Exposition of Job, Exposition of Job · Chapter 1
CHAP. I.
This Chapter may be reduced to theſe two Heads. 1. A deſcription of Job, who was to be tryed, from his Piety and former Proſperity, to ver. 6. wherein he is deſcribed, from his Countrey, Name, and Piety, ver. 1. from his outward proſperity, having a numerous iſſue, ver. 2. great Riches and Eminency, ver. 3. and, his Children living in great concord and amity, ver. 4. And, from a ſpecial act of his Piety in reference to his Children, ver. 5. 2. Jobs begun-tryal, in the loſs of his Goods and Children, wherein is contained, The original and riſe of his tryal, which was, the Holy Providence of God; looſing the reins to Satan to afflict him ſo far, for ſilencing of all calumnies that might be vented againſt his integrity, ver. 6. —12. The tryal it ſelf, as it was repreſented to Job in its blackeſt colours, ver. 13. — 19. And, his carriage under his tryal, ver. 20, 21. together with Gods teſtimony concerning the ſame, ver. 22.
Verſe 1. There was a man in the Land of Ʋz, whoſe name was Job, and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eſchewed evil.
THe Hiſtory of Jobs ſad ſufferings is uſhered in with a deſcription of him, which may be taken up in four Branches. The firſt branch of the deſcription is taken from ſuch common circumſtances as tend to clear the truth of the Hiſtory; ſuch as, his Countrey where he lived, and his name, ver. 1.— It is ſaid, There was ſuch a man which (together with what followeth) clears that this is not a Fiction. And the word here rendred Man, ſignifieth not an ordinary man, but an eminent and excellent man, ſuch as Job was, both for endowments and authority. As for his Countrey, the Land of Uz, the name hath certainly been given it from ſome ancient poſſeſſour thereof. Now we find in Scripture mention made of ſeveral bearing that name, One, the Grandchild of Shem, Gen. 10.23. who is recorded by Hiſtorians, to have given the name to the Countrey about Damaſcus, toward the North border of the Land of Canaan. Anonother, the ſon of Nahor, Gen. 22.20, 21. (where the name Huz, is the ſame with Uz, in the Original) who gave the name to a part of Arabia the Deſert. And a third of the Poſterity of Eſau, Gen. 36.28. whence a part, at leaſt, of Edom, in Arabia Petrea, or, the Stony, ſeems to have taken the name of Uz, Lam. 4.21. And becauſe theſe two Arabia's bordered one upon another, and poſſibly alſo theſe two Lands of Uz, this may be conceived as a reaſon why the Land of Uz is ſometime ſpoken of as a large Countrey, comprehending ſeveral Nations and Kings, Jer. 25.20. In one of theſe two laſt Countreys did Job live, for it is expreſly ſaid, ver. 3. that he dwelt in the Eaſt (which, it ſeems, muſt be underſtood, according to the uſual reckoning of Scripture, with relation to the Land of Canaan) as theſe Countries alſo lay. And it ſeems moſt probable alſo that he lived in Arabia the Deſert, being either of the Poſterity of Nahor, or of the ſons of Abraham by Keturah, who ſettled alſo there, Gen. 25 9. For in this Countrey, or the Regions about, did his Friends live; It was here where Travellers were ſtraitened with want of water, from which he draws the compariſon, Ch. 6.15, — 20. It did border upon the Sabeans a people in Arabia Foelix, or, the Happy, and ſtretched alſo toward the Caldeans, from both which Countries Robbers came upon him, Ch. 1.15, 17. And (not to inſiſt any longer) we find by the Hiſtory it ſelf, that he lived in a Countrey ſo near the Sea (namely the Red Sea) as he was acquainted with the Sea-monſters there, Ch. 41.1. And ſo near Canaan, that he is not a ſtranger to the River Jordan, Chap. 40.23. As for his Name, Job, or the ſignification thereof, there is no neceſſity to inſiſt on it. We find one Job among the Sons of Iſſachar, Gen. 46.13. But neither was he this man, nor are the names written one way in the Original. They walk upon as great uncertainty, who take Job to be that Jobab, Gen. 10.29. of the Poſterity of Shem, or (rather) another of the Poſterity of Eſau, who reigned over Edom, Gen. 36.33. whoſe name Jobab (they ſay) was contracted, in and after his calamity, into that of Job. His name is indeed derived from a root, which ſignifieth, to be at enmity; which, being taken actively, may point out what an enemy, or, oppoſite, he was to all injuſtice and unjuſt perſons, in the exerciſe of his Office while he was in proſperity, Chap. 29.14, 15, 16, 17. And if we take it paſſively, it may point out how much he was maligned, for his Piety and Juſtice, by Satan and his Inſtruments. And if, …ithal, we aſſert that he had not this name, ſo contracted, till his calamities came upon him (for which, notwithſtanding, there is no ground) it may intimate what great oppoſition he ſuſtained, after that God once gave him up to be tryed. But leaving theſe uncertainties, that which is further remarkable in this verſe, Is,
The ſecond branch of this deſcription, taken from his piety and fruits of his faith; where, albeit either of theſe expreſſions, perfectneſs and uprightneſs, when put alone in Scripture, doth comprehend all that is here ſignified by both; Yet being here both expreſſed, they may be thus diſtinguiſhed: His perfectneſs points at his inward integrity, ſincerity and ſtreightneſs of heart; and his uprightneſs expreſſeth his ſtreightneſs in outward converſation, and in his dealing with men. Unto this is added his fearing of God, to ſhew that his honeſty was not a meer moral uprightneſs, but was accompanied with, and flowed from true Piety and a Filial awe of God. From whence alſo flowed his eſchewing of evil, or a guarding againſt ſin, with the occaſions thereof, and the inſinuations and tentations whereby it aſſaulted and purſued him; and an avoiding and turning from it by repentance, when he was at any time overtaken with it. And this alſo is added as a further qualification of his perfectneſs and uprightneſs; that it was no ſinleſneſs, but a ſincere wraſtling againſt ſin.
From this Verſe Learn,
1. Such is the freedom and efficacy of the grace of God, that he can when he will, raiſe up eminent ſervants to himſelf, in very corrupt places and ſocieties; As here he hath a godly Job in the Land of Uz, who was not of the bleſſed ſeed of Abraham. So was there ſome awe of God in Gerar where Abraham did not look for it, Gen. 20.8,—11. a Melchiſedeck among the curſed Canaanites, and a Rahab in Jericho, as well as a Job and his godly Friends in Arabia. And albeit it be conceived that the Lord did not reject, and wholly give up the body of all other Nations, before the time that he entered into an expreſs Covenant with Iſrael upon Mount Sinai; And therefore it was nothing ſtrange, that there were then ſuch eminent Saints in diverſe parts of the world: Yet theſe inſtances, in that time, may teach us to leave a latitude to free grace in all ages of the world, and in all places (how corrupt ſoever) where any ſpark of the knowledge of God in Chriſt may be had. And as it did much condemn and aggravate the Apoſtaſie of the Nations, that (beſide the knowledge of God, to be gathered from the works of Creation, Rom. 1.19, 20.) they had ſuch eminent Saints, who did contribute to keep in the light of the knowledg of the true God among them: So their eminency in grace may condemn them who come far ſhort under more plentiful means.
2. As true godlineſs is a mans chiefeſt advantage, (and therefore it is named in the firſt place, in this deſcription of Job, before his Children and Wealth) So an approven religious man is he who hath inward ſimplicity and godly ſincerity in his heart, free from hypocriſie or any wicked byaſs; For, herein was Job commendable, that he was a perfect man, or ſingle hearted and ſincere. And this is premitted to the reſt, as chiefly taken notice of by God, next unto faith in the promiſed Meſſiah, whereof this and the reſt are fruits and effects.
3. No man can prove his ſincerity before God, nor hath warrant to pretend to any ſuch thing, who doth not make Conſcience of ſtreightneſs and uprightneſs in his outward converſation, whereby mens profeſſion is adorned before the World; Therefore it is added, That man was perfect and upright.
4. Moral honeſty and uprightneſs in converſation, will not prove the truth of mens Piety and Religion; unleſs it be conjoyned with the fear of God, and the conſcientious performance of the immediate duties of Religion; Therefore, alſo, it is ſubjoyned, and one that ſeared God.
5. The root of all true Religion is (not a ſlaviſh, but) a filial aw of God, imprinted and ſtamped on the heart; without which, duties of Religion will not ſeriouſly and reverently be performed: nor yet duties toward men be regarded in all times and caſes; Therefore is all his Religion ſummed up in this, as the root of all, he feared God; as frequently alſo in Scripture Piety is thus deſcribed. And this is ſubjoyned to the former, of his uprightneſs and perfectneſs; to ſhew, that the fear and awe of God put him to be ſincere before him, and to deal uprightly with all men; as Gen. 42.18 Neb 5.15.
6. The moſt holy of the ſons of men, while they are within tim…, are not ſinleſs, but …to …nded with ſins and infirmities, and with ten…ns a…d … purſuing and drawing them thereunto; Therefore, leaſt his Perfection might be miſtaken, it is added; that he obnoxious to evil, to be eſch…wed, or, turned from.
7. Sincerity and true Godlineſs, (albeit it b… compaſſed with tentations and weakneſſes; yet) doth evidence it ſelf in an hatred of ſin, and univerſally of all ſin; in a careful avoiding thereof, and all the occaſions of it; and, in ſerious repentance and turning from theſe ſins wherein men are overtaken; For, Job looked on ſin as evil to be abhorred, and did ſo judge indefinitely, of all, or what…oever was evil; and did evidence the truth of this his abhorrency, by eſchewing of evil, or turning from it, (as the word alſo will read) when he fell into it.
