The Will of God a Sufficient Reason for Existence
Job 3:20
Why is light given to him that is in misery, and life to the bitter in soul;


The will of God is reason enough for man, and ought to be the most satisfying reason. If God say, I will have life remain in a man that is bitter in soul, that man should say, Lord, it is reason I should, because it is Thy pleasure, though it be to my own trouble. Yet it is but seldom that God makes His will His reason, and answers by His bare prerogative: He hath often given weighty reasons to this query. First, the life of nature is continued, that the life of grace may be increased. Again, such live in sufferings, that they may learn obedience by the things which they suffer. God teacheth us by His works, as well as by His Word, His dealings speak to us. Another reason of this "wherefore" may be this, God sets up some as patterns to posterity; He therefore gives the light of life to some that are in misery, to show that it is no new nor strange thing for His saints to be in darkness.

1. That the best things in this world may come to be burthens to us. See here a man, weary of light and life.

2. It is a trouble to possess good things when we cannot enjoy them.

(J. Caryl.)



Parallel Verses
KJV: Wherefore is light given to him that is in misery, and life unto the bitter in soul;

WEB: "Why is light given to him who is in misery, life to the bitter in soul,




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