as it is again observed in the next verse. To such discourses as these, Job presumes his friends would have given greater attention than it seems they did, had not the vileness of his present condition made his speeches also contemptible. And therefore he puts them in mind with what reverence all his orations were formerly received, by great and small; wishing God would restore to him those happy days: and inserting all along so remarkable instances of his integrity (especially’as a judge), in the height of his princely prosperity, when he had an uncontrollable power to do as he pleased, and yet not abused it; but employed it constantly for the defence and comfort of the meanest people in his province. place, where the people are wont to have their causes heard:
Job 29:1
ITjLOREOVER, Job continued his parable, and said. Here Job made another pause, to see if his friends would return any answer: but they continuing silent, he proceeded in his eloquent vindication of himself, saying,
Job 29:2
And he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, according to all that David his father Had done. The same is recorded in 2 Kings xviii. 2. ■ *. Oh that I were as in months past, as in the days when God preserved me.] Oh that God would re-establish me in that happy condition, wherein, some time ago, I was a principal part of his care! you would then give a greater regard to my words than you do now in my misfortune:
Job 29:3
He, in the first year of his reign, in the first month.* This demonstrates his great piety and zeal for God, that he began so soon to reform religion, and.did not stay till he was established in his throne. For the surest way to establish himself, he thought, was to establish true religion -; though he run a great hazard in attempting the abolishing idolatry, which had been Confirmed’by some years’ prescription.’’ \ \ Opened the doors of the house of the Lord.] Which his father had shut up, (chap, xxviii. 24.) •’ And repaired them.] For by long neglect they were gone to decay. 1’- Ver* 4. And he brought in the priests and the Levites/] Whose business it was to take caTC of religion, and look after things sacred, and admonish kings of their duty. But Hezekiah’ was beforehand with them, and prevented their endeavours; not only exciting them to reform what was amiss, but using the most proper arguments to press them to it.; And gathered them together into the east street.] Which was before the east gate of the temple, where the entrance into it was. Wlien his candle shined upon my head, and when by his light I walked through darkness.] Which hath left me nothingbut only wishes, that he would restore me those pleasant days when I saw nothing but continued tokens of his favour, by which I passed untouched through all the inconveniences and troubles of this life.
Job 29:4
As I was in the days of my youth, when the secret of God was upon my tabernacle. Oh, the flourishing season of that prosperous estate! would it were possible to recal the felicity of those days, when the Divine Providence treated me so kindly, that all my answers were held for oracles:
Job 29:5
And said unto them, Hear me, ye Levites; Sanctify now yourselves, and sanctify the house of the Lord God of your fathers, and carry forth the filthiness out of the holy place. J Thc abomination, as the Jews translate it; that is, the altar of Damascus, and all the idols that were upon it. (See 2 Kings xvi. 10, &c.) These were brought by Ahaz into the temple; that is, into the court of the priests, which is called the holy place, in Lev. vi.16, &c. Wlien the Almighty was yet with me, when my children were about me.] When the Almighty Goodness had not ceased to be gracious to me; but I saw myself surrounded with my children and servants, waiting to know my pleasure:
Job 29:6
For our fathers have trespassed, and done that which was evil in the eyes of the Lord our God, and have forsaken him. He urges them to this pious work, from the consideration of the great sin of their forefathers, and their When I ivashed my steps with butter, and the rock poured me out rivers of oil.] When my lands were so fertile, and were blessed with such plenty, as if the rivers had flowed with butter and oil:
Job 29:7
Also they have shut up the doors of the porch. That none might enter into the temple, but it might be left a desolate place. And put out the lamps.] The priests having nothing to do there. And have not burnt incense, nor offered bnrnt-offerings in the holy place, unto the God of Israel.] But made high places in every city, to burn incense unto other gods, as it is ver. 25. of the foregoing chapter. When I went out to the gate through the city; wlien I prepared my seat in the street!] When I went in state to the court of judgment, and sat on the bench in the open
Job 29:8
Wherefore the wrath of the Lord was upon Judah and Jerusalem. AfteT the confession of their sins, he represents to them the calamities -wherewith God had punished them. And he hath delivered them to trouble, to astonishment, and to hissing, as you see with your eyes.] Sent such a panic fear and terror into them (such as is mentioned chap! xx. 22.) that they could not stand before their enemies, but became a scorn to them. For it had not been possible that they should slay such a vast number of them in one day (as we read chap, xxviii. G.) if they had not been perfectly astonished, and bereaved of their senses. The young men saw me, and hid themselves; and the aged arose, and stood up.] And the youth, seeing me appear, were seized with such fear, that they durst not look me in the face; and the aged no sooner perceived me, but they rose up from their seats, and, in token of reverence, Stood in my presence.
