Behold, all ye yourselves have seen it . The true Divine scheme of action has been so long and so frequently made manifest—openly set forth in the sight o! men—that Job cannot believe that those whom he addresses are ignorant of it. They must themselves have seen the scheme at work. Why then are ye thus altogether vain? Why, then, do they not draw true inferences from the facts that come under their notice? read more
This is the portion of a wicked men with God . In "this" Job includes all that follows from verse 14 to verse 23—"this, which I am going to lay down." He pointedly takes up the words of Zophar in Job 20:29 , admitting their general truth. And the heritage of oppressors, which they shall receive of the Almighty . Retribution is "their portion ," "their heritage ," i.e. the natural result and consequence of their precedent sin. read more
The reward of iniquity. Job's eye had been open to behold the ways of God with men. He had seen the effects of righteous living and of wickedness. His own suffering, coupled with his consciousness of integrity, would quicken his inquiries and his observations on the relative results of these two methods of living. He now pronounces his judgment on the fruits of ungodly living: "This is the portion of a wicked man." Whatever may be the temporary prosperity of the wicked (and of such... read more
The portion of a wicked man. Job seems to be echoing the teaching of his friends which he has previously repudiated. Now he urges that the wicked man does meet with trouble as the wages of his misdeeds. But Job looks further than his friends. He does not associate particular and immediate troubles with guilt as they do; he takes a large view of life; he embraces the whole career; and from that he draws his conclusions. The striking thing about this picture is that success is converted into... read more
If his children be multiplied, it is for the sword . Among the items of prosperity which Job had assigned to the wicked man in one of his previous discourses ( Job 21:8 , Job 21:11 ) was a numerous and flourishing offspring. Now he feels forced to admit that, frequently at any rate, this flourishing offspring is overtaken by calamity ( Job 21:19 )—it falls by the sword, either in predatory warfare, to which it was bred up, or as the consequence of a blood-feud inherited from its... read more
Those that remain of him shall be buried in death . Not simply "shall die," but shall "be buried," i.e. lost sight of, and forgotten, "in death." And his widows shall not weep (comp. Psalms 78:64 ). The deaths of his offspring shall not be lamented by their widows—a very grievous omission in the eyes of Orientals. read more
Though he heap up silver as the dust . The city of Tyro, we are told by Zechariah, "heaped up silver as the dust " ( Zechariah 9:3 ), i.e. in vast quantities, beyond count. So might the wicked man do. He might also prepare raiment as the clay ; i.e. fill his house with rich dresses, partly for his own wear, partly to be given as robes of honour to his friends and boon companions (setup. Genesis 45:22 ; 2 Kings 5:22 ; 2 Kings 10:22 , Matthew 6:19 ; James 5:2 ). Robes of... read more
He may prepare it, but the just shall put it on . The raiment thus accumulated shall pass from the wicked into the hands of the just, who at his death shall enter upon his inheritance ( Job 20:18 , Job 20:28 ). And the innocent shall divide the silver (see the first clause of Job 27:16 ). read more
The wicked working for the good. This is not intentional. But it is a fact of observation and experience. Let us consider first the fact, and then how it is brought about. I. THAT THE WORK OF THE WICKED IS FOR THE ADVANTAGE OF THE GOOD . First there is the negative side of the truth. Bad people do not enjoy the fruits of their own misdeeds. They may heap up riches, but they are not able to keep possession of them; for even if they meet with no reverse of... read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Job 27:11-23
Job's first parable: 2. The portion of a wicked man with God. I. JOB 'S LANGUAGE EXPLAINED . The lot, or earthly inheritance, of the ungodly Job exhibits in three particulars. 1 . The wicked man ' s family. However numerous the children that gather round a sinner's hearth, they will all be overwhelmed in eventual destruction. 2 . The wicked man's wealth. This also shall be dissipated. 3 . The wicked man ' s person. Equally with his family and possessions,... read more