h 5:3. 15:29-34. 18:5,6. 27:13-
23. Ex. 15:9,10. Judg. 16:21
-30. Esth. 5:11,12. 7:10. Ps.
73:18-20. Acts 12:22, 23.
Heb. from near.

i 8:19. 27:8. Matt. 13:20,21.
Gal, 6:4. Jam. 4:16.

j Gen. 11:4. Is. 14:13,14. Dan.
4:11,22. Am. 9:2. Ob. 3,4.
Matt. 11:23.
Heb. cloud.

10 His children shall 。 seek to
please the poor, and
restore their goods.

his

hands shall

11 His bones are full of the sin of his youth, which shall lie down with

т

him in the dust.

his mouth, though he hide it under his
12 Though wickedness be sweet in

tongue;

13 Though he "spare it, and forsake

k 1 Kings 14:10. 2 Kings 9:37. | 19:8.
Ps. 83:10. Jer. 8:2,

q 13:26. 19:20. Ps. 25:7. Prov.
5:11-13,22,23. Ez. 32:27.

r 21:26. Prov. 14:32. Ez. 24:
13. John 8:21,24. Acts 1:25.

s 15:16. Gen. 3:6. Prov. 9:17,
13. 20:17. Ec. 11:9.

t Ps. 10.7. 109:17,18.

u Matt. 5:29,30. Mark 9:43-49.
Rom. 8:13.

then give diligence, that we may be assured he posing. He considered the check, which Job
is our Redeemer; and that we shall be 'number- had given to the censures of his friends, as a re-
'ed with his saints in glory everlasting.' In the proach; and he thought that his own answer
prospect of this happy consummation, let us sol- would be the result of sound reason, “the spirit
ace our minds under the pressure of sickness or of his understanding:" yet he spoke with great se-
poverty, the unkindness of friends and relatives, verity and harshness.-The abrupt beginning of
and in the prospect of death and the grave: for this speech of Zophar shews that he was in a
"though after our skin worins destroy this body, 'passion, which, though he pretends to bridle it,
yet in our flesh shall we see God." These faith-would not let him calmly consider the protesta-
ful sayings are most durably and legibly written ❝tion, which Job made of his innocence.—But he
in the sacred Scriptures: may they be engraven 'goes on in the old common-place way of the
by the Holy Spirit upon the tablets of our hearts; certain downfal of the wicked, be they never
that our assured faith and hope may unite with 'so powerful and well supported; which he illus-
love and gratitude, to produce devoted obedi-trates indeed in an excellent fashion, with great
ence and patient submission to the Lord. This
"root of the matter" being found in us, no slan-
der or persecution can hurt us: and though for a
time we may be discomposed, we shall again re-
cover our calm, and wait for him to plead our
cause, and judge between us and our accusers.
-But, on the other hand, let us be careful not
to censure those, who profess faith, hope, and
love to our common Redeemer, and appear to
have this "root of the matter in them;" though
they differ in many things from us, and are not ||
without infirmities. Satan has peculiarly tri-
umphed in exciting Christians thus to persecute
each other: and when believers put their hands
to this work, they may as certainly expect se-
vere chastisements in this world, as unbelieving
and impenitent persecutors will experience the||
severity of God's vengeance upon them, in the
world to come. For our Redeemer liveth, not
only to save the souls of his people, but to enter
into judgment with all their enemies.

variety of figures, and remarks on histories as
'old as the world.-All the flaw in his discourse
'was this, (which was common to him with the
'rest,) that he imagined God never varied from
'his method; and therefore Job, without doubt,
'was a very bad man; though it did not appear
he was so, any other way, but by his infelicity."
Bp. Patrick. (Notes, 5:3-5,25-27. 8:1-3,
20-22. 9:22-24.)

V. 4-9. Zophar here asserted the same general truths, and fell into the same mistakes, as his friends before had done. He confounded this state of trial with the future state of retribution: he supposed that the dispensations of Providence were conducted by one invariable rule, according to the characters of men: and he misapplied his doctrine to Job, as if it evinced him to be a hypocrite.-He inquired, as in astonishment, whether Job did not know, what all reflecting men from the beginning of the world had observed, that "the triumphing of the wicked is short,” and the joy of the hypocrite momentary. He might attain eminence in authority, wealth, and CHAP. XX. V. 1-3. Zophar seems to have reputation; he might be so exalted, as to seem interrupted Job's discourse; and, not taking the out of the reach of enemies and earthly vicissileast notice of the excellent things contained in tudes; but he would be soon ruined, with conit, he hastily answered to the concluding warn- tempt and abhorrence. Men would wonder what ing. He was full of thoughts upon the subject, was become of him; he would vanish as a dream, which were, in his opinion, so pertinent, that he and there would be a full end of him and of his thought himself warranted in thus hastily inter-prosperity. (Note, 15:1—13.)

