[Job 37:6] For he saith to the snow, Be thou on the earth; likewise to the small rain, and to the great rain of his strength.
[He said – Isa. 55:10-11. The word of G-d, as for its purity, so for its warming, refreshing, and fructifying nature, is compared unto it.
Snow – A cloud of vapors being condensed into drops, these drops, becoming too heavy to be suspended in the atmosphere, descend; and, meeting with a cold region of the air, they are frozen, each drop shooting into several points. These still continuing their descent, and meeting with some intermitting gales of a warmer air, are a little thawed, blunted, and again, by falling into colder air, frozen into clusters, or so entangled with each other as to fall down in what we call flakes.
Snow differs from hail and hoar-frost in being crystallized: this appears on examining a flake of snow with a magnifying glass; when the whole of it will appear to be composed of fine points diverging like rays from a centre.
The lightness of snow is owing to the excess of its surface, when compared with the matter contained under it.
Its whiteness is owing to the small particles into which it is divided: for take ice, opaque almost to blackness, and pound it fine, and it becomes as white as snow.
The immediate cause of the formation of snow is not well understood: it has been attributed to electricity; and hail is supposed to owe its more compact form to more intense electricity, which unites the particles of hail more closely than the moderate electricity does those of snow.
But rain, snow, hail, frost, ice, they are formed out of the vapors which have been exhaled by heat from the surface of the waters.
It is not a fact that it possesses in itself any fertilizing quality, such as nitrous salts, according to vulgar opinion: its whole use is covering the vegetables from intense cold, and thus preventing the natural heat of the earth from escaping, so that the intense cold cannot freeze the juices in the tender tubes of vegetables, which would rupture those tubes, and so destroy the plant.
Ps. 148:8. G-d has His treasures of it, and He brings it forth at His command, it goes at a word speaking; it is one of the things that fulfil His word. To the earth only it is useful, warming, refreshing, and fructifying; it has a wonderful virtue in it.
Small rain – the lesser or more gentle falls in the winter, when the north wind blows
Great rain – the larger in the spring with the south wind.
His strength - sudden thunder storms, when the rain descends in torrents: or violent rain from dissipating water-spouts.]
Adam Clarke
The providence of G-d is to be acknowledged, both by husbandmen in the fields and travelers upon the road, in every shower of rain, whether it does them a kindness of a diskindness. It is sin and folly to contend with G-d's providence in the weather; if He sends the snow or rain, can we hinder them? Or shall we be angry at them? It is as absurd to quarrel with any other disposal of Providence concerning ourselves or ours.
Majestic Clouds
In the clouds, the womb where all these watery meteors are conceived, guided and governed by the counsel of G-d, which extends even to those things that seem most casual and minute, that they may do whatsoever He commands them; for the stormy winds, and the clouds that are driven by them, fulfil His word; and by this means He causes it to rain upon one city and not upon another, Amos 4:7-8.
Three sorts of clouds Elihu here speaks of in Job 37:
1. Close, black, thick clouds, pregnant with showers; and these with watering he wearies, that is, they spend themselves, and are exhausted by the rain into which they melt and are dissolved, pouring out water till they are weary and can pour out no more.
2. Bright thin clouds, clouds without water; and these He scattereth; they are dispersed of themselves, and not dissolved into rain, but what becomes of them we know not. The bright cloud, in the evening, when the sky is red, is scattered, and proves an earnest of a fair day, Matt. 16:2.
3. Flying clouds, which do not dissolve, as the thick cloud, into a close rain, but are carried upon the wings of the wind from place to place, dropping showers as they go; and these are said to be turned round about by His counsels.
What we hear is not likely to profit us unless we consider it, and we are not likely to consider things fully unless we stand still and compose ourselves to the consideration of them. The works of God, being wondrous, both deserve and need our consideration, and the due consideration of them will help to reconcile us to all his providences.
We are here taught:
1. The perfection of G-d's knowledge, it is one of the most glorious perfections of G-d that He is perfect in knowledge; He is omniscient. His knowledge is intuitive: He sees, and does not know by report. It is intimate and entire: He knows things truly, and not by their colors--thoroughly, and not by piecemeal. To His knowledge there is nothing distant, but all near--nothing future, but all present--nothing hid, but all open. We ought to acknowledge this in all His wondrous works, and it is sufficient to satisfy us in those wondrous works which we know not the meaning of that they are the works of one that knows what He does.
2. The imperfection of our knowledge. It is good for us to be made sensible of our own ignorance, are so balanced, so spread, that they never rob us of the benefit of the sun (even the cloudy day is day), so balanced that they do not fall at once, nor burst into cataracts or water-spouts. The rainbow is an intimation of G-d's favour in balancing the clouds so as to keep them from drowning the world.
When we look up to heaven above we should remember it is a mirror or looking-glass, not to show us our own faces, but to be a faint representation of the purity, dignity, and brightness of the upper world and its glorious inhabitants.
Matthew Henry
Three sorts of clouds Elihu here speaks of in Job 37:
1. Close, black, thick clouds, pregnant with showers; and these with watering he wearies, that is, they spend themselves, and are exhausted by the rain into which they melt and are dissolved, pouring out water till they are weary and can pour out no more.
2. Bright thin clouds, clouds without water; and these He scattereth; they are dispersed of themselves, and not dissolved into rain, but what becomes of them we know not. The bright cloud, in the evening, when the sky is red, is scattered, and proves an earnest of a fair day, Matt. 16:2.
3. Flying clouds, which do not dissolve, as the thick cloud, into a close rain, but are carried upon the wings of the wind from place to place, dropping showers as they go; and these are said to be turned round about by His counsels.
What we hear is not likely to profit us unless we consider it, and we are not likely to consider things fully unless we stand still and compose ourselves to the consideration of them. The works of God, being wondrous, both deserve and need our consideration, and the due consideration of them will help to reconcile us to all his providences.
