Exposition of Job, Exposition of Job · Chapter 15 · Verse 25
Verſ. 25. For he ſtretcheth out his hand againſt God, and ſtrengtheneth himſelf againſt the Almighty.
Before Eliphaz proceed to rehearſe the Doctrine of the Ancients concerning the outward plagues which befal the wicked; He doth (in the Second Head of this Narration, and, as would appear, from the Doctrine of thoſe Ancients alſo) interlace, to v. 29. the cauſe both of their outward and inward miſeries, to clear the equity and juſtice thereof: And that is, their preſumptuous wickedneſs becauſe of their proſperity. Their wicked attempts are recorded, v. 25, 26. and that their proſperity emboldens them to this, is aſſerted, v. 27, 28.
In this verſe this account is given of the wicked mans attempt, that he is ſtout-hearted in his ſinning againſt God, provokes him with an high hand, and is obſtinately pertinacious in that courſe. Thus, to ſtretch out the hand againſt any, notes a reſolute and eminent oppoſition againſt them, and an endevour to deſtroy them, if it can be effectuated. It ſeems to be the ſame in ſubſtance with what is elſewhere ſpoken, of doing any thing with a ſtretched out arm, Exod. 6.6. and with an high hand; Exod. 14.8. which, in other caſes, imports eminent reſolution and courage, and acting accordingly; and in the wickeds courſe of rebellion againſt God, it imports his preſumptuous ſinning, Numb. 15.30. in the Original. And for his ſtrengthning of himſelf, ſubjoyned to this, it imports how obſtinate he is in his courſe, notwithſtanding all means uſed to reclaim him. In this Character of the wicked, it ſeems Eliphaz would reflect upon Job's carriage, who would not humble himſelf and ſtoop to God, but ſtood it out rebelliouſly (as he thought) both againſt his Word and the diſpenſations of his Providence. And, indeed, had Job been guilty of this, his condition had been dreadful. But his reſolution and ſtiffeneſs, in the point controverted, was better grounded than Eliphaz thought; and any failing in it was his infirmity only, and not preſumptuous wickedneſs.
From this verſe Learn,
1. It is not ſufficient that men feel, or be ſenſible of, judgments inflicted; unleſs they ſee alſo the cauſes thereof diſtinctly; and ſo they be neither dumb nor confuſed rods: Therefore doth he ſubjoyn a reaſon of all the former miſeries, For he ſtretcheth out his hand, &c.
2. As all ſin is an oppoſition unto God; ſo, eſpecially, preſumptuous ſinning is a waging war againſt him: For, ſuch a ſinner (whether his ſin be directly againſt God and his Intereſts, or not) ſtretcheth out his hand againſt God. And indeed, when men dare ſin with full conſent, and againſt clear light, and do break over all bounds; they do not only proclaim that they think God is not to be feared, nor ſtood in aw of; but that they would deſtroy him, as he is a Law-giver and juſt avenger of ſin, if they could. And therefore men would beware of making a ſport of ſin, and eſpecially of ſuch ſins; ſeeing they have no ſecurity againſt the hazard thereof, unleſs they can prove that they are ſtronger then God.
3. When men fortifie themſelves in a vain conceit of their own good condition, againſt the clear verdict of the Word, and will not yet ſtoop when God pleads againſt them by afflictions; they put God to it, to take a proof whether they be ſtronger then he: For, this is the particular ſuppoſed fault of Job, upon which he reflects in what be ſaith here. And though his reflection was unjuſt, yet, the General Doctrine is true. See Jer. 44.28.
4. It is the property, and great ſin, of wicked men, that their oppoſition unto God is not for a fit only, but reſolute, and pertinaciouſly maintained; For, he not only stretcheth out his hand, but ſtrengtheneth himſelf, in this courſe. He hardeneth his own heart, ſtops his ear, debaucheth his Conſcience, and entertains jealouſies and prejudices againſt God; and when he is put to the worſe at any time, he gives it not over, but reſumes his courage and falls to it again. This is much worſe than a ſimple fit of ſtout-heartedneſs.
5. Not only is God ſtronger than man, being the ſtrong God, (as his Name in the firſt part of the verſe imports) and the Almighty, who hath all-ſufficiency of means to oppoſe unto frail mans attempts: But it is the great ſin of a wicked man, and an evidence of his madneſs, that he doth not conſider this; otherwiſe, he durſt never engage in the courſe he followeth; Therefore, it is marked, as the height of his madneſs and folly, as well as of his ſin, that he doth all this againſt the Strong God, and the Almighty.