Exposition of Job, Exposition of Job · Chapter 39
CHAP. XXXIX.
In this whole Chapter, the Lord proſecutes that Head of Inſtances begun in the former Chapter, taken from his Providence about Beaſts and Birds. And unto the Inſtance propounded in the former Chapter, five more are here added. Namely, his care in preſerving and continuing the kinds of ſeveral Creatures, v. 1. — 4. His ordering the liberty and untameableneſs of ſome wild beaſts, v. 5-12. His care in adorning ſome Birds, and his care of the careleſs among them, v. 13 — 18. His endowing of the Horſe with Strength and Courage, v. 19 — 25. And, his Providence about the Birds of prey, the Hawk and the Eagle, v. 26-30.
Verſe 1. Knoweſt thou the time when the wild goats of the rock bring forth, or canſt thou mark when the Hinds do calve?
2. Canſt thou number the moulths that they fulfil? or knoweſt thou the time when they bring forth?
3. They bow themſelves, they bring forth their young ones; they caſt out their ſorrows.
4. Their young ones are in good liking, they grow up with Corn: they go forth, and return not unto them.
THe ſecond Inſtance (though the firſt in this Chapter) is, Gods care to preſerve the Species and Kinds of Creatures, in helping them when they bring forth, and caring for their young ones. This is inſtanced,
Firſt, In the wild Goats which live among the Rocks, (of whom, ſee, 1 Sam: 24.2.) the time of whoſe bringing forth Job is ignorant of, v. 1—.
Secondly, In the Hinds; Concerning whom,
1. He declares that Job is ignorant how long time they are with young, and at what time they calve: v. 1, 2. The meaning whereof is not that Job is ſimply ignorant of this; for a man may learn ſomewhat of that by experience. But he doth not ſo know it as to preſcribe it, nor doth he know when they gender and conceive, that he might come and be aſſiſtant at their bringing forth.
2. He declares that Job hath no skill in their natural Midwifry, v 3. When, they, who have great pain in bringing forth (and therefore it is marked as a ſingular effect, among others, of the Thunder, that it makes the Hinds to calve for ſear, Pſal. 29.9.) do not only make uſe of a certain herb to help them, as Naturaliſts write; but do bow their own bodies, that they may eaſe themſelves of their pain: And ſo they caſt out their ſorrows, that is, they caſt out their young ones which cauſed their ſorrows, or, preſently after they have brought forth, their pain ceaſeth, and as (Naturaliſts alſo write) they make uſe of ſome other Herb for this end, and for recovery of their ſtrength.
3. He declareth that Job had no hand in caring for their young ones, v. 4. Who, though they be brought forth with pain, yet do ſoon become luſty, and do grow up, being fed with Corn (or, as though they got corn) and go forth and ſhift for themſelves. The meaning whereof is not, that their Dams caſt them off (for the Hind is a loving Beaſt, Prov. 5 19. And it is an evidence of a great ſtraight when they forſake their young ones, Jer. 14.5.) but that their young ones need no help, but are able to do for themſelves.
From the Words and Scopt, we may gather,
1. God doth guide much well enough, without man; As he guides the wild Goats, and Hinds, without Job, or the aſſiſtance of any man. And therefore he may well have our conſent to guide all things; as he will guide them, whether we conſent or not.
2. Poor affrighted Creatures do fall into Gods hand, to ſee to them; as here he cares for the timorous Hinds, who are afraid of men, and eſpecially of other beaſts. See, Pſal. 56.3.
3. God, who hath a care of continuing the kinds of beaſts, will not weary to continue his goodneſs with his own people, even to the end. Thus other Ordinances of Nature, Gen. 8.22. Pſal. 119.89, 90, 91. are pledges of the ſtability of his Covenant, Jer. 31.35, 36. & 33.20, 21. And therefore he is not to be ſupected of caſting off his People, as Job did complain. See, Pſal. 23.6. & 77.7, 8, 9, 10.
4. They are not ill guided who are left upon God; for, he gives a good account of his care of Hinds in their Calving, and of their young ones. Which may not only encourage us to commit women in Child-birth unto God; but to relie upon him in every caſe, when we are poor and needy, Pſal. 40.17.
5. God orders the exerciſe of his Creatures to be more or leſs, according as they have means and opportunities of help under it; for, the ſorrows of Hinds are ſoon over, and the young ones of Beaſts are ſoon able to care for themſelves, otherwiſe they would periſh; whereas it is otherwiſe with Children who have ſome to tender them. Thus according as God hath manifeſted more or leſs of himſelf to men, and according to the means they enjoy, and experiences they have had, they may expect that their exerciſes will be proportionable.
