Exposition of Job, Exposition of Job · Chapter 36 · Verses 6-7
Verſe 6. He preſerveth not the life of the wicked: But, giveth right to the poor.
7. He withdraweth not his eyes from the righteous: But with Kings are they on the Throne, yea, he doth eſtabliſh them for ever, and they are exalted.
In the ſecond Head of this Vindication (in theſe Verſes) this Propoſition is more generally confirmed from Gods way of dealing both with righteous and wicked men. And,
Firſt, He gives an account of his dealing with both conjunctly, v. 6. That he cuts off the life of the wicked, and rights the afflicted and poor oppreſſed by them.
Secondly, He gives, more particularly, an account of his dealing with righteous men (eſpecially them who were wronged by the wicked, v. 6.) v. 7. Whom,
1. He attends with his care and providence.
2. Exalts them, even to great dignity.
3. And eſtabliſheth them, when they are exalted.
For clearing of this purpoſe, (wherein Elihu ſeems to ſpeak the ſame things that Jobs other Friends had ſaid concerning the godly and the wicked; yea, the exaltation of godly men to ſo great dignity is above what they aſſerted, of their proſperity) Conſider,
1. Elihu's Doctrine, concerning the proſperity of godly men, muſt neceſſarily be underſtood with his own exception (which he ſubjoynes, v. 8 — 12. and is inſinuated alſo in their being poor, v. 6.) of their being ſometime under the rod, and that even unto death. And ſo alſo his Doctrine, concerning Gods plaguing of wicked men, muſt be underſtood with an exception, of their proſpering at ſometimes, when God hath themſelves to enſnare, or, others (and particularly, godly men, as their being poor, or, afflicted, doth alſo import) to try and exerciſe thereby.
2. Hence, Albeit the Friends general Doctrine was much of it true in a ſound ſenſe, (Namely, in ſo farr as it contained the Sentence of Gods Law againſt wicked men, and gave an account of the godlies Charter, to whom all things belong, 1 Cor. 3.21, 22 23.) And accordingly, Job doth own their Doctrine as true in ſome reſpects (as may be ſeen by what hath been ſaid on Chap. 21, and 27.) and Elihu here ſpeaks ſomething like it: Yet neither of them do underſtand it in their ſenſe, that all and only, either godly or wicked men, are actually dealt with as is here expreſſed. For Elihu ſuppoſeth the contrary, that godly men may be poor and afflicted by wicked men. But,
3. This is to be underſtood according to the tenour of Scripture-promiſes and threatenings, That thoſe things are recorded, concerning the godly and wicked, as the allowance of the one, and the deſert of the other; That the wicked lye under the laſh of thoſe threatenings, which may keep them in a continual terrour, even in the height of their proſperity; and the godly lye under the drop of thoſe promiſes, which may comfort them, even in their loweſt condition; That ſometime God gives ſignal proof of the truth of theſe promiſes and threatenings, for the terrour and comfort, both of theſe to whom they are accompliſhed, and of others alſo; And, That what is here recorded, contains an account of Gods final deſign both concerning the godly and wicked, which he will execute in due time, and delay no longer than is fit.
4. According to this rule, we may expound the words in particular, That God (ſooner or later, here or hereafter) will cut off the wicked, and redreſs the wrongs done to the poor, v. 6. And, that, in like manner (in the way, and at the time, which he thinks fitteſt) he will not only have an eye upon the righteous, but exalt and eſtabliſh them, v. 7. As for what is ſaid of their being with Kings on the Throne, it is very farr from the fancy that ſome have of a Kingdom of Saints upon Earth; In purſuance whereof, they not only appropriate Saint-ſhip to themſelves, that ſo they may enhaunce all advantages; but do not ſtay till God exalt them by lawful wayes and means, (as here is promiſed) but will ſet themſelves on high by wicked and ſinful courſes. Yea, whereas the Text ſaith, that they are with Kings upon the Throne, they are not contented to be exalted with and under lawful Authority, but they will thruſt off Kings, that they may ſet themſelves there. All which practices do argue, that ſuch men do little mind Heaven, and have forgotten what is the uſual lot of Saints within time. And it were much better for them to be Kings over their own luſts, covetouſneſs and ambition, than to ſway the Scepter of many Kingdomes. See Prov. 16.32. But as for the words here, they may be generally verified in this, That righteous men are made Kings and Prieſts unto God, Rev. 1.6. That they are in no leſs eſteem with him, than if they were Kings, and he will give even Kings for them, Iſ. 43.3, 4. That their allowances are ſo rich, that they need not envy Kings, but Kings may deſire to ſhare with them, Pſal. 72.10, 11, 12, 13, 14. And, That he will make them reign, and ſit with himſelf upon his Throne, for ever, Rev. 3.21. And beſide all this, the words may alſo be underſtood, more litterally, That, at ſome times, Saints are advanced unto, and eſtabliſhed in, a very royal dignity, or great power with Kings; as Joſeph, Daniel and Mordecai were indeed exalted with Kings upon the Throne. Which the Lord is pleaſed to do, not to warrant or excite all to aſpire after, or expect the like; But to be an evidence of what he could do for all, were it for their good, (wherein he reſerves the diſpenſation to himſelf) and a pledge that he will hereafter exalt them to Thrones and royal dignities in Heaven.
