Exposition of Job, Exposition of Job · Chapter 36 · Verses 11-12
Verſe 11. If they obey and ſerve him, they ſhall ſpend their dayes in prosperity, and their years in pleaſures.
12. But if they obey not, they ſhall periſh by the ſword, and they ſhall dye without knowledge.
In the third branch of this part of the Vindiction, we have an account of the Certification ſubjoyned to this Inſtruction, and what ſhall be the conſequences of mens improvement thereof, well or ill; Namely, That if they obey, they ſhall have a ſweet and comfortable life for the reſt of their time, v. 11. And if not, they ſhall be cut off by ſome judgement, v. 12. Whereas it is added, that they dye without knowledge, which would ſeem to ſpeak them utterly ignorant of God, and ſo cannot agree to Elihu's ſcope, who is ſpeaking of Gods afflicting righteous men; The words may be read, They dye, becauſe they have no knowledge, or, are cut off becauſe of their folly and miſcarriages; which may ſuit well enough with the condition of ſome perſons, who yet have true piety. Or, this may be underſtood of the lot of wicked hypocritical Profeſſours (of whom be hath occaſion alſo to ſpeak in this part of his Vindication, for reaſons to be marked on v. 13, 14.) which he propounds that he may deterr righteous men from their courſes, by ſhewing what their lot will be.
From v. 11. Learn, 1. Though afflictions be curſes in themſelves, yet they are bleſſed to the people of God; As here is verified of ſome, who are ſuppoſed to obey and ſerve, when they are chaſtened and inſtructed.
2. The bleſſed fruits of affliction begin at tenderneſs, and hearkening to the Word of God, particularly, to thoſe leſſons, which are inculcated by the rod; For, they obey, or, hear.
3. Where mens hearts are made tender, and to tremble at the Word, they will not only amend bygone faults, but will engage themſelves to ſerve God, by doing or ſuffering, as they ſhall be called; For, they obey, and ſerve him, or, become ſervants, to wit, to God to whom all ſervice is due, as the relative, Him, muſt be underſtood, though it be not expreſſed.
4. Mens changing of their way, from evil to good, brings a ſweet change in their lot, from adverſity, to proſperity and pleaſure; For, if they obey and ſerve him, they ſhall spend their dayes in p…osperity, and their years in pleaſures. This is ſometimes verified in temporal deliverances, according to the tenour of the promiſes made to righteous walkers, Lev. 26.3 — 13. and Deut. 28.1 — 14. and particularly to the people of God repenting of their ſin under the rod, Jer. 31.19, 20. And ſo Job found in experience. But however God diſpenſe as to thoſe things, yet it will be fully verified in Heaven. And whereas this promiſe relates eſpecially to deliverances within time (as both the words, and the oppoſite threatening, v. 12. make clear) which are not alwayes granted to godly men, even when they repent of their ſins under the red; It would be conſidered, that, though the troubles of godly and penitent perſons continue, yet, a change in their diſpoſition will make a change in their lot, as to them; For all will ſpeak love to them, and is attended with Chriſts peace, Joh. 16.33. and what cruſheth their Idols, promoveth their happineſs, and honours God, will not be bitter. Yea, all will be for their good (as the word rendred, prosperity, is in the Original) Rom. 8.28. and ſo ſhould be pleaſant.
5. Saints ſhould obſerve the ſweetneſs, not only of the whole tenour of their life, but of every day and moment of it; As here their mercies are obſerved and meaſured by dayes, as well as by years.
From v. 12. Learn, 1. Even ſome of Gods dear Children may prove ſtubborn and untractable under the rod; For, it is ſuppoſed, they may not obey, or, not hear.
2. It is a fruit of Saints folly and ignorance, when they are not reclaimed by the rod, which cauſeth them miſtake Gods mind in afflicting, or, think to bear out in their ſtubbornneſs, or, think that God will pity them, though they turn not to him; Thus they obey not, becauſe they have no knowledge, as the words may be read.
3. When leſſer ſtroaks do not reform and reclaim Saints, God is provoked to encreaſe and augment; For, here, after bonds, v. 8. a ſword, or, dart, cometh.
4. Men may be truly godly, and get their Souls for a prey, who yet may be chaſtened with death, and even a violent death, for their folly; For, here it is ſuppoſed, that ſome righteous men, may periſh by the ſword and dye. See 1 Cor. 11.30, 32.