Job 29:9
For, lo, our fathers have fallen by the sword; and our sons, and our daughters, and our wives, are in captivity for this. Or rather, were in captivity, till the tender mercy of God released them. And it is likely some were still in captivity to other nations, though the Israelites had dismissed their captives: for they were distressed in Ahaz’s time by the Edomites, and the Philistines; the former of which carried away captives, as we read xxviii. 17, 18. The princes refrained talking, and laid their hand on their mouth.] Immediately ensued a general silence, the princes themselves breaking off their discourses, and not taking the liberty to speak a word.
Job 29:10
Noiv it is in mine heart to make a covenant with the Lord God of Israel, that his fierce wrath may turn away from us. He resolved therefore to renew the covenant between God and the people, because he foresaw there was immediate destruction impending upon the whole nation for their iniquities, unless they did heartily and speedily repent of them; for they wore grown to the greatest height of impiety, his father having by degrees proceeded to the utmost pitch of idolatry: which, though God had many ways punished very severely, yet he persisted in his wickedness; and to the very end of his life amended nothing, but grew worse and worse: therefore this good king thought it absolutely necessary forthwith to make a thorough reformation, and engage the whole nation in a’solemn covenants worship God purely. Thus Conradns Pellicanus. Hie mobles held their peace, and their tongue cleaved to the roof of their mouth*] The nobles and great commanders could not have heard me with greater attention and stillness, if they had quite lost their voices, or their tongues had been tied to the roof of their mouths. Ver: 11. When the ear heard me, then it blessed me; and when the eye saw me, it gave witness to me.] And (so far was I from being a tyrant, as you have accused me, xxii. 5, 6.) there was no ear heard the sentence I gave but prized my integrity; no eye saw me after I had spoken, but you might have beheld therein the respect and honour which they all bare me.
Job 29:11
My sons; be not now negligent. He beseeches the Levites, in tho most tender language, no longer to go along with the people in their error, but to bestir themselves to make them better. For the Lord hath chosen you to stand before him, to seme him, and that you should minister unto him, and burn incense.] Tins was the work of the priests, unto whom he speaks as well as to the Levites, remembering them what their office was to which they were peculiarly chosen, viz. to take care to see his laws observed, and to minister to him, according to his directions; and therefore not to omit the performance of their duty in the house of God, now that it was open to them.
Job 29:12
Then the Levites arose, Mahath the son ofAmasai, and Joel the son of Azariah, of the sons of the Kohathites: andofthesonsofMerari; Kish the son ofAbdi, and Azariah the son ofJehalelel: and of the Gershonites; Joah the son of Zimmah, and Eden the son ofJoah: Because I delivered the poor that cried, and the fatherless, and such as had none to help him.] Because I never failed to ease the poor when he complained of his oppressions; the fatherless, and such as had none to take their parts, ever found me their defender.
Job 29:13
And of the sons ofElizaphan; Shimri andJeiel: and of the sons of Asaph; Zechariah and Mattaniah: The blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon me: and I caused the widow’s heart to sing for joy.] I had his prayer for my prosperity, whose life and estate I preserved when he was in danger of utter undoing: and I made the sorrowful widow such a joyful woman, that she openly proclaimed my praise.
Job 29:14
And of the sons ofHeman; Jehiel and Shimei: and of thesonsofJeduthun; Shemaiah and Uzzieh. These were the principal persons among the Levites, who readily complied with the king’s exhortation, and engaged their brethren also (as it here follows) in the same work, which they undertook, of cleansing this house of the Lord. I put on righteousness, and it clothed me: my judgment was as a robe and a diadem.] For in the morning I put on a resolution to do justly, together with my clothes, and I never swerved from it all the day after: but looked upon the righteous sentence which I pronounced as a greater ornament than the purple Tobe on my shoulder, and the diadem upon my head.
