Exposition of Job, Exposition of Job · Chapter 15 · Verse 26
Verſ. 26. He runneth upon him, even on his neck, upon the thick boſſes of his bucklers:
There is ſome difficulty in taking up the ſenſe of this verſe. For this running is, by ſome, expounded of Gods aſſaulting the wicked man; and that, as he aſſaults God, v. 25. ſo, in this verſe it is ſaid, God runs upon him, upon his neck, or natural ſtrength, and on the boſſes of his bucklers, or his borrowed external ſtrength. This is a Truth in it ſelf, but the Context runs not ſo ſmoothly to underſtand it ſo. And therefore I underſtand this verſe as containing a further amplification of the wicked mans attempt againſt God. Yet herein alſo is ſome diverſity: For the words may be read thus, He runs upon him (that is, upon God) with his neck, that is, with a reſolute ſtiffe-neck and undaunted courage, and with the thick boſſes of his bucklers, that is, with all the borrowed ſtrength and means he can make; imploying Gods creatures as weapons wherewith to fight againſt himſelf. This is alſo moſt true of preſumptuous wicked men, and all of it is imported in that one expreſſion, that he runs upon God. But taking the words as they are tranſlated here, on his neck, and on his bucklers, they are borrowed terms, ſetting forth yet more of the height and deſperateneſs of the wicked mans preſumption, in his ſinning againſt God; which may be branched out in theſe particulars.
1. As to run and fall upon mens necks, in kindneſs, imports great tenderneſs and affection, Gen. 33.4. & 45.14. & 46.29. Luke 15.20. Acts 20 37. So to run upon ones neck, in an an hoſtile manner, imports as much bitter violence. And particularly, As getting of the neck of Enemies, Pſal. 18.40. imports their being foiled and put to the worſe; and taking an Enemy by the neck, imports ſharp uſage, as is expounded, Job 16.12. And as treading upon the necks of Enemies, Joſh. 10.24. imports an abſolute conqueſt; So the wicked mans running upon Gods neck imports his malicious endevour to get him under his feet and power, if he could.
2. As in conflicts, eager fighters do not only aſſault one another at a diſtance, but do cloſe upon one anothers necks, and within the reach of their defenſive weapons, even ſhield to ſheild; So doth the wicked man eagerly purſue his attempt.
3. As a weak naked man would ſhow himſelf a fool in grappling with a ſtrong reſolute ſtiffe-necked man, being alſo well-armed, both for defence and offence; (For ſome of the boſſes of their bucklers, in the middle thereof, were offenſive alſo:) So is a wicked man madly preſumptuous to encounter ſo ſtrong a God, who is well able to bear out, and to defend himſelf, and offend him. In this, it ſeems, Eliphaz reflects upon Job's grappling ſo ſtoutly with God, in the point of his Righteouſneſs and Juſtice in afflicting him a righteous man; though in that debate God be ſo able to abide a tryal, and invincible, like a ſtrong man well armed, and though there be ſo much hazard to cloſe and grapple ſo near. Herein he wronged Job, in charging upon him that he was guilty of it in his ſenſe, and that he did oppoſe the Righteouſneſs of God, becauſe he would not grant that himſelf was wicked; yet Job was not altogether free of it upon another account (as ſhall be marked in its own place) which was his great ſin, for which God challengeth him, Chap. 40.2, 8.
From the words thus explained, Learn,
1. The attempts of wicked men, in their preſumptuous ſinning, are not ſoon ſeen nor pondered, in the deſperate wickedneſs thereof; Therefore doth Eliphaz inſiſt ſo much to enlarge and amplifie it here, after all he hath ſpoken in the former verſe.
2. It is one evidence of the wicked mans dreadful preſumption, and to be trembled at, that with furious and blind obſtinacy he bends his outmoſt endevours againſt God; Therefore it is marked that he runneth upon him, with all he can make, to teſtifie his furious eagerneſs. Thus is he alſo greedy after ſin, Epheſ. 4.19.
3. It evidenceth alſo his deſperate wickedneſs, that his deſign is, not only to oppoſe and croſs God, but to overthrow him quite, if he could; For, He runneth on his neck, and cloſeth with him, to get an entire victory, as is explained. And albeit wicked men will not profeſs all this; Yet the nature of their work looks toward it.
4. It doth alſo evidence a wicked mans furious and deſperate diſpoſition, that he is ſo mad upon his attempt, as he ſeeth not the folly of his way, nor pondereth or feareth danger, though it be full of hazard; For, how is he tranſported who runneth on his neck, and the thick boſſes of his bucklers, where he can expect no advantage, but rather much damage?
5. Gods Juſtice and Righteouſneſs in his diſpenſations is ſo undeniable, and invincible by any oppoſition or quarrelling, that none can eſſay to oppoſe it with any advantage, but with much loſs; For, this is the particular he reflects upon, that to quarrel the Righteouſneſs of God, is, to run upon his neck and bucklers.