NOTES.

it not, but keep it still within his mouth:
14 Yet his meat in his bowels is
turned, it is the gall of asps within
him.

15 He hath swallowed down riches,
and he shall vomit them up again: God
hall cast them out of his belly.

16 He shall suck the poison of asps: the viper's tongue shall slay him.

17 He shall not see the rivers,
the floods, the brooks of honey and
butter.

18 That which he labored for shall
e swallow it
he restore, and shall not
down: according to
shall the restitution be,
not rejoice therein.

# his substance

f

and he shall

19 Because he hath oppressed and hath forsaken the poor; because he hath violently taken away an house which he builded not;

20 Surely he shall not feel quietness in his belly, he shall not save of that which he desired.

21 There shall none of his meat be
left; therefore shall no man look for his
goods.

* Heb. in the midst of his pal- | ‡ Heb. the substance of his ex-
change.

ate.

v 2 Sam. 11:2-5. 12:10,11. Ps. f 31:25,29. Is. 24:7-11. Jer.
32:3,4 38:1-8. 51:8,9. Prov.
1:31. 23:20,21,29-35.

19. Mal. 2:2.

Jer. 2:

x 16. Deut. 32:24. Rom. 3:13.
y Prov. 23:8. Matt. 27:3,4.
z Is. 30:6. Matt. 3:7. Acts 28:3
-6.

Nuin. 14:23. 2 Kings 7:2. Jer.
17:6-8. Luke 16:24.

b Ps. 36:8,9. Is. 41:17. Rev.
22:1.

† Or, streaming brooks.

c Deut. 32:13,14. 2 Sam. 17:29.
Ps. 81:16. Is. 7:15,22.

d See on 10,15.

e 5. Prov. 1:12. Jer. 51:34,41.
Lam. 2:16. Hos. 8:7,8. Am. 3:
Matt. 23:14,24.

4.

11:15,16. 22:13,17. Ez. 7:12.
Hos. 9:1. Jam. 4:8,9.

g 21:27,28. 22:6. 24:2-12, 31:13
-22,38,39. 35-9. 1 Sam. 12:3,
4. Ps. 10:18. 12:5. Prov. 14:31.
22:22,23. Ec. 4:1. 5:8. Ez. 22:
29. Am. 4:1-3. Jam. 2:6,13.
5:4.

Heb. crushed. Deut. 28:33.
Lam. 3:34.

h 18:15. 24:2. 1 Kings 21:19.
Is. 5:7,8. Mic. 2:2,9.

i Ec. 5:13.14. Is. 57:20,21.
Heb. know.

Or, be none left for his meat.

18:19.

k Jer. 17:11. Luke 16:24,25.

V. 10-29. In these verses, Zophar expatiated
on the variety of miseries which awaited the wick-
ed man, whether profane or hypocritical. His
indigent and distressed children would court the
favor of the poor, either for a morsel of bread, or
to disarm their revenge for the injuries which they
had endured. External compulsion, or inward
remorse, would constrain him to restore their
property. The licentiousness of his youth would
expose him to dreadful diseases in his old age,
and bring him down to the grave. The wicked-
ness which he delighted in, concealed, spared,
and would not forsake, but reserved as a sweet
morsel to eat secretly, would create him such in-
ward horror, such dreadful diseases, and such
dire miseries, that it would he like the venom of
the asp, or as if he had been bitten by the viper.
He would be disappointed of all his expected
pleasure and ease; and, along with his ill-gotten
wealth, he would be deprived of all which he had
labored for, as a punishment of his injustice and
oppression. He would have no comfort of his
riches, while they remained; and he would be
stripped of all, (as Job had been,) and have noth-
This would come upon
ing for any one to covet.
him suddenly, in the height of his prosperity, by a||
VOL. III.