From v, 6. Learn, 1. The commendations of God are not only recorded in his Word, but proved by his works, which are witneſſes for him; For, what is ſaid of God, v. 5. is here proved by what he doth. Saints get not alwayes Faith to live by, but Performances to confirm them, Iſ. 25.9. And they will be made to obſerve and bear witneſs to what is ſaid of God, Pſ. 139.14.
2. Albeit the moſt holy God govern the World, yet in all ages there have been both godly and wicked, the ſeed of the Woman, and the ſeed of the Serpent, in it; And he, who is bound to none, ſeeth it not meet to convert all: For, here there are the wicked, and the poor, who are afterward declared to be the righteous. God ſerveth himſelf, even of the veſſels of diſhonour, and bringeth about his own ends and purpoſes by them; and they ſerve for tryals to the godly, not only by reaſon of their cruelty againſt them, but of their wickedneſs alſo, and their ſucceſs in it.
3. It is the very frequent lot of the godly, to ſuffer hard things at the hand of the wicked; and of thoſe who are born after the Spirit, to be perſecuted by thoſe who are born after the Fleſh, Gal. 4.29. Therefore are the godly here deſigned by their being poor, or, afflicted. See Act 14.22. 2 Tim. 3.12. This lot is very neceſſary for godly men, to try their faith, and purge their droſs, 1 Pet. 1.6, 7. and to put them in mind that they are not at home: So that it is their great folly to expect and doat upon another lot.
4. God is, and will continue, a party againſt wicked men; as here we are aſſured. Their proſperity and ſucceſs doth not ſpeak his approbation of them, or that he is a friend to them; and were there none elſe, he will be their party, to appear againſt them. See Obad. v. 3, 4. Hence it is that God ſo frequently avoweth that he is againſt wicked men, Jer. 21.13. and 50.31. and 51.25. Ezek. 5.8. and elſe-where.
5. Albeit the Lord do not alwayes evidence his oppoſition to the wicked by ſad diſpenſations, but, ſometime, by raining ſnares of proſperity and ſucceſs upon them; Yet the oppoſition ſtill continueth, to be in due time viſibly manifeſted, and in the mean time, they lye continually under the laſh, without aſſurance of ſafety for a moment: For, his not preſerving the life of the wicked, imports, not only that he will reach it in due time, but in the mean time, it is not continued in favour, or preſerved out of any ſpecial reſpect to them, (however it is of him that it is continued) not have they a moments aſſurance of the continuance thereof, but their enemies may ariſe very ſuddenly and inexpectedly, to cut them off, Hab. 2.7. Which is a ſad caſe, were it well ſeen and conſidered.
6. It is not only the petty concernments of the wicked that are in Gods reverence, and obnoxious to his ſtroak when he pleaſeth, but even their very life: as here we are taught. So that, whatever elſe befall them, Juſtice hath never done with them, ſo long as their life, which they employ ſo ill, is in them.
7. The Lord is not more oppoſite to the wicked, than he is favourable to the righteous, even though they be brought low by oppreſſion; Yea, ſo much the more favourable as they are ſo; For, here, a good word is ſubjoyned to the former threatning, concerning the righteous and poor; who ſhould neither quarrel God, becauſe of their ſad lot, nor apprehend that all is gone, becauſe they get not their will in the petty things of time; But ſhould judge of Gods favour by their righteous and reconciled eſtate, Eccl. 8.12, 13. Iſ. 3.10, 11.
8. Godly men, in expecting proofs of Gods favour in particular exigents, ſhould make ſure, not only that they are truly godly, but that they have right upon their ſide; otherwiſe, piety will not warrant men to expect that God will own them in every cauſe; And that they be ſenſible, humble and poor under afflictions, otherwiſe, God will be a party againſt them (as well as man is) to humble them: So much is imported in that he giveth right, and that to the poor.
9. Whoever have right on their ſide (eſpecially if they be godly men) may be ſure to have it, ſooner or later, vindicated by God, and to get right done them; For, he giveth right to the poor. Honeſty and right will bear out in end, and will be a planck to bring ſhip-wracked men to ſhore.
