The book of Job is credited with being the finest piece of
literature in the Hebrew language. It is a poem: and all
scholars admit that no translation yet given does it justice.
Whoever was used of God as the penman, his name is not
given. Some have assumed that the book of Job is merely a
parable, and that Job himself is merely an imaginary
character. In Ezekiel 14:14 and James 5:11, Job is classed
with other holy men, which would not be the case were this
narrative merely a parable. The fact that Job lived a hundred
and forty years after his adversities, or probably over two
hundred years in all, together with the fact that neither he nor
his friends make any allusion to Israel or Moses or the Law,
nor to Abraham and God's Covenant made with him, seem to
indicate beyond doubt that he belonged to the Patriarchal age.
Possibly he lived about the same time as Abraham and
Melchisedek. His home was evidently in Arabia, probably
not far from Palestine. R1505:2, R5401:3; PD26/37
God made him a great type of the human family, of the
troubles of their fallen condition and of their final restoration
to all that was lost in Adam, with the blessings of added
experiences to make them wise. R194:2, R413:1, R584:2,
R5803:4
What patriarchs like Job did in the matter of sacrifices was
evidently a token on their part of appreciation of God and of
the fact that a sacrifice for sins was necessary ... but none of
these sacrifices was accepted in the same sense that the
sacrifices were accepted under the Law. R4667:1; Q553:1
God would teach us that we are not to attribute our
calamities to him ... that they are merely permitted to come
upon us for our testing and ultimately for the good of all
whose faithfulness and integrity toward him are proved
thereby. The lesson furnished shows that, in the case of
God's people at least, Satan's power is limited. He cannot
destroy them at his will; he cannot touch them with adversity
except as their God permits. R1779:5
There was a man -- There is no cause to doubt that such a
man did live and pass through the experiences related.
R1505:3
The exact time in which Job lived we do not know, but we
think we are justified in supposing that he did not live during
the Law dispensation. Q552:6
Possibly a contemporary of Abraham and Melchizedek.
PD26/37, R1505:6, R5401:6
Land of Uz -- Evidently in Arabia, possibly not far from
Palestine. R1505:6, R5401:6
Whose name was Job -- Classed with other holy men in
Ezekiel 14:14 and James 5:11, which would not be the case if
this narrative were merely a parable. R1505:3; Q793:2
His experiences are typical of the fall and rise again of
humanity. PD26/37; R584:1, R5403:6, R5803:4; Q793:2
Was perfect -- So was man at first in the divine likeness
and favor, with all things subject to him (Psa. 8:4-8).
R5403:6
He walked before God with a perfect heart. R4667:1
Upright -- Appreciated justice. R5401:6
Feared God -- Reverenced God. R5401:6
Great household -- Numerous servants. R5401:6
This man -- A merchant prince of great wealth who carried
on a very prosperous traffic. R5401:6
Sons of God -- Angels. R315:3, R1005:1, R2843:5
And Satan -- Whose very existence is now denied by
many. F609
Unlike the flesh or the world, Satan is the only wilful,
intelligent plotter in opposing righteousness and truth in
humanity. F612
Said unto Satan -- Job knew nothing about this, else he
would have known that Satan was afflicting him. R452:1*
Satan answered -- This account of Satan's conversation
with God concerning Job should be considered as allegorical--
like "Pilgrim's Progress." R5401:3, R1507:4, R1779:5
An hedge about him -- "The angel of the Lord encampeth
round about them that fear him." (Psa. 34:7) R4227:6
Put forth thine hand -- Permitted for the purpose of
displaying to the world the integrity and faithfulness of Job.
R452:1*
As the Lord gave the Adversary permission against
Job, so Satan will gain liberty in the impending hour
of temptation. R4227:6
In thy power -- In his dealings with mankind the Lord has
allowed Satan to be the willing medium
through whom the penalty of sin should be meted out.
R452:4*
Satan cannot afflict God's children beyond the penalty for sin
without God's permission, and that only where it will result in
greater good to the subject and greater glory to God. R452:4*
Satan has "the power of death." (Heb. 2:14) R452:4*
Satan's power, like that of a hangman, is a delegated power.