8

darkness shall be hid in his secret places: a fire not blown shall consume him, it shall go ill with him that is left in his tabernacle. 27 The heaven shall reveal his iniz the earth shall rise up

quity; and
against him.
28 The

increase of his house shall depart, and his goods shall flow away in the day of his wrath.

29 This is the portion of a wicked man from God, and the heritage pointed unto him by God.

15:29. 18:7. Ps. 39:5. Ec. 2: Jude 13.
18-20. Rev. 18:7.

m 1:15,17. 16:11. 2 Kings 24:2.
Is. 10.6.

** Or, troublesome. 3:17.
Ps. 78:30,31.
n Num. 11.33.
Mal. 2:2. Luke 12:17-20.
o Gen. 19:24. Ex. 9:23. Ps 11:
6. 1s. 21:4.

p 1 Kings 20:30. Is. 24:13. Jer.
48:43,44. Am. 5:19. 9:1-3.
q 2 Sam. 22.35.
r Prov. 7:23.

v Ps. 21:9. 120:4. Is. 30:33. Matt. 3:12.

x 18:19. Ps. 109:9-15. Is. 14: 20-22.

y Ps. 44:20,21. Jer. 29:23. Mal. 3:5. Luke 12:2,3. Rom. 2:16. 1 Cor. 4:5.

z 16:18. 18:18. Is. 26:21.

a 10,18-22. 5:5. 27:14-19. 2 Kings 20:17. Rev. 18:17.

b Prov. 11:4. Zeph. 1:18. Matt. 16:26. Jam. 5:1-3.

Deut. 29: c 18:21. 27:13. 31:3. 20-28. Ps. 11:5,6. Matt. 24: 51.

tt Heb. of his decree from God. Lam. 3:33.

combination of wicked men, as it had on Job.
Nay, just when he would be ready to say, "Soul,
take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry;" God
himself would pour the fury of his wrath upon
him. (Notes, Num. 11:31–34. Luke 12:15–21.)
There would be no escaping from the weapons
of divine indignation; his inward terrors would
equal his outward calamities, so that every kind
of misery would be laid up in store against him.
"A fire not blown should consume him." He
should be destroyed, as by a slow fire, a fire not
rendered intense by blowing; but greatly aggra-
vating and prolonging his miseries by its tardy
but irresistible progress: for the judgments of
God, without the intervention of men, would des-
olate his family. If his wickedness were before
masked with hypocrisy, it should thus be brought
to light. Persons of all descriptions would unite
against him, and all which he had possessed would
be totally dissipated. For this was uniformly
"the portion of a wicked man from God," and
his appointed heritage. The reference in all
this is manifest, not only to Job's calamities, but
also to his complaints. His outward losses and
inward anguish; the triumphs of his enemies, and
the unkindness of his friends and relatives, are

[5′′

CHAP. XXI.

sight with them, and their offspring be

Job entreats a patient hearing, because of his singular calami- fore their eyes.

ties, 1-6. He shews that wicked men sometimes so prosper,
as to grow bold in presumption, 7-16.
length fall into destruction, 17-22.

Yet that they at
And that the dealings of

judgment is deferred to the day of wrath, 23–34.

9 Their houses are safe from fear,

God with them in life and death are greatly varied, as their neither is " the rod of God upon them. 10 Their bull gendereth and faileth not: their cow calveth, and casteth not

BU

OUT Job answered and said, 2 Hear diligently my speech, and blet this be your consolations. 3 Suffer me that I may speak; and after that I have spoken, mock on. 4 As for me, is my complaint to man? and if it were so, why should not my spirit be troubled?

5

f

*

e

d

Mark me, and be astonished, and lay your hand upon your mouth. 6 Even when I remember, I am afraid, and trembling taketh hold on my flesh.

k

7 ¶ Wherefore do the wicked live, become old, yea, are mighty in power? 8 Their seed is established in their

a 13:3,4. 13:2. 33:1,31-33. 34:2. | g 2:12. 17:8. 19:20,21. Judg. 9:7. Is. 55:2. Heb. 2:1. h 29:9. 40:4. Judg. 18:19. b 15:11. 16.2.

c 13:13. 33:31-33.

d 12:4,5. 13:9. 16:10,20. 17:2.

e 7:11-21. 10:1,2. 1 Sam. 1:16.

Ps. 22:1-3. 77:3-9. 102: title. 142:2,3. Matt. 26:38,39.

f 2 Kings 6:26,27. Ps. 42:11. Heb. shortened. Ex. 6:9. marg.