We are here taught:
1. The perfection of G-d's knowledge, it is one of the most glorious perfections of G-d that He is perfect in knowledge; He is omniscient. His knowledge is intuitive: He sees, and does not know by report. It is intimate and entire: He knows things truly, and not by their colors--thoroughly, and not by piecemeal. To His knowledge there is nothing distant, but all near--nothing future, but all present--nothing hid, but all open. We ought to acknowledge this in all His wondrous works, and it is sufficient to satisfy us in those wondrous works which we know not the meaning of that they are the works of one that knows what He does.
2. The imperfection of our knowledge. It is good for us to be made sensible of our own ignorance, are so balanced, so spread, that they never rob us of the benefit of the sun (even the cloudy day is day), so balanced that they do not fall at once, nor burst into cataracts or water-spouts. The rainbow is an intimation of G-d's favour in balancing the clouds so as to keep them from drowning the world.
When we look up to heaven above we should remember it is a mirror or looking-glass, not to show us our own faces, but to be a faint representation of the purity, dignity, and brightness of the upper world and its glorious inhabitants.
Matthew Henry
Thunder Struck
Job 37: Hear attentively the noise of His voice. Though the thunder will be heard, and whatever we are doing we cannot help attending to it, yet, to apprehend and understand the instructions G-d thereby gives us, we have need to hear with great attention and appliction applicatio of mind. Thunder is called the voice of the L-rd (Ps. 29:3-9), because by it G-d speaks to the children of men to fear before Him, and it should put us in mind of that mighty word by which the world was at first made, which is called thunder.
How Elihu describes them:
1. Their original, not their second causes, but the first. G-d directs the thunder, and the lightning is His in 37:3. Their production and motion are not from chance, but from the counsel of G-d and under the direction and dominion of His providence, though to us they seem accidental and ungovernable.
2. Their extent. The claps of thunder roll under the whole heaven, and are heard far and near; so are the lightings darted to the ends of the earth; they come out of the one part under heaven and shine to the other.
3. Their order. The lightning is first directed, and after it a voice roars in Job 37:4. The flash of fire, and the noise it makes in a watery cloud, are really at the same time; but, because the motion of light is much quicker than that of sound, we see the lightning some time before we hear the thunder, as we see the firing of a great gun at a distance before we hear the report of it. The thunder is here called the voice of G-d's excellence, because by it He proclaims His transcendent power and greatness. He sends forth His voice and that a mighty voice, Ps. 68:33.
4. Their violence. He will not stay them, that is, He does not need to check them, or hold them back, lest they should grow unruly and out of His power to restrain them, but lets them take their course, says to them, Go, and they go--Come, and they come--Do this, and they do it. He will not stay the rains and showers that usually follow upon the thunder (which He had spoken of, in 36: 27, 29, but will pour them out upon the earth when His voice is heard. Thunder-showers are sweeping rains, and for them He makes the lightings, Ps. 135:7.
5. The inference he draws from all this, in v. 5. Does G-d thunder thus marvellously with His voice? We must then conclude that His other works are great, and such as we cannot comprehend. From this one instance we may argue to all, that, in the dispensations of His providence, there is that which is too great, too strong, for us to oppose or strive against, and too high, too deep, for us to arraign or quarrel with.
The changes and extremities of the weather, wet or dry, hot or cold, are the subject of a great deal of our common talk and observation; but how seldom do we think and speak of these things, as Elihu does here, with an awful regard to G-d the director of them, who shows His power and serves the purposes of His providence by them! We must take notice of the glory of G-d, not only in the thunder and lightning, but in the more common revolutions of the weather, which are not so terrible and which make less noise.
Notice of the winter-weather, when He speaks the word the small rain distils and the great rain pours down as He pleases--the winter-rain. Then He says to the snow, Be thou on the earth; He commissions it, He commands it, He appoints it, where it shall light and how long it shall lie. He speaks, and it is done. The distinction in the Hebrew between the small rain and the great rain is this, that the former is called a shower of rain, the latter of rains, many showers in one; but all are the showers of His strength: the power of G-d is to be observed as much in the small rain that soaks into the earth as in the great rain that batters on the house-top and washes away all before it.
It is the duty and interest of all men to fear G-d. Those that will not fear the L-rd and His goodness shall for ever tremble under the pouring out of the vials of His wrath.
Matthew Henry
How Elihu describes them:
1. Their original, not their second causes, but the first. G-d directs the thunder, and the lightning is His in 37:3. Their production and motion are not from chance, but from the counsel of G-d and under the direction and dominion of His providence, though to us they seem accidental and ungovernable.
2. Their extent. The claps of thunder roll under the whole heaven, and are heard far and near; so are the lightings darted to the ends of the earth; they come out of the one part under heaven and shine to the other.
3. Their order. The lightning is first directed, and after it a voice roars in Job 37:4. The flash of fire, and the noise it makes in a watery cloud, are really at the same time; but, because the motion of light is much quicker than that of sound, we see the lightning some time before we hear the thunder, as we see the firing of a great gun at a distance before we hear the report of it. The thunder is here called the voice of G-d's excellence, because by it He proclaims His transcendent power and greatness. He sends forth His voice and that a mighty voice, Ps. 68:33.
4. Their violence. He will not stay them, that is, He does not need to check them, or hold them back, lest they should grow unruly and out of His power to restrain them, but lets them take their course, says to them, Go, and they go--Come, and they come--Do this, and they do it. He will not stay the rains and showers that usually follow upon the thunder (which He had spoken of, in 36: 27, 29, but will pour them out upon the earth when His voice is heard. Thunder-showers are sweeping rains, and for them He makes the lightings, Ps. 135:7.
5. The inference he draws from all this, in v. 5. Does G-d thunder thus marvellously with His voice? We must then conclude that His other works are great, and such as we cannot comprehend. From this one instance we may argue to all, that, in the dispensations of His providence, there is that which is too great, too strong, for us to oppose or strive against, and too high, too deep, for us to arraign or quarrel with.
The changes and extremities of the weather, wet or dry, hot or cold, are the subject of a great deal of our common talk and observation; but how seldom do we think and speak of these things, as Elihu does here, with an awful regard to G-d the director of them, who shows His power and serves the purposes of His providence by them! We must take notice of the glory of G-d, not only in the thunder and lightning, but in the more common revolutions of the weather, which are not so terrible and which make less noise.