E449
Put not forth -- Satan must have permission from God to
execute the death penalty. R265:6
Eating and drinking -- Having a birthday party. PD26/37,
SM523:1
And the Sabeans -- Instigated by Satan, as the context
shows. R2189:4
The fire of God -- Probably a bolt of lightning, caused by
Satan. R1800:1, R2189:4
The Chaldeans -- Instigated by Satan. R2189:4
A great wind -- A cyclone or tornado, raised up by Satan.
R1800:1, R3324:5, R2189:4
In a sense Satan is prince of the air power--literally. R1684:4,
R1800:1
Rent his mantle -- "Many are the afflictions of the
righteous." (Psa. 34:19) SM523:1
Naked came I -- It is a favor from God that we have life at
all. R5418:1
We know that we have no rights whatever. All we can do is
call upon the Lord's mercy. R5418:4
Shall I return -- Death, corruption, touches everything
earthly under present conditions, no matter how careful or
thoughtful the provision. R4567:1
The LORD gave -- We have nothing that is really our
own. R5418:1
All that we have should be regarded as a gift from God,
whether it be much or little. R5417:3
The LORD hath taken -- He realized that all he had
possessed belonged to God. R5418:1
Similarly, we can take, in perfect submission, whatever
experiences God permits. R5418:5
Job had no claim on everlasting life, though he had a hope of
it. R5418:1
Even though those who are being "sifted" have been very dear
to us, it is for us to humble ourselves under the mighty hand
of God. R4483:5
Blessed be -- There was no spirit of rebellion in a heart out
of whom came such loving words of submission, and that
without a clear vision of the divine wisdom in permitting
them. R1937:4
God has provided for a future life beyond the tomb, a
resurrection. R4567:1
Sinned not -- Job was very careful not to sin with his
lips. R1937:3
Nor charged God -- Having the deep-rooted conviction
that God was his friend and would in the end protect him,
though evil, for a time, might seem to prevail. R452:1*
Foolishly -- With being the author of his calamities.
R1684:4, R1800:1
He did not charge God with injustice. R5803:4
The sons of God -- The angelic sons. R1005:1, R2843:5,
R315:3*, R777:4; Q840:4; E105
And Satan -- Whose very existence is now denied by
many. F609
He is in thine hand -- Satan is the direct cause of earth's
woe and sorrow. R584:4
But save his life -- Satan's power is limited. R2180:1,
R1779:6
Satan cannot afflict beyond God's permission. R452:4*
With sore boils -- Satan has considerable of the "power of
death," including disease. R760:4
If disease and death are to a considerable extent under Satan's
control, why might he not reverse the method and do some
healing of disease. R1644:3
Thine integrity -- Suggesting that it had been without
divine appreciation that he had sought to do justice and mercy
all his life. R5401:6, R1505:6
Receive evil -- Calamities, troubles, for discipline or
refining. R1937:3
Whatever God permits must be intended for our good.
R1271:3, R1780:1, R1800:1
In all this -- Loss of children, wealth, influence and
health. R5401:6
Did not Job sin -- He still trusted in God. R5401:6
With his lips -- He knew that his words would be taken by
the Lord as an index of his heart. R1937:3
"By thy words thou wilt be acquitted, and by thy words thou
wilt be condemned." (Matt. 12:37), R1937:1
Died I not -- He wished that he had never been born.
R5402:1
Be at rest -- Asleep in the tomb, in sheol, in hades, in the
grave. SM312:T, R4792:6
Eliphaz the Temanite -- The false reasonings of Job's
friends many improperly quote as inspired. R1506:1
Mortal man -- The Bible distinctly declares that man is
mortal. R1642:5, R254:5
Born unto trouble -- All of Adam's posterity are "born in
sin and shapen in iniquity." (Psa. 51:5) R2049:3
Own craftiness -- The wisdom of selfishness seeks to
grasp and hold everything for self. R1518:3
The Lord chooses "babes" who will babble forth the truth
unceremoniously to confound the wise. R942:2
Illustrated in the effect of the gold standard and the
demonetizing of silver on the stock market. SM687:3;
OV337:4
Despise not -- Illustrated by David's confession,
reformation and seeking of forgiveness when overtaken in a
fault. PD43/53
He woundeth -- Many of our own hearts were wounded,
but it is the wounded heart that is ready to be bound up and to
be healed and to be transformed. HG270:3
Shall deliver thee -- Exceeding great and precious promise
to the Bride class. R4784:2
Down to the grave -- Sheol, oblivion, death, not torment.
