Verses 17–35
Eliphaz maintains that the wicked are certainly miserable: whence he would infer, that the
miserable are certainly wicked, and therefore Job was so. But because many of God's people have
prospered in this world, it does not therefore follow that those who are crossed and made poor, as
Job, are not God's people. Eliphaz shows also that wicked people, particularly oppressors, are
subject to continual terror, live very uncomfortably, and perish very miserably. Will the prosperity
of presumptuous sinners end miserably as here described? Then let the mischiefs which befal others,
be our warnings. Though no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous,
nevertheless, afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruits of righteousness to them that are exercised
thereby. No calamity, no trouble, however heavy, however severe, can rob a follower of the Lord
of his favour. What shall separate him from the love of Christ?
Chapter 16
Chapter Outline
Job reproves his friends. (1–5)
He represents his case as deplorable. (6–16)
Job maintains his innocency. (17–22)Verses 1–5
Eliphaz had represented Job's discourses as unprofitable, and nothing to the purpose; Job here
gives his the same character. Those who pass censures, must expect to have them retorted; it is
easy, it is endless, but what good does it do? Angry answers stir up men's passions, but never
convince their judgments, nor set truth in a clear light. What Job says of his friends is true of all
creatures, in comparison with God; one time or other we shall be made to see and own that miserable
comforters are they all. When under convictions of sin, terrors of conscience, or the arrests of death,
only the blessed Spirit can comfort effectually; all others, without him, do it miserably, and to no
purpose. Whatever our brethren's sorrows are, we ought by sympathy to make them our own; they
may soon be so.
Verses 6–16
Here is a doleful representation of Job's grievances. What reason we have to bless God, that
we are not making such complaints! Even good men, when in great troubles, have much ado not
to entertain hard thoughts of God. Eliphaz had represented Job as unhumbled under his affliction:
No, says Job, I know better things; the dust is now the fittest place for me. In this he reminds us of
Christ, who was a man of sorrows, and pronounced those blessed that mourn, for they shall be
comforted.