Notice of the winter-weather, when He speaks the word the small rain distils and the great rain pours down as He pleases--the winter-rain. Then He says to the snow, Be thou on the earth; He commissions it, He commands it, He appoints it, where it shall light and how long it shall lie. He speaks, and it is done. The distinction in the Hebrew between the small rain and the great rain is this, that the former is called a shower of rain, the latter of rains, many showers in one; but all are the showers of His strength: the power of G-d is to be observed as much in the small rain that soaks into the earth as in the great rain that batters on the house-top and washes away all before it.
It is the duty and interest of all men to fear G-d. Those that will not fear the L-rd and His goodness shall for ever tremble under the pouring out of the vials of His wrath.
Matthew Henry
Thunder Storms twofold effects
[Job 36:27] For he maketh small the drops of water: they pour down rain according to the vapour thereof:
[27-28 For - Having affirmed that G-d's works are incomprehensibly great and glorious, he now proves it from the most common works of nature and providence. And hence he leaves it to Job to consider how much more deep and inconceivable the secret counsels of G-d must be.
Water - weighs much more than air and is converted by solar energy into vapor state. Since water vapor is lighter than air, the winds can first elevate, and then transport the water from the oceans to the lands where it is needed. There, under the right conditions, the vapor can condense around dust particles, salt particles, or other nuclei of condensation. This appears simply to refer to evaporation, "he exhales;" detaches the smallest particles of the aqueous mass from the surface in order to form clouds, as reservoirs for the purpose of furnishing rain for the watering of the earth. G-d is seen in little things, as well as great things; and the unthinkably little, as well as the spectacularly great, are equally the work of Omnipotence.
They pour down rain - These exceedingly minute drops or vapour become collected in clouds; and then, when agitated by winds, many particles being united, they become too heavy to be sustained by the air in which they before were suspended, and so fall down in rain, which is either a mist, a drizzle, a shower, a storm, or a waterspout, according to the influence of different winds, or the presence and quantum of the electric fluid. And all this is proportioned, "to its vapour," to the quantity of the fluid evaporated and condensed into clouds.]
[28] Which the clouds do drop and distil upon man abundantly.
[Clouds do drop - When this happens, clouds are formed. Water vapor is invisible, whereas clouds are aggregations of liquid water droplets. Rains descend, and the clouds cover with their shadows multitudes of men: He hath appointed to animals to know the order of their dwellings. At the contemplation of these things is not your mind transported, and your heart ready to part from your body?"]
[29] Also can any understand the spreadings of the clouds, or the noise of his tabernacle?
[Can any understand the spreadings of the clouds – to different winds and currents which might drive it all to the sandy deserts, or direct its course so that it should fall again into the great deep from which it has been exhaled, without watering and refreshing the earth; yet so does the good and wise providence of G-d manage this matter, that every part of the arable terrene surface receives an ample supply; and in every place, where requisite, it may be truly said that "The rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and water the earth, and cause it to bring forth and bud, that it may minister seed to the Sower, and bread to the eater, supplying the wants of the earth, of men, and of cattle?” I ask, with Elihu, "Who can understand the spreadings of these clouds?"
Noise - The noise must refer to the blowing of winds and tempests. or to the claps, peals, and rattling of thunder, by means of the electric fluid.
His tabernacle - The thunder produced in the clouds, which are often called G-d's tent or tabernacle. By the tabernacle we may understand the whole firmament or atmospheric expansion; the place where the Almighty seems more particularly to dwell; whence He sends forth the rain of His strength, and the thunder of His power.]
[30] Behold, he spreadeth his light upon it, and covereth the bottom of the sea.
[Light upon it - This is spoken in reference to the flashes and coruscations of lightning in the time of thunder storms, when, even in a dark night, a sudden flash illuminates for a moment the surface of the earth under that place.
Covers the bottom - roots
Of the sea - namely, with the light. In the storm the depths of ocean are laid bare; and the light "covers" them, at the same moment that it "spreads" across the dark sky. So in Ps. 18:14-15, the discovering of "the channels of waters" follows the lightning’s. "He spreads His light upon Himself, and covereth Himself with the roots of the sea" Ps. 104:2. G-d's garment is woven of celestial light and of the watery depths, raised to the sky to form His cloudy canopy. The phrase, "cover Himself with the roots of the sea," is harsh; but the image is grand. the depths of the sea are as much under His control and influence as the atmosphere, and its whole collection of vapors, meteors, and galvanic and electric fluids.]
[31] For by them judgeth he the people; he giveth meat in abundance.
[Judges the people - He makes storms, tempests, winds, hurricanes, tornadoes, thunder and lightning, drought and inundation, the instruments of His justice, to punish rebellious nations.
Meat in abundance - Though by these He punishes offenders, yet through the same, as instruments, He provides for the wants of men and animals in general. Storms, tempests, and hurricanes, agitate the lower regions of the atmosphere, disperse noxious vapors, and thus render it fit for respiration; and without these it would soon become a stagnant, putrid, and deadly mass, in which neither animals could live, nor vegetables thrive. And by dews, rains, snows, frosts, winds, cold, and heat, He fructifies the earth, and causes it to bring forth abundantly, so that every thing living is filled with plenteousness. Though by these He punishes offenders, yet through the same, as instruments, He provides for the wants of men and animals in general. Storms, tempests, and hurricanes, agitate the lower regions of the atmosphere, disperse noxious vapors, and thus render it fit for respiration; and without these it would soon become a stagnant, putrid, and deadly mass, in which neither animals could live, nor vegetables thrive. And by dews, rains, snows, frosts, winds, cold, and heat, He fructifies the earth, and causes it to bring forth abundantly, so that every thing living is filled with plenteousness.
Rain and lighting - by them He judges (chastises on the one hand), (and on the other, by them) He giveth meat (food). The twofold effects of His waters are set forth, so here, of His light; in the one hand, destructive lightning against the wicked; in the other, and the genial light for good to His friends.]
[32] With clouds he covereth the light; and commandeth it not to shine by the cloud that cometh betwixt.