E358, R2600:1, R828:5
Come up no more -- Mankind had no hope of saving
themselves. R194:2
This was, properly, the human standpoint; for the ransom had
not yet been paid. R194:2
Pardon my transgression -- Job seemed to realize that
God intended furnishing a ransom for sin to take away the sin
of the world. R194:2
Sleep in the dust -- Sleep in death during the night of
weeping and trouble, dying and crying. E359
Thou shalt seek me -- In resurrection power. E359
In the morning -- The Millennial morning when the night
of death and weeping is past. E359; R678:3, R194:2,
R604:3*, R1017:6*
But I shall not be -- Death will have worked my utter
destruction. E359; R678:3, R1017:6*, R846:4
How should man -- The court of heaven has regulations
and ceremonies of respect to gain an audience with the King
of kings. R1864:5
Shaketh the earth -- Shaking of the pillars of the present
social structure in the coming time of trouble. R1813:2
Which maketh -- He needed the assistance of the one who
was able to create the earth and the heavens. R3424:4
By their numberless multitude, orderly grouping, continual
yet never conflicting movements, perfect harmony and
magnitude and mutual benign influence, do the shining host
of heaven declare the glory of God. R1391:1
And Pleiades -- The probable seat of divine empire. D653
Any daysman -- An expression on Job's part of his need of
a mediator between God and himself. R1506:1, R5402:1
Our Lord Jesus, the appointed "daysman" said: "No man
cometh unto the Father but by me." (John 14:6) R1864:6
Thine hands -- Power. R4519:6*, R4059:2
Hast made me -- The "wind" cannot fashion a created
organism, but God's invisible creative power can. R4520:1*
I had not been -- Death, destruction. R1039:6, R1878:6
The wicked (all who, after coming to a clear knowledge of the
truth, still wilfully disobey it) shall be cut off in the Second
Death. E387
To the grave -- Qebar, tomb, the grave. E348
Land of darkness -- Instead of a place of blazing fire it is
described as a state of "darkness." R2599:2; CR209:2*;
HG335:2
It -- God's wisdom. R2599:4
Deeper than hell -- Than any pit, sheol, oblivion.
R2599:4; E359
What canst thou know? -- As there is no knowledge in
sheol, there can be no knowledge of the divine wisdom and
plan. E359
In whose hand -- In the divine power. E314
And the breath -- Ruach, life-power, spirit of life. E174,
E314
Lo -- Commencing Job's masterly reply. R5402:1
Hath heard -- The false reasonings of his friends (which
many improperly quote as inspired). R5402:1
Of no value -- His friends told him that he must have been
a great sinner and a hypocrite. R5401:6
Though he slay me -- Though much cast down, he
maintained his integrity and his faith in the Lord. R5803:4
He sought in vain for an explanation. R5401:6
Many of God's people since have been similarly confused as
to why God permits evil to come upon his faithful servants.
R5402:1
Yet will I trust -- Job's expression of confidence in God
and in his ultimate deliverance. R5402:1
I shall yet receive his favor and learn what he means by these
afflictions coming upon me. R5333:4
His trust was not misplaced. After his testings, God gave him
back children, houses, lands and friends which foreshadowed
the coming blessings of restitution. R5333:4
Mine own ways -- Conscious of his own heart-honesty
toward God, Job defends himself, but goes to too great an
extreme in declaring his own innocence. R5401:6
Man -- Mankind. R5402:1
Full of trouble -- Job's prophetic wisdom. Life under
present conditions is full of trial and sorrow, from the cradle
to the tomb. R5402:3
The world is full of troubled hearts. Each of us has not only
his own burdens, but our weaknesses are augmented by the
idiosyncracies of others. SM262:1
Continueth not -- No wonder Lazarus and others were
silent about their experiences in hades. R822:5*
Who can bring -- Comparatively few parents seem to
realize that when children are less than graceful in feature and
character a responsibility for the defects rests upon them.
