92 lines
18 KiB
HTML
92 lines
18 KiB
HTML
<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN">
|
|
<head>
|
|
<title>Blue Letter Bible: Text Commentaries</title>
|
|
<script src="../../../js/basepath.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
|
|
<script src="./js/nav.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
|
|
<script src="./js/MainHeader.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
|
|
<script type="text/javascript">
|
|
PriorBook = 'Esther';
|
|
PriorBookURL = './Comm/jfb/Est/Est001.html';
|
|
PriorChapter = 'Job 35';
|
|
PriorChapterURL = './Comm/jfb/Job/Job035.html';
|
|
NextBook = 'Psalms';
|
|
NextBookURL = './Comm/jfb/Psa/Psa000.html';
|
|
NextChapter = 'Job 37';
|
|
NextChapterURL = './Comm/jfb/Job/Job037.html';
|
|
Title = 'The Book of Job';
|
|
SubTitle1 = 'Commentary by A. R. FAUSSET';
|
|
SubTitle2 = '';
|
|
SubTitle3 = 'CHAPTER 36';
|
|
SubTitle3Cased = 'Chapter 36';
|
|
Author = ' Jamieson, Fausset & Brown';
|
|
imageMasthead = 'jfb.gif';
|
|
authorCite = 'Robert Jamieson; A.R. Fausset; and David Brown';
|
|
</script>
|
|
<script src="./js/Comms/JFB.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
|
|
</head><body>
|
|
<p id="Chapter36" align="center">Commentary by A. R. FAUSSET<br>CHAPTER 36
|
|
<p id="Job36_1"><a onclick="return mV('Job',36,'1-33');">Job 36:1-33</a>.
|
|
<p><b>1, 2.</b> Elihu maintains that afflictions are to the godly disciplinary, in order to lead them to attain a higher moral worth, and that the reason for their continuance is not, as the friends asserted, on account of the sufferer's extraordinary guilt, but because the discipline has not yet attained its object, namely, to lend him to humble himself penitently before God (<a onclick="return mV('Isa',9,13);">Isa 9:13</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Jer',5,3);">Jer 5:3</a>). This is Elihu's <i>fourth</i> speech. He thus exceeds the ternary number of the others. Hence his formula of politeness (<a onclick="return mV('Job',36,2);">Job 36:2</a>). Literally, "Wait yet but a little for me." Bear with me a little farther. <i>I have yet</i> (much, <a onclick="return mV('Job',32,'18-20');">Job 32:18-20</a>). There are Chaldeisms in this verse, agreeably to the view that the scene of the book is near the Euphrates and the Chaldees.
|
|
<p id="Job36_3"><b>3. from afar</b>—not trite commonplaces, but drawn from God's mighty works.
|
|
<br><br><b>ascribe righteousness</b>—whereas Job ascribed unrighteousness (<a onclick="return mV('Job',34,10,12);">Job 34:10, 12</a>). A man, in enquiring into God's ways, should at the outset <i>presume</i> they are all just, be <i>willing</i> to find them so, and <i>expect</i> that the result of investigation will prove them to be so; such a one will never be disappointed [BARNES].
|
|
<p id="Job36_4"><b>4.</b> I will not "speak wickedly for God," as the friends (<a onclick="return mV('Job',13,4,7,8);">Job 13:4, 7-8</a>) —that is, vindicate God by unsound arguments.
|
|
<br><br><b>he that is perfect,</b> etc.—Rather, as the parallelism requires, "a man of <i>integrity in sentiments</i> is with thee" (is he with whom thou hast to do). Elihu means himself, as opposed to the dishonest reasonings of the friends (<a onclick="return mV('Job',21,34);">Job 21:34</a>).
|
|
<p id="Job36_5"><b>5.</b> Rather, "strength of understanding" (heart) the force of the repetition of "mighty"; as "mighty" as God is, none is too low to be "despised" by Him; for His "might" lies especially in "His strength of understanding," whereby He searches out the most minute things, so as to give to each his right. Elihu confirms his exhortation (<a onclick="return mV('Job',35,14);">Job 35:14</a>).
|
|
<p id="Job36_6"><b>6. right...poor</b>—He espouses the cause of the afflicted.
