after another. But religion is not a vain thing. If it be so to us, we may thank ourselves for resting
on the outside of it. Job shows their folly.
Verses 17–26
Job had described the prosperity of wicked people; in these verses he opposes this to what his
friends had maintained about their certain ruin in this life. He reconciles this to the holiness and
justice of God. Even while they prosper thus, they are light and worthless, of no account with God,
or with wise men. In the height of their pomp and power, there is but a step between them and ruin.
Job refers the difference Providence makes between one wicked man and another, into the wisdom
of God. He is Judge of all the earth, and he will do right. So vast is the disproportion between time
and eternity, that if hell be the lot of every sinner at last, it makes little difference if one goes singing
thither, and another sighing. If one wicked man die in a palace, and another in a dungeon, the worm
that dies not, and the fire that is not quenched, will be the same to them. Thus differences in this
world are not worth perplexing ourselves about.
Verses 27–34
Job opposes the opinion of his friends, That the wicked are sure to fall into visible and remarkable
ruin, and none but the wicked; upon which principle they condemned Job as wicked. Turn to whom
you will, you will find that the punishment of sinners is designed more for the other world than for
this, Jude 1:14, 15. The sinner is here supposed to live in a great deal of power. The sinner shall
have a splendid funeral: a poor thing for any man to be proud of the prospect of. He shall have a
stately monument. And a valley with springs of water to keep the turf green, was accounted an
honourable burial place among eastern people; but such things are vain distinctions. Death closes
his prosperity. It is but a poor encouragement to die, that others have died before us. That which
makes a man die with true courage, is, with faith to remember that Jesus Christ died and was laid
in the grave, not only before us, but for us. That He hath gone before us, and died for us, who is
alive and liveth for us, is true consolation in the hour of death.
Chapter 22
Chapter Outline
Eliphaz shows that a man's goodness profits (1–4)
not God.
Job accused of oppression. (5–14)
The world before the flood. (15–20)
Eliphaz exhorts Job to repentance. (21–30)