Nor charged God foolishly— Nor spoke any thing inconsiderately against God. Houbigant. Any thing unreasonable or absurd against God. Heath.
REFLECTIONS.—We have here, 1st, the character and greatness of that venerable patriarch Job.
1. His pity was remarkable and eminent; and the more so, probably, because of the generally abounding wickedness. He was a perfect man, not in an absolute sense; but accepted in the Saviour, and holy and sanctified in heart before him. No allowed guile was entertained within, or known evil indulged in his conversation: one that feared God, continually influenced by a regard to his holy will, and diligently engaged in the exercises of his worship; and eschewed evil, or departed from evil, as abominable in the sight of God, and carefully abstained not only from the open acts, but from the appearances of evil.
2. His prosperity was as singular as his piety. His children were numerous, his household large, and his substance vast in flocks and herds, wherein at that time the riches of men consisted; so that in all the east there was none so great as Job. Note; (1.) Though it is not common, it is not impossible, to be very great and very good; abounding in the riches of the world, yet more with riches of grace from heaven. (2.) Worldly possessions are then valuable blessings, when in their hands who study to make them subservient to the interests of God, and the good of mankind.
2nd, Of his children. Though children are generally coveted among the first blessings, yet it is their conduct and behaviour that stamp them with real value; else they are troubles instead of comforts. Job had not only a pleasing number of both sexes, but,
1. He saw all his sons happily settled in the world; and, though each had his separate family, yet they lived together in that harmony which is so desirable among brethren. At stated times they visited each other in turn, and invited their sisters to join in their entertainment. Note; (1.) There is no evil in entertaining our friends, while in the fear and love of God we eat our bread with a cheerful heart. (2.) Brethren and near relations are especially bound to cultivate mutual love.
2. He continued to watch over them with pious care and holy jealousy, and they continued to pay him all dutiful respect and submission, and readily joined with him in his solemn exercises of devotion. When, therefore, the days of their feasting were ended, fearing lest in the midst of youthful mirth they had sinned, and some irregularity might have been committed; or cursed God in their hearts, that is, had entertained some unbecoming apprehension of God or of his providence, or been guilty of some neglect in their religious services; he sends to sanctify them, enjoins them to prepare for the sacrifice he was about to offer in their behalf; to examine themselves, and, seriously reflecting on the past days, to bring their humble confessions before the God of mercy, and lay their sins on the head of the beast, the type and figure of that one great sacrifice which should be offered for the sins of the world. Accordingly, early in the morning he arose, and offered for each a sacrifice of atonement; while they attended, and joined in the holy worship, expecting remission of sin through the atoning blood: and thus did Job continually, or every year, after every close of their annual circuit of entertainment: a remarkable instance of his paternal care and sincere godliness, and an evidence also of the true seriousness of his children, who so readily joined in the sacred service. Note; (1.) In the midst of feasting we are in danger of forgetting God and godliness, and need a double guard over our hearts. (2.) Job's example should be every parent's pattern; not rigidly severe, yet watchfully jealous over their children for good. (3.) They who serve God truly, serve him continually. (4.) We see from the beginning, that one grand point of true religion consisted in the vicarious substitution of the beast for the sinner, as pointing to the great atonement. The gospel thus was preached to them, even as unto us, according to their dispensation.
3rdly, We have seen Job great and good, and, to appearance, most firmly established; but this is a changing world, and nothing is certain to us beneath the sun. His piety and prosperity could not but provoke the envy of the devil, who waited impatiently for an occasion to gratify his malice upon this holy man. We have here,
1. Satan appearing among the sons of God. Some think that this is to be understood of God's people at their solemn seasons of devotion; for, even in their assemblies, the devil, who is yet permitted to range about the earth, finds a place, and watches, seeking whom he may devour: but my judgment on this point is different, as I have shewn before in the critical annotations.
2. God's inquiry, whence he came: not as unacquainted with his walks or designs, but as resenting his bold intrusion; or to lead him to what he saw was his malicious purpose concerning Job.
3. Satan's answer; which may be construed as the boast of pride, as though the earth were his own, and he stalked over the vast circumference, as a king in progress through his dominions; or it may refer to his restless misery, which suffers him nowhere to find ease; or to his indefatigable diligence in his hellish work of tempting and destroying the sons of men. Note; There is one who ever wakes and watches, and no time or place is secure from his snares: how wakeful then and watchful should we be, that we enter not into temptation!
4. God questions him concerning Job. Hast thou considered my servant Job, observed his piety, or set thine heart upon him, to do him some mischief? I know thou hast. God calls him my servant, the most honourable of all titles, and expressive of his high approbation of Job's fidelity in his service: that there is none like him in the earth; not only in the land of Uz, but probably among the sons of men, his fellow was not found for true piety; a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God and escheweth evil. Such a character could not but awaken Satan's malice, and God knew what was his present design upon him. Note; (1.) God knows all the devices of the wicked one, and is able to disappoint them. (2.) They who approve themselves faithful servants to him, will find him a faithful God to them, to preserve them from the snares of the devil.