R5251:1
All existence comes from the father and not the mother, the
mother receiving and nourishing the germ until it is able to
maintain an independent existence. R776:3
In harmony with this principle God was the "Father," or life-giver,
while the earth was the mother of Adam. R776:5
A clean thing -- Perfect, free from sin, in the full sense of
the word. R5402:3, R1506:3
Jesus' perfect life "proceeded forth and came from God"
(John 8:42) and was merely developed and nourished in
Mary. E105
Jehovah has begotten sons of the divine nature as well as
other natures--angelic (Job 2:1; Job 38:7; Heb. 2:9), human
(Luke 3:38) and the "new creatures" who shall be of the
divine nature (2 Pet. 1:4). R777:4, R354:5
Similarly, father Adam was born into being perfect because
he was born of God, though his mother (the earth) was still
imperfect except for the specially prepared Garden of Eden.
E106
If the father is perfect, the child will be so. R776:6
In the case of Jesus, a perfect life-germ transferred by divine
power from a pre-existent condition to the embryo condition
was born "holy" and "perfect", though of an imperfect
mother. R777:2
Out of an unclean -- Out of Adam, the contaminated
fountain. E103; R5402:3, R777:1
Applying to the man and not to the woman. R777:1
It would not be possible that any imperfect human pair could
bring forth absolutely perfect children. R5251:1; CR428:2;
R1780:6
Though life or being comes from the father, form and nature
come from the mother. R777:2
The female furnishes organism as well as sustenance--in fact,
furnishes all except the life-seed or sperm, which comes from
the father or life-giver. E103
Illustrated by the offspring of the union between the
"daughters of men" and those angels which kept not their first
estate--their progeny had the vitality of the fathers but the
nature of their mothers. R777.2
In the typical dispensation a child inherited blessings and
privileges from its father according to the favor and standing
of its mother (Gen. 21:10; Exod. 21:4; Gal. 4:30). R777:5
Not one -- No man would have such power. But this is the
very power which God possesses and exercised in the birth of
Jesus. OV151:3
Not answered by the doctrine of "Immaculate Conception";
for, if Mary had been free from Adamic sin she must have
received it from her mother, and so on all the way back to
Eve, "the mother of all living." (Gen. 3:20) R776:2
When Adam fell the whole human creation was made subject
to the inherent taint of sin and its condemnation to death.
R1780:6
Determined -- In the Lord's hands. R5402:3
That he may rest -- Let all men live out their short time in
peace. Job did not see the ministry of trouble. R5402:3,
R1506:3
Hireling -- Why afflict those who already have a heavy,
burdensome task. R5402:3
That it will sprout -- But man cannot sprout, he cannot
raise himself, he must await the great Deliverer. R194:2
The scent of water -- Favorable conditions. R5402:3
Man dieth -- Utter hopelessness of man in death, so far as
any powers of his own are concerned. R5402:3
Wasteth away -- There is no root left, no spark of life
remains. R5402:3
Giveth up the ghost -- Life. R142:3, R279:1; A210
"Gasps out, expires", Young. R754:5*
Where is he? -- As the diamond loses its beauty when
light is withdrawn. R142:3, R279:1
Riseth not -- Loses all power to raise himself. R1506:3,
R5402:4, R194:2
Till the heavens -- The present powers of spiritual control.
R1506:3, R194:2
The present order of things, or dominion of earth, is
symbolically termed "the heavens." These must give place to
the Kingdom of Christ, the "new heavens," when the dead
shall be awakened. R1018:4*
A blessed provision, they shall not be awakened until
surrounding circumstances shall be more favorable for their
trial. R846:2
Be no more -- Till the new dispensation has been ushered
in. HG194:6
Out of their sleep -- Unconscious, peaceful rest. R2172:3
Of death; by anyone, until God's due time. R5402:4
Hide me -- A human being, not a new creature. R5109:1
In the grave -- Sheol, oblivion, the state of death.
