Exposition of Job, Exposition of Job · Chapter 15
CHAP. XV.
Job having been now aſſaulted by all his three Friends, and having anſwered them one by one; there followeth (to Chap. 22.) a ſecond conflict with them all, wherein (as before) Eliphaz begins firſt. And it is obſervable, that in all their diſcourſes they bring no new purpoſe, or Arguments; but do repeat the ſame matter they had formerly ſpoken, in new words: and that they are more vehement, paſſionate and bitter, then formerly. Neither do they, as formerly, make uſe of any perſwaſive encouragements, to invite him to Repentance; but do reflect upon him with all the ſharpneſs they can, as judging him to be very ſtubborn and incorrigible.
In this Chapter, Eliphaz's diſcourſe is recorded, wherein he labours to maintain his own and his Friends cauſe. And, Firſt, He reprehends many faults in Job's former diſcourſes and proceedings; Namely, that his diſcourſes were but unprofitable, empty and hurtful, ver. 1, 2, 3. That both his way and his diſcourſes were full of Impiety, ver. 4, 5, 6. And of arrogance and preſumption, both toward them, ver. 7, 8.9, 10. and toward God, ver. 11, 12, 13. And, that he was erroneous in ſeeking to juſtifie himſelf before God, ver. 14. which very Angels could not do; ver. 15, 16. This being the point in controverſie, he proceeds (in the ſecond part of the Chapter) to prove that Job could not be righteous; by ſhewing that none but wicked men were afflicted as he was. In purſuance whereof, after a preface exciting to attention, and clearing how he would prove his point, ver. 17, 18, 19. He gives an account of the miſerable eſtate of the wicked, Chiefly in reſpect of their inward vexations and fears, ver. 20, 21, 22, 23, 24. and of the cauſe of this and their other miſeries; namely their preſumptuous wickedneſs becauſe of their proſperity, ver. 25, 26, 27, 28. Unto which he ſubjoyns an account of the outward Plagues that God ſends upon them, ver. 29.30. And draws a concluſion from his whole diſcourſe; wherein he warns deluded ſouls, that they deceive not themſelves with vain confidences, otherwiſe they will meet with diſappointments and Plagues, ver. 31, 32, 33. as their ſins, of hypocriſie, oppreſſion, and maliciouſneſs, do deſerve, ver. 34, 35.