Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
Job Ch.27 / 42 Ch.s
JOB:27
* Job protests his sincerity. (1-6) The hypocrite is without
hope. (7-10) The miserable end of the wicked. (11-23)
#1-6 Job's friends now suffered him to speak, and he proceeded
in a grave and useful manner. Job had confidence in the goodness
both of his cause and of his God; and cheerfully committed his
cause to him. But Job had not due reverence when he spake of God
as taking away his judgment, and vexing his soul. To resolve
that our hearts shall not reproach us, while we hold fast our
integrity, baffles the designs of the evil spirit.
#7-10 Job looked upon the condition of a hypocrite and a wicked
man, to be most miserable. If they gained through life by their
profession, and kept up their presumptuous hope till death, what
would that avail when God required their souls? The more comfort
we find in our religion, the more closely we shall cleave to it.
Those who have no delight in God, are easily drawn away by the
pleasures, and easily overcome by the crosses of this life.
#11-23 Job's friends, on the same subject, spoke of the misery
of wicked men before death as proportioned to their crimes; Job
considered that if it were not so, still the consequences of
their death would be dreadful. Job undertook to set this matter
in a true light. Death to a godly man, is like a fair gale of
wind to convey him to the heavenly country; but, to a wicked
man, it is like a storm, that hurries him away to destruction.
While he lived, he had the benefit of sparing mercy; but now the
day of God's patience is over, and he will pour out upon him his
wrath. When God casts down a man, there is no flying from, nor
bearing up under his anger. Those who will not now flee to the
arms of Divine grace, which are stretched out to receive them,
will not be able to flee from the arms of Divine wrath, which
will shortly be stretched out to destroy them. And what is a man
profited if he gain the whole world, and thus lose his own soul?