8. As mens tenderneſs, in avoiding and repenting for ſin, increaſeth, according as they entertain the aw o… fear of God in their hearts; ſo the fear of God is the cleanly motive and riſe of their circumſpect walking, w…thout which, their cautiouſneſs in avoiding of ſin for baſe by-ends will not be accepted; Therefore is his eſchewing evil ſubjoyned to his fearing of God, which was the fountain f…om which that circumſpectneſs flowed, and the motive perſwading him thereunto.
Verſ. 2, And there were born unto him ſeven ſons and three daughters.
3. His ſubſtance alſo was ſeven thouſand ſheep, and three thouſand camels, and five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred ſheaſſes, and a very great houſhold; ſo that this man was the greateſt of all the men of the eaſt.
4. And his ſons went and feaſted in their houſes every one his day, and ſent and called for their three ſiſters to eat and to drink with them.
The third branch of this deſcription of Job, is taken from his outward proſperous and flouriſhing condition, conſiſting in ſeveral things. As namely, firſt, a numerous Iſſue, ver. 2.
2. Great wealth, ver. 3. which is deſcribed both abſolutely, from the ſeveral particulars wherein his wealth conſiſted; that he had many Sheep for meat and cloathing, many Camels for carrying of burdens in long journeys, as Gen. 37.25. many Oxen for labour and tillage, as ver. 14. many Aſſes for ordinary travel and burdens nearer home, and a very great houſhold, by which we may underſtand, both that he had a numerous family of ſervants, or bought ſlaves, which were then a part of mens wealth; as alſo (as the word will bear) much ſervice, or, husbandry and labour for them, as is clear from the following narration, ver. 14. — 17. His wealth and riches is alſo deſcribed comparatively, that he was the greateſt of all men of Eaſt, or his neighbours about him; and that both as to the matter of wealth, of which the former part of the verſe ſpeaketh; as alſo (which is a third proof of his flouriſhing condition) that he was greateſt in reſpect of eminency, being a ch…ef Magiſtrate among them, Chap …9.7, 8, 9, 10, 25. and ſo the Original may be read not only, So that this man was the greateſt, &c. as an amplification of the greatneſs of his wealth: But, (as another addition to his proſperity, b…ſide that of wealth) and this man was the greateſt, &c.
4. His outward flouriſhing condition conſiſted in the great amity and concord, that was among his Children; evidenced by his ſons mutual feaſting one another and inviting and bringing their Siſters to ſhare with them, ver. 4. This they are ſaid to do every one his day, not that they continually and dayly feaſted, but that it w…nt by courſe among them, every one feaſting the reſt either on his Birth day or at ſome ſet time agreed upon among them. Now all this ample deſcription of his proſperous condition tends to commend his Piety, bo…h in the time of his injoyment, and under the loſs thereof.
Doct. 1. As Children are of themſelves the choiceſt of outward bleſſings, and to the godly a reward of piety; Pſal. 127.3. &c. and 128.1, 2, &c. So the increaſe and number of them is an addition to the mercy; For, here Children are mentioned firſt, as the chief part of Jobs outward proſperity, to be preferred to his other wealth; And their number is recorded as heightning the mercy, that there were born to him ſeven ſons and three daughters. This may ſpeak ſadly to them who are not thankful for Children, or who do grudge, and look upon it as a burden, when God bleſſeth them with a numerous iſſue; and eſpecially to thoſe who do not improve that mercy, nor endeavour to make them bleſſings indeed, by a pious Education, as we find was Jobs practice ver. 5.
2. As God hath given ſufficient proof, that he could well allow wealth and proſp…rity upon his people, were it for their good; (as here he heaped great riches upon godly Job, as he did likewiſe upon others at other times.) So juſt dealing toward others, and tender walking before God, will never hinder mens thriving, ſo far as God ſeeth meet and good for them; For, here an upright man, who durſt wrong none, and a fearer of God ver. 1. who made conſcience of religious dueties, is yet rich, and greater then all the men of the Eaſt. And, indeed, however we reckon, Piety hath the promiſes, even of this life, 1 Tim. 4 8.
3 As it doth exceedingly commend Wealth, and prove it be a bleſſing, that men do purchaſe it in an ingenuous lawful calling; So the worth thereof, being acquired, conſiſt in this, that men are thereby inabled to provide againſt their dayly neceſſities; For, albeit Job had Gold, as appears from chap. 31.24. (as Abraham alſo had Silver and Gold, as well as Cattell, Gen. 24.35.) Yet here his wealth is rather reckoned by his Sheep, Camels, Oxen, &c. partly, to ſhew that ſuch was the ſimplicity of theſe days, that men acquired their wealth, chiefly, by that ingenuous calling of improving their Stock and Cattel, and not by unhandſom and unlawful ſhifts; and partly, alſo, to ſhew that they looked not upon it as their wealth to heap up treaſures, upon which they might doat as their happineſs, nor yet to multiply ſuch things for pomp and grandeur, which are to little purpoſe; But cheifly, that they had means neceſſary for food and rayment, and for their dayly labour and affairs. Thus alſo David…, 1 Chron. 27.26, &c. and Uzzi…h, 2, Chron. 26.10. had Ca…tel and husbandry.
4. It is no ſmall mercy when godly men are not only bleſſed with ſingular wealth and riches, …ut when, with Gods approbation, they are advanced alſo to have power and authority, that they may ſee to the adminiſtration of Juſtice, and the promoting of Piety among men; Fo…, thus alſo this man was the greateſt of all the men in the Eaſt
5. Family-peace is a choice bleſſing, and a crowning part of a mans outward proſperity, and particularly, when Children do l…ve in amity and concord together; For, here it ſhuts up the account of J…s outward proſperity, that his Children did live together in ſo great intimacy. If it be ſad when bonds of friendſhip are broken among men; much more when they become void of natural affection. And albeit the training of Children in Piety, be a ſpecial mean to entertain this amity among them, as it was with Job in his family; ver. 5. Yet we find godly men have miſſed of this mercy in th…ir fam…lies. Adam in his family had a Cant who ſlew his brother; Iſaac, an Eſau who hated, and threatned to kill his brother Jacob; Joſeph is hated and ſold by his Brethren, in Jacobs family; and ſad diſſenſions fell out among ſome of Davids ſons.
6 Moderate feaſting, and inviting of friends thereunto, is a lawful mean of entertaining friendſhip and amity among them: provided we obſerve neceſſary cautions in this uſe of our liberty; avoiding ſuperfluity and exceſs, or going beyond our ability, in theſe things, as if our belly were our God; not neglecting the poor, Luk. 14.12, 13 14. not miſpending time, by taking up too much thereof in feaſting, whereas it might be better improved; or making feaſting our dayly work, Luke 16.19 Nor feaſting unſeaſonably, in a time when the Lord calls to mourning, Amos 6.4, 5, 6. Joel 2.16. Iſai 22.12, 13. Therefore it is recorded here, as a lawful practice, that his ſons went and feaſted in their houſes, every one his day, and ſent and called for their Siſters (whoſe modeſty could not allow them to keep their turns in making theſe feaſts, nor yet to be too forward of themſelves to go abroad without invitation) to eat and drink with them. Thus we find ſeveral examples of feaſting not diſapproved in the Scripture, as Joſephs feaſting of his brethren, Gen. 43. their Feaſts at Sheep-ſhearing, 1 Sam. 25.4, 5, 6, &c. 2 Sam. 13 23, 24. and the like occaſions. And Chriſt honoured a marriage-Feaſt with his preſence, Joh. 2. It is not needful here to inquite why they did not alſo invite their Father and Mother; but this is certain, that Job did allow thereof, permitting them to go about in their turns with it, ver. 5. though with ſome godly ſolicitude, leaſt they had exceeded in it.
7. A man well rooted in Piety will keep his feet in very tempting conditions of life, and will not be ſhaken with the pleaſures or other diſtractions of a proſperous eſtate; For, it is Jobs commendation that he was a godly man in a married Eſtate, having the burden of many Children, great wealth, a great family, great dignity, and a great calm of tranquility and concord among his Children. Thus Daniel and Nehemiah are tender and near God in the eminent imployments of a great Court. No lawful condition of life is inconſiſtent with true Piety, though, many a time, our weakneſs and corruption do ſtumble upon them; and make impediments of them.
Verſe 5. And it was ſo, when the days of their feaſting were gone about, that Job ſent and ſanctified them, and roſe up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings, according to the number of them all: For Job ſaid, It may be that my ſons have ſinned, and curſed God in their hearts; Thus did Job continually.
The laſt branch of this deſcription of Job is taken from a ſpecial act of his Piety in reference to his Children, and their practice formerly mentioned, ver. 4. In that he feared leaſt his children ſhould provoke God to wrath by any miſcarriage in the time of their keeping ſociety together, and therefore was careful, after their feaſting, to bring them together to make addreſſes unto God, and to offer Sacrifices for what faults (and eſpecially in want of reverence to God) might have eſcaped them. In this his practice, Conſider.
Firſt, The time wherein he giveth this proof of his Piety, when the days of their feaſting were gone about; which is not neceſſarily to be underſtood that he did not call them together till every one of them had, in their turn, made a feaſt to the reſt. For that had been too long a delay, unleſs they kept all their Feaſts, one immediately after another. But it ſeems rather that when any one of them had made a feaſt in his courſe, then he called them all to worſhip and ſelf-examination. Thus the words are expounded in the end of the verſe, Thus did Job continually, or, all the days, that is, after every one of the days wherein they had feaſted, ver. 4. This teacheth, That after all our actions, and eſpecially after liberal diverſions and recreations, it is our duty to examine our ſelves that we may find out what may have eſcaped us, and to draw near to God, that we may diſcern in what frame we are, and may make uſe of him for righting what is amiſs: As here Jobs practice, in timing this addreſs to God, doth hold forth.
