Exposition of Job, Exposition of Job · Chapter 22
CHAP. XXII.
Here begins the third Conflict betwixt Job and his Friends; wherein two of them (the third being laid by) give him a third aſſault, and he replies. In this Chapter Eliphaz begins, who, being heated with paſſion, doth lay aſide all Prefacing, and preſently falls to work. And ſince Job had clearly ſtated the Controverſie, and ſhewed that he underſtood their meaning, Chap. 21, 27, 28. he deals no more indirectly, but poſitively aſſerts that Job was wicked, which (for moſt part) he had but hinted at before. Only in the cloſe he exhorteth and encourageth him to repentance, as he had done in his firſt ſpeech, Chap. 5. though he omitted it in the ſecond Chap. 15.
In the Chapter, Firſt, he ſhews what their Opinion was of Job's afflictions, and that they came becauſe of his wickedneſs; endeavouring to prove that his life was polluted with wickedneſs and impiety. And that by Arguments taken from his conceit of his own righteouſneſs, as uſeful to God, v. 1, 2, 3. From Gods greatneſs, who, being above the fear of hurt from any creature, cannot but be juſt in afflicting, v. 4. From the many ſins againſt the Second Table, whereof he ſuppoſeth Job to be guilty, v. 5-11. From his ſins immediately againſt God, and particularly, Atheiſm, wherewith he chargeth him, v. 12, 13, 14. From the judgments that have been inflicted upon wicked men, like unto Job's calamities, whereby he refutes his ſuppoſed Atheiſm, and thinks to prove him wicked, v. 15, 16, 17, 18. And, From the contrary proſperous eſtate of godly men, v. 19, 20, Secondly, He exhorts him to true Piety and Repentance, wherein he propounds the Exhortation in ſeveral Branches, with ſome incouragements intermixed, v. 21, 22, 23. And ſubjoyns further Arguments of Encouragement; aſſuring him, upon theſe terms, that he ſhall have abundance of outward proſperity, v. 24, 25. Many ſpiritual advantages, v. 26, 27, 28. and that in times of calamity, he ſhall not only be upheld himſelf, but ſhall be uſeful to others, and to the place where he liveth, v. 29.30.