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Some take the words to be an expostulation with Job, showing him the unreasonableness of impatience or despondency, how sad soever were his case, while having the consolations of God to make recourse to. They may also be taken as a reproof to Job for the complaints he had uttered under his sufferings; as if he had not been duly attentive to the Divine consolations. Even the servants of God, under afflictions, are apt to lose the sense of Divine consolations, and to behave as if they were small to them.

I. THE CONSOLATIONS HERE SPOKEN OF. Consolation is said to be God's, as He is the father and fountain of it. All true consolation is of and from Him.

1. By way of eminency. No comforts like the comforts of God.

2. By way of sovereign disposal. In and from Him alone consolation is to be had. As none can comfort like Him, so none without or in opposition to Him. Christ, who is called the consolation of Israel, came out from the Father.

3. Note the plenty and variety of the consolations of God. He is the God of all consolation.

4. The consolations of God imply their power and efficiency. No trouble or distress can be too great for Divine consolations to overbalance.

II. WHEN MAY THESE CONSOLATIONS BE SAID TO BE SMALL?

1. When God's servants are ready to faint under their affliction.

2. When they grow impatient under affliction, if they are not speedily delivered, or as soon as they desire or expect.

3. When they have recourse to any other method for ease and deliverance from trouble, than that which God has appointed, of waiting upon Him, and looking to Him.

4. When they are full of anxious disquieting thoughts, what will become of us if our afflictions continue much longer?

III. THE SERVANTS OF GOD ARE LIABLE TO SUCH COMPLAINTS AND GRIEVINGS. This proceeds —

1. From the grievousness and weight of affliction itself, especially of some sorts of it, under which it is not easy to bear up, or behave ourselves as we ought.

2. From the weakness and imperfection of grace, and the strength of the remains of corruption. Their thoughts are held down to what they suffer, and seem wholly taken up with it. Amidst so much confusion and affliction, if they think of God, they apprehend Him as departed from them, or turned against them. And as their life is bound up in His love, the apprehension of His displeasure wounds them to the heart.

IV. THE SINFULNESS OF NOT ATTENDING TO THE CONSOLATIONS OF GOD, OR MAKING LIGHT OF THEM.

1. The consolations of God are great in themselves; so it is a high affront to Him that they should be small with us. The consolations in God, from Him, and with Him, are great. There is no case in which a saint can need consolation, but he is encouraged to look for it from some or other of the perfections of God. He is a God of infinite wisdom, almighty power, infinite goodness and mercy, everywhere present, and this to His people in a way of grace; and unchangeable in His nature and perfections. The consolations from God are in His Son, and by His Spirit, and in His Word.

2. The affront of slighting them may be aggravated, from the unworthiness of the person by whom they are slighted.

3. And further aggravated by the obligations His people are under to Him, for what He has done for them, and bestowed upon them. A servant of God has more matter of comfort and delight in him than reason of sorrow, upon the account of what he suffers. Application —

(1)  What a wonder is it that there should be such consolations of God.

(2)  Beware of the guilt of treating such consolations as small.

(3)  Let God have the glory of any consolation you have had from Him.

(4)  Under all your troubles, make conscience of applying to your Father in heaven, as the father and fountain of consolation.

(5)  Wait for comfort in God's time, and presume not to prescribe to Him; but continue to pray and look up.

(D. Wilcox.)

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KJV: Are the consolations of God small with thee? is there any secret thing with thee?

WEB: Are the consolations of God too small for you, even the word that is gentle toward you?