Secondly, The ground of this his pious practice, which was his godly ſolicitude leaſt his ſons had ſinned, namely, by curſing God in their hearts which doth explain the former General. Otherwiſe, he needed not make a ſuppoſition, or, May be, of it, that his ſons, being of the poſterity of Adam, did dayly ſin. The ſin he fears here, is, Curſing of God, which in the Original, both here, and ver. 11. and Chap. 2.9. & 1 King. 21.13. is, Bleſſing of God; and Curſing is ſo expreſſed, oftimes, in Scripture, out of an holy indignation at the thing, abhorring to name it, except in ſome cleanly terms. And here we are not to conceive that he was jealous that they had broken out in groſs blaſphemy; but if his ſons had forgotten, or not ſanctified God in their hearts, or thought of him irreverently, he ſets it out under this odious name, as having indeed a tendency thereunto; and this is pointed at by curſing in their hearts.
Hence, Learn,
1. There is juſt ground of holy jealouſie that there may be a bitter root, even of groſs wickedneſs, lurking in men who have been well educated, and who have a fair outward carriage, if not alſo ſome good principles; And that this root may at ſome time bud forth, after it hath long lurked: For Job is thus jealous of his ſons, of whoſe Education there is no queſtion but it was religious, and of whom no blemiſh is recorded in the matter of their carriage, but rather intimations to the contrary. He names only his Sons here, not ſecluding his daughters, who as they were at the feaſts, ver. 4. ſo (no doubt) they were alſo brought to joyn in this ſolemn worſhip. But Sons are here put for all his Children; Or if we further inquire why he mentions only Sons, it may be conceived that he was moſt jealous of them, leaſt they had taken more liberty of exceſs in feaſting, then their ſiſters ſex or modeſty could permit, which might have drawn them to that evil he fears.
2. There is no time wherein men are more ready to miſcarry, and diſcover any bitter root in them, then when they are about the liberal uſe of the creatures, and amidſt occaſions of mirth and cheerfulneſs; For; it is in the time of their feaſting that Job is afraid they had miſcarried. And therfore at ſuch occaſions men had need to keep a ſtrict watch, See Eccl. 2.2. &. 7.2, 3.
3. Curſing or blaſpheming of God, reproachful, unbeſeeming, and irreverent conceptions or expreſſions of him, or his providence, are a great height of impiety in any, eſpecially in theſe who profeſs the true Religion; For, this Job looks upon as the worſt of out breakings, to curſe God, whom all ought to honour and magnifie, and in a right underſtanding of whom, and a right reading of his dealing, our life and happineſs doth conſiſt.
4. Truly-godly and conſcientious men are much oppoſite to this fearful evil, of blaſpheming or reproaching of God; In ſo much that they dare not name it without horrour; As here, Job will not ſo much as pronounce it but in a ſmooth expreſſion.
5. The godlies tenderneſs and abhorrency of this evil, doth alſo appear in this, That any thing that hath a tendency to reproaching and blaſphemy is formidable to them; As here Job, in his tenderneſs, lookes upon any forgetfulneſs or irreverence in their hearts, as dreadful, and under the ſame name with the evil to which it tended.
6. His ſuppoſing that, it may be, they had committed this evil, doth not only intimate that he could not know their hearts, and therefore can only be ſuſpicious and jealous of them: As alſo, That this may evince they were godly men in his eſteem, ſeeing he can only ſuſpect their miſcarriage. But further, it holds out.
1. That the moſt tender and godly men are moſt jealous and ſuſpitious of themſelves, or others under their charge; As here, holy Job is jealous of his Children, when yet no external carriage of theirs had bewrayed them.
2. That conſidering our natural corruption, even ſuſpitions and jealouſies of our miſcarriage, and ſins of ignorance and inadvertency, whereof we can have but ſuſpitious, are a call to us to renew repentance, and to run to the open Fountain; For, ſo doth Job upon a may be that his ſons have ſinned. See Pſal. 19.12.
Thirdly, his practice it ſelf, or his carriage being under this godly jealouſie; Namely, that he did ſend to bring his children to publick worſhip with due preparation, and, riſing early, did offer Sacrifices for all and every one of them, ſo many burnt Offerings as there were Children.
Hence learn,
1. It is not ſufficient that men have tenderneſs to be ſuſpicious of their own caſe, or the caſe of others under them; or that they have light to diſcern what is really amiſs; unleſs their light and tenderneſs be laid forth in a conſcientious uſe of means, which may prevent evils, or cure what is wrong: For, ſo doth Job here expreſs his tenderneſs, by drawing his ſons to publick worſhip, after their feaſting.
2. Such ought to be the care of Parents to have the ſouls of their Children proſpering, that it muſt not be laid aſide even when their Children are grown up and retired to families of their own; For, here Job takes pains about the ſouls of his Children, even when they had houſes of their own. ver. 4. He calls them to him, to worſhip God with him, and they do yet reverence and ſubmit to him, and come.
3. Since the fall of Adam there is no expiation of ſin, nor daring to approach to God, but by Chriſt, repreſented of old by Sacrifices; For, here in Jobs days they had burnt Offerings, and long before that, Adam had taught it to Cain and Abel. And Job is ſaid to offer them, becauſe; before the giving of the Law on Mount Sinai, the Head of the Family, or the firſt born, was the Prieſt to offer up the Sacrifices of the Family.
4. For the ſolid expiation of ſin, general notions of Chriſt and his ſufferings are not ſufficient, unleſs men make particular applications thereof by faith to themſelves, for expiating of their particular faults; Therefore did Job offer burnt Offerings according to the number of them all: Not aquieſcing in a general ſacrifice for the whole family, he offered a Sacrifice for every one of them.
5. Holy duties, and eſpecially duties of publick worſhip, ought not to be abruptly gone about, but with due preparation; For, Job ſent and ſanctified them (or, prepared them by the obſervation of ſome external Ceremonies then in uſe, as alſo by Prayer and Examination) before he brought them to the publick Sacrifice. See, Eccleſ. 5.1. &c.
6. The ſervice of God ought to be performed with much activity and diligence, no opportunity being neglected, nor letting unrepented-off guilt lye over, without ſpeedy repentance and an application of the remedy; For, he roſe up early in the morning, and offered, &c. Taking hold of the firſt opportunity to expiate any guilt they had contracted.
Fourthly, His conſtancy in this practice, Thus did Job continually or, all the days: As often as they feaſted, he renewed this practice.
Hereby, Teaching.
1. As our Inclinations are continually evil by nature; So even experience of former failings, our repentance for them, and our being put to need Chriſt for expiation thereof, cannot (without the ſpecial aſſiſtance of grace) ſecure us againſt new failings, if we meer with new tentations; For, Jobs continued practice inſinuates that he was jealous l…ſt, even after former approaches to God, they might fall into new …ollies.
2. Conſtancy in tenderneſs, godly jealouſie, and renovation of repentance, is a very clear proof, and ſweet commendation of Piety; when no length of time, or conceit of former performances, do take off any thing of our former edge, For, its a proof of Jobs ſingular Piety, that he did thus continually.
3. It doth commend the riches of free grace, and of Chriſts merit, that it cannot be exhauſted, but after we have never ſo frequently been made partakers thereof, that Store-houſe remains ſtill full for theſe who by faith and renewed repentance ſhall have recourſe thereunto: So much alſo is imported in Jobs continual uſe-making of Sacrifices, day by day; as finding that which was ſignified by them ſo full, as it could never be exhauſted.
Verſ. 6. Now there was a day, when the ſons of God came to preſent themſelves before the LORD, and Satan came alſo among them.
7. And the LORD ſaid unto Satan, Whence comeſt thou? Then Satan anſwered the LORD, and ſaid, From going too and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.
8. And the LORD ſaid unto Satan, Haſt thou conſidered my ſervant Job, that there is none like him in the earth? a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and eſcheweth evil.
9. Then Satan anſwered the LORD, and ſaid, Doth Job fear God for nought?
10. Haſt not thou made an hedge about him, and about his houſe, and about all that he hath on every ſide? thou haſt bleſſed the worke of his hands, and his ſubſtance is increaſed in the land.
11. But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curſe thee to thy face.
12. And the LORD ſaid unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power: only upon himſelf put not forth thy hand. So Satan went forth from the preſence of the LORD.
Followeth the ſecond part of the Chapter containing Jobs begun-tryal, in the loſs of Goods, Servants and Children. In the firſt branch whereof (in theſe verſes) the original and riſe of this tryal is recorded: which is, The holy and wiſe Providence of God, who, having determined to afflict this holy man, for vindicating of his integrity againſt all calumnies, doth looſe the reins to Satan, as his Inſtrument, to afflict him, ſo far, and ſo much, only, as it pleaſed him to permit.