SM524:1; E359, E410; R5402:4, R2598:5, R2600:1
Because of his experience he wished for death, that he might
have no further experience with sin. PD26/37; R5402:4
Sheol not here translated "hell" because it would have been
absurd for Job to have prayed to God to hide him in a hell of
torments. R2598:5
Keep me secret -- Hidden in the grave. R1506:4,
R5402:4
Thy wrath be past -- This time of wrath which has now
lasted for 6,000 years is to be brought to a close by the great
Day of Vengeance. E410, E346, E359; R1378:1, R2805:4,
R1881:2
The "wrath" here mentioned is elsewhere called the "curse."
SM524:2
Until the reign of sin and death should be ended and the Sun
of Righteousness shine with healing in his beams. R1506:4,
R2805:4; HG194:6, R332:4
The saints are to be raised before the day of wrath, but the
class Job speaks of do not arise until the time of trouble is
over. R194:3
After the seven last plagues are fulfilled. HG91:3
Until the dawn of the great Lord's day. R1017:2*, R5109:1;
SM525:T
A set time -- God's due time, when evil shall have no more
dominion. R5402:4
The resurrection time. HG194:6
And remember me -- By calling me from oblivion into
being again, a resurrection. E360; R2600:1, R5109:4,
R5402:4; PD26/37
Shall he live again? -- There is a longing hope within man
that death does not end all existence.
E383
Will I wait -- Death is a condition of rest, of quiet, of
peaceful unconsciousness. R5059:6, R5605:4, R4794:2
Until God's due time. R5402:4
Till my change come -- The hope of a resurrection.
R1017:6*
Thou shalt call -- The time of wrath is to be brought to a
close by the great Day of Vengeance. E410
In the resurrection morning. R5402:4; SM525:T
"The dead shall hear the voice of the Son." (John 5:25) E346
"Thou shalt seek me in the morning." (Job 7:21) E359
If man is not in existence, yet comes forth when called, the
calling forth is a re-creation. R846:4
Like Lazarus, at the call of Jesus, earth's dead millions shall
again spring into existence. R604:3*, R678:3
And I will answer -- A re-creation. R846:4, R1017:6*,
R604:3
Will spring into being again, at thy Word. R678:3, R1378:1,
R5402:5
All will answer the resurrection call. E359
Work of thine hands -- His people are his workmanship
(Eph. 2:10). R5402:5
The hope of man -- In himself. E348
He knoweth it not -- A direct contradiction to the claims
of spirit mediums that they hold communication with the
dead. R265:5
The Israelites were distinctly told that the "dead know not
anything." (Eccl. 9:5) SM99:2; OV215:T, OV362:3;
Q204:3
Contrary to the teachings of Spiritualism. R2170:2
Total unconsciousness. "There is no ... knowledge, nor
wisdom, in the grave whither thou goest" (Eccl 9:10)--no
knowledge of anything until the resurrection. R4794:1,
R4551:6, R5303:1; E348; A210
Thus Dorcas (Acts 9:32-43), though a good woman and a
child of the Lord, when awakened to life, had no wonderful
experiences or mysterious visions to relate. R1450:6
During the Jewish age God guarded his typical people against
delusions of lying spirits, that the dead are alive. R1642:6
Soul within him -- Signifying that man would suffer and
mourn from his inmost being. Q836:T
One might plead -- He seems to realize his need of
someone to represent his cause before the Lord--a mediator.
R5401:6, R1506:1
The grave -- Sheol, oblivion, death, not torment. E360,
R2600:1
In the darkness -- Not a place of blazing fire. R2599:2
To corruption -- To which my body turns; while my soul,
my being, sleeps, inanimate, awaiting the resurrection. E360
The bars of the pit -- Sheol, oblivion, death. F360;
R2600:1
Our rest together -- Whether they have hope for an
awakening or not, all find rest in the dust. E360
Skin of my teeth -- Teeth--membrane or skin. R5994:4
That my redeemer -- Gaal, the one who sets free by
payment. E438
He shall stand -- Job prophetically recorded his hope of a
coming Redeemer. SM524.2
Shall I see God -- I shall yet praise the Lord in the flesh
and in health. R3040:2
I shall yet receive his favor and learn what he means by these
experiences, these afflictions. R5333:4
See his hand. See his works. "All flesh shall see the
salvation of God." (Luke 3:6) R3040:2
In wealth -- Describing the prosperous course of some
who are not the Lord's people in contrast with the tribulations
of some who are the Lord's people. E360
Down to the grave -- Sheol, oblivion, death, not torment.