5. Satan's base insinuation and proposal. He had nothing whereof to accuse him; his character was allowedly sincere and upright; but, by a sly interrogation, Doth Job fear God for nought? he would insinuate, that his views were mercenary, and his service at bottom hypocritical. He enumerates, with a kind of envious grief, the many and singular mercies that he enjoyed; and therefore would infer, that if Job did serve God, he was well paid for it; but let God strip him of his worldly comforts, and he would soon see an alteration: He will curse thee to thy face. Such a severe trial Satan hoped would shake his fidelity; at least, his own malice would be gratified in Job's misery. Note; (1.) The commendations of others in the ears of envy grate harsh discord. (2.) Worldly ends and mercenary motives are still made, by Satan's instruments, the accusations against those whose conduct admits no evil thing justly to be said of them. They cannot prove them vile like themselves, therefore they will call them hypocrites. (3.) A sly question often conveys the vilest insinuation. (4.) They who use imprecations and oaths in common, shew with what master they have been, though even the devil here speaks with more reserve than many profane swearers, who openly blaspheme God, and invocate horrid vengeance on their souls.
6. God permits the trial that he suggested; all that he hath is in thy power. And this he does, not to gratify Satan's malice, or as doubting of Job's integrity; but to confound the devil, to make Job's graces appear more eminent, and to glorify the greatness of his own power and love in his support and salvation. Only upon himself put not forth thine hand. The devil's power is limited: He who permits his wickedness saith to him, Thitherto mayest thou go, but no farther; and this should ever encourage the children of God against despair.
7. Satan immediately proceeds to put in force the permission that he had received; eager to do mischief, and hoping, it may be, to prevail against this holy man, who sat secure, and little apprehended the impending storm. Note; Every moment we are in jeopardy, nor can foresee what is plotting against us by the prince of the power of the air.
4thly, We have,
1. The deceitful calm which preceded the terrible storm. The days of feasting were begun, the tillage going forward, the cattle grazing in fat pastures, and peace and prosperity seemed to reign in all Job's house. Note; In our happiest estate we had need ever rejoice with trembling.
2. The sudden storm arises, and successive messengers bring the most doleful tidings, each on the other's heels pursuing, till the last completes the wretched tale, and adds to the universal destruction of his substance, the utter desolations of his family. His cattle and servants at plough are attacked by a roving band of Sabeans; the men slain, the oxen and asses taken; his sheep, with the shepherds, burnt up with lightning; his camels seized, and his servants slaughtered by the Chaldeans; and last, and worst of all, his children buried together under the ruins of their elder brother's house, struck by the resistless whirlwind: afflictions so many, great, and aggravated, in which not only the hand of man appeared, but the fire of God was employed, that they seemed to bespeak his displeasure, and the vanity of all that integrity and uprightness which Job had so carefully maintained. Note; (1.) The children of God must not count it strange if evil upon evil pursue them; it is not to destroy, but to prove them. (2.) There are great depths in God's providential dealings, which now we cannot fathom. (3.) If the devil had but permission, he could soon arm his instruments for our destruction; but he is bound. (4.) The loss of a child is a bitter trial, his sudden death still more afflictive; but to lose many, all at once, in the midst of gaiety, and after every other earthly comfort was gone, this, to nature, would seem quite insupportable; but what cannot divine grace enable us to bear? Are any thus afflicted? let them remember the patience of Job.
5thly, Now behold the awful change which one short day has made; the greatest man of the east stripped of every comfort, naked and destitute. Well may we say of all this world, Vanity of vanities, all is vanity. Yet hath not Satan gained the least advantage; the darker the scene, the brighter shine the graces of the holy sufferer.
1. He felt with deepest sensibility the afflicting tidings, and with the most expressive signs of bitter anguish rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground. His grief was great; and was there not a cause? yet no indecent rage, no rash extravagance appears: he felt as a man, he mourned as a believer. Note; (1.) Religion never requires stoical apathy, but patient submission. (2.) Mourning for the dead is the tribute that we owe to humanity; only let us not sorrow as those who have no hope.
2. His resignation and piety appear most distinguished. He worshipped: far from being driven to curse God, as Satan vaunted he would, he blesses the hand which smote him, and humbly submits to the divine disposal. He said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and brought nothing into this world, and naked shall I return thither, to the dust from whence I came, and can carry nothing out of the world: if God, therefore, please to strip him of all, he is but as he was born, and as he must be when he dies. He acknowledges God's sovereign right to all that he possessed; The Lord gave, out of his undeserved bounty, and, when he pleases, may resume his gifts: the Lord hath taken away, nor have we any cause to complain: they were his own; and that he hath lent them to us so long, deserves our thankful acknowledgment; blessed be the name of the Lord. Note; (1.) No afflictions must indispose us for God's worship; the more we feel, the more need have we of his grace to support us. (2.) The consideration of the near approach of death, when we must be stripped of all, should wean our affections from a perishing world. (3.)
Every blessing is God's gift, and every suffering from his hand, or by his permission, whatever instrument is employed. This, therefore, should make us acknowledge him in all, bless the gracious giver for the loan, and restore it, without murmuring, whenever he demands it. (4.) Whatever we lose, enough is left to deserve our thankfulness, and to engage our praise. (5.) Where God bestows a spirit of meekness and patient submission, he leaves a greater blessing behind than any outward thing of which his providence deprives us.
3. God bears testimony to Job's gracious disposition. In all this Job sinned not: his grief was not excessive, his patience was exemplary, and his faith unshaken: nor charged God foolishy; did not blaspheme as Satan hoped, nor arraign the wisdom, mercy, or goodness of God in this afflictive dispensation. Note; In great trials, God gives his believing people great grace, and then we can do all things through Christ strengthening us.