6. If Beaſts, who do not well know their own burden what it is, yet do by natural Inſtinct labour to eaſe themſelves, and do make uſe of means for that end; why do men, under preſſures, reſolve to lie down and die; neglecting all thoſe means whereby lawfully they might make their own burdens more ſupportable.
7. If God care for the young ones of Beaſts, what ſinful folly is it in men to be anxious, and even to ſell their ſouls, that they may provide for their Children?
Verſe 5. Who hath ſent out the wild Aſs free? or who hath looſed the bands of the wild Aſs?
6. Whoſe houſe I have made the Wilderneſs, and the barren land his dwellings.
7. He ſcorneth the multitude of the City, neither regardeth he the crying of the driver.
8. The range of the mountains is his paſture, and he ſearcheth after every green thing.
9. Will the Ʋnicorn be willing to ſerve thee? or abide by thy crib?
10. Canſt thou bind the Unicorn with his band in the furrow? or will he harrow the Valleys after thee?
11 Wilt thou truſt him becauſe his ſtrength is great? or wilt thou leave thy labour to him?
12. Wilt thou believe him th…t he will bring home thy ſeed? and gather it into thy bird?
The third Inſtance, is, the Liberty and untam…albleneſs of ſome wild Beaſts, which yet are commanded by, and ſubject unto, God. This is inſtanced,
1. In the Wild Aſs, of which, ſee, Jer. 2.24. Iſa. 32.14. Hoſ. 8.9. A Beaſt much contrary in properties to the dull tame Aſs; which is ſet free by God and looſed (not from any bonds that ever were actually put upon it by men, but) from thoſe bonds which bind thoſe inferior Creatures to ſerve man, and which are actually put and kept upon ſome of them, v. 5. Which hath its habitation choſen and aſſigned by God in the Wilderneſs, and in barren and brackiſh grounds; where it chuſeth to dwell, rather than to ſerve man, v. 6. Which ſcorneth the City and all places of Commerce, or where men repair; Or, being very ſwift, it diſdains to be taken by never ſo many men (were even the multitude of a City gathered for that effect) and to be made obey the driver, as other Beaſts do, v. 7. And, which; in ſtead of Parks, wherein tame beaſts are k…pt and fed, hath the large Mountains whereupon to feed, and to ſearch after green graſs and herbs, v. 8. And yet however this Beaſt cannot be reached by man, God can reach it when he will.
2. It is Inſtanced in the Unicorn, of which, ſee, Numb. 23.22. Deut. 33.17. Pſal. 22 21. & 92.10. Whatever Plintus write, yet ſome deny that there is any ſuch B…aſt in nature as an Unicorn, having (as the name ſignifieth) one horn in its forehead. And therefore they take the wild Bull to be here meant (ſuch wild Bulls probably abounding in thoſe places, and being very ſtrong and fierce) which is oppoſed to the labouring Oxe, as the wild Aſs is to the tame, v. 5, &c. But whatever Beaſt be here meant, yet this is true of it, That though it be a ſtrong beaſt, and ſtronger than theſe whereof men make uſe, yet, it is ſo undaunted, that it will not yield to ſerve man for its meat, nor will it be b…und to a Crib, as a Child may do with an Oxe, v 9. Nor will any man, who hath his wits about him, truſt his labour, of plowing, harrowing, and gathering in of his harveſt, to it, v. 10, 11, 12. And yet God commandeth it at his pleaſure.
From this purpoſe we may gather,
1. The liberty and bondage of Creatures is of God, and at his diſpoſal; for, he hath ordered ſome beaſts to be eaſily tamed, and others not at all. Much more doth the ſpiritual liberty of men come from him John 8.36.
2. Though many do deſire a licentious liberty, and to be free of all yokes and bonds; yet that is but a poor advantage, as being no more than what many Beaſts have; as here is to be ſeen in the wild Aſs and Unicorn. Men ſhould be far from placing their happineſs in that which is common to them with Beaſts.
3. Whatever liberty Creatures have, yet none of them are exempted from ſubjection to Gods Dominion; for, he doth retch the wild Aſs, Jer. 2.…4. And Behemoth, Job. 40.19. And this moſt inſolent men, who neither fear God, nor reverence men, will be made to find, Iſa. 37.28, 29.
4. That God hath abundance of wild and untamed Creatures at his command, doth evidence that he need not be in mans reverence for ſervice, or ſacrifices, as Pſal. 50.8.—12. Which may humble them who preſume to quarrel God, becauſe he ſeemeth not to notice them and their integrity and ſervice, which was Job's practice.
