Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
Job Ch.13 / 42 Ch.s
JOB:13
* Job reproves his friends. (1-12) He professes his confidence
in God. (13-22) Job entreats to know his sins. (23-28)
#1-12 With self-preference, Job declared that he needed not to
be taught by them. Those who dispute are tempted to magnify
themselves, and lower their brethren, more than is fit. When
dismayed or distressed with the fear of wrath, the force of
temptation, or the weight of affliction, we should apply to the
Physician of our souls, who never rejects any, never prescribes
amiss, and never leaves any case uncured. To Him we may speak at
all times. To broken hearts and wounded consciences, all
creatures, without Christ, are physicians of no value. Job
evidently speaks with a very angry spirit against his friends.
They had advanced some truths which nearly concerned Job, but
the heart unhumbled before God, never meekly receives the
reproofs of men.
#13-22 Job resolved to cleave to the testimony his own
conscience gave of his uprightness. He depended upon God for
justification and salvation, the two great things we hope for
through Christ. Temporal salvation he little expected, but of
his eternal salvation he was very confident; that God would not
only be his Saviour to make him happy, but his salvation, in the
sight and enjoyment of whom he should be happy. He knew himself
not to be a hypocrite, and concluded that he should not be
rejected. We should be well pleased with God as a Friend, even
when he seems against us as an enemy. We must believe that all
shall work for good to us, even when all seems to make against
us. We must cleave to God, yea, though we cannot for the present
find comfort in him. In a dying hour, we must derive from him
living comforts; and this is to trust in him, though he slay us.
#23-28 Job begs to have his sins discovered to him. A true
penitent is willing to know the worst of himself; and we should
all desire to know what our transgressions are, that we may
confess them, and guard against them for the future. Job
complains sorrowfully of God's severe dealings with him. Time
does not wear out the guilt of sin. When God writes bitter
things against us, his design is to make us bring forgotten sins
to mind, and so to bring us to repent of them, as to break us
off from them. Let young persons beware of indulging in sin.
Even in this world they may so possess the sins of their youth,
as to have months of sorrow for moments of pleasure. Their
wisdom is to remember their Creator in their early days, that
they may have assured hope, and sweet peace of conscience, as
the solace of their declining years. Job also complains that his
present mistakes are strictly noticed. So far from this, God
deals not with us according to our deserts. This was the
language of Job's melancholy views. If God marks our steps, and
narrowly examines our paths, in judgment, both body and soul
feel his righteous vengeance. This will be the awful case of
unbelievers, yet there is salvation devised, provided, and made
known in Christ.