Job 33

Job 33:2

IN my mouth] Heb. in my palate.

Job 33:3

clearly] In Hebrew, purely. I will fan or scour my words.

Job 33:4

The spirit of God hath made me] Genesis 2:7. Thou mayest boldly plead with with me, for I am a man like thy self, chap. 9. 32.

breath of the Almighty hath given me life] Chap. 27. 3.

Job 33:6

Behold, I am according to thy wish in Gods stead] Chap. 9. 35. and 13. 20, 21.

according to thy wish] Heb. according to thy mouth. Because Job wished to dispute his cause with some man that might speak for God, and not be too majesticall for him, Elihu accepts of those terms, chap. 13. 21.

formed out of the clay] Heb. cut out of the clay.

Job 33:7

hand be heavy] Psalms 38:2.

Job 33:8

Surely thou hast spoken] I passe by those things thou hast spoken well. The first thing I except against in thy speech is, that thou hast said, God hath dealt too hardly with thee, and afflicted thee more then thy sins required, and dealt with thee as with a wicked man, and an enemy.

in mine hearing] Heb. in mine ears.

Job 33:9

I am clean without transgression] Job 9:17. I have committed no transgression worthy of this punishment. No doubt Job knew he was guilty of sin; but he thought he had not deserved so great afflictions.

Job 33:10

he counteth me for his enemie] Chap. 13. 24.

Job 33:11

He putteth my feet in the stocks] Chap. 13. 27.

Job 33:12

in this thou art not just] Thou mayest be a good man, but thou dealest unjustly with God, in accusing him to deal too hardly with thee.

Job 33:13

for he giveth not account of any of his matters] God is supreme, and not tied to give account to any why he scourges them, and therefore thou art unjust to demand it, Rom. 9. 20, Matthew 20:15. as thou doest, chap. 10. 2.

he giveth not account] Heb. he answereth not.

Job 33:14

For] Or, When.

For God speaketh once] That which thou requirest hath been done sometimes: God hath by revelations acquainted men for what sinnes he correcteth them, as Genesis 20:6. and 31. 24. Daniel 4:5. but this is not perpetuall. Or, God doth call upon men more then once, to consider their ways, and they take no notice of it.

once, yea twice] Psalms 62:11.

Job 33:15

In a dream] God did use to acquaint men with his will by dreams, afflictions, or prophets, before the word was written.

Job 33:16

he openeth] Heb. he revealeth, or, uncovereth.

he openeth the ears of men] Reveals his counsell to them, chap. 36. 10, 15. or, when men will not take notice, God makes them attend by afflictions, Isaiah 28:19. Micah 6:9.

sealeth their instruction] Signifies that he will chastise them for their sins, as surely, as if he had set it down under hand and seal: or, doth ratifie his former word by afflictions.

Job 33:17

purpose] Heb. work.

and hide pride from man] Make it not be. Things hidden, are to men as if they were not.

Job 33:18

from perishing by the sword] Heb. from passing by the sword.

Job 33:19

He is chastened also with pain upon his bed] Heb. reproved: That is, he is put in minde of his sins by affliction, as Genesis 42:21. Psalms 39:11.

Job 33:20

So that his life abhorreth bread] Psalms 107:18.

daintie meat] Heb. meat of desire.

Job 33:23

a messenger with him] A man sent of God to declare his will, why God sends this disease upon him, as Elihu was now to Job.

one among a thousand] A singular man, and as one chosen out of a thousand, Ecclesiastes 7:28. which is able to declare unto man the way of reconciliation, whereby he may be upright.

Job 33:24

Then he is gracious unto him] There is great hope of Gods mercy to sinners, when he sends able preachers among them. If, being admonished, they repent, God will forgive them.

saith, Deliver him] God will say to the messenger, Tell him that I will deliver him; for I am reconciled to him through Christs death.

a ransome] Or, an atonement.

Job 33:25

His flesh shall be fresher then a childes] He shall feel Gods favour, and rejoyce: declaring hereby, wherein standeth the true joy of the faithfull, and that God will restore him to health of body, which is a token of his blessing, 2 Kings 5:14. Psalms 103:5.

then a childes] Heb. then childhood.

Job 33:26

he will render unto man his righteousnesse] God will forgive his sins, and accept him as just.

Job 33:27

He looketh upon men] Either God, or his interpreter. Some understand it of the sick man recovered, perswading others, by his example, to seek for mercy, Psalms 51:13.

He looketh upon men, and if any say, I have sinned] Or, he shall look upon men, and say, I have sinned, &c.

I have sinned] 2 Samuel 12:13.

and perverted that which was right] That is, done wickedly.

and it profited me not] But my sin hath been the cause of Gods wrath toward me, and done me no good, Romans 6:21. Ephesians 5:11.

Job 33:28

He will deliver his soul from going into the pit, and his life] Or, he hath delivered my soul, &c. and my life, Isaiah 38:17.

He will deliver his soul] God will forgive the penitent sinner.

Job 33:29

oftentimes] Heb. twice and thrice. As oft as a sinner afflicted doth repent: or, all before mentioned, from v. 14.

Job 33:30

to be enlightened with the light of living] That he may be seen among men walking in the light, that lay obscure before, and almost buried, Psalms 116:9. and Psalms 56:13.

Job 33:32

If thou hast any thing to say] Any defence or argument to object against what I have said. Thus he gives Job free leave to answer this, before he object more against him.

I desire to justifie thee] Not to condemn thy person for an hypocrite, as thy friends have done, but onely shew thee thy errour: and if I mistake in charging thee, shew me my errour, and I will clear thee.

hearken unto me] Psalms 34:11.