Job 4

Job 4:1

Then Eliphaz] Here begins the first Onset of Jobs three friends. I will summe them up together: Here Eliphaz doth accuse Jobs faintnesse under present miseries: glance at his former hypocrisie: maintain in the general, that no good man was ever so punished; shewing the prosperous state of the godly, and the plagues of God upon the wicked: and by relating a fearful Vision, he seeks to humble the excellencies of man, and justifie God in his doings above him, chap. IV. Moreover, he hints, that no Saint is so afflicted as Job; and he sheweth that the prosperity of the foolish sinner is but momentany: adviseth Job to submit his cause to God; who doth wonderful things and unsearchable; against the evill, and for the good: and that he despise not the chastening of the Almighty; who then shall and will deliver and defend him, preserve and prosper him and his, chap. V. After Jobs answer to this; Then Bildad doth reprove him for it: doth justifie God in his judgements: and that if Iob will seek to him, and be upright, God, who doth confound the hope of the hypocrite, will prosper him, and fill his lips with rejoycing, chap.

VIII. After Iobs answer hereupon; Then Zophar reproves Iob, more then the other did, for his former answer, as justifying himself more then God; shewing that God exacts of him lesse then his iniquity deserved: that God and his wayes are unsearchable: But if Iob will pray unto him, and put away iniquity; then his future state shall become secure and glorious, chap. XI.

Job 4:2

who can with-hold?] Hearing such, and so impatient speeches.

Job 4:6

Is not this] This, as a touch-stone, shewes that formerly they were but counterfeits. Thus Eliphaz unwittingly plaies Satans part, chap. I. 9, 10, 11. and II. 5.

Job 4:7

Remember] Give one instance, if thou canst, of any good man perishing by the hand of God, as thou art like to do. This, and many other speeches of Jobs friends, we must not take for Scriptural and Canonical truths; though some of their speeches be cited elsewhere in Scripture. True it is that they said thus, though all be not true that they said; specialy their false charges against Job, and misapplying of things to him, chap. XLII. 7.

Job 4:10

Lion] Seven names of Lions in Scripture. Whereof see the Annotations on this text; and Buxtorfs Lexicon.

Job 4:12-16

Now a thing] A Vision, or Preparation for the Revelation ensuing.

Job 4:17-21

Shall] The voice speaking, or revelation it self. Now Eliphaz might misapply the speech of this Vision; as himself, and his companions did many other good grounds.

Job 4:18

Loe] There is no comparison between Angels and God, much lesse between man and God.