This matter it here expreſſed by way of conference or deliberation, in borrowed termes, alluding to the practice of Kings and Princes, whoſe Servants and Officers, appearing in their Courts, do give an account of their ſervices and what is intruſted to them, and do receive Orders and Commiſſions to go about ſuch ſervices as are thought expedient. The ſame form of ſpeach is again repeated, Chap. 2. and we have another very like unto it, 1 King. 22.18, 19, 20. &c. And here we are not to expound the words literally, as if the Lord had any fixed days for keeping of his Courts, whoſe Dominion is actually excerciſed every moment; Or as if Satan made any local appearance before God, or there were any ſpeech (properly ſo called) betwixt God and him (for God being an infinite Spirit, and Satan alſo a ſpirit, though finite and unclean, they have no uſe of ſpeech, ſuch as is among men;) Or as if the Lord within time ſhould begin to determine Jobs tryal, or ſhould be ſolicited by the malitious importunity of Satan to torture an innocent man; for his purpoſes are eternal, and all his works known to him from the begining, Act. 15.18. But the proper meaning of theſe borrowed expreſſions is, in ſum, this, That after Job had enjoyed a long time of proſperity, and kept his integrity, It pleaſed the Lord (to whom Angels and Devils are obedient and ſubject) to manifeſt his effectual Providence, at this time, in trying Job with adverſity, making uſe of Satan as his Inſtrument in that work: whereby Jobs integrity, though well known to God before, might yet further be manifeſted, to the ſilencing of all calumnies whereby Satan and his Inſtruments did aſperſe his Piety in his calm and proſperous day. This being the true ſcope and meaning of theſe borrowed expreſſions; as the manner of expreſſing theſe Myſteries of Divine Providence, in borrowed terms fitted to our capacity, doth comm…nd the great condeſcendence of God, and his reſpect to our dulneſs, in ſpeaking of heavenly things in earthly terms, and conſequently, calls for much proficiency at our hands; Joh. 3.12. So this account of the Original of Jobs tryal is very ſeaſonably prefixed to it, as a key to open it up unto us; whereas, otherwiſe, looking upon the tryal in it ſelf, it might ſeem very dark. For hereby, in the very entering into this cloud and tempeſt, we are informed,
1. Concerning the original cauſe of this trouble, which is Gods good pleaſure and will, who did not expoſe him to the furie of Satan to be dealt with as he pleaſed, but, as the Soveraign orderer of this buſineſs, employed Satan, as his Inſtrument, to afflict him, to make uſe of Sabeans, and Chaldeans, Fire and wind, for that end; and accordingly, did not only permit Satan to aſſault Job, but did bridle and reſtrain him in the letting looſe of his furie and rage.
2. We are alſo informed what were Gods thoughts concerning Job, when he thus afflicts him, That albeit Job felt only the ſad ſtroke, and did often apprehend much diſpleaſure; Yet God had no quarrel at him, but doth highly commend his Integrity, even when he looſeth the chain to Satan, to afflict him.
3. We are alſo informed concerning Gods ſcope in this tryal, which is not to ruine Job, as he often apprehended, but to try him and diſcover his Integrity, to the ſilencing of malitious calumnies, and then to give him an out gate. As theſe are ſweet Cordials to the truly godly in their hot Conflicts; So they have the more need to fix their hearts in the faith of them, before they enter, and while they are entering in tryals, that, ordinarily, in the throng of the Tempeſt they are ready to loſe the ſight of all theſe, and to ſee little in their caſe, but the unbridled fury of Satan and his Inſtrum…nts, nothing but wrath in God, no reſpecting of their Integrity, no iſſue of their lot, but utter ruine, &c.
I come more particularly to ſpeak to the particular verſes according to this general ſcope and ſum, and to lay open theſe borrowed expreſſions according to the analogy of faith. And
Firſt, As to the time of this determination, there was a day, ver. 6. This doth, in general, ſignifie, that after Job had enjoyed a long time of proſperity, this decree of trying him did break forth in execution. And particularly, it points a… that day, ver. 13. — 18. wherein theſe ſad things befel him. This teacheth, That ſo long as we are within time, we ought to lay our accounts for reelings and changes, little knowing what a day may bring forth; Prov. 27.1. For, here, after many calm days, There was a day wherein the tide began to turn upon this holy man.
Secondly, As to the appearance of Servants and Miniſters, the Sons of God, and Satan, in his Courts, ver. 6. By the Sons of God here, we are neither to underſtand any of the children of men, who are made ſons of God by being members of the true viſible Church, Gen. 6.2. or by internal Regeneration, Job. 1.12, 13. Nor yet Magiſtrates, who are called Children of the moſt High, Pſal. 82.6. But they are the holy Angels who get this name, both here and Chap. 38. And though it be denyed, Heb. 1.5. that any of them are that Son of God by eternal Generation, yet all of them are ſons of God, by Creation and Adoption, and becauſe they do repreſent ſomewhat of him in his nature and holineſs; And do alſo repreſent him in their Office and carrying of Ambaſſages unto men. It is ſaid, theſe came to preſent themſelves before the Lord; not that they are any time abſent, or out of his preſence, Matth. 18.10. Luke 1.19. but to expreſs their ready willingneſs to receive or execute any of his Commands, as Miniſters of great Princes do come dayly to receive their Inſtructions. Where it is ſaid, Satan came alſo among them; by Satan, or, that Adverſary, we are to underſtand that Prince of Devils, together with all theſe evil ſpirits that fall with him. His coming among them, or, in the midſt of them, doth not import that he hath any communion with theſe bleſſed Spirits; nor that he is in the preſence of God by way of approbation, as they are; nor yet that he voluntarily cometh before God, as they do: But the borrowed expreſſion doth only import, That, as on great Court days, not only Princes and their Guards and Attendants do appear there, but Delinquents alſo; So, Satan is made to appear before God, to whom he is ſubject and accomptable, as the ſequel cleareth. And as in great Conventions, ſome naughty perſons are ready to thruſt in among the croud, to do ſome ill turn; So Satan is ready to catch at all opportunities to tempt or accuſe; as the ſequel here doth alſo make manifeſt.
In this we may learn,
1. S…h is the greatneſs of God; that not only all the Angels are obedient, but even the very Devils are ſubject to him, as here we ſee▪ … this was neceſſary to be premitted to this diſpenſation, wherein ſo much o… Greatneſs and Soveraignty was to appear; To ſhow that m…n ma… learn to cure many of then diſtemp…rs of ſpirit, occaſioned by the croſs diſpenſations of Provi…nce, by taking a right view of God, the Author …
2. Here we have alſo a comprehenſive view of the Adminiſtration and Government of the World; W…e … ſtill to be ſeen and acknowledged, as ſupreme …; …hings beneath (inſtanced here in the p…rſon and injoyments of Job) are a part of the object about which his Providence is exerciſed So that it cannot, without blaſphemy, be ſaid that he hath forſaken the earth, Ezek. 9.9. o… that he doth not take notice of the meaneſt things therein, were it even the hairs of our head, Matth. 1….39 The Miniſters to be imployed for executing of his pleaſure, are, not only Angels, whom he imployeth both to good to his people, and for evil of puniſhment alſo: But Devils alſo, whom he imployeth ſometime, as his Executioners againſt the wicked, and, ſometime (as here) to be a ſcourge to his owne children: N…t out of any neceſſity, having ſufficient beſi…e to imploy, but becauſe he ſeeth it beſt.
3. This name, Satan or that Adverſary, As it doth point out a Character of a wicked diſpoſition, and of one who is of the Devil, to be an adverſary to all g…d; As here, Satan, after his own fall, proves to mankind: So it reaches us further, that the emnity betwixt the ſeed of the Woman, and the S…rpent and h…s ſeed, was known by the godly from the beginning, and conſequently, they were taught to reſolve on a … conflict in their courſe of holineſs: Therefore … he here deſigned by the name of Satan.
… Leſſon needful yet to be inculcated, after all the …ments of his oppoſition in former ages, Eph. 6.10, &c The forgetting whereof is the cauſe why we are …o often … prized, while we live and walk as if we were … Enemies.
Thirdly, As to the Lords calling of Satan to an account, and his anſwer thereunto, ver. 7. We are not to conceive that God makes any enquity, as needing Information; but only that he is ſupreme to call Satan to an account. Nor are we to dream of any ſpeech, properly ſo called, betwixt God and Satan, the terms here being only figu…ative and borrowed to point out ſome other thing. Nor yet are we to underſtand Satans ſpeech, of his going to and f…i… the earth, and then of his walking up and down in it, as a c…mplaint, that however he uſed diligence, in going to and fro, tempting, yet was he ſo …ema…d in, that he had no ſucceſs, not could get a deſired …e…, but was ſtill forced to walk up and do…n, compare, Matth. 12 43. It is true, indeed, Satan is unſatiable in his malice, notwithſtanding a… …his ſucceſs; yet this form of ſpeech is uſed where deſired ſucceſs is, Zech. 1 10, 11. & 6.7. And here both the expreſſions …o only point out his reſtleſs and aſſiduous activity. Withal, it is to be conſidered, that Satan is ſaid thus to go to and fro in the earth, becauſe, however Devils, ſince their fall are thruſt down to Hell; yet till the Judgment of the great Day (till which they are reſerved, then to get their … and ſin ſentence; and compl… puniſhment, Jude ver. 6.) they have their chains …gthened, to come and tempt and afflict in this … world, and ſo have alſo power in the …, to raiſe Tempe…ts, &c. Eph…ſ. 2.2. This doth … out
1. That Satan is reſtleſs …nd aſſiduouſly diligent in obſtructing mens happineſs, as being vexed that they ſhould fill that room in Heaven from wh…ch he fell; For this … doth he go to and fro in the earth, and walk up and down in it, by temptations, calamities and perſecutions (… much as he is permitted) hindering men from embracing Piety, or retarding their progreſs, or weakning their hands therein. See 1 Pet. 5.…. Luk 22.31. Rev. 12.12. We ſhould remember that we ſojourn in a world where Devils are, and do haunt among us He is ſuch a wa…ker in the Earth, as doth diligently mark and obſerve all particulars, that he may apply his tentations ſutably to his purpoſe; He doth ſo go to and from it, that no place, how remote ſoever from other diſtractions, can ſecure us from his tentations, if God do not hide us; And, he is ſo inceſſant and reſtleſs, Going to and fro, and walking up and down, that he will not be put away by never ſo many repulſes, but will again and again aſſault and tempt.
