Verses 17–22
Job's condition was very deplorable; but he had the testimony of his conscience for him, that
he never allowed himself in any gross sin. No one was ever more ready to acknowledge sins of
infirmity. Eliphaz had charged him with hypocrisy in religion, but he specifies prayer, the great act
of religion, and professes that in this he was pure, though not from all infirmity. He had a God to
go to, who he doubted not took full notice of all his sorrows. Those who pour out tears before God,
though they cannot plead for themselves, by reason of their defects, have a Friend to plead for them,
even the Son of man, and on him we must ground all our hopes of acceptance with God. To die, is
to go the way whence we shall not return. We must all of us, very certainly, and very shortly, go
this journey. Should not then the Saviour be precious to our souls? And ought we not to be ready
to obey and to suffer for his sake? If our consciences are sprinkled with his atoning blood, and
testify that we are not living in sin or hypocrisy, when we go the way whence we shall not return,
it will be a release from prison, and an entrance into everlasting happiness.
Chapter 17
Chapter Outline
Job appeals from man to God. (1–9)
His hope is not in life, but in death. (10–16)Verses 1–9
Job reflects upon the harsh censures his friends had passed upon him, and, looking on himself
as a dying man, he appeals to God. Our time is ending. It concerns us carefully to redeem the days
of time, and to spend them in getting ready for eternity. We see the good use the righteous should
make of Job's afflictions from God, from enemies, and from friends. Instead of being discouraged
in the service of God, by the hard usage this faithful servant of God met with, they should be made
bold to proceed and persevere therein. Those who keep their eye upon heaven as their end, will
keep their feet in the paths of religion as their way, whatever difficulties and discouragements they
may meet with.
Verses 10–16
Job's friends had pretended to comfort him with the hope of his return to a prosperous estate;
he here shows that those do not go wisely about the work of comforting the afflicted, who fetch
their comforts from the possibility of recovery in this world. It is our wisdom to comfort ourselves,
and others, in distress, with that which will not fail; the promise of God, his love and grace, and a
well-grounded hope of eternal life. See how Job reconciles himself to the grave. Let this make
believers willing to die; it is but going to bed; they are weary, and it is time that they were in their