Job 29:15
And they gathered their brethren, and sanctified themselves. By washing their bodies, I suppose, and other rites prescribed by the law. And came, according to the commandment of the king, by the words of the Lord, to cleanse the house of the Lord.] The king had a great power in things commanded by God: the exercise of which power is here very properly called the commandment of the king, by the words of the Lord: or, as in the margin, in the business of the Lord. The like we read chap. xxx. 12. (See Grotius, in his book de Imperio Summarum Potestatura circa Sacra, p. 59.) Ver. 1G. And the priests went into the inner part of the house of the Lord, to cleanse it.] That is, into the sanctuary (for into the most holy none might go but the high-priest), whither the Levites might not come. And brought out all the uncleanness that they found in the temple of the Lord into the coiwt of the house of the Lord.] That is, the court of the priests, where the Levites attended upon them, and ministered unto them. And the Levites took it, to carry it out abroad into the brook Kidron.] They cast the filth into the valley of the son of Hinnom, or Tophet, through which Kidron ran, (2 Kings xxiii. 10. 12.) J was eyes to the blind, and feet was I to the lame.] I instructed him who did not well understand his own business, and assisted him who wanted means to carry on his cause.
Job 29:16
I was a father to the poor; and the cause which I knew not I searched out. For the poor I had such a paternal affection, that it made me his advocate as well as his judge: and I never left studying his cause (when there was an obscurity in it) till I had cleared the business, and dono him right.
Job 29:17
Now they began on the first day of the first month to sanctify. This was the month Abib, as our great primate Usher observes, but not on the day he Wcis made king, but nine months after his father’s death. (See his Chronol. Sacra, p. 82.) And on the eighth day of the month came they to the porch of the Lord.] Which they cleansed together with the outward courts, and the chambers of the temple, in which they spent eight days more, as the next words signif)\ The house having been long shut up,* and nobody coming into it, must needs be full of dust, and the vessels become rusty: in the scouring of which, and restoring them to their splendour, and wiping the walls of the house, they must necessarily spend a great deal of time, for the neglect had been great, and their diligence extraordinary: it being probable, that this sanctification was by washing both the walls of the house, and the floor, and every thing else. So they sanctified the house of the Lord in eight days; and in the sixteenth day of the first month they made an end.] And I brake the jaws of the wicked, and plucked tlie spoil out of his teeth.] By which means I disabled the unjust to oppress them, and forced them to restore that which they had violently extorted from them.
Job 29:18
Then I said, I shall die in my nest, and I shall multiply my days as the sand. And having done so many virtuous actions, and being in such high authority, I was apt to promise myself, that, after an exceeding long and happy life, I should die quietly in mine own house among my children and friends.
Job 29:19
My root was spread out by the waters, and the dew lay all night upon my branch. For, being like a tree, whose root spreadeth out itself by the waters, and whose boughs are perpetually moistened by the sweet dew* of heaven, I thought I should never wither.
Job 29:20
My glory was fresh in me, and my bow was renewed in my hand. My esteem and reputation increased every day, and grew greater; and so did my power, to defend the authority and dignity I had obtained.
Job 29:21
Unto me men gave ear, and waited, and kept silence at my counsel. Though there was no need I should so employ it; for when I spake all men gave me the greatest attention, and my words were a law to them.
Job 29:22
After my words they spake not again; and my speech dropped upon them. Which, when I had uttered, no man contradicted, or so much as corrected, but it sweetly instilled itself, and sunk into their hearts.
Job 29:23
And they waited for me as for the rain; and they opened their months wide as for the latter rain. For they expected my opinion with the same eager desire that the husbandman doth the showers, after he hath sown his seed; they gaped for, it as the thirsty earth doth for the latter rain, to plump the corn.
Job 29:24
If I laughed on them, they believed it not: and the light of my countenance they cast not down. The reverence they bare me was so great, that when I laid aside my gravity, and jested with them, they would not believe it, but still took all I said to be serious; and whatsoever pleasantness I used with them, it did not diminish my authority among them.
Job 29:25
J chose out their way, and sat chief, and dwelt as a king in the army, as one that comforteth the mourners. But if I went to visit them, they still preserved their respect to me, and gave mc the pre-eminence. And, as my condescension to them did not make them less honour me, so their submission to me did not make me less familiar with them; for when I sat as a king, guarded with many troops of followers, I comforted the meanest, and would not suffer them to be dejected.