10 Albeit, ordinarily, all things come alike to all, Eccl. 9.2. yet, in due time, God will put a difference betwixt the godly and the wicked; Yea, ſometime, he will even make it conſpicuous in this life; As here is imported in the oppoſite ſentences concerning them. See Exod. 14.28, 29, 30. Pſal. 58.10, 11. Mal. 3.18.
From v. 7 Learn, 1. Thoſe are truly godly men who are righteous, both by Juſtification (without which, no moral changes will ſuffice) and by righteous and ſtreight walking, particularly, in the matter of their tryals, and in thoſe cauſes about which they are called to contend with others; Therefore are godly men here deſigned, the righteous.
2. As Gods Providence is univerſal, and taketh notice of all things whatſoever; So eſpecially, his care is about, and his eye upon, the godly, to ſee to all their conditions, and that he may do to them, and provide for them, according as their caſe requireth; For, he withdraweth not his eyes from (but they are ſtill intent upon) the righteous. See Matth. 6. from v. 25. to the end. This is a great comfort to them, when they come ſhort in their prayers, that God hath an obſerving eye, as well as an hearing ear, toward them, Pſal. 33.18, 19. and 34.15. Hoſ. 14.8. And it may eaſe them in their ſolicitudes, ſeeing their help may come where they leaſt expect it, as Hagar ſound for Abraham's ſake, Gen. 16.13. And may make them anſwer many perplexing Queſtions, with, God will provide, Gen. 22.7, 8.
3. Albeit we think little of this obſerving eye of God, and improve it but little; Yet it ſhould be more prized, ſeeing we would be in a ſad plight if we wanted it; Therefore is this encouragement propounded negatively, He withdraweth not his eyes from the righteous, to put us in mind, how ſad it would be, if he withdrew his eye and care from off us, and about us, as is intimated, Deut. 32.20. Zech. 11.9. And we do enjoy many mercies whereof we do not ſee the worth, but by Gods withdrawing of them.
4. It is, alſo, the mercy of the Lords people, that, whatever be his dealing toward them, or their apprehenſions of it; Yet, his eye is ever upon them, Iſ. 49.14, 15, 16 to notice who wrongs them, when his diſpleaſure gives them an opportunity, Iſ. 47, 6. Zech. 1.15. to notice their miſeries, that he may pity and moderate them, Judg. 10.16. Iſ 57.16, 17, 18. and, to give them a good iſſue, even though they ſhould be cut off in the trouble, Pſal. 31.23. and 94.18. and 116.15. For, it is ſtill a certain truth, that however he deal with the viſible Church, Deut. 32.20. yet, he withdraweth not his eyes from the righteous.
5. Albeit we are little comforted, eſpecially in the time of our trouble, that we have Gods eye upon us; yet, there is much mercy in it, which will be actually manifeſted in due time; As here, there followeth no leſs upon it than high exaltation. See Exod. 3.7, 8, Zech. 9.8.
6. Gods love to his people is ſo infinitely rich, that no mercy will be thought too great for them, if it be for their good to have it, were it even to be with Kings on the Throne; As here that is put in their Charter. See 1 Sam. 2.8. Pſal. 113.7, 8. Some proofs of this are given even in this life, as the inſtances formerly mentioned do ſhew (and it is not only the duty, but the great advantage of Kings, to exalt ſuch, who may be Inſtruments of good to them and their people. See Pſal. 101.) But it will be fully cleared hereafter. And in the mean time, righteous men are no leſs precious in Gods eſteem, whatever their lot be, than if they were thus exalted; Even a Lazarus on a Dunghill is precious, as a Joſeph in his Grandeur. They will alſo be no leſs honourable in the eyes of right diſcerners, Eccl. 4.13. And it is no leſs love which with-holds theſe advantages from ſome of them, than that which conferreth them upon others.
7. Inſtability is one of the great Moths which attend mens enjoyments within time; For, it muſt be added, to make it a compleat mercy, Yea, he establiſheth them for ever, and they are exalted; that is, when he exalts them, he eſtabliſheth them in that ſtate, and that doth indeed give it the name of exaltation, that being unworthy of the name which is not ſtable. See 1 Cor. 7.29, 30, 31.
8. The godly have a promiſe of ſtability, when the wicked ſhall reel, and be like a rolling wheel, Pſal. 83.13. which is a judgement upon them; And albeit the godly muſt not think to ſettle within time, yet they have the promiſe of it, to be performed as ſhall be good for them; they will be kept ſtable in the midſt of ſhakes and reelings, Pſ. 112.7, 8. and eternal ſtability abides them; For, thus he doth eſtabliſh them for ever.