Geneva Study Bible Then Job answered and said, Then Job answered and said,
Even to day is my complaint bitter: my stroke is heavier than my groaning. Even to day is my complaint {a} bitter: my stroke is heavier than my groaning.
(a) He shows the just cause of his complaining and concerning that Eliphaz had exhorted him to return to God, Job 22:21 he declares that he desires nothing more, but it seems that God would not be found of him. Oh that I knew where I might find him! that I might come even to his seat! Oh that I knew where I might find him! that I might come even to his seat!
I would order my cause before him, and fill my mouth with arguments. I would order my cause before him, and fill my mouth with arguments.
I would know the words which he would answer me, and understand what he would say unto me. I would know the words which he would answer me, and understand what he would say unto me.
Will he plead against me with his great power? No; but he would put strength in me. Will he {b} plead against me with his great power? No; but he would {c} put strength in me.
(b) Using his absolute power and saying because I am God, I may do what I will. (c) Of his mercy he would give me power to answer him. There the righteous might dispute with him; so should I be delivered for ever from my judge. {d} There the righteous might dispute with him; so should I be delivered for ever from my judge.
(d) When he of his mercy has given strength to maintain their cause. Behold, I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive him: {e} Behold, I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive him:
(e) Meaning, that if he considers God's justice, he is not able to comprehend his judgments on what side or whatever part he turns himself. On the left hand, where he doth work, but I cannot behold him: he hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him: On the left hand, where he doth work, but I cannot behold him: he hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him:
But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold. But he knoweth the {f} way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.
(f) God has this preeminence about me, that he knows my way: that is, that I am not able to judge his work, he shows also his confidence, that God uses him for his profit. My foot hath held his steps, his way have I kept, and not declined. My foot hath held his steps, his way have I kept, and not declined.
Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food. Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have {g} esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.
(g) His word is more precious to me than the meat with which the body is sustained. But he is in one mind, and who can turn him? and what his soul desireth, even that he doeth. But he is in one mind, and who can {h} turn him? and what his soul desireth, even that he doeth.
(h) Job confesses that at the present he did not feel God's favour and yet was assured that God had appointed him to a good end. For he performeth the thing that is appointed for me: and many such things are with him. For he performeth the thing that is appointed for me: and {i} many such things are with him.
(i) In many points man is not able to attain to God's judgments. Therefore am I troubled at his presence: when I consider, I am afraid of him. Therefore am I troubled at his presence: when I consider, I am afraid of him.
For God maketh my heart soft, and the Almighty troubleth me: For {k} God maketh my heart soft, and the Almighty troubleth me:
(k) That I should not be without fear. Because I was not cut off before the darkness, neither hath he covered the darkness from my face. Because I was not cut off before the {l} darkness, neither hath he covered the darkness from my face. (l) He shows the cause for his fear, which is, that he being in trouble sees no end, nor yet knows the cause. The Geneva Bible Translation Notes [1599] Bible Hub |
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