|
|
<p id="Job36_7"><b>7.</b> (<a onclick="return mV('1Pe',3,12);">1Pe 3:12</a>). God does not forsake the godly, as Job implied, but "establishes," or <i>makes</i> them <i>sit</i> on the throne as kings (<a onclick="return mV('1Sa',2,8);">1Sa 2:8</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Psa',113,7,8);">Psa 113:7-8</a>). True of believers in the highest sense, already in part (<a onclick="return mV('1Pe',2,9);">1Pe 2:9</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Rev',1,6);">Rev 1:6</a>); hereafter fully (<a onclick="return mV('Rev',5,10);">Rev 5:10</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Job',22,5);">Job 22:5</a>).
|
|
<br><br><b>and they are</b>—<i>that they may be.</i>
|
|
<p id="Job36_8"><b>8-10.</b> If they be afflicted, it is no proof that they are hypocrites, as the friends maintain, or that God disregards them, and is indifferent whether men are good or bad, as Job asserts: God is thereby "disciplining them," and "showing them their sins," and if they bow in a right spirit under God's visiting hand, the greatest blessings ensue.
|
|
<p id="Job36_9"><b>9. work</b>—transgression.
|
|
<br><br><b>that...exceeded</b>—"In that they behaved themselves mightily" (literally, "great"); that is, presumptuously, or, at least, self-confidently.
|
|
<p id="Job36_10"><b>10.</b> (<a onclick="return mV('Job',33,'16-18',23);">Job 33:16-18, 23</a>).
|
|
<p id="Job36_11"><b>11. serve</b>—that is, worship; as in <a onclick="return mV('Isa',19,23);">Isa 19:23</a>. <i>God</i> is to be supplied (compare <a onclick="return mV('Isa',1,19,20);">Isa 1:19-20</a>).
|
|
<p id="Job36_12"><b>12.</b> (<a onclick="return mV('Job',33,18);">Job 33:18</a>).
|
|
<br><br><b>without knowledge</b>—that is, on account of their foolishness (<a onclick="return mV('Job',4,20);">Job 4:20-21</a>).
|
|
<p id="Job36_13"><b>13-15.</b> Same sentiment as <a onclick="return mV('Job',36,11,12);">Job 36:11-12</a>, expanded.
|
|
<br><br><b>hypocrites</b>—or, the ungodly [MAURER]; but "hypocrites" is perhaps a distinct class from the openly wicked (<a onclick="return mV('Job',36,12);">Job 36:12</a>).
|
|
<br><br><b>heap up wrath</b>—of God against themselves (<a onclick="return mV('Rom',2,5);">Rom 2:5</a>). UMBREIT translates, "nourish <i>their</i> wrath <i>against God,</i>" instead of "crying" unto Him. This suits well the parallelism and the <i>Hebrew.</i> But the <i>English Version</i> gives a good parallelism, "hypocrites" answering to "cry not" (<a onclick="return mV('Job',27,8,10);">Job 27:8, 10</a>); "heap up wrath" against themselves, to "He bindeth them" with fetters of affliction (<a onclick="return mV('Job',36,8);">Job 36:8</a>).
|
|
<p id="Job36_14"><b>14.</b> Rather (<a onclick="return mV('Deu',23,17);">Deu 23:17</a>), <i>Their life</i> is (ended) as that of (literally, "among") <i>the unclean,</i> prematurely and dishonorably. So the second clause answers to the first. A warning that Job make not common cause with the wicked (<a onclick="return mV('Job',34,36);">Job 34:36</a>).
|
|
<p id="Job36_15"><b>15. poor</b>—<i>the afflicted</i> pious.
|
|
<br><br><b>openeth...ears</b>— (<a onclick="return mV('Job',36,10);">Job 36:10</a>); so as to be <i>admonished</i> in their straits ("oppression") to seek God penitently, and so be "delivered" (<a onclick="return mV('Job',33,16,17,'23-27');">Job 33:16-17, 23-27</a>).
|
|
<p id="Job36_16"><b>16.</b> Rather, "He <i>will</i> lead forth thee also out of <i>the jaws of</i> a strait" (<a onclick="return mV('Psa',18,19);">Psa 18:19</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Psa',118,5);">118:5</a>).
|
|
<br><br><b>broad place</b>—expresses the <i>liberty,</i> and the well-supplied "table" the <i>abundance</i> of the prosperous (<a onclick="return mV('Psa',23,5);">Psa 23:5</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Isa',25,6);">Isa 25:6</a>).