Heb. Look unto me.

Ps.
39:9. Prov. 30.32. Am. 5:13.
Mic. 7:16. Rom. 11:33.

i Ps. 77:3. 88:15. 119.120. Lain.
3:19,20. Hab. 3:16.
k 12:6.

Ps. 17:10. 73:3-12.
Hab. 1:15,16.
Jer. 12:1-3.
Dan. 4:17.
13:2-7. 17:2-4.

1 Ps. 37:35.

Rev.

m 5:3,4. 18:19. 20:10,28. Prov.
17:6.

evidently hinted at. Says Zophar, "This is the heritage of a wicked man;" and therefore doubtless thou art one. (Notes, 1-3. 18:5—21.)

28,37. John 15:23,24. Rom. 8:7.

t Prov. 1:7,22,29. John 3:19,20 3:45-47. Rom. 1:28. 2 Thes. 2:10-12. 2 Tim. 4:3,4.

u Ex. 5:2. Ps. 12:4. Prov. 30:9. Hos. 13:6.

x 34:9. 35:3. Is. 30:11. Mal. 1: 13.14.

y 1s. 45:19. Matt. 7:7. John 16: 24.

z 1:21. 12:9,10. Ps. 49:6,7. 52:5 -7. Ec. 8:8. Luke 16:2,25.

NOTES.

those connected with him to have any ease or pleasure; and very often it is torn from him in an awful and sudden manner. "There is no peace, saith my God, for the wicked." (Notes, Is. 48: 20-22. 57:20,21.)-But what are all weapons of PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS. They are frequently the most forward to dis- iron and steel; yea, what is darkness or consumWe ing fire, compared with the eternal vengeance pute, who are most evidently in the wrong. of the Almighty, which is the heritage appointed are pleased with our own thoughts, as with our own children; and fancy that others will equally unto the wicked in the world to come? There admire them. Thus we are led to make inde- the hypocrite shall be detected, and have his cent haste to speak, lest we should lose the cred- portion with the unbelievers; whilst heaven and it and gratification of our pertinent observations; earth shall rise up against him: for "indignation and lest others should lose the benefit of them. and wrath, tribulation and anguish, are reserved In this eagerness we consider each “check” as a|| for every soul of man, who” impenitently "doeth reproach, and every effusion of passion is esteem- evil; but glory, honor, and peace to every one," ed a demonstration. But others generally judge who proveth himself a true believer, by working very differently: nay, we ourselves can seldom that which is good in the sight of the Lord. (Note, reflect afterwards on such debates, without shame || Rom. 2:7—11.) and remorse. It is very difficult for men of warm passions entirely to repress this unbecomCHAP. XXI. V. 1-6. In this chapter Job ing propensity: but watchfulness and prayer will do great things, in a course of time: and we discourses less on his own calamities, and more may profit by observing our own and others' er- directly answers his opponents. He introduces his subject by entreating their attention, and derors, and by the rebukes and corrections of our heavenly Father. We must not limit the dispen- siring that they would neither interrupt him, as sations of God by our rules; nor censure others Zophar had; nor disregard and misunderstand out of fondness for our own notions. But though his words, as they all had hitherto done. This the wicked do often prosper even to the end of life: he would take instead of those consolations, yet it is a decided matter among all wise men which he had vainly expected from them; and from the beginning hitherto, that "the triumph- if, after a fair hearing, his discourse was found ing of the wicked," and "the joy of the hypo-impertinent, and his reasonings inconclusive, he crite," are transient and fleeting; and that they would consent that Zophar (whom he particushall shortly perish disgracefully and for ever. larly addressed) should renew his mockery. InSome kinds of wickedness generally ruin men's deed, his complaint and appeal were directed to constitutions, if they are not cut off before they God, and not to them: otherwise his spirit might entail pain and disease on their old age, which well be troubled, when sarcasms and reproaches carries them down to the grave; and the pleas-were all which they afforded him, under his unures and gains of sin, like drinking sweet poison,|| precedented sufferings. (Notes, 6:1-7.) Yet, or like the lulling venom of the asp, terminate in || if they looked upon him, they might see misery remorse, in anguish, and in ruin. A curse from sufficient to demand compassion: and, as they God often corrodes the oppressor's abundance: knew no evil against him, their bold interpretahe hath no enjoyment of it, and suffers none of tions of this mysterious providence should be

hand: a the counsel of the wicked is far
from me.
[Practical Observations.]