2. Whatever be the malice, power, or reſtleſneſs of Satan▪ Yet it as to be ſtill fixed that he is ſubject and accountable to God, in all he is permitted to do, and that God hath an eye upon all his proceedings in the world: For, this Queſtion, Whence comeſt thou? doth import Gods over-ruling Providence over him, no leſs then if a Judicial enquiry were made into his Actions, and he called dayly to give an account of them.
3. A…b…t God, notwithſtanding his over-ruling Providence, do not altogether bind up Satan, but do ſuffer him to act many ſtrange parts in the wo…ld, by himſelf immediately, or by his Inſtruments; Yet it is firmly to be believed that God doth not approve of, or take pleaſure in, theſe h…s violences; For, this Queſtion doth alſo import Gods indignation and diſlike of him and his proceedings, as Queſtions are made uſe of in Scripture to teſtifie diſlike, 1 King. 9 12.13. And hence it alſo is that the ſons of God are not here called to an account, as being approved of him.
Fourthly, The Lords Interrogation concerning Job, v. 8. po…nting him out to Satan as a rare and ſingular Saint, giving him theſe Characters, v. 1. with ſome addition; doth teach,
1. The Lord not only ſeeth and knoweth ſuch as fear him, and what their to… and wraſtlings are; but doth alſo command and approve of them, and take delight in them; As by this his commendation of Job doth appear.
2. Albeit Saints want not their own ſins and failings, yet the Lord looks more to their good than to their ill, Numb 23.21. And albeit he know more of their failings then any, yet his commendation and eſteem of them is ſingular; As he…, more is ſaid by God to Jobs advantage, th…n is recorded of him by the Writer of the Hiſtory, v 1 That he was his Servant, and none like him in the Earth.
3. As it is a notable evidence of the truth of Piety, when men do ſo give up themſelves thereunto, as not to be their own, nor devoted to their own or any others luſts, but are entirely reſigned to be at Gods command; So whoever do thus make conſcience of their way, God will own them as his ſervants, whom he will protect and reward: Therefore doth the Lord here call Job, who was perfect and upright, &c. My Servant Job, both as being one who was not his own, nor a ſlave to any of his own corruptions, nor any luſt of others, and as owning him for a ſervant upon this account.
4. Albeit there be different degrees of growth among the peop…e of God, and none, who are truly ſincere, will be rejected, becauſe they come not up to the meaſure of others; Yet it is indeed a commendation to be upon the growing hand and going on to perfection, and ſtudying to be eminent in the grace of God; For, this is a peculiar commendation of Job, that not only he was a perfect and upright man, &c. but that there is none like him the Earth, to wit, in his time and generation, or, at leaſt, that he was ſingular in ſome graces, eſpecially that of patience, Jam. 5.11.
5. The Piety of Saints is the eye-ſore of Satan and his ſervants, who cannot endure that any ſhould do better then themſelves, or by their light ſhould condemn them; For, this Queſtion, Haſt thou conſidered my Servant Job? doth import ſo much, that Satan looked upon Jobs Piety with an evil eye.
6. The Lord is pleaſed to glory in his Children over Satan, and takes pleaſure to vex him by their integrity, For, this Queſtion, Haſt thou conſidered, &c? Doth alſo import the Lords taking pleaſure to vex Satan, that ſuch an eminent Servant was kept in his integrity, notwithſtanding Satans rage and reſtleſs activity in the earth. And this certainly proves, that the Lord is much ingaged in the Saints quarrels with Satan, ſeeing he brings them upon the ſtage, and accounts it his glory to bring them through in deſpight of Satans malice.
Fifthly, Satans reply to this Interrogation; v 9.10, 11. contains a confident charge that Job was an Hipocrite, as pretending to ſerve God only becauſe of his proſperous condition, and becauſe God protected him and bleſſed and encreaſed his ſubſtance; And (for confirmation of this charge, as not being ſufficient of it ſelf to prove his unſoundneſs) an appellation to a day of tryal, which he calls for, confidently boaſting that th…n Job would impudently blaſpheme God. In ſum, Satans charge is, That it is hard in a day of proſperity to diſcern who indeed fear God till they be tryed. And this, in effect is Satans language in his Inſtruments in the world, calumniating the Piety of Saints, upon one account or other.
Hence we may learn,
1. Satan is a falſe accuſer and lyar; For, not only doth he lie of Gods ſervice to his face, as if it were not worth the following without an hire of temporal proſperity; but he lieth of Job to God, calling him a mercenary man, when he was indeed perfect and upright, mis-judging of his intentions when he could not condemn his actions, and boaſting, that if he were tried, he would blaſpheme, which he did not. If he dare thus lie of us to God, how much more to ſelves? If he did not ſpare to Queſtion even the ſonſhip of Chriſt, Mat. 4.3. What wonder is it if he ſpare not to quarrel our intereſt? And he cares not thus to lie and calumniate; For if he get Saints vexed, or brought to trouble by his lies, as Job was, he hath his deſign, in part.
2. Piety, when it cannot be got ſuppreſſed by Satan and his Inſtruments, is ſubject to calumnies and miſconſtructions; As here befals Job. It is moſt common and uſual to call Saints Hypocrites, and under that notion to perſecute them, as Chriſt was firſt called a Samaritan and wicked perſon, and then crucified as ſuch. And ſutable to every condition wherein a Saint is, Satan and his Inſtruments have their calumnies fitted. If one be poor who fears God, its alledged that diſcontent and melancholy, or ſome fleſhly by end, ſets him on work; If they be mean and ſimple, its averred that their folly and ignorance make them ſo ſcrupulous and preciſe, Jo…. 7 49. If they be Miniſters, its alledged to be their occupation only that makes them trouble themſelves about theſe things; If they be great men, they are looked upon as minding only their own Intereſts and advantage in what they claim to of Piety, &c. So that whatever the Saints caſe be, they may expect to be reproached in the world.
3. There are divers remarkable truths inſinuated in this calumny of Satan, which are partly extorted from him, and partly produced for his own ends. Such as,
1. Albeit he did calumniate Job in ſaying, He did not fear God for nought; and there may be, and are, many who ſerve God ſincerely, even in a proſperous condition; Yet there is this general verity in it; That it is not ſo eaſie to diſcern in a day of proſperity who are ſincere, and who not; and a day of tryal may diſcover, both hypocriſie in ſome, and weakneſs in real Saints (as appeared in Job) which could hardly be diſcerned in their calm day.
2. Albeit Proſperity be no ſufficient furnace to diſcover all the droſs that is in the ſons of men; Yet it is no ſmall commendation of real Saints, that they hold their feet in the ſlippery places of Proſperity and Eaſe; For, this very calumny doth inſinuate that Satan had eſſayed him in it, and yet could alledge no miſcarriage in him, unleſs a day of adverſity diſcovered it. Even they who have kept their feet in adverſity, may be in hazard to ſlip in proſperity, 2 Chron 32.24, 25, 31.
3. What ever commendation it be of the grace of God in Saints, to ſtand faſt amidſt the ſnares of proſperity; Yet it is an unqueſtionable evidence of hypocriſie, to keep up a form of godlineſs, only while we are in proſperity, and then to turn our back upon it in adverſity; For, this aſſertion of Satan, that to ſerve God in proſperity, and to curſe him in adverſity, is a mark of hypocriſie, is a ſure truth, albeit he did unjuſtly alledge it againſt Job. However, they muſt be much worſe, who do proſper, and yet, notwithſtanding all the advantages of proſperity, have not ſo much as a form, but (it may be) loſe what they had in a meaner condition.
4. Albeit Saints do live in the midſt of dangers, yet Providence doth ſo guard them, and every thing that is theirs, that, without his permiſſion, Satan or his Inſtruments cannot touch any of them; For, Satan grants that God had made an hedge not only about him, but about his houſe and all that he hath on every ſide, ſo that he could not touch him. Without Gods permiſſion, Satan cannot ſo much as enter into a ſ…ine, Matth. 8.31. ſo that we have no reaſon to fear him, or his threatnings, unleſs our Rock ſell us, ſee Numb. 23.23.
5. Satan is ſo malicious and reſtleſs, that he doth not ceaſe to aſſault, even where he gets no ſucceſs; For, Satan inſinuates that, not being able to inſnare him by his proſperity, he had attempted to make a breach upon him by bringing on tryal, but without ſucceſs, And therefore he ſpeaks angrily of Gods Protection, Haſt thou not made an hedge about him, &c? We ought to acknowledge the kindneſs of God, not only in upholding and in giving iſſues, when he let's tryals break in upon us, but in fruſtrating many an attempt to bring us into trouble.
6. What ever Satan ſeem to promiſe of proſperity to thoſe that follow his way; yet it is an unqueſtionable verity that Proſperity is the gift of God, and that it is Gods bleſſing upon mens uſe of a lawful Calling that makes rich; For this Satan is forced to acknowledge, Thou haſt bleſſed the works of his hands, (or his lawful Induſtry) and ſo his Subſtance (or, Cattel) is increaſed in the Land.
7. All that men injoy is ſo at Gods diſpoſal, that the very leaſt touch of his Power can overturn what is beſt ſettled, and of longeſt continuance; For, ſo much doth Satan expreſs, for his own ends, But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and then it is to be underſtood that ſuch a change will come upon his poſterity, as will tempt him to curſe God.
8. It is an unqueſtionable evidence of honeſtly, even by Satans own confeſſion, when a man cleaves to God, and his ſervice, both in well and wo: For, ſo much may he gathered from his arguing here: If there can be nothing objected againſt Job, but that he is a mercenary becauſe of his proſperity, and that this will appear if he put to tryal; Then it will undeniably follow, if Job continue to ſerve and cleave to God in his adverſity as he had done before, he is an honeſt man.