E360; R2600:1
Day of destruction -- Day of judgment, the Millennial
day. R1882:4; HG334:5
So doth the grave -- Sheol, oblivion, death, not torment.
E360; R2600:1
Which have sinned -- All mankind, but especially evil-doers,
who hasten their own death. E360
Hell is naked -- Every secret thing of sheol, oblivion, is
known. E361; R2599:4
The north -- Throughout the scriptures the north seems to
be closely associated with Jehovah's government of earth.
R5710:3
Over the empty place -- There seem to be fewer stars in
the north than in any other part of the heavens. R5710:5
Hangeth -- Prof. Young says, "To hang up"--used 13 times
in referring to the hanging of men upon gallows. R1814:3
Earth upon nothing -- Confirms the fact that the earth is a
globe hanging in space, contrary to the "flat earth" theory.
R1813:4, R1814:3
The history of astronomy dates back to very ancient time.
R1814:3
Launched it out in the abyss of space, subject to fixed laws.
R1815:2
Will God hear -- "God heareth not (the prayers of)
sinners." (John 9:31) R2024:1
The fear of the Lord -- The reverence of the Lord.
R1518:2, R5952:5
Some are disposed to speak jestingly of the Lord and the
scriptures. This is a dangerous practice. R5952:5
The widow -- Job, a man of great generosity, considered
the widow. R5401:6
Fatherless -- Job was a man of great generosity who
considered the orphan. R5401:6
Mouth to sin -- Job in the midst of all his afflictions, was
very careful not to sin with his lips. R1937:3
How necessary this is to the stability of Christian character.
R1937:3
The owners -- Margin: the soul of owners. It is not the
body, but the being, called in the scripture, "soul," that dies.
R205:4, R277:1
Elihu -- Whose name signifies "God himself." R1506:5,
R5402:5
Son of Barachel -- Such genealogical details not common
to parables. R1505:3
Wrath kindled -- Because Job had been reasoning in part
from a wrong premise. Job must not expect fully to
comprehend all the ways of God, but must trust him.
R5402:5
Than God -- God's wisdom and justice cannot be
impugned. R5402:6
Answered and said -- Elihu's words were probably wiser
than those of the other comforters, but they were merely
human wisdom as far as we can discern. R5402:6
Spirit of God -- Invisible influence. R4519:6*
Once, yea twice -- Thinking men observe the persistency
with which questions of right and wrong, justice and injustice,
are forced upon their consideration, demanding an expression
of their individual principles. B152
Then he openeth -- With the thunder tones of the day of
trouble. B153
From his purpose -- From his own purpose. B153
Soul from the pit -- The being from death. R205:4,
R277:1
Messenger -- As defender. R5402:6
Among a thousand -- A rare one. R5402:6
To shew -- To declare. R5402:6
His uprightness -- His own righteousness for man.
R5402:6
Then he -- God. R5402:6
Him -- Man. R5402:6
Deliver -- Release him. R5402:6
Down to the pit -- Of death, or the grave. R5402:6; E462
Found a ransom -- Christ Jesus, who gave himself a
ransom price for all by paying the death penalty that was
upon Adam, a corresponding price. R5402:6, R4154:3;
E462
God will not let the sinner go unconditionally, but because he
has found a ransom. R324:4, R1058:5
He shall return -- Restitution. R5402:6
Youth -- To perennial youth, in which death and decay
will find no place. R5402:6
Pray unto God -- Communion with God. R5402:6
Favourable -- They shall find acceptance with God.