[Clouds - With thick and black clouds spread over the whole heavens.
Light - The sun.
The cloud - Which G-d interposes as a veil between the sun and earth.]
[33] The noise thereof sheweth concerning it, the cattle also concerning the vapour.
[The noise - The thunder gives notice of the approaching rain.
Also - And as the thunder, so also the cattle sheweth, concerning the vapour, concerning the coming of the rain, by a strange instinct, seeking for shelter, when a change of weather is near.
How wonderful and marvelous are His creations!!
As pretty as the clouds can be, I sometimes wonder if He removed the veil we could see directly into the heavenly.
[27-28 For - Having affirmed that G-d's works are incomprehensibly great and glorious, he now proves it from the most common works of nature and providence. And hence he leaves it to Job to consider how much more deep and inconceivable the secret counsels of G-d must be.
Water - weighs much more than air and is converted by solar energy into vapor state. Since water vapor is lighter than air, the winds can first elevate, and then transport the water from the oceans to the lands where it is needed. There, under the right conditions, the vapor can condense around dust particles, salt particles, or other nuclei of condensation. This appears simply to refer to evaporation, "he exhales;" detaches the smallest particles of the aqueous mass from the surface in order to form clouds, as reservoirs for the purpose of furnishing rain for the watering of the earth. G-d is seen in little things, as well as great things; and the unthinkably little, as well as the spectacularly great, are equally the work of Omnipotence.
They pour down rain - These exceedingly minute drops or vapour become collected in clouds; and then, when agitated by winds, many particles being united, they become too heavy to be sustained by the air in which they before were suspended, and so fall down in rain, which is either a mist, a drizzle, a shower, a storm, or a waterspout, according to the influence of different winds, or the presence and quantum of the electric fluid. And all this is proportioned, "to its vapour," to the quantity of the fluid evaporated and condensed into clouds.]
[28] Which the clouds do drop and distil upon man abundantly.
[Clouds do drop - When this happens, clouds are formed. Water vapor is invisible, whereas clouds are aggregations of liquid water droplets. Rains descend, and the clouds cover with their shadows multitudes of men: He hath appointed to animals to know the order of their dwellings. At the contemplation of these things is not your mind transported, and your heart ready to part from your body?"]
[29] Also can any understand the spreadings of the clouds, or the noise of his tabernacle?
[Can any understand the spreadings of the clouds – to different winds and currents which might drive it all to the sandy deserts, or direct its course so that it should fall again into the great deep from which it has been exhaled, without watering and refreshing the earth; yet so does the good and wise providence of G-d manage this matter, that every part of the arable terrene surface receives an ample supply; and in every place, where requisite, it may be truly said that "The rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and water the earth, and cause it to bring forth and bud, that it may minister seed to the Sower, and bread to the eater, supplying the wants of the earth, of men, and of cattle?” I ask, with Elihu, "Who can understand the spreadings of these clouds?"
Noise - The noise must refer to the blowing of winds and tempests. or to the claps, peals, and rattling of thunder, by means of the electric fluid.
His tabernacle - The thunder produced in the clouds, which are often called G-d's tent or tabernacle. By the tabernacle we may understand the whole firmament or atmospheric expansion; the place where the Almighty seems more particularly to dwell; whence He sends forth the rain of His strength, and the thunder of His power.]
[30] Behold, he spreadeth his light upon it, and covereth the bottom of the sea.
[Light upon it - This is spoken in reference to the flashes and coruscations of lightning in the time of thunder storms, when, even in a dark night, a sudden flash illuminates for a moment the surface of the earth under that place.
Covers the bottom - roots
Of the sea - namely, with the light. In the storm the depths of ocean are laid bare; and the light "covers" them, at the same moment that it "spreads" across the dark sky. So in Ps. 18:14-15, the discovering of "the channels of waters" follows the lightning’s. "He spreads His light upon Himself, and covereth Himself with the roots of the sea" Ps. 104:2. G-d's garment is woven of celestial light and of the watery depths, raised to the sky to form His cloudy canopy. The phrase, "cover Himself with the roots of the sea," is harsh; but the image is grand. the depths of the sea are as much under His control and influence as the atmosphere, and its whole collection of vapors, meteors, and galvanic and electric fluids.]
[31] For by them judgeth he the people; he giveth meat in abundance.
[Judges the people - He makes storms, tempests, winds, hurricanes, tornadoes, thunder and lightning, drought and inundation, the instruments of His justice, to punish rebellious nations.
Meat in abundance - Though by these He punishes offenders, yet through the same, as instruments, He provides for the wants of men and animals in general. Storms, tempests, and hurricanes, agitate the lower regions of the atmosphere, disperse noxious vapors, and thus render it fit for respiration; and without these it would soon become a stagnant, putrid, and deadly mass, in which neither animals could live, nor vegetables thrive. And by dews, rains, snows, frosts, winds, cold, and heat, He fructifies the earth, and causes it to bring forth abundantly, so that every thing living is filled with plenteousness. Though by these He punishes offenders, yet through the same, as instruments, He provides for the wants of men and animals in general. Storms, tempests, and hurricanes, agitate the lower regions of the atmosphere, disperse noxious vapors, and thus render it fit for respiration; and without these it would soon become a stagnant, putrid, and deadly mass, in which neither animals could live, nor vegetables thrive. And by dews, rains, snows, frosts, winds, cold, and heat, He fructifies the earth, and causes it to bring forth abundantly, so that every thing living is filled with plenteousness.
Rain and lighting - by them He judges (chastises on the one hand), (and on the other, by them) He giveth meat (food). The twofold effects of His waters are set forth, so here, of His light; in the one hand, destructive lightning against the wicked; in the other, and the genial light for good to His friends.]
[32] With clouds he covereth the light; and commandeth it not to shine by the cloud that cometh betwixt.
[Clouds - With thick and black clouds spread over the whole heavens.
Light - The sun.
The cloud - Which G-d interposes as a veil between the sun and earth.]
[33] The noise thereof sheweth concerning it, the cattle also concerning the vapour.