5. Mans indigence is continuall… proclaimed, not only in his daily need of food, and that himſelf muſt be kept at a continual labour for his food; but in that he needs the help of other Creatures to labour for his meat; as here is intimated, that he needs beaſts to drive with his burdens, v. 7. and to labour the ground, and bring in the fruits thereof for him, v. 10, 11, 12.
6. The untameableneſs of ſome Creatures ſerves to commend the love of God, who tames others of them for mans uſe; as here is intimated; That though the wild Aſs and Unicorn will not, yet others will be driven, and will ſerve and abide by our Crib. It ſpeaks ſomewhat of God when we ſee a little Boy lead and command an Horſe or Oxe, which are much ſtronger than himſelf.
7. Albeit every thing be not for that uſe which we deſire, yet they are not therefore uſeleſs; for, thoſe beaſts ſ…rve to ſet forth the Glory of God, albeit they will not ſerve man.
8. Creatures and Lots will prove, not according as they ſeem to promiſe in themſelves, but according as God makes them to be; for, when one ſort of Aſſes is dull & unſerviceable, another ſort is wild, and though the Oxe be tame for labour, yet the Unicorn (which is ſtronger and might work more) is not.
9. As there are many Creatures fed without mans care (ſuch as the wild Aſs and Unicorn, beſide theſe formerly mentioned) So even thoſe of them who are not ravenous (like the Lion and Raven, Chap. 38.39, 40, 41.) yet get their food; as the wild Aſs hath a large paſture. Their caſe is not deſperate who can promi… little for themſelves; nor will all thoſe go to wrack, who do not help themſelves by violent means.
10. God can command even the wildeſt of Creatures; for, the wild Aſs is at his command, and the Unicorn will ſerve him, though he will not ſ…rve man. Which may warn the ſtout-hearted and undaunted, to fear, and may encourage the Godly to truſt in him when difficulties a…e impetuous and violent.
Verſe 13. Gaveſt thou the goodly wings unto the Peacocks, or wings and feathers unto the Oſtrich?
14. Which leaveth her Egges in the earth, and warmeth them in duſt.
15. And forgetteth that the foot may cruſh them, or that the wild Beaſt may break them.
16. She is hardned againſt her young ones, as though they were not here; her labour is in vain without fear.
17. Becauſe God hath deprived her of wiſdom, neither hath he imparted unto her underſtanding.
18. What time ſhe lifteth up her ſelf on high, ſhe ſcorneth the Horſe and his Rider.
The fourth Inſtance contains an account of Gods care in adorning ſ…me …rds, and his care of the careleſs amongſt them▪ This is cleared in the Peacock and the Oſtrich; where we have to conſider,
1. The beauty of the wings of Peacocks (or of the Feathers in their Tails, ſpread out like the wings of a Bird) and of the Wings and Feathers of Oſtriches, v. 13.
2. The unnatural ſtupidity of the Oſtrich; which leaves her Eggs, covered with a little Sand, to be hatched by the heat of the Sun, v. 14. Little conſidering that they may be cruſhed by the ſeet of men and beaſts which paſs by, v. 15. And which neglects her young ones, and runs the hazard (were it not for Gods care) of loſing all her labour, in laying of her Eggs, without any fear at all, v. 16. And that becauſe God hath deprived her of that natural Inſtinct which other Creatures have, v. 17. See, Lam. 4.3.
3. That though ſhe be thus ſtupid and unnatural, yet ſhe is fitted to flee danger; and by lifting up her ſelf on high, ſcorneth the Horſe and his Rider who purſue her, v. 18. Which is not ſo to be underſtood, as if ſhe were able to ſoar and flee high; for by reaſon of her large and unwieldy body, ſhe ſcarce lifts her ſelf from off the ground, but runs fleeing, and fleeth running, making uſe both of her feet, and of her wings, as ſails, to help her forward. But the meaning is, that when ſhe thus lifts up her ſelf to eſcape a danger, ſhe is not only bigger than Horſe and Rider both (being very tall) but moves ſo ſwiftly, and withal (as ſome write) caſts Gravel and Stones behind her, with her Feet, as ſhe runs, that Riders on ſwif… Horſes cannot overtake her, nor dare come near her. Hence it was that the Arabians tried the ſwiftneſs of their Horſe…, by their running after the Oſtrich.
