Chapter 7:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 Esther Psalms
Job 7
Concise Complete
Job's troubles. (1-6) Job expostulates with God. (7-16) He
begs release. (17-21)
Verses 1-6 Job here
excuses what he could not justify, his desire of death. Observe man's present
place: he is upon earth. He is yet on earth, not in hell. Is there not a time
appointed for his abode here? yes, certainly, and the appointment is made by Him
who made us and sent us here. During that, man's life is a warfare, and as
day-labourers, who have the work of the day to do in its day, and must make up
their account at night. Job had as much reason, he thought, to wish for death,
as a poor servant that is tired with his work, has to wish for the shadows of
the evening, when he shall go to rest. The sleep of the labouring man is sweet;
nor can any rich man take so much satisfaction in his wealth, as the hireling in
his day's wages. The comparison is plain; hear his complaint: His days were
useless, and had long been so; but when we are not able to work for God, if we
sit still quietly for him, we shall be accepted. His nights were restless.
Whatever is grievous, it is good to see it appointed for us, and as designed for
some holy end. When we have comfortable nights, we must see them also appointed
to us, and be thankful for them. His body was noisome. See what vile bodies we
have. His life was hastening apace. While we are living, every day, like the
shuttle, leaves a thread behind: many weave the spider's web, which will fail,
ch. 8:14. But if, while we live, we live unto the Lord, in works of faith and
labours of love, we shall have the benefit, for every man shall reap as he
sowed, and wear as he wove.
Verses 7-16 Plain
truths as to the shortness and vanity of man's life, and the certainty of death,
do us good, when we think and speak of them with application to ourselves. Dying
is done but once, and therefore it had need be well done. An error here is past
retrieve. Other clouds arise, but the same cloud never returns: so a new
generation of men is raised up, but the former generation vanishes away.
Glorified saints shall return no more to the cares and sorrows of their houses;
nor condemned sinners to the gaieties and pleasures of their houses. It concerns
us to secure a better place when we die. From these reasons Job might have drawn
a better conclusion than this, I will complain. When we have but a few breaths
to draw, we should spend them in the holy, gracious breathings of faith and
prayer; not in the noisome, noxious breathings of sin and corruption. We have
much reason to pray, that He who keeps Israel, and neither slumbers nor sleeps,
may keep us when we slumber and sleep. Job covets to rest in his grave.
Doubtless, this was his infirmity; for though a good man would choose death
rather than sin, yet he should be content to live as long as God pleases,
because life is our opportunity of glorifying him, and preparing for heaven.
Verses 17-21 Job
reasons with God concerning his dealings with man. But in the midst of this
discourse, Job seems to have lifted up his thoughts to God with some faith and
hope. Observe the concern he is in about his sins. The best men have to complain
of sin; and the better they are, the more they will complain of it. God is the
Preserver of our lives, and the Saviour of the souls of all that believe; but
probably Job meant the Observer of men, whose eyes are upon the ways and hearts
of all men. We can hide nothing from Him; let us plead guilty before his throne
of grace, that we may not be condemned at his judgment-seat. Job maintained,
against his friends, that he was not a hypocrite, not a wicked man, yet he owns
to his God, that he had sinned. The best must so acknowledge, before the Lord.
He seriously inquires how he might be at peace with God, and earnestly begs
forgiveness of his sins. He means more than the removing of his outward trouble,
and is earnest for the return of God's favour. Wherever the Lord removes the
guilt of sin, he breaks the power of sin. To strengthen his prayer for pardon,
Job pleads the prospect he had of dying quickly. If my sins be not pardoned
while I live, I am lost and undone for ever. How wretched is sinful man without
a knowledge of the Saviour!
Chapter 7:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 Esther Psalms
Genesis
Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy
Joshua
Judges
Ruth
1 Samuel
2 Samuel
1 Kings
2 Kings
1 Chronicles
2 Chronicles
Ezra
Nehemiah
Esther
Job
Psalm
Proverbs
Ecclesiastes
Song of Solomon
Isaiah
Jeremiah
Lamentations
Ezekiel
Daniel
Hosea
Joel
Amos
Obadiah
Jonah
Micah
Nahum
Habakkuk
Zephaniah
Haggai
Zechariah
Malachi
Matthew
Mark
Luke
John
Acts
Romans
1 Corinthians
2 Corinthians
Galatians
Ephesians
Philippians
Colossians
1 Thessalonians
2 Thessalonians
1 Timothy
2 Timothy
Titus
Philemon
Hebrews
James
1 Peter
2 Peter
1 John
2 John
3 John
Jude
Revelation