[The noise - The thunder gives notice of the approaching rain.
Also - And as the thunder, so also the cattle sheweth, concerning the vapour, concerning the coming of the rain, by a strange instinct, seeking for shelter, when a change of weather is near.
How wonderful and marvelous are His creations!!
As pretty as the clouds can be, I sometimes wonder if He removed the veil we could see directly into the heavenly.
Bound in cords of affliction
[Job 36:8] And if they be bound in fetters, and be holden in cords of affliction;
[Bound and holden in cords - These are means which G-d uses, not of punishment, but of correction.]
[9] Then he sheweth them their work, and their transgressions that they have exceeded.
[Work – He shows them the exceeding sinfulness of sin.
Have exceeded - that they have strengthened themselves, and did not trust in the living G-d; and therefore they would not help themselves when trouble came.]
[10] He openeth also their ear to discipline, and commandeth that they return from iniquity.
[Open and commands - He gives them to understand the reason why they are thus corrected, and commands them to return from those iniquities which have induced Him to visit them with afflictions and distresses.]
[11] If they obey and serve him, they shall spend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures.
[If they obey and serve Him - There may appear in the course of Providence to be some exceptions to this general rule; but it is most true, that this is literally or spiritually fulfilled to all the genuine followers of G-d. Every man is happy, in whatsoever circumstances, whose heart is unreservedly dedicated to his Maker.]
[12] But if they obey not, they shall perish by the sword, and they shall die without knowledge.
[Perish by the sword - Instead of they shall perish by the sword, the meaning of the Hebrew is, "By a dart they shall pass by." They shall be in continual dangers, and often fall before they have lived out half their days.]
[13] But the hypocrites in heart heap up wrath: they cry not when he bindeth them.
[Hypocrites in heart - The hypocrite is he who has the form but not the power, though he wishes to be thought as inwardly righteous as he is outwardly correct; and he takes up the profession of religion only to serve secular ends.
Cry not - They are too stubborn to humble themselves even under the mighty hand of G-d.
Bindeth - With the cords of affliction.]
[14] They die in youth, and their life is among the unclean.
[Die in youth - the psalmist says, "Bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days," Ps. 55:23. Literally, the words of Elihu are, "They shall die in the youth of their soul."
Among the unclean - among the whores, harlots, prostitutes, and sodomites, though it also signifies consecrated persons. They shall die by some exemplary stroke of Divine vengeance. Yea, and after death, their life is among the unclean, the unclean spirits, the devil and his angels, for ever excluded from the New Jerusalem, into which no unclean thing shall enter.]
[15] He delivereth the poor in his affliction, and openeth their ears in oppression.
[Opens their ears in oppression - He will let them know for what end they are afflicted, and why He permits them to be oppressed. The word yigel might be translated He shall make them exult, or sing with joy, in oppression; like the three Hebrews in the burning fiery furnace.]
[16] Even so would he have removed thee out of the strait into a broad place, where there is no straitness; and that which should be set on thy table should be full of fatness.
[He have removed thee out - If you had turned to, obeyed, and served Him, your present state would have been widely different from what it is.
Into - A state of ease and freedom.]
[15] He delivereth the poor in his affliction, and openeth their ears in oppression.
[Opens their ears in oppression - He will let them know for what end they are afflicted, and why He permits them to be oppressed. The word yigel might be translated He shall make them exult, or sing with joy, in oppression; like the three Hebrews in the burning fiery furnace.]
[16] Even so would he have removed thee out of the strait into a broad place, where there is no straitness; and that which should be set on thy table should be full of fatness.
[He have removed thee out - If you had turned to, obeyed, and served Him, your present state would have been widely different from what it is.
Into - A state of ease and freedom.]
[21] Take heed, regard not iniquity: for this hast thou chosen rather than affliction.
[Regard not iniquity - you have preferred death to affliction, thereby setting your wisdom against the wisdom of G-d. Many in affliction, long for death; and yet they are not prepared to appear before G-d! What madness is this! If he takes them at their wish, they are ruined for ever. Affliction may be the means of their salvation; the wished-for death, of their eternal destruction.
Chosen - you hast chosen rather to quarrel with G-d, and censure His judgments, than quietly to submit to them.]
Have you ever felt like you were bound in affliction?
Had a death wish that needs canceling out?
You don’t want to die in the youth of your soul and let life get you down. Learn to rejoice in all circumstances for we only see in part, He is in control!
[Bound and holden in cords - These are means which G-d uses, not of punishment, but of correction.]
[9] Then he sheweth them their work, and their transgressions that they have exceeded.
[Work – He shows them the exceeding sinfulness of sin.
Have exceeded - that they have strengthened themselves, and did not trust in the living G-d; and therefore they would not help themselves when trouble came.]
[10] He openeth also their ear to discipline, and commandeth that they return from iniquity.
[Open and commands - He gives them to understand the reason why they are thus corrected, and commands them to return from those iniquities which have induced Him to visit them with afflictions and distresses.]
[11] If they obey and serve him, they shall spend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures.
[If they obey and serve Him - There may appear in the course of Providence to be some exceptions to this general rule; but it is most true, that this is literally or spiritually fulfilled to all the genuine followers of G-d. Every man is happy, in whatsoever circumstances, whose heart is unreservedly dedicated to his Maker.]
[12] But if they obey not, they shall perish by the sword, and they shall die without knowledge.
[Perish by the sword - Instead of they shall perish by the sword, the meaning of the Hebrew is, "By a dart they shall pass by." They shall be in continual dangers, and often fall before they have lived out half their days.]
[13] But the hypocrites in heart heap up wrath: they cry not when he bindeth them.
[Hypocrites in heart - The hypocrite is he who has the form but not the power, though he wishes to be thought as inwardly righteous as he is outwardly correct; and he takes up the profession of religion only to serve secular ends.
Cry not - They are too stubborn to humble themselves even under the mighty hand of G-d.
Bindeth - With the cords of affliction.]
[14] They die in youth, and their life is among the unclean.
[Die in youth - the psalmist says, "Bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days," Ps. 55:23. Literally, the words of Elihu are, "They shall die in the youth of their soul."