|
|
<p id="Job36_17"><b>17.</b> Rather, "But <i>if</i> thou art fulfilled (that is, entirely filled) with the judgment of the wicked (that is, the <i>guilt</i> incurring judgment" [MAURER]; or rather, as UMBREIT, referring to <a onclick="return mV('Job',34,'5-7',36);">Job 34:5-7, 36</a>, <i>the judgment pronounced on God by the guilty</i> in misfortunes), judgment (<i>God's judgment on the wicked,</i> <a onclick="return mV('Jer',51,9);">Jer 51:9</a>, playing on the double meaning of "judgment") and justice shall closely follow each other [UMBREIT].
|
|
<p id="Job36_18"><b>18.</b> (<a onclick="return mV('Num',16,45);">Num 16:45</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Psa',49,6,7);">Psa 49:6-7</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Mat',16,26);">Mat 16:26</a>). Even the "ransom" by Jesus Christ (<a onclick="return mV('Job',33,24);">Job 33:24</a>) will be of no avail to wilful despisers (<a onclick="return mV('Hbr',10,'26-29');">Hbr 10:26-29</a>).
|
|
<br><br><b>with his stroke</b>— (<a onclick="return mV('Job',34,26);">Job 34:26</a>). UMBREIT translates, "Beware lest the wrath of God (thy severe calamity) <i>lead thee to scorn</i>" (<a onclick="return mV('Job',34,7);">Job 34:7</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Job',27,23);">27:23</a>). This accords better with the verb in the parallel clause, which ought to be translated, "Let not the great ransom (of money, which thou canst give) <i>seduce</i> thee (<i>Margin, turn thee aside,</i> as if thou couldst deliver thyself from "wrath" by it). As the "scorn" in the first clause answers to the "judgment of the wicked" (<a onclick="return mV('Job',36,17);">Job 36:17</a>), so "ransom" ("seduce") to "will he esteem riches" (<a onclick="return mV('Job',36,19);">Job 36:19</a>). Thus, <a onclick="return mV('Job',36,18);">Job 36:18</a> is the transition between <a onclick="return mV('Job',36,17);">Job 36:17</a>.
|
|
<p id="Job36_19"><b>19. forces of strength</b>—that is, resources of wealth (<a onclick="return mV('Psa',49,7);">Psa 49:7</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Pro',11,4);">Pro 11:4</a>).
|
|
<p id="Job36_20"><b>20. Desire</b>—rant for. Job had <i>wished for death</i> (<a onclick="return mV('Job',3,'3-9');">Job 3:3-9</a>, etc.).
|
|
<br><br><b>night</b>— (<a onclick="return mV('Jhn',9,4);">Jhn 9:4</a>).
|
|
<br><br><b>when</b>—rather, "whereby."
|
|
<br><br><b>cut off</b>—literally, "ascend," as the corn cut and lifted upon the wagon or stack (<a onclick="return mV('Job',36,26);">Job 36:26</a>); so "cut off," "disappear."
|
|
<br><br><b>in their place</b>—literally, "under themselves"; so, without moving from their place, on the spot, suddenly (<a onclick="return mV('Job',40,12);">Job 40:12</a>) [MAURER]. UMBREIT'S translation: "To <i>ascend</i> (which is really, as thou wilt find to thy cost, <i>to descend</i>) to the people <i>below</i>" (literally, "under themselves"), answers better to the parallelism and the <i>Hebrew.</i> Thou pantest for death as desirable, but it is a "night" or <i>region of darkness;</i> thy fancied <i>ascent</i> (amelioration) will prove a <i>descent</i> (deterioration) (<a onclick="return mV('Job',10,22);">Job 10:22</a>); therefore desire it not.
|
|
<p id="Job36_21"><b>21. regard</b>—literally, "turn thyself to."
|
|
<br><br><b>iniquity</b>—namely, presumptuous speaking against God (<a onclick="return mV('Job',34,5);">Job 34:5</a>, and above, see on JFB for <a href="./Comm/jfb/Job/Job036.html#Job36_17">Job 36:17</a>, JFB for <a href="./Comm/jfb/Job/Job036.html#Job36_18">Job 36:18</a>).
|
|
<br><br><b>rather than</b>—to bear "affliction" with pious patience. Men think it an alleviation to complain against God, but this is adding sin to sorrow; it is sin, not sorrow, which can really hurt us (contrast <a onclick="return mV('Hbr',11,25);">Hbr 11:25</a>).