9. Satans aim in bringing Saints to trouble, is not only to draw them to ſome leſſer ſins, but even to open and deſperate blaſphemy, ſuch as himſelf is guilty of; For, ſo Satan alleadgeth, He will curſe thee, (or, Bleſs thee, as v. 5.) and that to thy face, as the thing he aimed at in this aſſault. So that they are but fooliſh who hearken to his tentations to leſſer ſins, as if they could ſiſt there: For his prevailing in one degree is but a bait to draw them on to what is more groſs, till they come to this height of impiety. And more particularly, We ought to remember that tentations to fretting and murmuring under trouble come fom Satan, who thereby is training on Saints to that height of impiety, which here he deſigns.
Sixthly, Gods purpoſe concerning Job (propounded by way of conceſſion, with a limitation, to Satan, and Satans accepting and going about the employment, v. 12.) doth import this much, That Gods purpoſe to try Job, for removing of all calumnies, did now break forth; for which end, he looſed ſome links of Satans chain, who was lying at wait to catch all advantages, And now, finding way, went actively about that buſineſs. Not that Satan is ever in Gods preſence by way of approbation, or that he goeth ever out from it, as to Gods Providential noticing and over-ruling all that he doth: But the borrowed phraſe imports, that finding the chain looſed, he went nimbly about the execution of what he was permitted to do.
Hence learn,
1. It pleaſeth the Lord, ſometime, to expoſe his deareſt Children, whom he ſingularly approves, to tryal, that being tryed on all hands, their integrity may appear, and any droſs that is in them may be diſcovered and purged out; For, ſo befel Job here.
2. It is neither inconſiſtent with true Grace in a Saint, nor with Gods love to him, that ſometime he and his concernments be permitted unto Satans power, to exerciſe him, either immediately by his own hand, or mediately by his Inſtruments; For, ſaith the Lord, Behold all that he hath is in thy power, or hand. Thus was Paul alſo bufferred by a Meſſenger of Satan, 2 Cor. 12.7.
3. However men do uſually think light of outward mercies, when they enjoy them, Yet it is, and will be found, a ſharp and ſearching tryal to be ſtripped of all theſe outward comforts; For, it is here yielded unto as a tryal indeed, all that he hath is in thy power.
4. When God expoſeth his ſincere Children to tryal, he doth (ſo to ſay)) lay a wager on their head againſt Satan, that they ſhall not renounce their Integrity whatever come upon them; For, this Conceſſion, all that he hath is in thy power, in anſwer to Satans malicious Propoſition, v. 11. doth import this much, That this piece of tryal ſhould clear the Controverſie betwixt God and Satan, whether Job was an honeſt man, as God aſſerted, or would blaſpheme under tryal, as Satan alleaged. And the Behold, prefixed to this permiſſion given to Satan, is not ſo much a note of admiration, (God, to ſpeak after the manner of the man, wondering at Satans impudence) as an intimation that God would have it now beheld and ſoon, by Satan and others, which of them ſpake truth concerning Job. This, as it ſerves for our caution, and to put us in mind of how great concernment our carriage under tentation is; ſo it may aſſure all theſe who flee to God in Chriſt, for furniture and through-bearing under tryal, that he hath no ſmall intereſt in the matter, to glorifie himſelf and give the foil to Satan, by granting their deſire.
5. In the tryals of the Children of God, though Satans hand therein be ſinful, and a venting of his malice againſt the Image of God in his Children; Yet in the ſame exerciſe they ought to obſerve a Supreme and Holy Hand of God, whoſe part and end therein is holy: For, here, even that which Satan ſinfully deſired, v. 11. God doth holily grant for his own wiſe ends: All that he hath is in thy power
6. Albeit Satan be boundleſs in his malice againſt Saints; yet he is always ſo limited by God, as no more tryal is let forth then he ſeeth meet for effectuating of his holy purpoſes and ends; For, this permiſſion is limited with a reſtriction, Only upon himſelf, &c.
7. What ever tryals the Lord let looſe upon Saints, yet it is no ſmall moderation thereof if the Lord ſpare mens own perſons; For, that is the limitation and mercy here, in the loſs of all other things, Only upon himſelf put not forth thine hand, of which ſee Chap. 2.4, 5, 6.
8. Satan is ſo reſtleſs and malicious, and ſo vigilant in ſeeking occaſions againſt the people of God, that an opportunity never ſooner offereth, but he is ready to take hold thereof: Therefore it is ſubjoyned, So Satan went forth from the preſence of the Lord, of the effects whereof the next verſes give a full account.
Verſe 13. And there was a day when his ſons and his daughters were eating And drinking wine in their eldeſt brothers houſe.
14. And there came a meſſenger unto Job, and ſaid, The oxen were ploughing, and the aſſes feeding beſides them,
15. And the Sabeans fell upon them, and took them away; yea, they have ſlain the ſervants with the edge of the ſword, and I only am eſcaped alone to tell thee.
16. While he was yet ſpeaking, there came alſo another, and ſaid, The fire of God is fallen from heaven, and hath burnt up the ſheep, and the ſervants, and conſumed them, and I only am eſcaped alone to tell thee.
17. While he was yet ſpeaking, there came alſo another, and ſaid, The Caldeans made out three bands, and fell upon the camels, and have carried them away, yea, and ſlain the ſervants with the edge of the ſword, and I only am eſcaped alone to tell thee.
18. While he was yet ſpeaking, there came alſo another, and ſaid, Thy ſons and thy daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldeſt brothers houſe:
19. And behold, there came a great wind from the wilderneſs, and ſmote the four corners of the houſe, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead, and I only am eſcaped alone to tell thee.
In theſe verſes is contained the tryal it ſelf, or the execution of the former deliberation, according to Gods holy purpoſe and the permiſſion given to Satan: Wherein Job is indeed ſtripped of all that was put into Satans hand, his Cattel, Servants and Children, and this is ſo brought about, and ſo repreſented to Job, as might take deepeſt impreſſion upon him. Herein I ſhall conſider,
Firſt, The time of this tryal, ver. 13. even when his Children were feaſting, of which he had been afraid before, leſt it might draw on a tryal, ver. 5. This was the time Satan chooſed for the execution of the ſaddeſt part of Jobs tryal, in cutting off his Children, ver. 18.19. and for bringing him the newes of all the reſt. 13, 14, 15, &c. Hereby teaching.
1. There is great neceſſity of watchfulneſs and ſobriety in all times and caſes, ſeeing trouble may break in when we leaſt dream, or are ready to think all is well; For, his family were keeping their moſt ſolemn time of joy, in the eldeſt Brothers houſe, when the ſtorm brake. Much more have the wicked reaſon to fear ſuch a clap. Dan. 5.5. See. Luk. 21, 34.
2. Satan is a moſt ſubtile adverſary, and can (by Gods permiſſion) order tryals ſo, as may faſten ſharpeſt tentations, even upon the fears and tenderneſs of Saints; For, therefore is this ſolemn day choſen wherein to let out all theſe troubles on Job, that his own fears and tentations, ver. 5. might be quickened thereby,
Secondly, The ſeveral parts of this tryal, which are four.
Firſt, A leſſer, one as to the hand ſeen in it, being from earth, ver. 14.15. which was, the taking away of the Oxen and Aſſes, and k…lling the ſervants who laboured with, and attended them. This was done by the Sabeans, a people deſcend…ng from one Sheba, of the poſterity of Abraham, Gen. 25.1, 2, 3, For albeit there were other Sabeans deſcending from others, Gen. 10.7, 28. yet it is conceived that theſe lived further off from Job then Abrahams poſterity did.
Secondly, A greater tryal, in reſpect of the Inſtruments, or mean imployed in infl…cting of it, ver. 16. The Sheep and Servants who kept them, being conſumed by an extraordinary great fire falling down from heaven, as if God were become his party, by his own immediate hand. That a fire of God ſignifieth a great fire, is clear from other paſſages, where a great City is called, in the Original, a City of God, Jonah 3.2, 3. and great Mountains, are called, Mountains of God, Pſal. 36.6. &c.
The Third part of his tryall, ver. 17. though inflicted by men, is yet greater, conſidering how he is thereby ſtript of all the remainder of his ſubſtance and wealth; for his Oxen, Aſſes, and Sheep, being already taken away or deſtroyed, now his Camels (which only remained of his great ſubſtance, mentioned, ver. 3.) are taken away, and the Servants killed by the Caldeans, who in an hoſtile manner invaded them. We need not think it ſtrange that the Caldeans or ſome roving parties of them, ſhould run as far abroad as Arabia the Deſert, were Job lived, ſeeing ſometime before that, we find a King of Shinar, or, Caldea, as far from home as Sodom and Gomorrhah, where he and his confederates were oppreſſing ſuch as were weaker then themſelves, Gen. 14.1, &c. Unleſs we conclude that they were ſome Colonies come out from among the Caldeans, and retaining ſtill the name of their Nation and Country, as a judicious Writer conceiveth theſe petty Kings, mentioned Gen. 14. to have been.
The Fourth and laſt part of his tryal, ver. 18, 19. is ſoreſt of all, and therefore a behold is prefixed to it, ver. 19. and that conſidering,
1 The object of this ſtroke, his whole Children, as well as the Servants attending them. Theſe, who might have been his comfort under the reſt of his afflictions, are here reſerved laſt, only to put the cap-ſtone upon his tryal. And albeit, ver. 19 it be only ſaid, the houſe fell upon the young men; Yet ſeeing his Daughters were there alſo. ver. 13, 18. and none eſcaped the ſtroke but the Meſſenger, ver. 19. It is certain that they periſhed alſo; and the young men, or, his ſons, are only nam…d, as being his greateſt loſs, and the moſt bitter part of all that tryal.
