Job 11

Job 11:2

SHould a man full of talk be justified?] Should he perswade by his great talk, that he is just? Wisemen must weigh arguments, not be swayed by words.

a man full of talk] Heb. a man of lips.

Job 11:3

lies] Or, devices.

when thou mockest] God and us, seeking to perswade us to beleeve absurd things, as if we were beasts and ignorant persons, chap. 10. 3. and 34. 7.

Job 11:4

My doctrine is pure] He chargeth Job that he should say, That the thing which he taught was true, chap. 6. 10. and that he was no wicked man, chap. 10. 7. or, at least had no sin in him, to deserve such judgements.

Job 11:5

O that God would speak] He wisheth God would speak, because he knew God was far better able to speak for himself, then he: and because he thought Job so obstinate, that he would not be convinced by any man.

Job 11:6

the secrets of wisdom] That which thou yet seest not, to wit, that thy sins deserve greater troubles, then yet thou endurest, Ezra 9:13. Or, those high secrets of God, which exceed all that man can learn out of his revealed will, whereof this is one, his judgements laid upon men diversly.

they are double to that which is!] Or, thou hast deserved double to that which is!

exacteth of thee lesse then thine iniquity deserveth] Or, forgetteth thee for thine iniquitie: or, in comparison of thine iniquitie, Ezra 9:13.

Job 11:7

unto perfection] Thou art not able to understand to the full the depth of Gods intentions, Ecclesiastes 3:11. Romans 11:33.

Job 11:8

It is as high as heaven] The perfection of Gods wisdom is. And if man be not able to comprehend the height of the heaven, the depth of hell, the length of the earth, the breadth of the sea, which are but creatures, how can he attain to the perfection of the creatour?

as high as heaven] Heb. the heights of heaven.

Job 11:10

cut off] Or, make a change.

and shut up] If God should turn the state of things, and establish a new order in nature, who can controul him?

who can hinder him?] Heb. who can turn him away?

Job 11:11

he knoweth vain men] The inconstancy of men is the cause that God doth not proceed alwayes alike with them.

Job 11:12

vain] Heb. emprie.

like a wilde asses colt] Psalms 73:22. and Psalms 92:6. Ecclesiastes 3:18. That is, without understanding: so that whatsoever gifts he hath afterward, come of God, and not of nature: and therefore the carnall mans brutish sense knows not, or quarrels with this wisdom of God, Jeremiah 2:24. 1 Corinthians 2:14.

Job 11:13

If thou prepare thine heart] Chap. 5. 8. and 22. 21. To seek after God, Psalms 78:8. 2 Chron. 19. 3.

stretch out thine hands towards him] According to the custome of the ancients, to pray to God not with hands joyned together, but with arms stretched out, and hands held up towards heaven, 1 Kings 8:22.

Job 11:14

put it far away] If thou wilt pray unto God, repent, renounce thine own evill works, and see that they over whom thou hast charge, offend not God, Gen. 35. 1, 2. Isaiah 1:16.

Job 11:15

then shalt thou lift up thy face without spot] Thou shalt be delivered from the confusion of thy conscience, and able in holy confidence to present thy self before God in prayer, and meditation, Genesis 4:6. Job 22:26. See the peace of conscience in true penitents, 1 John 3. 21, 22.

thou shalt be stedfast] Like a moulten pillar, for so the word signifies.

Job 11:16

passe away] Or, are past away.

Job 11:17

thine age shall be clearer then the noon-day] The remainder of thine age.

shall be clearer then the noon-day] Heb. shall arise above the noonday. Psalms 37:6. and Psalms 112:4. Isaiah 58:8.

thou shalt shine forth] By shining and brightnesse in scripture, is meant joy and honour, Chap. 18. 5, 6. and 38. 15. Esther 8:16. Proverbs 4:18.

as the morning] Thou shalt be renewed in honour and prosperitie, as when the day comes after the night.

Job 11:18

because there is hope] God will furnish thee continually with new matter of hope, that thou mayest be fully confident in his favour.

thou shalt dig about thee] Either a foundation to build an house upon, or entrench thee about with a sure fence, chap. 1. 10.

thou shalt take thy rest in safetie] Leviticus 26:5.

Job 11:19

thou shalt lie down] Psalms 3:5. and Psalms 4:8.

make suit unto thee] Heb. intreat thy face. Psalms 45:12. Because of thy riches and authority.

Job 11:20

But the eyes of the wicked] He sheweth that contrary things shall come unto them that do not repent.

shall fail] Wicked men shall end their dayes in tears and sighs, expecting that good they never shall attain unto, chap. 8. 13.

they shall not escape] Heb. flight shall perish from them.

their hope shall be as the giving up of the ghost] Chap. 8. 14. and 18. 14.

as the giving up of the ghost] Or, a puff of breath. Their hope shall be in vain, as he that gives up the ghost can hope for no good in this life: or, they shall utterly despair in the end, being by a miserable death deprived of all expected prosperity.