Among the unclean - among the whores, harlots, prostitutes, and sodomites, though it also signifies consecrated persons. They shall die by some exemplary stroke of Divine vengeance. Yea, and after death, their life is among the unclean, the unclean spirits, the devil and his angels, for ever excluded from the New Jerusalem, into which no unclean thing shall enter.]
[15] He delivereth the poor in his affliction, and openeth their ears in oppression.
[Opens their ears in oppression - He will let them know for what end they are afflicted, and why He permits them to be oppressed. The word yigel might be translated He shall make them exult, or sing with joy, in oppression; like the three Hebrews in the burning fiery furnace.]
[16] Even so would he have removed thee out of the strait into a broad place, where there is no straitness; and that which should be set on thy table should be full of fatness.
[He have removed thee out - If you had turned to, obeyed, and served Him, your present state would have been widely different from what it is.
Into - A state of ease and freedom.]
[15] He delivereth the poor in his affliction, and openeth their ears in oppression.
[Opens their ears in oppression - He will let them know for what end they are afflicted, and why He permits them to be oppressed. The word yigel might be translated He shall make them exult, or sing with joy, in oppression; like the three Hebrews in the burning fiery furnace.]
[16] Even so would he have removed thee out of the strait into a broad place, where there is no straitness; and that which should be set on thy table should be full of fatness.
[He have removed thee out - If you had turned to, obeyed, and served Him, your present state would have been widely different from what it is.
Into - A state of ease and freedom.]
[21] Take heed, regard not iniquity: for this hast thou chosen rather than affliction.
[Regard not iniquity - you have preferred death to affliction, thereby setting your wisdom against the wisdom of G-d. Many in affliction, long for death; and yet they are not prepared to appear before G-d! What madness is this! If he takes them at their wish, they are ruined for ever. Affliction may be the means of their salvation; the wished-for death, of their eternal destruction.
Chosen - you hast chosen rather to quarrel with G-d, and censure His judgments, than quietly to submit to them.]
Have you ever felt like you were bound in affliction?
Had a death wish that needs canceling out?
You don’t want to die in the youth of your soul and let life get you down. Learn to rejoice in all circumstances for we only see in part, He is in control!
Hyprocrite in Politics
[Job 34:30] That the hypocrite reign not, lest the people be ensnared.
[Hypocrite - is not meant a common hypocrite in religion, but an hypocrite in politics; who pretends to great humanity and goodness, to a tender care of the people, and a preservation of them in their rights and liberties, and promises to support and establish the constitution, and observe the laws of the nation, with a show of zeal for the religion professed in it.
But when he has ascended the throne, and got the power into his hands, he throws off the mask and becomes a tyrant. Men of such a temper, either G-d does not suffer to ascend the throne, but if they do get on it through pretense and deceit, He suffers them not to continue, but deposes them, and cuts their reign short.
The pride of hypocrites is they aim to reign; the praise of men, and power in the world, are their reward, what they aim at.
The policy of tyrants is when they aim to set up themselves they sometimes make use of religion as a cloak and cover for their ambition and by their hypocrisy come to the throne. Power, in the hands of dissemblers, is often destructive to the rights and liberties of a people, which they are more easily wheedled out of than forced out of.
Much mischief has been done likewise to the power of godliness under the pretence of a form of godliness.
Reign – G-d suffers not such to reign, but when he does it is because of the offences or sins of the people. He gives them such kings in His wrath, to punish them for their iniquities.
Ensnared - be brought into bondage, and lose their rights, privileges, and liberties; or lest they be drawn into sin by their precepts or examples, as in 1 Kgs. 12:28, 30. lest the people should be longer kept in the snares of oppression.
G-d doth this to free poor oppressed people from the snares which ungodly men lay for them]
The word hypocrite is found 11 times in Scripture and six of those are in the book of Job.
[Hypocrite - is not meant a common hypocrite in religion, but an hypocrite in politics; who pretends to great humanity and goodness, to a tender care of the people, and a preservation of them in their rights and liberties, and promises to support and establish the constitution, and observe the laws of the nation, with a show of zeal for the religion professed in it.
But when he has ascended the throne, and got the power into his hands, he throws off the mask and becomes a tyrant. Men of such a temper, either G-d does not suffer to ascend the throne, but if they do get on it through pretense and deceit, He suffers them not to continue, but deposes them, and cuts their reign short.
The pride of hypocrites is they aim to reign; the praise of men, and power in the world, are their reward, what they aim at.
The policy of tyrants is when they aim to set up themselves they sometimes make use of religion as a cloak and cover for their ambition and by their hypocrisy come to the throne. Power, in the hands of dissemblers, is often destructive to the rights and liberties of a people, which they are more easily wheedled out of than forced out of.
Much mischief has been done likewise to the power of godliness under the pretence of a form of godliness.
Reign – G-d suffers not such to reign, but when he does it is because of the offences or sins of the people. He gives them such kings in His wrath, to punish them for their iniquities.
Ensnared - be brought into bondage, and lose their rights, privileges, and liberties; or lest they be drawn into sin by their precepts or examples, as in 1 Kgs. 12:28, 30. lest the people should be longer kept in the snares of oppression.
G-d doth this to free poor oppressed people from the snares which ungodly men lay for them]
The word hypocrite is found 11 times in Scripture and six of those are in the book of Job.
In Dispute
[Job 34:3] For the ear trieth words, as the mouth tasteth meat.
[The ear trieth words- The ear of the well thought-out tries words, whether what is said be true or false, right or wrong, and he that speaks must stand the test of the intelligent. A sanctified ear tries these; but then men must have such ears to hear, and be attentive to what they hear, and retain it; hear internally as well as externally; and which a man does when his ears are opened by the L-rd, from who are the hearing ear and seeing eye.
The mouth tasteth meat - As we must prove all things we hear, so we must be willing that what we speak should be proved. Words and doctrines are like meat, some good and some bad; and such that have a good taste try them, either a rational or rather a spiritual discernment: some have no spiritual taste, their taste is not changed, and therefore cannot distinguish, nor make any good judgment of things; but others have, and these discern the difference, relish truth, savor the things that be of G-d, taste the good Word of G-d, and esteem it more than their necessary food; and it is sweeter to them than the honey or the honeycomb.]