R5402:6
I have sinned -- An acknowledgment that God is just and
that the restitution was unmerited will be required. R5402:6
Deliver -- Redeem. R5402:6
See the light -- May be brought to the light. R5402:6
Oftentimes -- Margin: twice and thrice. Based on this and
on Amos 2:4, the Jewish rabbis limited the granting of
forgiveness to a repentant wrong-doer to three times; but our
Lord taught forgiveness times without number. R2665:3
Elihu -- The youngest of four friends of Job who called
upon him in his adversity to comfort him. R5878:2
My words -- As wise, or wiser, than any spoken by Job's
comforters, but they were merely human wisdom. R5402:6,
R5878:2
Ear trieth words -- The ear is the mouth of the mind by
which it receives the word. R2949:2*
Mouth tasteth meat -- Meat that goes no further than the
mouth cannot nourish. R2949:2*
Not do wickedly -- God is responsible for evil (calamity,
trouble) in the sense of permission and arrangements as the
penalty for violating his laws; but not in the sense of being the
author of it. R871:6
Pervert judgment -- The punishment must have some
relation to the enormity of the offense--a principle out of
harmony with the eternal torment theory. R523:4*
When he -- Jehovah; the "God of all comfort." (2 Cor.
1:3) R2058:2*, R5403:1
Although these words (of Elihu) are not inspired, they are
very wise. R5403:1
Giveth quietness -- The children of God take these words
in a very different sense from that suggested to Job by Elihu.
We have quietness and rest of heart even in severe trouble.
R5879:1
The Lord's people have a peace and rest of mind through the
knowledge of God's plan and his justice, mercy and love.
R5403:2
Precious balm of Gilead for wounded spirits on the battlefield
of life; the gentle whisper of hope and love and courage when
heart and flesh are almost failing. R5803:1
Knowing that when our hearts are loyal and true, our God
does not mark against us the unavoidable blemishes of our
earthen vessel. R5802:5
There is a cry which never fails to bring this quietness. It is
the prayer for sweet, trustful, loving acquiescence to the will
of God. R2058:3*
When God purposes to give peace, the whole universe will be
in obedience to his laws and none can make trouble. R5403:1
Can make trouble -- Job's calamity was not accidental.
R5878:3, R5403:1
God permitted trial to come to test his servant, just as he
permits trouble to come upon his Church. R5878:6
While the world is troubled, God's children have a peace that
the world knows not of and can neither give nor take away.
R5403:3
Trouble is not necessarily a sign of the disfavor of God.
"Many are the afflictions of the righteous." (Psa. 34:19)
R5879:4
God did not always give our Lord Jesus quietness, but
allowed trouble, like a great flood, to sweep over his soul.
Some of the Lord's followers may have similar experiences.
R5403:4
He will not suffer us to be tempted above what we are able to
bear (1 Cor. 10:13). R5878:6
To the world it might appear that the trials, testings, scoffs, to
which faithfulness to the Lord exposes, would rob life of all
its pleasures. But not so. R4103:1
The spirit which once tossed restlessly in chafing winds of
lesser trials sinks in sweet submission under heavier griefs.
R2058:6*
Against a man -- Satan could not have sent all those
calamities unless God had permitted it. Similarly we are
under special divine care. R5403:1
Songs In the night -- Even in this night-time the Lord's
people do not need to sorrow as others who have no hope.
"He hath put a new song into our mouths." (Psa. 40:3)
R3123:3
They -- Margin: Their soul. It is not the body, but the
being, called in scripture "soul", that dies. R205:4, R277:1
Take hold on thee -- "Justice and judgment are the
habitation of thy throne." (Psa. 89:14) T124
Is perfect -- God is of purer eyes than to recognize iniquity
and cannot look upon sin with allowance. "His work is
perfect." (Deut. 32:4) R1225:2
Spread out -- Spread forth (Revised Version). R1812:2
Not literally--the language is highly figurative and poetic.
R1812:2
In plenty of justice -- Illustrated by the Mercy Seat in the
Tabernacle. T124
Darkeneth ... by words -- "Except ye utter by the tongue
words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is
spoken?" (1 Cor. 14:9) R1481:4*
The foundations -- Illustrated by the rock on which the
Great Pyramid is built. C318; R1813:5
Of the earth -- "In the beginning God created the heaven
and the earth." (Gen. 1:1) F17
Laid the measures -- The Great Pyramid abounds in
significant measurements. C318
The line upon it -- The perfection and exactness of the
Great Pyramid show it was constructed by a master architect.
