Job 33 He offereth himself in God’s stead to reason with Job, Job 33:1–7, who had too hard thoughts of God, who by his greatness giveth no account of his ways, Job 33:8–13. God instructeth man by visions, Job 33:14–18; by afflictions, Job 33:19–22; by his ministry, Job 33:23–25.

Perceiving the error Job’s friends, and that by their violent and opprobrious speeches they has exasperated Job’s mind, and thereby hindered the success of their discourses, he applies himself to him in milder ways, and treats him kindly, thereby to gain his attention and affection, that his words…

Now I have begun to speak, and intend with thy good leave to proceed in my discourse with thee. In my mouth, Heb. in or with my palate; for both tongue and palate are instruments of speech; and, that a man should speak plainly and distinctly, (which he designed to do,) it is necessary that his…

I shall not speak passionately or partially, as one resolved to defend what I have once said, whether true or false; but from an honest mind, or what I verily believe to be true, and from a sincere desire to do thee good.

I am thy fellow creature, made by God’s Spirit, Gen. 1:2, and quickened by that soul which God breathed into man, Gen. 2:7, and therefore fit and ready to discourse with thee upon even and equal terms, according to thy desire.

I shall allow thee all freedom of discourse; I cannot terrify thee, as God would: I shall not reproach thee, nor cavil at thee, as thy friends have done. Stand up, to contend with me as thing adversary in this cause.

I will plead with thee in God’s name and stead, and on his behalf, which thou hast oft wished that God would do upon equal terms, and laying aside his terrible majesty, &c. Or, I am as thou art with or towards God, i.e. God’s creature like thyself, as the next words explain it.

Which was the condition of that disputation which thou didst offer to undertake with God, Job 9:34, Job 13:21.

I shall not charge thee with hypocrisy, as thy friends do, which God only can discern; but with those words which I have heard from thee.

Not simply and absolutely none, for he oft confesseth himself to be a sinner, as Job 9:1–2;c. Job 14:4; but no such transgression or iniquity as might give God just occasion to punish him so severely, as is implied in the next verse, where he blameth God for finding occasions against him, implying…

He picketh quarrels with me, and watcheth over and searcheth after all my errors and frailties, as Job said, Job 10:6, Job 14:16–17; severely marking what is amiss in me, that thence he may take occasion to punish me worse than mine iniquities deserve.

He narrowly pries into all my actions, that he may find matter for further severities against me.

I do not accuse thee of hypocrisy, nor rip up the former errors of thy life; but in this thou art unjust and much to blame, that thou boastest so much of thine own integrity, and chargest God with rigorous dealing, and callest him to an account before thy tribunal, and offerest to dispute the…

Why? upon what grounds and for what ends? What advantage dost thou expect from it? Dost thou strive against him, to wit, in a judicial way? See Job 8:6.

For; or, nevertheless, as this particle is sometimes used. Although God doth not give men an account of his matters, yet he doth that for them which is much better, and which is sufficient for them.

In a dream: this he mentions, as the usual way of God’s revealing his mind and will to men in those days, before God’s word was committed to writing, as Gen. 20:6, Gen. 41:1, Gen. 41:28.

i.e. He revealeth his will to the ears and hearts of men, as this phrase is used, Job 36:10, Ps. 40:6, Isa. 1:4; and he imprinteth those instructions which he hath revealed to their ears upon their minds, that after they have heard and received them they do not let them slip, as men commonly do…

That he, i.e. God, who was expressed Job 33:14, and designed by this pronoun he both in the foregoing and following verses. From his purpose, i.e. from the execution of his purpose. Heb. from his work, i.e. from his evil work as the Chaldee and LXX.

He keepeth back, to wit, by these gracious admonitions, whereby he leads them to repentance, his soul; either the man, who is oft expressed by this part; or his life, as the next branch explains it. From the pit, i.e. from the grave, from death or destruction. From perishing by the sword, i.e.

With pain, or grief; with some painful and dangerous diseases, or bodily distempers, which is the second way whereby God instructs men and excites them to repentance; which also was Job’s case. The multitude of his bones with strong pain; the pain pierceth his very bones, even all of them.

His life, i.e. his soul, as the next clause explains it; or his appetite, which is a sign and an act of life. Bread, i.e. common and necessary food. Dainty meat; such as others do, and he formerly did, much desire and prize.

His flesh is consumed away, through pain and pining sickness. That it cannot be seen; because there is none left to be seen; but he who before was fat and flourishing, is now become a mere skeleton. That were not seen, formerly, because they were covered with flesh and fat.

He seems to himself and others to be lost, and past all hopes of recovery; which he adds for Job’s comfort in his desperate condition. To the destroyers; to the instruments of death or destruction, whether it be angels, whom God sometimes useth in those cases; or devils, who have the power of…

A messenger; either, 1. An angel sent to him from heaven upon this errand; for the angels are ministering spirits, Ps. 103:20, Heb. 1:14, and are, and especially in that time and state of the church were, frequently employed by God upon messages to men.

Then; in that case, or upon the sick man’s knowledge and practice of his duty. He; either, 1. The messenger or interpreter last mentioned, who is pitiful unto the sick man, and in companion to him doth all that he can for him, counselling and comforting him, and praying to God for his recovery in…

Fresher than a child’s, i.e. more sound and tender. These joyful tidings delivered to him by God’s messenger shall revive his spirit, and by degrees restore his former health and vigour. To the days of his youth, i. e. to the same healthful and strong constitution of body which he had in his youth.

He; either, 1. The messenger; or rather, 2. The sick man. Shall pray unto God; being engaged and encouraged to do so, either by the aforesaid gracious message, or by his miraculous recovery through God’s goodness.

He looketh upon men; either, 1. The sick man shall look upon and converse with mankind, his friends, or others, as he did before, and shall say, (as the following word is and may be rendered,) I have sinned, & c., i.e.

He, i.e. God, whose work alone this is. His soul; himself; or, as it follows, his life. His life: See Poole “Job 33:18”. Shall see the light, i.e. shall enjoy, either, 1. Prosperity, which is oft called light, as darkness is put for affliction; or, 2.

All these ways and methods doth God use to awaken, and convince, and save sinners. Oftentimes with man; either severally, one way with one, and another way with another; or with the same man, trying several means one after another to bring him to repentance, and prepare him for deliverance.

i.e. That he may enjoy the light of life, and continue in the land of the living, out of which he was going.

Hold thy peace; attend to what I have further to say to thee with patience and silence.

If thou hast any thing to say for thy own justification, or in answer to the charge that I have already brought against thee. I desire to justify thee, to wit, as far as may consist with truth and justice.

i.e. What thy wisdom and duty is in thy circumstances.