17 How oft is the * candle of the
wicked put out? and how oft cometh
their destruction upon them?

d

21 For what pleasure hath he in his house after him, when the number of his months is cut off in the midst?

22 Shall any n teach God knowlGod edge? seeing he judgeth those that are high.

e distributeth sorrows in his anger.
18 They are as stubble before the
wind, and as chaff that the storm car-
rieth away.

e

19 God layeth up his iniquity for

his children: he rewardeth him, and

h he shall know it.

20 His

eyes shall i

tion, and he shall

the Almighty.

a 22.18. Gen. 49:6. Ps. 1:1.
Prov. 1:10. 5:8.

b 18:5,6,13. Prov. 13:9. 20. 20.
24:20. Matt. 25.8.
* Or, lamp.

c Ps. 32:10. 90:7-9. Luke 12:
46. Rom. 2,8,9.

d 13:25. Ex. 15:7. Ps. 1:4. 35:
5. 83:13. Is. 5:24. 17:13. 29.5.
40:24. 41:15, 16. Jer. 13:24.
Hos. 13:3. Nah. 1:10. Matt. 3:
12.

Heb. stealeth.
e 22:24.

Deut. 32:34. Matt. 6:

23 One dieth in his full strength, being wholly at ease and quiet.

24 P His breasts are full of milk, and his bones are 4 moistened with marrow.

25 And another dieth in the bittersee his destruc-ness of his soul, and never eateth with drink the wrath of pleasure.

19,20. Rom. 2:5.

t

26 They shall lie down alike in the shall cover them

That is, the punishment of dust, and "the worms

his iniquity. Gen. 4:7. Is. 53:
4-6. 2 Cor. 5:21.

f Ex. 20:5. Ps. 109:9,&c. Is.
14:21. Ez. 18:19,20. Matt. 23:
31-35.

g Deut. 32:41. 2 Sam. 3:39.
Ps. 54:5. Matt. 16:27. 2 Tim.
4:14. Rev. 18:6.

h Mal. 3:18.

i 27:19. Luke 16:23.

k Ps. 75:8. Is. 51:17. Jer. 25:
15,16. 51:7. Rev. 14:10. 19:15.

1 14:21. Ec. 2:18,19. Luke 16:
27,28.

m 11:5. Ps. 55:23. 102:24.

n 40:2. Is. 40 13,14. 45:9. Rom.
11:34. 1 Cor. 2:16.

o 34,17-19. Ps. 113:5,6. F.c.
5:8. 18. 40:22,23. 1 Cor. 6:3.
Rev. 20:1

2 Pet. 2-4. Jude 6.
-3,12-15.

5. Luke 12:19-21.

p 15:27. Ps. 17:10.

Or, milk-pails.

q Prov. 3:8,

Heb. in his very perfection,
or, the strength of his perfec-u
tion. 20:22,23. Ps. 49:17. 73:4, 14:11.

rec-inferred, that he thought the wicked happy, be-
cause he argued, that they often prospered, while
the righteous were afflicted. (Note, Ec. 9:1-3.)

turned into silent astonishment. For every
ollection of the dreadful change, which he had
experienced, filled him with trembling and con-
sternation.