[4] Let us choose to us judgment: let us know among ourselves what is good.[Let us - Not contend for victory, but for truth and equity. He does not pretend to be sole dictator, nor undertake to say what is just and good and what is not, but he is willing to join with them in searching it out, and desires a consultation: "Let us agree to lay aside all animosities and feuds, all narrow-mindedness and affectation of disagreement, and all stiffness in hold fast to the opinion we have once take up.”
Choose to ourselves judgment - Take the part of the question or controversy in which truth and justice lie, let us fix right principles on which to proceed, and then take right methods for finding out truth. Let us not seek the applause of men, nor contend for victory. Let our aim be to obtain correct views and notions of all things; and let us labor to find out what is good.
Among ourselves - and let us know among ourselves, by comparing notes and communicating our reasons, what is good and what is otherwise We are then likely to discern what is right when we agree to assist one another in searching it out.]
[11] For the work of a man shall he render unto him, and cause every man to find according to his ways.
[For the work of man – G-d ever will do justice; the righteous shall never be forsaken, nor shall the wicked ultimately prosper. Good works shall be rewarded and evil works either punished or satisfied for; so that sooner or later, in this world or in that to come, He will cause every man to find according to his ways.]
[15] All flesh shall perish together, and man shall turn again unto dust.
[All – G-d's absolute and uncontrollable sovereignty over all mankind.
Perish together - What He may do with us without doing us wrong. He may recall the being He gave, of which we are but tenants at will, and which also we have forfeited; and therefore, as long as that is continued of His mere favour, we have no reason to cry out of wrong, whatever other comforts are removed.
Dust - Gen. 3:19 unto dust shall thou return.]
[21] For his eyes are upon the ways of man, and he seeth all his goings. [For – G-d does not destroy either prince or people unjustly, no nor out of His mere pleasure, but for their sins, which He sees exactly, although they use all possible arts to hide them.
His eyes - Which denotes the omniscience of G-d, which reaches to every man, to every individual, and to all men in general; and to their ways, to every step taken by them, to the whole of their lives and conversations, and every action of them; to all their internal and external ways and goings?
He seeth all - all their inward thoughts, the workings of their mind, the imaginations of their heart; their entire secret purposes, designs, and schemes; and all the desires and affections of their soul; and all these, whether good or bad, the whole of his walk and conversation, conduct and behavior; all his external ways, works, and actions. Ps. 139:1-6.]
[The ear trieth words- The ear of the well thought-out tries words, whether what is said be true or false, right or wrong, and he that speaks must stand the test of the intelligent. A sanctified ear tries these; but then men must have such ears to hear, and be attentive to what they hear, and retain it; hear internally as well as externally; and which a man does when his ears are opened by the L-rd, from who are the hearing ear and seeing eye.
The mouth tasteth meat - As we must prove all things we hear, so we must be willing that what we speak should be proved. Words and doctrines are like meat, some good and some bad; and such that have a good taste try them, either a rational or rather a spiritual discernment: some have no spiritual taste, their taste is not changed, and therefore cannot distinguish, nor make any good judgment of things; but others have, and these discern the difference, relish truth, savor the things that be of G-d, taste the good Word of G-d, and esteem it more than their necessary food; and it is sweeter to them than the honey or the honeycomb.]
[4] Let us choose to us judgment: let us know among ourselves what is good.[Let us - Not contend for victory, but for truth and equity. He does not pretend to be sole dictator, nor undertake to say what is just and good and what is not, but he is willing to join with them in searching it out, and desires a consultation: "Let us agree to lay aside all animosities and feuds, all narrow-mindedness and affectation of disagreement, and all stiffness in hold fast to the opinion we have once take up.”
Choose to ourselves judgment - Take the part of the question or controversy in which truth and justice lie, let us fix right principles on which to proceed, and then take right methods for finding out truth. Let us not seek the applause of men, nor contend for victory. Let our aim be to obtain correct views and notions of all things; and let us labor to find out what is good.
Among ourselves - and let us know among ourselves, by comparing notes and communicating our reasons, what is good and what is otherwise We are then likely to discern what is right when we agree to assist one another in searching it out.]
[11] For the work of a man shall he render unto him, and cause every man to find according to his ways.
[For the work of man – G-d ever will do justice; the righteous shall never be forsaken, nor shall the wicked ultimately prosper. Good works shall be rewarded and evil works either punished or satisfied for; so that sooner or later, in this world or in that to come, He will cause every man to find according to his ways.]
[15] All flesh shall perish together, and man shall turn again unto dust.
[All – G-d's absolute and uncontrollable sovereignty over all mankind.
Perish together - What He may do with us without doing us wrong. He may recall the being He gave, of which we are but tenants at will, and which also we have forfeited; and therefore, as long as that is continued of His mere favour, we have no reason to cry out of wrong, whatever other comforts are removed.
Dust - Gen. 3:19 unto dust shall thou return.]
[21] For his eyes are upon the ways of man, and he seeth all his goings. [For – G-d does not destroy either prince or people unjustly, no nor out of His mere pleasure, but for their sins, which He sees exactly, although they use all possible arts to hide them.
His eyes - Which denotes the omniscience of G-d, which reaches to every man, to every individual, and to all men in general; and to their ways, to every step taken by them, to the whole of their lives and conversations, and every action of them; to all their internal and external ways and goings?
He seeth all - all their inward thoughts, the workings of their mind, the imaginations of their heart; their entire secret purposes, designs, and schemes; and all the desires and affections of their soul; and all these, whether good or bad, the whole of his walk and conversation, conduct and behavior; all his external ways, works, and actions. Ps. 139:1-6.]
History repeats itself
Exodus 1:10 come, let us deal shrewdly with them,lest they multiply, and it come to pass, that, when there falleth out any war, they join also unto our enemies, and fight against us, and so get them up out of the land.
[must get rid of G-d's people and His ways.]
