‏ Job 19

* Job complains of unkind usage. (1-7) God was the Author of his

afflictions. (8-22) Job's belief in the resurrection. (23-29)

1-7 Job's friends blamed him as a wicked man, because he was so

afflicted; here he describes their unkindness, showing that what

they condemned was capable of excuse. Harsh language from

friends, greatly adds to the weight of afflictions: yet it is

best not to lay it to heart, lest we harbour resentment. Rather

let us look to Him who endured the contradiction of sinners

against himself, and was treated with far more cruelty than Job

was, or we can be. 8-22 How doleful are Job's complaints! What is the fire of hell

but the wrath of God! Seared consciences will feel it hereafter,

but do not fear it now: enlightened consciences fear it now, but

shall not feel it hereafter. It is a very common mistake to

think that those whom God afflicts he treats as his enemies.

Every creature is that to us which God makes it to be; yet this

does not excuse Job's relations and friends. How uncertain is

the friendship of men! but if God be our Friend, he will not

fail us in time of need. What little reason we have to indulge

the body, which, after all our care, is consumed by diseases it

has in itself. Job recommends himself to the compassion of his

friends, and justly blames their harshness. It is very

distressing to one who loves God, to be bereaved at once of

outward comfort and of inward consolation; yet if this, and

more, come upon a believer, it does not weaken the proof of his

being a child of God and heir of glory. 23-29 The Spirit of God, at this time, seems to have powerfully

wrought on the mind of Job. Here he witnessed a good confession;

declared the soundness of his faith, and the assurance of his

hope. Here is much of Christ and heaven; and he that said such

things are these, declared plainly that he sought the better

country, that is, the heavenly. Job was taught of God to believe

in a living Redeemer; to look for the resurrection of the dead,

and the life of the world to come; he comforted himself with the

expectation of these. Job was assured, that this Redeemer of

sinners from the yoke of Satan and the condemnation of sin, was

his Redeemer, and expected salvation through him; and that he

was a living Redeemer, though not yet come in the flesh; and

that at the last day he would appear as the Judge of the world,

to raise the dead, and complete the redemption of his people.

With what pleasure holy Job enlarges upon this! May these

faithful sayings be engraved by the Holy Spirit upon our hearts.

We are all concerned to see that the root of the matter be in

us. A living, quickening, commanding principle of grace in the

heart, is the root of the matter; as necessary to our religion

as the root of the tree, to which it owes both its fixedness and

its fruitfulness. Job and his friends differed concerning the

methods of Providence, but they agreed in the root of the

matter, the belief of another world.