2. The time when this ſtroke came, even when they were feaſting; which was the time wherein Job was moſt afraid of their ſinning againſt God, ver. 5.
3. The manner of the ſtroke, by a whirlwind overturning the houſe and cutting them all off; as if God, being angry at them, would declare ſo much by this more immediate ſtroke. It is further to be conſidered, that all theſe particular tryals have this one thing common, that in every ſtroke there is ſtill one ſervant left, to carry the news ſpeedily and certainly, for Jobs further exerciſe and tryal; ſo that (upon that account) it had been a ſmall matter though he had gone with the reſt.
The words being thus explained, it is not very neceſſary to dip into Particulars, It may ſuffice us to take notice of a few more General Obſervations; As,
1. That the things of time are uncertain, is not only a truth aſſerted by God, but verified in the experience of Saints, as well as others; For, here a godly man, abounding in wealth and Children, is ſtripped in a moment of all his enjoyments: Only three or four diſcouraging Servants, who were abroad, are left to bring him the ſad news: And, within his houſe, he hath a Wife who was not comfortable, but a tryal and tentation to him. Chap. 2.9. And who, together with the domeſticks that were l…ft, Proved very peeviſh in the day of his trouble. Chap. 19.15 16.17. This is a truth which very few who live at eaſe, do ſeriouſly Study, little conſidering that they may out-live all their temporal proſperity, and their faireſt day may be over-clouded ere night (as this Feaſt-day of Jobs Children ended in ſadneſs) that ſo they may ſeek after a more enduring ſubſtance. See Pſal. 62.10, Prov. 23.4 5. 1 Tim. 6.17.
2. It may ſweeten a low condition to them whoſe lot it is, when they conſider that great Proſperity doth oftentimes, but contribute to make the tryal of want the ſharper; As here Jobs former great wealth makes it more ſharp to be now deprived thereof, then if he had never injoyed it.
3. The ſoveraignty of God over his Creatures is abſolute; He may ſtrip, when he pleaſeth, even a righteous man, to the very skin; As here he doth with Job. For all being his creatures, and all their enjoyments being from him, he hath much more power then the Potter over the clay, to do with his own what he will, without giving us any ground of quarelling or murmuring.
4. Satan, in ſo far as he is permitted by God, is furious in his cruelty againſt Saints, and of great power to execute his malice; As here appears in his dealing with Job His power to vex them if not hindered by God, appears in the command he hath in the Air, Eph. 2.2. to raiſe Tempeſts, Whirlwinds and Lightnings, as here, ver. 16.19. As alſo in the power he hath over the Children of diſobedience, Eph. 2.2. to drive them, by tentations fitted to their temper, to ſerve him in his deſigns; As here he draws on the Sabeans and Caldeans, who were ordinary robbers, with hope of prey. And his malicious cruelty, in executing his power, appears in his furious ruining and cutting off all Jobs wealth; So that he would leave nothing to Saints, i… he had his will Saints have need to abide near God, under his protection, and to pray that they be not led into tentation, leſt, if Satan get an opportunity he endeavours to win now them, Luk 22.31 and to be avenged of that vexation they give him, by their being near God.
5. God, in his holy wiſdom, doth ſo order the tryals of his people, as they may be tryals indeed; that ſo both their faith and their infirmities may appear; For, ſo did he overrule this tryal of Jobs, wherein the black masks put upon it by Satan (of which afterward) are permitted by him, that Job might be tryed indeed, and put to give a proof of what was in him. Saints ought not to ſtumble at this; for afflictions being ſent to try them, they muſt be ſo ordered and diſpenſed as may reach that end, ſee 1 Pet. 4.12.
6. It is no ſmall exerciſe under affliction, when one tryal comes upon the back of another; and breach is made upon breach, as if it were a feeding ſtorm; For, hereby the Lord tryed Job, letting one meſſenger come with ſad news upon the heels of another. Hereby warning us not to fall aſleep under any tryal, as if, becauſe of that, we ſhould meet with no more; and to expect that when we are under variety of tryals, they will breed variety of Exerciſes, and ſift us narrowly.
7. As it may be the lot of Gods Children; ſo it is a very ſharp tryal, when among their multiplyed ſorrows, the laſt is ſtill the ſaddeſt; As here, Jobs tryal grows in every ſtep, as hath been explained. And particularly, the Lord ſuffers it ſo to come to paſs, that he gets not notice firſt of the loſs of his Children, which might have made him take little notice of leſſer loſſes afterward: But after he is afflicted with ſad news of the loſs of all his goods before, the news of that loſs cometh laſt, as it were to give him the dead ſtroke.
8. As the wiſdom of God, in ordering the tryals of his people, ought to be adored; So we ought alſo to take notice of the cunning policy of Satan, in conveighing afflictions ſo as may occaſion moſt tentation, to the minds of the afflicted, and may hide Gods purpoſe in afflicting. Of theſe policies we have ſome inſtances, recorded, for our edifications, in this his proceeding with Job. As
1. That he counts it not enough to afflict him, but conveighs the matter ſo, as Jobs mind may be kept poring upon it, and it held in his view, and that in its blackeſt colours; Therfore is a ſervant ſtill left to carry the tidings, and lay them before him in the worſt terms. And this is an uſual ſnare, wherein Saints are kept under tryals, that they get not leave to forget their miſery, or to look out toward incouragements under it, but are arreſted and held muſing continually upon it; And that not as it is indeed in it ſelf, or in regard of what God can bring out of it: (For in ſtudying our tryals, we ought alſo to ſtudy our ſtrength in God to bear them, the up-making of our loſs in him, what advantages his wiſdom and love can bring out of them, &c.) But as their diſtempered and diſcouraged minds repreſent it, with all the bitterneſs and aggravations thereof. This ſad bondage Job himſelf complains of, Chap. 9.27, 28.
2. That he propounds the tryal ſo as Job may not only read his preſent loſs by it, but may be led alſo to drive into what may enſue upon it: So by ſtripping him of all, he would drive him to deſpair of ſubſiſtence for the future, and by ſhewing him that the Oxen were plowing only, would put him in mind that there was no hope of an Harveſt. After-games in trouble are that which ordinarily trouble the afflicted moſt, while they look out upon all the imaginable ſad conſequences of their preſent caſe, as if they were already under them all. Not conſidering that their preſent work is to manage their preſent exerciſe, believing that God will either diſappoint their fears, or furniſh them with ſtrength, when that which they fear becomes their exerciſe indeed.
3. That he vexeth him not only with variety of tryals on every hand, but ſo contrives the account made to Job of them, as the ſtorm grows ſtill the greater; to make him apprehend that he is ſo far from a calm, or end of his tryal, that wrath is but only beginning to appear. This is indeed the ſad caſe of the impenitent and wicked, Iſa. 9.12, 17, 21. Yet Saints ought to guard againſt ſuch a tentation, as if growing wrath were againſt them in growing tryals, and ſtill more and worſe, ready to break out upon them.
4. That he ſo contrives the coming of the meſſengers, that while one is ſpeaking, another comes with more ſad news, ſo that he gets not leave to draw his breath betwixt the one news and the other; this he complains of, in his after-exerciſe, Ch. 7.19. & 9 18. And hereby, as the people of God are taught to expect not only variety of ſucceſſive tryals, but even many troubles crowded one upon the back of another, till all their terrors be gathered at in a ſolemn Aſſembly, Lam. 2.22. So, if they be humbled indeed under ſuch Exerciſes, they will count it a mercy, if they get leave but to breath a moment betwixt the pangs of Affliction.
5. That in all this he hides himſelf, his deſigns and wrath; And endevours to repreſent God and Man, Heaven and Earth, and the courſe of Nature, as all armed againſt Job. Sometimes he lets him ſee Inſtruments, the Sabeans and Caldeans, that he may be imbittered againſt them, being ſo egregiouſly wronged without any provocation given, and ſo might ſin againſt God: And ſometime he ſo conveighs the tryal, as if God were his party in wrath, ſending fire to devour his Sheep, & a whirl-wind to cut off his Children in their ſin. All which may warn us, That it is not eaſie to diſcern Satan and his ſnares in a tryal; That Gods mind may be very far contrary to theſe falſe Alarms we get in trouble; That no diſpenſation, ſeeming to ſpeak wrath, ought to be hearkened unto, where the word ſpeaks love, as it was with Job: And, That it is not the way and manner of death whereby we ought to judge of mens eſtate, whoſe way hath been upright: for the ſudden death of Jobs Children did not ſpeak wrath from God againſt them. All things, conſidered together, may teach us how ſubtile Satan is, to preſent many tentations to Saints upon their caſe; and how contrary Gods mind, in afflicting, may be to theſe falſe Alarms we have from Satan.
Verſ. 20. Then Job aroſe and rent his mantle, and ſhaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worſhipped,
21. And ſaid, Naked came I out of my mothers womb; and naked ſhall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away, bleſſed be Name of the LORD.
In theſe verſes is contained an account of Jobs carriage under this his tryal; evidenced,
1. By his practices, v. 20 which are, partly, ſuch as evidenced his ſenſe of the affliction, In that he aroſe, and rent his mantle and ſhaved his head, which were ſigns of his ſorrow and abaſement before the Lord (ſee Gen. 37 34 Joſh 7.6. Iſai. 22.12. Jer. 7.29.) though more ſutable before the coming of Chriſt then ſince; Yea even then, the reſting on ſuch things was condemned, Joel 2.13. And whereas Job ſeems by ſhaving of his head, to go cont…ary to that Precept, Levit. 19 27. It ſuffi…eth (beſide what furth…r might be ſaid) to know that Job lived not under the Law, but before it. Partly, his practices are ſuch as evidenced his moderation of his ſenſe, and that he did not let his ſpirit riſe, but ſubmitted to God, falling down on the ground, and worſhipping.