|
|
<p id="Job36_22"><b>22-25.</b> God is not to be impiously arraigned, but to be praised for His might, shown in His works.
|
|
<br><br><b>exalteth</b>—rather, doeth lofty things, shows His exalted power [UMBREIT] (<a onclick="return mV('Psa',21,13);">Psa 21:13</a>).
|
|
<br><br><b>teacheth</b>— (<a onclick="return mV('Psa',94,12);">Psa 94:12</a>, etc.). The connection is, returning to <a onclick="return mV('Job',36,5);">Job 36:5</a>, God's "might" is shown in His "wisdom"; He alone can <i>teach;</i> yet, because He, as a sovereign, explains not all His dealings, forsooth Job must presume to <i>teach Him</i> (<a onclick="return mV('Isa',40,13,14);">Isa 40:13-14</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Rom',11,34);">Rom 11:34</a>; <a onclick="return mV('1Cr',2,16);">1Cr 2:16</a>). So the transition to <a onclick="return mV('Job',36,23);">Job 36:23</a> is natural. UMBREIT with the <i>Septuagint</i> translates, "Who is <i>Lord,</i>" wrongly, as this meaning belongs to later <i>Hebrew.</i>
|
|
<p id="Job36_23"><b>23.</b> Job dared to <i>prescribe</i> to God what He should do (<a onclick="return mV('Job',34,10,13);">Job 34:10, 13</a>).
|
|
<p id="Job36_24"><b>24.</b> Instead of arraigning, let it be thy fixed principle to <i>magnify</i> God in His works (<a onclick="return mV('Psa',111,'2-8');">Psa 111:2-8</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Rev',15,3);">Rev 15:3</a>); these, which all may "see," may convince us that what we do not see is altogether wise and good (<a onclick="return mV('Rom',1,20);">Rom 1:20</a>).
|
|
<br><br><b>behold</b>—As "see" (<a onclick="return mV('Job',36,25);">Job 36:25</a>), shows; not, as MAURER, "sing," laud (see on JFB for <a href="./Comm/jfb/Job/Job033.html#Job33_27">Job 33:27</a>).
|
|
<p id="Job36_25"><b>25. See</b>—namely, with wondering admiration [MAURER].
|
|
<br><br><b>man may behold</b>—rather, "(yet) <i>mortals</i> (a different <i>Hebrew</i> word from 'man') behold it (only) from afar off," see but a small "part" (<a onclick="return mV('Job',26,14);">Job 26:14</a>).
|
|
<p id="Job36_26"><b>26.</b> (<a onclick="return mV('Job',37,13);">Job 37:13</a>). God's greatness in heaven and earth: a reason why Job should bow under His afflicting hand.
|
|
<br><br><b>know him not</b>—only in part (<a onclick="return mV('Job',36,25);">Job 36:25</a>; <a onclick="return mV('1Cr',13,12);">1Cr 13:12</a>).
|
|
<br><br><b>his years</b>— (<a onclick="return mV('Psa',90,2);">Psa 90:2</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Psa',102,24,27);">102:24, 27</a>;); applied to Jesus Christ (<a onclick="return mV('Hbr',1,12);">Hbr 1:12</a>).
|
|
<p id="Job36_27"><b>27, 28.</b> The marvellous formation of rain (so <a onclick="return mV('Job',5,9,10);">Job 5:9-10</a>).
|
|
<br><br><b>maketh small</b>—Rather, "He <i>draweth</i> (up) <i>to</i> Him, He <i>attracts</i> (from the earth below) the drops of water; they (the drops of water) pour down rain, (<i>which is</i>) <i>His</i> vapor." "Vapor" is in apposition with "rain," marking the way in which rain is formed; namely, from the vapor drawn up by God into the air and then condensed into drops, which fall (<a onclick="return mV('Psa',147,8);">Psa 147:8</a>). The suspension of such a mass of water, and its descent not in a deluge, but in <i>drops of vapory rain,</i> are the marvel. The selection of this particular illustration of God's greatness forms a fit prelude to the storm in which God appears (<a onclick="return mV('Job',40,1);">Job 40:1</a>).
|
|
<p id="Job36_28"><b>28. abundantly</b>—literally, "upon many men."
|
|
<p id="Job36_29"><b>29.</b> (<a onclick="return mV('Job',37,5);">Job 37:5</a>). God's marvels in thunder and lightnings.