From the Inſtances, gather,
1. God is to be ſeen and acknowledged in the beauty he hath put upon ſome Creatures; ſuch as the Wings and Feathers of the Oſtrich, who have goodly Plumes, and the goodly Wings, or Tail, which God, and not man, hath given to the Peacock, and which hath ſo many changing colours, that no Art can imitate it. Thus he hath adorned the Lillies with beauty above what Solomon had in his Glory, Mat. 6.28, …9. A look of thoſe things ſhould not be paſſed without a ſpiritual uſe; ſeeing therein we may read how beautiful God is, in himſelf, and in his diſpenſations, and what beauty he can put upon any of his Creatures he pleaſeth; as will be verified upon the vile bodies of his people, Phil. 3 21.
2. There is no excellency in the Creatures but it is attended with ſome imperfection, which may ſhew that they are but Creatures; as here, the beauty of the Oſtrich is attended with ſtupidity.
3. God hath deprived ſome Creatures of a natural Inſtinct to care for their young ones (which is here called Wiſdom and Underſtanding, v. 17.) That ſo we may obſerve it as a mercy in others of them; as Children ſhould be ſenſible of the mercy they received, in their Parents care of them, when they could not care for themſelves, and ſhould labour to require it, 1 Tim. 5.4. And that we may beware of provoking God to caſt us into thoſe difficulties which will deprive us of that natural Affection, Lam. 4.3.10.
4. God hath a care even of theſe Creatures which are caſt off by Parents; as here, the Eggs and Young ones of the Oſtrich are tendered by him. Much more will he care for Saints in ſuch a caſe, Pſal. 27.10.
5. As the unnatural Oſtrich is yet ſecured by her ſwiftneſs, v. 18. So evil doers may proſper; nor ſhould Saints ſtumble at it, as Job by his complaints did evidence he was offended thereat.
Verſe 19. Haſt thou given the Horſe ſtrength? haſt thou cloathed his neck with thunder?
20. Canſt thou make him afraid as a graſhopper? the glory of his noſtrils is terrible.
21. He paweth in the valley, and rejoyceth in his ſtrength: he goeth on to meet the armed men.
22. He mocketh at fear, and is not affrighted, neither turneth he back from the Sword.
23. The Quiver raileth againſt him, the glittering ſpear and the ſhield.
24. He ſwalloweth the ground with fierceneſs and rage: neither believeth he that it is the ſound of the Trumpet.
25. He ſaith among the Trumpets, Ha, Ha; and he ſmelleth the battel afar off, the thunder of the Captains, and the ſhouting.
The fifth Inſtance, is, the Strength and Courage of the Horſe which ſerveth man, eſpecially the Horſe bred for War. It is God, and not man, who hath given him great ſtrength, ſo that with his Neck and Breaſt he runs down what he ruſheth upon, as if a clap of Thunder had fallen upon it, v. 19. And his Courage is no leſs than his Strength; ſo that he will not be affrighted, as a Graſhopper, but his Snortings and Neighings are terrible, v. 20. This his courage appeareth, eſpecially in War; for it maketh him paw on the ground with his feet, and glory to run without fear among armed men and weapons, v. 21, 22, 23. And he digs the earth with his feet, or runs ſo quickly over it to come to the Battel, as if he would ſwallow it up; and finds nothing terrible, in the Trumpet, ſounding the deadly Alarm to the Battel, more than if it were a Whiſtle, and not a Trumpet, v. 24. But reſounds to it by his Neighings, when he perceiveth, by the dreadful noiſe of Officers and Souldiers, that the Battel is approaching, v. 25.
From this Inſtance, gather,
1. The creatures want of one kind of advantage is, ordinarily, made up with ſome other; as the Oſtrich outſtrips the Horſe in ſwiftneſs, v. 18. and yet, here, the Horſe excels in courage.
2. Albeit God hath appointed ſome creatures to ſerve men; yet that ſhould not hide the Glory of God which ſhines in them; As here, the Lord points out his Glory by this Inſtance of the Horſe, to convince and humble Job.
3. God, who giveth ſtrength and courage to very Beaſts (as here he doth to the Horſe) can very eaſily furniſh his Saints therewith, and keep them from fainting as they have need: as Job had found by experience, being made to triumph by faith in the midſt of danger, however he complained.
4. If the Horſe, being ſo ſtrong and couragious a Beaſt, doth yet ſerve man, and is ſubject to him, Jam. 3.3. why ſhould Saints be diffident but they may manage and overcome great difficulties, in Gods ſtrength?
5. As the Horſes courage appears eminently in War, and in the midſt of hazards; ſo ſhould Saints ſtudy to acquit themſelves in a day of trial, Job 4.3, 4, 5, 6. Prov. 24.10. And God can furniſh them againſt ſuch a time, above any thing that they could promiſe to themſelves (conſulting their own diſpoſitions and courage) before it came.
