Westminster Annotations, Job · Chapter 12
CHAP. XII.
Vers. 2. BƲt ye are the people] Ye onelyonly are worthy the name of men: Or, ye are a people: That is, ye think your selves as wise, as if ye were a whole nation, John 11. 49.
wisdom shall die with you] Ye think ye are the onelyonly wise ones of the world, whence it must needs follow, that none knows, or can know any thing but you, and when ye fail, wisdom must also fail with you.
V. 3. understanding] Heb. an heart.
I am not inferiour to you] Heb. I fall not lower then you.
inferiour] Heb. falling. A metaphor from two wrestlers. He that is overcome, fals before the conquerour.
who knoweth not such things at these?] Heb. with whom are not such as these. The things you have brought forth for points of singular wisdom, are common and vulgar, to wit, that God prospers good men, and crosses bad.
V. 4. I am as one mocked of his neighbour] Prov. 14. 2. Job 16. 10. and 17. 2, 6. and 21. 3. and 30. 1.
I am as one mocked] He reproveth these his friends of two faults: the one, that they thought they had better knowledge, then indeed they had; and the other, that in stead of true consolation, they did deride and despise their friend in his adversitie.
of his neighbour] Being a mocker and wicked man, judging another to be out of Gods favour by reason of his present afflictions.
who calleth upon God] Or, calling upon God. Psal. 14. 6.
the just upright man is laughed to scorn] I who am upright, am accounted an hypocrite by my friends.
V. 5. to slip with his feet] By calamities, as I am.
as a lamp despised] Isai. 7. 4. and 42. 3. As men esteem not a torch, that goeth out: so is he despised that falleth from prosperitie to adversitie, Psal. 31. 15. and 38. 17, 19. Jerem. 20. 10.
that is at ease] He that is at ease, whom no man troubles, hath no experience, nor cannot judge rightly of my estate: Such are ye my friends.
V. 6. The tabernacles of robbers prosper] Chap. 21. 7. Psal. 37. 1, 35. and 92. 7. Jere. 12. …. Hab. 1. 3, 4. Mal. 3. 15.
V. 7. But ask now the beasts] He declareth to them that did dispute against him, that their wisdom is common to all, and such as the very brute beasts do daily teach: or else, he intendeth that the beasts may teach them, that God makes wicked men to prosper, in that he makes beasts to serve evill men, and gives harmlesse beasts for a prey to harmfull ones. And see the like of fishes, Hab. 1. 13, 14.
V. 9. in] Or, by▪
the hand of the Lord hath wrought this] Makes wicked men often to prosper in the world, more then good men.
V. 10. soul] Or, life.
all mankinde] Heb. all flesh of man.
V. 11. Doth not the ear try words?] Chap. 34. 3. Either he blameth his friends for not weighing his words, or means that he can weigh theirs: or it may be thus, Doth not his ear try words, &c. That is, God knows your unsavoury words, as well as you do unsavoury meat. If old men be wise, much more God, Psal. 94. 9.
mouth] Heb. palate.
V. 13. With him] That is, with God.
V. 14. shutteth up a man] Isai. 22. 22. Revel. 3. 7. Job 9. 12. and 11. 10.
up] Heb. upon.
V. 15. he withholdeth the waters] That is, the rain.
V. 16. the deceived and the deceiver are his] They must give account to God that go about to deceive those that are Gods, as ye go about to deceive me.
V. 17. He leadeth] As prisoners of war in triumph, after he hath overcome them.
counsellers] The wise guiders of the world, 1 Cor. 2. 6, 8. 2 Sam 15. 31.
spoiled] Of their wisdom, honour and power.
fools] 2 Sam. 15. 31. and 17. 14, 23. Isai. 19. 12. 1 Cor. 1. 19.
V. 18. He looseth the bond of kings] Takes away their authoritie, which bindes their subjects to obedience, Chap. 30. 11. Isai. 45. 1, 5.
girdeth their loyns with a girdle] Makes them captives, Psal. 66. 11. Joh. 21. 18.
V. 20. He removeth away the speech of the trusty] Chap. 32. 9. Isai. 3. 2, 3.
the speech of the trusty] Heb. the lip of the faithfull. Gen. 11. 1.
trusty] Of wise counsellers, whom kings trust: God makes them unable to give good counsell, and so makes them unserviceable to their princes.
V. 21. He poureth contempt upon princes] Psal. 107. 40. Dan. 2. 21.
weakneth the strength of the mighty] Or, looseth the girdle of the strong. Heb. looseth the girdle. Men ungirt are not fit to fight: Their clothes hinder them.
V. 22. He discovereth deep things out of darknesse] Dan. 2. 22. Matth. 10. 26. 1 Cor. 4. 5.
the shadow of death] Things most secret, that seem to be buried in eternall ignorance.
V. 23. He increaseth the nations] In this discourse of Gods wonderfull works, Job sheweth, that whatsoever is done in this world, both in the order and change of things, is by Gods will and appointment: wherein he declareth, That he thinketh well of God, and is able to set forth his power in words, as well as they that reasoned against him.
straitneth] Heb. leadeth in.
V. 24. causeth them to wander] Psal. 107. 40.
in a wildernesse where there is no way] Desperate, irresolute, without relief, or counsell in their affairs.
V. 25. They grope in the dark without light] Isai. 19. 14. and 24. 20.
stagger] Heb. wander.