2. By his Profeſſion and ſpeech, v. 21. wherein, he ſtudies to find out for himſelf grounds of Submiſſion and Patience; taken from the common Law of Nature, that as we came naked into the world, ſo we muſt go naked out of it; And from the Providence and Soveraignty of God, who diſpenſeth all things at his pleaſure. And upon theſe grounds he inferreth a concluſion, contrary to what Satan intended. For, in ſtead of curſing God, as he alleadged Job would do, v. 11. he bleſſeth God who had continued theſe mercies ſo long.
From v. 20. learn,
1. Piety doth not teach men Stoiciſm, or to deſpiſe and harden themſelves under the Rod of God; but alloweth them to be ſenſible when they are afflicted; For, it is commendable in Job, that in this caſe, He aroſe, and rent his Mantle, and ſhaved his head. See Jer. 5.3.
2. As it is the duty of the Children of God to be ſenſible and mournful under Affliction, ſo this is very conſiſtent with a patient and meek frame of ſpirit under trouble; For, Job, a pattern of Patience, ſets himſelf in a mournful poſture, and that without guilt, as appears from Gods own verdict, v. 22.
3. Albeit Senſe and Sorrow under trouble be very conſiſtent with Patience; yet Saints in ſuch a poſture have need to be upon their guard, leſt they devord: For, Job, doth not ſatisfie himſelf with expreſſing only his ſorrow, but ſomewhat to teſtifie his humble ſubmiſſion.
4. It is the ſafe way of managing ſenſe of trouble, and a clear evidence that we do not devord under it, if we run to God with all that grieves us; For, ſo doth Job, add worſhipping to his former practices. Which ſpeak ſadly againſt thoſe who eſtrange themſelves from God under trouble Dan. 9.13.
5. It is not our ſimple going to God, under ſenſe of trouble, that will prove us free of paſſion, unleſs it be managed with much humility and ſelf abaſement before God: For, thus Job, in this mournful poſture, fell down upon the ground and worſhipped.
From v. 21. learn,
1. As Patience it wiſe and conſiderate, proceeding upon ſolid grounds and reaſons, whereas impatience is raſh and unreaſonable: So it is the duty of the people of God under trouble to ſtudy and ſeek out arguments, whereby they may perſwade themſelves to be patient; (For ſuch is the practice of patient Job here;) and not to make it their work to muſter up their own difficulties before their eyes, till their corruptions be irritated; as is the practice of too many.
2. It will contribute much toward the begetting of Patience and Submiſſion, if man conſider the uncertainty of mans life; that it is but a coming into the world, and a going out of it again; a being born, and, ſo ſoon as we are born, under a neceſſity to learn to die; For, ſo doth patient Job look on his life, I came out, and I ſhall return Such as do thus look upon life, will not much regard the various events wherewith they are exerciſed in it.
3. It is, alſo, no ſmall help to Patience, if men conſider that in their loweſt condition, they want nothing which they can claim by original right; For, ſo doth Job reckon, Naked came I out of my Mothers womb, and therfore ought not to complain, ſince as yet I am not ſo quite deſtitute.
4. Men may ſee juſt reaſon to be patient under trouble, if they remember that they are certain once to be deprived of theſe things, about the want whereof they are ſo ready to contend, and that they will want them, when they have greateſt need of comfort by them, if they could do any good; For, ſo doth Job argue, Naked ſhall I return thither; not to his Mothers womb, (of which he hath been ſpeaking) but to the Earth, our common Mother, which, it ſeems, he pointed to in his ſpeaking, being now living upon it. This truth the Apoſtle points at as certain, that he may preſs moderation and contentment, 1 Tim. 6 6, 7, 8. And indeed, right reaſon will teach that we ought not to take it ill when we loſe that at any time, of which we are certain within a ſhort time to be ſtript for ever. Nor ſhould Saints quarrel if God put it to a tryal, whether that forgoing of all worldly injoyments, which is an unavoidable neceſſity upon all men, will be done by them as an act of voluntary ſubjection and ſubmiſſion.
5. God is the diſpenſer of all outward lots, the giver, continuer and bleſſer of all lawful enjoyments, the withdrawer of Mercies and inflicter of Rods; For ſo is here aſſerted, The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away. This, being well ſtudied, may teach the rich neither to be proud, nor to deſpiſe others; and the poor, not to be diſcontented or envy others.
6. It is a neceſſary ſtudy under affliction, to eye God more then inſtruments; as being that which will both humble us, and yet comfort us that we are ſtill in his hand: For, thus Job, in his tryal, looks to God and not to the Sabeans or Caldeans, The Lord gave and the Lord, hath taken away.
7. The ſtudy of Gods Soveraignty and Providence, and that nothing we enjoy is our own, but his gift, may perſwade us to ſtoop to want, when it is made our lot; For, thus doth Job perſwade himſelf to ſubmit, If the Lord give and take away at his pleaſure, he ought not to ſet limits to him; and if the Lord gave all that he enjoyed, why may he not take away, and diſpoſe of his own as he will. Thus alſo do Saints keep themſelves humble, when they are inabled to lay forth much of their wealth in Gods ſervice, 1 Chron. 29.14.
8. What ever be Satans deſigns, in procuring afflictions to come on Saints; Yet, through mercy, he will be diſappointed; So much appeals in the concluſion of Jobs diſcourſe, where, in ſtead of curſing, he bleſſeth the name of the Lord. And albeit other Saints may come ſhort of this, and Job himſelf afterward came not up this height; Yet Satan will always be diſappointed, in his laſt and final deſign againſt Saints.
9. It is an act of holy prudence, in Saints under trouble, to ſtrain themſelves to the quite contrary of what tentations and corruptions would drive them unto; As here, when the tentation is laid to make him curſe, and his heart might be ready to riſe and ſwell at theſe ſtrange lots, He, on the contrary, bleſſeth. Hence it is that the Pſalmiſt ſo frequently ſings praiſes in ſaddeſt conditions.
10. It is a commendable duty, and a clear proof of Patience and ſubmiſſion, when we ſtudy matter of praiſe, and accordingly do ſet about the duty, in a time of trouble; For here Jobs practice, and the reſult of his arguments for Patience, is, bleſſed be the name of the Lord. Hereby teſtifying that God was to be bleſſed for continuing ſo long theſe mercies he had now taken away; That God was praiſe-worthy in himſelf, and for choice… mercies yet continued, notwithſtanding all he had done; And, that God ought to be praiſed that (though he was afflicted, Yet) his tryals were cleanly, that he was inabled to bear them, that they were ſuch as God could bring good out of them, Rom. 8.28. And, that he did not leave him with out hope of a bleſſed iſſue.
Verſ. 22. In all this Job ſinned not, nor charged God fooliſhly.
This verſe gives an account of Gods teſtimony concerning this carriage of Job, That in all this Job ſinned not, not that he was perfect without ſin, but that in this particular, he charged not God fooliſhly or laid not folly to Gods charge. The word in the Original rendred, fooliſhly, or, folly, ſignifieth that which is unſavory or indigeſted. And ſo, in ſum, this teſtimony imports, That Job kept his feet in that, wherein Satan alleged he would ſlide, in that he did not accuſe God, or his Providence, for what came upon him; which as it had been unſavoury ſo to ſpeak of God, and reflect upon his Wiſdom: So it had argued great folly and an indigeſted frame of Spirit in him.
Doct. 1. They are indeed Conquerours under trouble, who are keeped free from ſin and provocation in their hour of Tryal; For, this was Jobs Victory that in all this Job ſinned not.
2. Albeit troubles do ſuggeſt tentations to many ſins; Yet the great ſin to be avoided by the Godly under trouble, is, miſconſtructing of God and his dealing, The godly, who ſtudy to avoid this evil, are reputed as not ſinning under trouble; and Miſconſtructers of him and his dealing do ſin heinouſly, did they ſeem, otherwiſe, never ſo ſenſible or tender under trouble: For, thus is that General explained, He ſinned not, in that he charged not God fooliſhly.
3. Miſconſtructers of God do both reflect upon the Infinite Wiſdom and deep Counſels of God, in ordering the lots of his people; And they alſo do proclaim their own folly, in their want of skill to judge aright of Gods proceeding, and in following a courſe which may well vex themſelves, but cannot profit them at all: In both which reſpects, they bewray a diſordered and ind…geſted frame of ſpirit, which ſhould be unſavoury to the godly; and will be ſo when they are in a right frame. All this is imported in the emphaſis of the Original word; that Job, by not miſconſtructing, not murmuring, did not charge God with folly, which had been fooliſhneſs, and an unſavoury indigeſted courſe on his part. See Pſal. 73.21, 22.
4. Whatever advantage Saints do give to Satan over themſelves, in an hour of tryal; Yet by the power of grace, they may be enab…ed ſo to walk as may refute all his calumnies of them, and make him a liar; even as God in the iſſue will, once for all, wipe off all the aſperſions which Satan caſts upon his followers: For, whereas Satan had ſaid, ver. 11, that Job would curſe God to his face, here Jobs carriage gives him the lie, who charged not God fooliſhly.
5. As God doth always take notice of his peoples carriage; ſo eſpecially under trouble: And who ſo keep their feet in a time of tryal, they are obſerved and commended by God: For, here the Lord records it, as a thing he noticed, and to Jobs commendation, that in all this he ſinned not.
6. Saints ought not to meaſure Gods approbation of their way, under trouble, by any preſent comfortable iſſue; ſeeing the Lord may take notice of, and commend the integrity of thoſe, whom yet he ſeeth it not fit to deliver; For, Job is here commended, while the tryal is not only continued, but growing upon him.