C318
The foundations -- The socket stones (margin).
R1813:5; C329
Fastened -- Or, made to sink. The Great Pyramid has four
corner socket-stones sunk into solid rock. C318
The corner stone -- "The chief corner stone" (Eph. 2:20);
The top stone; "The stone which the builders rejected" (Matt.
21:42); "He shall bring forth the head stone thereof with
shoutings, crying, Grace, grace unto it." (Zech. 4:7) C318,
C329
A pyramid has five cornerstones, but the reference here is to
one particular cornerstone, the top stone. It is a perfect
pyramid in itself, to which the lines of the entire structure
conform. C318
The morning stars -- Early bright ones. R1005:1
All the sons of God -- The angelic sons, to whom he was
the life-giver. F51; E105; R816:5, R1005:1, R2843:5,
R5290:3
Shouted for joy -- At the creation of this earth. R1005:1;
F17, F18
In the dawn of earth's creative week of 49,000 years. F51
Their interest in the human race was manifested in singing
over the works of creation. A220
Swaddlingband -- Heavy rings enveloping the earth. F31,
F23-26
But no further -- For 6,000 years the Lord has been letting
mankind learn their own lessons, except as their course of sin
might interfere with the outworking of God's great plan.
R5771:3
God's providence has often interfered in the past, but now we
have apparently reached the time when the Lord is saying,
"Let loose the winds of strife." R5825:4
God can harness even every opposing element, animate or
inanimate, and make them all work together for the
accomplishment of his grand designs. R1560:2
That which would work no good, serve no purpose or teach
no lesson, he restrains. A250
God has not given present rulers unlimited power, but only so
far as it does not interfere with his plans--there it must stop.
R799:1
Even the wrath of men and devils shall be controlled by God's
providence and made to praise him; and the remainder, which
would in any way thwart his ultimate purpose, he will
restrain. R1778:4
Hast thou -- Verses 22 and 23 seem to be figurative
language, not prophetic. R1762:4
Hall -- Stones of congellation, hail of frozen water.
R3344:3*
Canst thou bind -- By their numberless multitude, orderly
grouping, continual yet never conflicting movements, perfect
harmony, magnitude and mutual benign influence, do the
shining host of heaven declare the glory of God. R1391:1
The Lord desired to reassure Job of his superior power and
grace. R1390:6, R3424:4
Of Pleiades -- While the planets of our solar system
revolve around our sun, there is a far mightier center around
which countless millions of suns revolve, seemingly
associated with the Pleiades, particularly with Alcyone, its
central star--thus possibly representing the residence of
Jehovah. R5710:2
The probable seat of divine empire. D653; C327; Q813:2
Against thee -- Job's three friends are severely reproved by
God. R5403:5
Burnt offering -- These sacrifices were not sin-offerings,
but merely a manifestation of a good desire or heart and a
reverence for God. R4666:6; Q552:5
Went, and did -- They obeyed God and were restored to
divine favor. R5403:5
Twice as much -- Type of the final restoration of all that
was lost in Adam, with the blessings of added experience to
make them wise. R5803:4
All the evil -- Job recognized his adversities as God-permitted
(Job 2:10), because Satan could do no more than
God would permit him to do. R1800:1
God is not the author of sin (evil). R1799:3, R1800:2
Latter end of Job -- Typifying mankind, in some
respects. R5403:6, R1507:4, R5803:4
Foreshadowing the blessings of restitution: how the
tribulations of mankind will eventually work out for good to
those who love God. R5333:4; PD26/37
Sons and ... daughters -- The same number as before, a
restitution. R5403:5
Daughters ... inheritance -- Foreshadowing the time when
the curse will be entirely lifted and woman will find her
natural and honored place at the side of her noble husband as
his helper and companion "heirs together with him of the
grace of life." (1 Pet. 3:7) R1554:1
After this -- After his adversities. R5401:5
Being old -- Probably over 200 years in all, indicating that
he belonged to the Patriarchal age. R5401:5, R1505:5