11. set taskmasters over them to afflict them with their burdens.
12. But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew. And they were grieved because of the children of Israel.
[G-d will always have a remnant.]
14. they made their lives bitter with hard bondage--in mortar, in brick, and in all manner of service in the field. All their service in which they made them serve was with rigor.
16. "When you do the duties of a midwife for the Hebrew women, and see them on the birthstools, if it is a son, then you shall kill him; but if it is a daughter, then she shall live."
Isaiah 10:2 To rob the needy of justice, And to take what is right from the poor of My people, That widows may be their prey, And that]they may rob the fatherless.
[Rights being removed as it is today.]
Jer. 15:8 Their widows will be increased to Me more than the sand of the seas; I will bring against them, Against the mother of the young men, A plunderer at noonday; I will cause anguish and terror to fall on them suddenly.
[G-d will repay.]
Mal. 3:5 And I will come near you for judgment; I will be a swift witness Against sorcerers, Against adulterers, Against perjurers, Against those who exploit wage earners and widows and orphans, And against those who turn away an alien-- Because they do not fear Me," Says the L-RD of hosts.
[Gives the reason why G-d is displeased.]
1 Tim. 5:16 If any believing man or woman has widows, let them relieve them, and do not let the church be burdened, that it may relieve those who are really widows.
[Children ought to be taking care of their own, it was left to the church now in the governments care.]
Jam. 1:27 Pure and undefiled religion before G-d and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.
[This is what true religion is!!]
Ezekiel 20:27. "Therefore, son of man, speak to the house of Israel, and say to them, 'Thus says the L-rd G-D: "In this too your fathers have blasphemed Me, by being unfaithful to Me.
[Unfaithfulness brings judgment.]
28. When I brought them into the land concerning which I had raised My hand in an oath to give them, and they saw all the high hills and all the thick trees, there they offered their sacrifices and provoked Me with their offerings. There they also sent up their sweet aroma and poured out their drink offerings.
29. Then I said to them, 'What is this high place to which you go?' So its name is called Bamah to this day."
Like unto the days of old, history repeats itself for we have not learned from the mistakes of others that were set before us.
Pharaoh killed all the boy babies, now we have laws to legally abort our unborn.
Pharaoh put heavy taxes and burdens on G-d’s people, the same thing is now taking place.
G-d had Laws and provisions for the widows and elderly; today they are being taken away, for they are considered second class citizens of no value.
Why is this all happening you say? Because we have placed our trust in to the government system - people we have elected to make or change our laws, who we set high over us.
G-d is allowing it for if we choose to serve the idols of this world we deserve to receive the fruit from them. He has always allowed the enemy to take over to bring us back into submission to Him, but the choice is ours as to whom we wish to serve and believe.
Are you trusting in the system or standing firm on G-d’s system that was clearly written down for us to follow? Place your trust in Him for He is your provider.
We are not to judge another, but if one professes with their mouth they are a Christian then make abortions legal, allow same sex marrage, place freezes on Social Security and change medicar -- their fruit stinks and we are to be fruit expectors.
[must get rid of G-d's people and His ways.]
11. set taskmasters over them to afflict them with their burdens.
12. But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew. And they were grieved because of the children of Israel.
[G-d will always have a remnant.]
14. they made their lives bitter with hard bondage--in mortar, in brick, and in all manner of service in the field. All their service in which they made them serve was with rigor.
16. "When you do the duties of a midwife for the Hebrew women, and see them on the birthstools, if it is a son, then you shall kill him; but if it is a daughter, then she shall live."
Isaiah 10:2 To rob the needy of justice, And to take what is right from the poor of My people, That widows may be their prey, And that]they may rob the fatherless.
[Rights being removed as it is today.]
Jer. 15:8 Their widows will be increased to Me more than the sand of the seas; I will bring against them, Against the mother of the young men, A plunderer at noonday; I will cause anguish and terror to fall on them suddenly.
[G-d will repay.]
Mal. 3:5 And I will come near you for judgment; I will be a swift witness Against sorcerers, Against adulterers, Against perjurers, Against those who exploit wage earners and widows and orphans, And against those who turn away an alien-- Because they do not fear Me," Says the L-RD of hosts.
[Gives the reason why G-d is displeased.]
1 Tim. 5:16 If any believing man or woman has widows, let them relieve them, and do not let the church be burdened, that it may relieve those who are really widows.
[Children ought to be taking care of their own, it was left to the church now in the governments care.]
Jam. 1:27 Pure and undefiled religion before G-d and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.
[This is what true religion is!!]
Ezekiel 20:27. "Therefore, son of man, speak to the house of Israel, and say to them, 'Thus says the L-rd G-D: "In this too your fathers have blasphemed Me, by being unfaithful to Me.
[Unfaithfulness brings judgment.]
28. When I brought them into the land concerning which I had raised My hand in an oath to give them, and they saw all the high hills and all the thick trees, there they offered their sacrifices and provoked Me with their offerings. There they also sent up their sweet aroma and poured out their drink offerings.
29. Then I said to them, 'What is this high place to which you go?' So its name is called Bamah to this day."
Like unto the days of old, history repeats itself for we have not learned from the mistakes of others that were set before us.
Pharaoh killed all the boy babies, now we have laws to legally abort our unborn.
Pharaoh put heavy taxes and burdens on G-d’s people, the same thing is now taking place.
G-d had Laws and provisions for the widows and elderly; today they are being taken away, for they are considered second class citizens of no value.
Why is this all happening you say? Because we have placed our trust in to the government system - people we have elected to make or change our laws, who we set high over us.
G-d is allowing it for if we choose to serve the idols of this world we deserve to receive the fruit from them. He has always allowed the enemy to take over to bring us back into submission to Him, but the choice is ours as to whom we wish to serve and believe.
Are you trusting in the system or standing firm on G-d’s system that was clearly written down for us to follow? Place your trust in Him for He is your provider.
We are not to judge another, but if one professes with their mouth they are a Christian then make abortions legal, allow same sex marrage, place freezes on Social Security and change medicar -- their fruit stinks and we are to be fruit expectors.
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