V. 17-22. All these verses may be read inV. 7-16. If the doctrine, maintained by Zo- terrogatively. "How often" does it happen, that phar and Job's other opponents, was true, and the prosperity of wicked men is extinguished with Providence discriminated uniformly between the sudden and awful judgments? Sometimes indeed righteous and the wicked; how was it, that so it is so, but more frequently, they live and die in many wicked men lived, grew old, and contin- outward ease and peace. "How often" does God ued in power and prosperity to the last? Perhaps in his anger distribute to them uncommon calamno instance had occurred, of a truly pious per- ||ities, rendering them as stubble, or chaff, before son being so suddenly and dreadfully afflicted, as the tempestuous wind? "How often" is it observJob had been; and it was not possible for man to ed, that their iniquities are punished upon their distinguish exactly between the true believer children, while their eyes behold their destrucand the hypocrite. But it was undeniable, that tion, and they know that they drink of the wrath numbers of notoriously profane and wicked men of the Almighty, as a recompense for their crimes? were advanced to wealth and authority, contin--It had been laid down as a general rule, that ued in prosperity to old age, and witnessed their God almost uniformly visited wicked men, with posterity established in the most desirable settle- these and similar judgments: yet, in fact, inments, before their death; that they were often stances in which they were clearly thus distinmore free from alarm and correction than others; guished from others, but seldom occurred. And that their cattle and substance rapidly increased; if they prospered till death, whether they lived that their children, whom they trained up in van- till old age, or died in the vigor of life, the subseity, sensuality, and dissipation, multiplied, and quent condition of their families would not affect were in health and peace around them; that they them, either with pleasure or pain. Indeed, who lived even to extreme old age, (for so the origi- shall presume to teach the Judge of the most exnal word signifies,) in outward ease and indul-alted creatures, in what way he should administer gence, and died without any remarkable pain or distress. So that, if men were to judge merely by outward prosperity, the wicked might be pronounced the most happy, and even the favorites of Heaven. Yet they grew more impious and presumptuous, even by prosperity; they openly cast off all regard to God, and neither knew, nor desired to learn, any thing about his truths, dinances, and precepts; they despised his favor, defied his vengeance, and counted his service and worship irksome and unprofitable. (Notes, 9:22-24. 12:6-10. 15:17-35. 20:10-29. Ps. 17:13—15. 73:1—17. Jer. 12:1—4. Mal. 3:13— 18.)-Now it must be allowed, that the Almighty, whom they despised and affronted, gave and continued to them these their good things, and could take them away when he pleased; nor were they so in their own hand, that they could retain them for a moment. Job, indeed, for his part, was far from approving their counsel or conduct, or desiring their prosperity; though his friends ||

his government? Or who shall presume to explain or decide on, any of his dispensations, as if inconsistent with his justice or wisdom?

V. 23-26. Job, from his appeal to facts, justly inferred, that there was no exact discrimination observed in these dispensations. One haughty sinner comes peaceably to his end, having expeor-rienced a continual series of health, indulgence, and success; like cattle that feed in rich pastures. Others, perhaps not so wicked, never know any thing but pain, sickness, poverty, and trouble, and die in anguish and distress. Thus both go down to the dust alike, and become food for the worms.

The words translated, "His breasts are full of milk," (24) are differently interpreted. The word rendered breasts is not elsewhere used in the Hebrew; and some think it means milk-pails. But others, supposing it to coincide with the subsequent clause, thus translate the passage, "His ribs, (sides, or intestines, viscera,) are full of fat:"

27 Behold,

e

I know your thoughts, 31 Who shall d declare his way to and the devices which ye wrongfully his face? and who shall repay him imagine against me. what he hath done?

28 For ye say, "Where is the house of the prince? and where are the * dwelling places of the wicked?

29 Have ye not asked them that go by the way? and do ye not know their tokens?

30 That the wicked is reserved to the day of destruction? they shall be brought forth to the day of wrath.

X 4:8-11. 5:3-5. 8:3-6. 15:20, &c. 20:5,29. Luke 5:22.

y 32:3. 42:7. Ps. 59:4. 119:86. 1 Pet. 2:19.

a Ps. 129.8.

b Prov. 16:4. Nah. 1:2. 2 Pet.
2:9,17. 3:7. Jude 13.

c 20:28. Ps. 110:5. Prov. 11:4.
Zeph. 115. Rom. 2:5. Rev.

6:17.

z 20:7. Ps. 37:36. 52:5,6. Hab.
2:9-11. Zech. 5:4.
Heb. tent of the tabernacles.† Heb. wraths.
Num. 16:26-34.

y

V. 31-33. Oppressors are often so powerful, that none dare call them to account, or reprove them: and at last they die in peace, are buried with magnificence, and sleep as quietly in the grave as others do. Death indeed closes their prosperity; but none, except two, have been, or ever shall be, exempted from this common doom: so that it is evident, there is no exact discrimination between the righteous and the wicked, in the outward dispensations of Providence. (Notes, Ec. 4:1-3. 5:8. Hab. 1:2—4.)

32 Yet shall he be brought to the grave, and shall remain in the tomb. 33 The clods of the valley shall be sweet unto him, and " every man shall draw after him, as there are innumerable before him.

34 How then i comfort ye me in vain, seeing in your answers there remaineth falsehood?

d 2 Sam. 12:7-12. 1 Kings 21: | ‡ Heb. graves.