6. This ſtrength and courage of the Horſe is a great Excellency, yet God hath no pleaſure in it, nor in the like excellencies which are in men, Pſal. 147.10. Which ſhould teach us, not to conceit of our common excellencies and endowments; but to delight more to be Saints, than to have all that courage, ſtrength, wiſdom, &c. which are in men or beaſts, Pſal. 147.10, 11. Jer. 9.23, 24.
7. This fierce courage of the Horſe muſt be managed and guided by men, Jam. 3.3. To ſhew, that fierceneſs is but a beaſtly diſpoſition, if it be not well managed, Pſal. 32.9, 10. And if men with a ſmall Bridle do command the fierce Horſe, how much more ſhould men be pliant to God? And if they will not, he hath Hooks and Bridles alſo for them, Iſa. 37.29.
Verſe 26. Doth the Hawk fly by thy wiſdom, and ſtretch her wings toward the South?
27. Doth the Eagle mount up at thy command, and make her Neſt on high?
28. She dwelleth and abideth on the Rock, upon the Crag of the Rock, and the ſtrong place.
29. From thence ſhe ſeeketh the prey, and her eyes behold afar off.
30. Her young ones alſo ſuck up blood: and where the ſlain are, there is ſhe.
The ſixth Inſtance is, thoſe noble Birds of Prey, the Hawk and the Eagle. For the firſt, Albeit men have learned an art of training Hawks, ſo that they flee after their prey when they let them looſe, and they return to them again becauſe of their food; yet it is not by any wiſdom from men that they do flee, but they know how to follow their prey before ever men take them, who do but put them to the exerciſe of what they have by nature, for their own recreation. And particularly, It is from God that the Hawk hath an Inſtinct to flee toward the South, v, 26. as wild Hawks, in cold ſeaſons, and when they caſt their old Feathers, do flee into warmer Climates, till their new Feathers grow up. As for the Eagle, it is from God that ſhe hath that inſtinct and ſtrength to mount ſtreight upward an higher pitch than any other Bird can do; and that for this end (among others) that ſhe may build her Neſt upon the high and unacceſſible Rocks, for the ſecurity of her young ones, v. 27, 28. And it is from God that ſhe is able to diſcern her prey at ſo great a diſtance (as ſome report, that ſhe not only ſeeth ſar, but will ſmell dead Corpſes very far off) and comes to it for blood and fleſh to her ſelf, and to her young ones, to whom ſhe brings food, till ſhe can get them brought to it, v. 29, 30.
In theſe Inſtances we may obſerve,
1. So much of God may be ſeen in every thing, that even the recreation of hawking, and the flight of Birds, may afford profitable and edifying Inſtructions; as here, the Hawk and Eagle are Inſtances of that glory of God which ſhineth in his Creatures.
2. Since God …i…ects all things, even the flight of Birds (as here is ſh…wed, that it is Gods wiſdom, and not Job's, that directs theſe Birds in their ſeveral motions) who ſhould preſume to direct him, or exempt themſelves from his directions, or orders concerning them and their Lo…s.
3. Since he directs very birds well (ſending hawks to the South, when they need warmth, and Eagles to …he Rock, for ſecurity of their young ones, and that they may the more eaſily diſcern their prey) who can juſtly ſuſpect him in his guiding of men?
4. The ſagacity of the Eagle being an Embleme of what godly perſons and Chriſtians ſhould be, Mat. 24. 28. Luke 17.37. We ſhould learn at them, to flee above things below, and contemplate things above, as they look upon the Sun; To build ſure upon the rock, where hazard cannot teach us, Iſa. 33.16. Mat. 7.24, 25. To diſcern and ſmell our mercies, though they be very far off; as Job did, Chap. 19.26. And, to flock continually about Chriſt crucified; and cleave to him; as the Eagle doth to the ſlain, or, Carcaſe.
Having ended all thoſe particular Inſtances, ſave we remarkable Ones which are added in the next Speech; we may Ones them all up in theſe three general Remarks.
1. God cannot fully be ſeen in any one of his Creatures; all of them together are little enough (and too little) to point him out.
2. Yet ſomewhat of him may be ſeen in every one of the Creatures, even the leaſt of them.
3. Then do we obſerve God well, in one or all of them, not when we think we may boaſt of our skill in knowing them, their cauſes, properties; &c. But when we ſee God in them, and are not ſuch Naturaliſts as turn meer Atheiſts; and when we ſo ſtudy them, as we ſee cauſe to be abaſed and humbled before God, whoſe Glory ſhineth in them: For, that is the ſcope of all thoſe Inſtances propounded unto Job.