Job 21

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 21:22

Shall any teach God knowledge? Job has been searching the "deep things of God," speculating upon the method of the Divine government of the world, he has perhaps rashly ventured to "rush in where angels fear to tread." Now, however, he cheeks himself with the confession that God's ways are inscrutable, his knowledge far beyond any knowledge possessed by man. Men must not presume to judge him; it is for him to judge them. Seeing he judgeth those that are high . None so exalted, none so... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 21:22

Teaching God. Job has already warned his friends that their advocacy of a cruel creed was speaking wickedly for God ( Job 13:7 ). The presumption of the foolish advocates of an effete orthodoxy now reaches a greater height, and they virtually assume to teach God. Their dogma is above Divine revelation. If the two differ, so much the worse for the revelation. Let us see how this same error may be found in other branches of life and thought. I. IN AUTHORITATIVE ORTHODOXY . It... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 21:23

One dieth in his full strength, being wholly at ease and quiet . Some continue healthy and vigorous in body, peaceful and satisfied in mind, up to the very moment of their departure (comp. Job 21:13 , "They spend their days in wealth, and in a moment go down to the grave"). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 21:23-26

The common fate. Job has pointed out that the wicked are not always punished in this life with external trouble; on the contrary, they often flourish to the end in unbroken prosperity (verse 7, etc.). He next proceeds to show that the end of the happy and the sorrowful is the same. The prosperous had man does not meet with a reverse of fortune at last, nor does the afflicted righteous man find an earthly reward in his later days. Both go down to death without a sign of the reversal of their... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 21:24

His breasts are full of milk ; rather, his milk-pails , as in the margin. The main wealth of the time being cattle, the man whose milk-pails are always full is the prosperous man. And his bones are moistened with marrow. Being thus wealthy and prosperous, his body is fat and well nourished. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 21:24

And another dieth in the bitterness of his soul . Others have to suffer terribly before death comes to them. Their whole life is wretched, and their spirit is embittered by their misfortunes. And never eateth with pleasure ; rather, and never tasteth of good (see the Revised Version). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 21:26

They shall lie down alike in the dust, and the worms shall cover them . However different the circumstances of their life, men are alike in their death. One event happens to all. All die, are laid in the dust, and become the prey of worms. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 21:27

Behold, I know your thoughts, and the devices (or, surmisings ) which ye wrongfully imagine against me . I know, i.e. ' what you think of me. I am quite aware that you regard me as having brought my afflictions upon myself by wicked deeds, which I have succeeded in keeping secret. You have not openly stated your surmises. but it has been easy for me to "read between the lines," and understand the true meaning of your insinuations, which are all wrongful and unjust. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 21:28

For ye say, Where is the house of the prince? i.e. "What has become of the house of the powerful man (Job himself)? How is it fallen and gone to decay!" And where are the dwelling-places (literally, the tent of the habitations ) of the wicked! Again Job is intended, although the insult is veiled by the plural form being used. Job supposes that his opponents will meet his statement, that the righteous are afflicted and the wicked prosper, by pointing to his own case as one in which... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 21:29

Have ye not asked them that go by the way? Job refers his opponents to the first comer ( τὸν ἐπιόντα )—the merest passer-by. Let them ask his opinion, and see if he does not consider that, as a general rule, the wicked prosper. And do ye not know their tokens? or, their observations ; i.e. the conclusions to which they have come upon the subject from their own observation and experience. read more

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