19-24. Ps. 50:21. Jer. 2:33—Heb. watch in the heap.
35. Mark 6:18. Acts 24:25.
Gal. 2:11.

e 19. 41:11. Deut. 7:10. Is. 59:
18. Rom. 12:19. Jam. 2:13.

f Ps. 49:14. Ez. 32:21-32.
Luke 16:22.

g 3:17,18.

b 30:23. Gen. 3:19. Ec. 1:4. 8: 8. 12:7. Heb. 9:27.

i 16:2.

k 13:4. 32:3. 42:7.
Heb. transgression.

Lord were as severe against us, as our brethren sometimes are. But the true believer may speak to God at all times; and he will compassionately regard those complaints, and bear with those infirmities, which men disregard or condemn.-The afflictions of the faithful, compared with the pros

Ta de cуKara aνTY Tλnon scaros. Sept. Probably this is the true sense of the words.-Perhaps may be derived from the root myy, he covered, or enclosed: as the Latin abdomen, from abdo, to hide. V. 27-30. Here Job brings the matter to an issue. He knew that his friends wrongfully con-perity of the wicked, have caused astonishment demned him, as one who had usurped or abused and discouragement to the servants of God in all his authority, and who had been an unjust, op- ages. But we should adore the depths of those pressive magistrate, and a hypocrite; and that judgments which we cannot fathom: and the clear they considered his desolated habitation as the light of the gospel, with the discoveries of the proof of his guilt. But any common traveller, to|| eternal world, will explain the difficulty, and shew whom they might refer the case, could point out the wise designs of God in all these dispensations. the flourishing habitations and splendid monu-Yet, under severe trials and temptations, the most ments of the ungodly, which they observed in established believer finds it as hard to apply his their journeys: from these tokens they would con- principles for immediate encouragement, as the clude, that wicked men were not punished here, most skilful mariner in a furious storm does to but were frequently exempted from the calami- manage the vessel by the rules of navigation.-It ties which overtook others; being reserved to the is undeniable, that wicked men often grow rich day of wrath and destruction in another world. and great, establish flourishing families, escape (Notes, 22:5-14. 24:1—20. 29:12—17. 31:35—40. alarms and corrections, succeed in their projects, Rom. 2:4-6. 2 Pet. 2:4-9.) train up their children in pleasure; and, after a life of splendor and indulgence, go down to the grave in old age, without any remarkable calamity: yea, they are interred with magnificence, and many vain attempts are made to abate the horror of death, and the noisomeness of the grave. It is equally certain, that this has emboldened impiety and infidelity; and led many to infer, that there is no God, or that he takes no notice of human affairs, and that religion and morality are needless or useless.-Prosperity adds strength to men's pride and fuel to their lusts; and thus they grow hardened in presumptuous wickedness.-Alas, what numbers do we see in this land, where the light of the gospel clearly shines, whose actions say unto God, "Depart from us!" Their open and constant violation of his law, and their contempt of his gospel; their profanation of his day, and desertion of his ordinances; their families left without the least appearance of religion; their incessant course of riot or dissipation; their inordinate pursuit of wealth or power; their discourse, devoid of all reverence to the name, truths, or precepts of God, and full of levity and folly, if not of ribaldry and profaneness:-these things seem to "say unto God, Depart from us; we desire not the knowledge of thy ways." Such persons do not desire to think, hear, speak, or read about him: they treat religion, as if it were beneath their rank, spirit, or genius: they do not deem the Almighty on any account entitled to their obedience or gratitude; and they suppose his service to be a mere drudgery, which can yield neither pleasure nor profit, and in neglecting which there can be no danger! Yet "these prosper in the world, and have riches in possession." And, though the Lord

V. 34. Job concluded with inquiring, why his friends comforted him in vain, with the hopes of returning worldly prosperity, in case he repented and sought unto the Lord. For there was no truth in their system; nay, there was falsehood interwoven with all their answers, which rendered them inconclusive, and inapplicable to the subject.

PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS.

V. 1-16.

It is not easy to obtain an attentive hearing from eager disputants. Interruption and disregard are commonly reciprocal; hence misapprehension, unfair conclusions, and unmerited contempt and reproach: and when men have been suffered to speak, and have spoken to the purpose, their opponents commonly "mock on," and treat the whole as trivial and contemptible. But this behavior is peculiarly improper to the afflicted, who should at least have the consolation of being heard with patience and candor.-We might well yield to inward disquietude, if we had none to complain to in our distresses but man; or if the||