Westminster Annotations, Job · Chapter 36
CHAP. XXXVI.
Vers. 2. THat I have yet to speak on Gods behalf] Heb. that there are yet words for God.
V. 3. from far] He sheweth, that when we speak of God, we must lift our spirits more high then our naturall sense is able to reach.
V. 4. he that is perfect in knowledge is with thee] Thou shals perceive that I am a faithfull instructer, and that I speak to thee in the Name of God.
V. 5. mighty] Chap. 37. 23.
and despiseth not any] Though God be powerfull, yet he is no tyrant, but ruleth justly, and doth every one right, and respecteth not the unequall conditions of men, contrary to Jobs speech, chap. 10. 3. and 10. 7. and 23. 13. and 30. 21.
mighty in strength and wisedom] Chap. 9. 4. and 12. 13, 16.
wisedom] Heb. heart.
V. 6. He preserveth not the life of the wicked] That is, he destroyeth, Psal. 55. 23. and 104. 35.
poor] Or, afflicted.
V. 7. He withdraweth not his eyes from the righteous] Psal. 34. 15. and 33. 18.
with kings are they on the throne] God preferreth the godly to honour.
are they on the throne] Psal. 113. 8.
V. 8. bound in fetters] Psal. 107. 10.
in fetters] So afflictions are called, because they are as a prison to good men, for their correction, chap. 13. 27.
V. 9. sheweth them their work] Psal. 50. 21.
their work] He will move their hearts to feel their sinnes, that they may come to him by repentance. So he dealt with Manasseh.
V. 10. openeth also their ear to discipline] Chap. 33. 16, 23.
V. 11. spend their dayes in prosperity] Chap. 21. 13. Isai. 1. 19.
V. 12. But if they obey not, they shall perish by the sword] The righteous, of whom he spake, v. 7. these may be slain for their sinnes.
they shall perish by the sword] Heb. they shall passe away by the sword.
they shall die without knowledge] Because they would not take knowledge of the cause of their afflictions, when God revealed it unto them.
V. 13. the hypocrites in heart heap up wrath] They who are moliciously bent against God, and flatter themselves in their vices, grow worse in their afflictions, and encrease their plagues, 2 Chron. 28. 22.
they crie not when he bindeth them] When they are afflicted, they seek not to God for succour, 2 King. 16. 12. Rev. 16. 11.
V. 14. They die] Heb. their soul dieth.
They die in youth] They die of some vile death, and that before they come to age.
youth] Chap. 15. 32. and 22. 16. Psal. 55. 23.
unclean] Or, sodomites.
V. 15. poor] Or, afflicted.
V. 16. Even so would he have removed thee our of the strait] If thou hadst repented, and prayed to him, v. 10, 11, 12.
that which should be set on thy table] Heb. the rest of thy table.
full of fatnesse] If thou hadst submitted thy self to God, he would have brought thee to liberty and wealth.
V. 17. of the wicked] Thou dost murmure against the iustice of God, as wicked men do.
judgement and justice take hold on thee] Or, judgement and justice should uphold thee.
V. 18. deliver thee] Heb. turn thee aside.
V. 20. Desire not the night] Desire not to die, as thou didst, chap. 7. 1, 2. lest in this estate thou die like Gods enemies, by Gods judgement in the dark, Exod. 12. 29.
V. 21. regard not iniquity] To accuse God of want of equity in his judgements.
this hast thou chosen, rather then affliction] Rather then to bear thy afflictions patiently.
V. 23. Who hath enjoyned him his way?] Isai. 40. 13, 14. Thou must not go about to teach God how to guide the world, which thou doest, when thou complainest of his government.
V. 24. his work] The metcors, v. 27. We are no judges of Gods works, but spectators with reverence, as not knowing the causes of them.
V. 26. Behold, God is great] Much more doth our infirmity hinder us from the full knowledge of God.
V. 27. according to the vapour thereof] More or lesse, as the vapours which are exhaled from the earth, and kept in the clouds to produce rain.
V. 29. or the noise] The thunder-claps, Psal. 18. 12, 14. and 144. 5, 6.
his tabernacle] Of the clouds, spread out by God as his tabernacle, Psal. 104. 7.
V. 30. upon it] Upon the cloud, v. 29. or, upon man, v. 28.
covereth the bottom of the sea] The earth that upholds the sea.
the bottom] Heb. the roots.
V. 31. By them judgeth he the people] Chap. 37. 13. and 38. 23. He sheweth that rain hath a double use; one, to declare Gods judgements, when it doth over-flow any place, another, to make the earth fruitfull.
V. 33. The noise thereof sheweth concerning it] The thunder gives warning that rain is coming; and cattell, that flee to shelter when the vapour ascends.
the vapour] Heb. that which goeth up.