|
|
<br><br><b>spreadings,</b> etc.—the canopy of thick clouds, which covers the heavens in a storm (<a onclick="return mV('Psa',105,39);">Psa 105:39</a>).
|
|
<br><br><b>the noise</b>—"crashing"; namely, thunder.
|
|
<br><br><b>of his tabernacle</b>—God being poetically said to have <i>His pavilion</i> amid dark clouds (<a onclick="return mV('Psa',18,11);">Psa 18:11</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Isa',40,22);">Isa 40:22</a>).
|
|
<p id="Job36_30"><b>30. light</b>—lightning.
|
|
<br><br><b>it</b>—His tabernacle (<a onclick="return mV('Job',36,29);">Job 36:29</a>). The light, in an instant spread over the vast mass of dark clouds, forms a striking picture.
|
|
<br><br><b>spread</b>—is repeated from <a onclick="return mV('Job',36,29);">Job 36:29</a> to form an antithesis. "He spreads not only <i>clouds,</i> but <i>light.</i>"
|
|
<br><br><b>covereth the bottom</b>—<i>roots.</i>
|
|
<br><br><b>of the sea</b>—namely, with the light. In the storm the depths of ocean are laid bare; and the light "covers" them, at the same moment that it "spreads" across the dark sky. So in <a onclick="return mV('Psa',18,14,15);">Psa 18:14-15</a>, the discovering of "the channels of waters" follows the "lightnings." UMBREIT translates: "He spreadeth His light <i>upon Himself,</i> and <i>covereth Himself with</i> the roots of the sea" (<a onclick="return mV('Psa',104,2);">Psa 104:2</a>). God's garment is woven of celestial light and of the watery depths, raised to the sky to form His cloudy canopy. The phrase, "cover Himself with the roots of the sea," is harsh; but the image is grand.
|
|
<p id="Job36_31"><b>31.</b> These (rain and lightnings) are marvellous and <i>not</i> to be <i>understood</i> (<a onclick="return mV('Job',36,29);">Job 36:29</a>), yet necessary. "<i>For</i> by them He judgeth (chastiseth on the one hand), etc. (and on the other, by them) He giveth meat" (food), etc. (<a onclick="return mV('Job',37,13);">Job 37:13</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Job',38,23,27);">38:23, 27</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Act',14,17);">Act 14:17</a>).
|
|
<p id="Job36_32"><b>32.</b> Rather, "He covereth (both) <i>His hands</i> with light (<i>lightning,</i> <a onclick="return mV('Job',37,3);">Job 37:3</a>, <i>Margin</i>), and giveth it a command <i>against his adversary</i>" (literally, the one "assailing" Him, <a onclick="return mV('Psa',8,2);">Psa 8:2</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Psa',139,20);">139:20</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Job',21,19);">Job 21:19</a>). Thus, as in <a onclick="return mV('Job',36,31);">Job 36:31</a>, the twofold effects of His <i>waters</i> are set forth, so here, of His <i>light;</i> in the one hand, <i>destructive lightning</i> against the wicked; in the other, <i>the genial light</i> for good to His friends, etc. (<a onclick="return mV('Job',36,33);">Job 36:33</a>) [UMBREIT].
|
|
<p id="Job36_33"><b>33. noise</b>—rather, He revealeth it (literally, "announceth concerning it") to <i>His friend</i> (antithesis to <i>adversary,</i> <a onclick="return mV('Job',36,32);">Job 36:32</a>, so the <i>Hebrew</i> is translated, <a onclick="return mV('Job',2,11);">Job 2:11</a>); also to cattle and plants (literally, "that which shooteth up"; <a onclick="return mV('Gen',40,10);">Gen 40:10</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Gen',41,20);">41:22</a>). As the genial effect of "water" in the growth of food, is mentioned, <a onclick="return mV('Job',36,31);">Job 36:31</a>, so here that of "light" in cherishing <i>cattle</i> and <i>plants</i> [UMBREIT]. If <i>English Version,</i> "noise" be retained, translate, "His noise announces concerning Him (His coming in the tempest), the cattle (to announce) concerning Him when He is in the act of <i>rising up</i>" (in the storm). Some animals give various intimations that they are sensible of the approach of a storm [VIRGIL, <i>Georgics,</i> I.373, etc.].
|
|
</div></div><div class="return"><a href="#top">Return to Top</a></div>
|
|
<script src="./js/MainFooter.js" type="text/javascript"></script> |