Job 22

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 22:11

Or darkness, that thou canst not see . Job had complained of the "darkness" that was "set in his paths" ( Job 19:8 ), meaning probably his inability to discover the cause of his afflictions. And abundance of waters cover thee. The comparison of severe affliction to an overwhelming flood is very common in Scripture (see Psalms 42:7 ; Psalms 69:1-3 , Psalms 69:14 , Psalms 69:15 ; Psalms 124:4 , Psalms 124:5 ; Lamentations 3:54 , etc.). So Shakespeare speaks of "a sea of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 22:12

Is not God in the height of heaven? From taxing Job with definite open sins, Eliphaz proceeds to accuse him of impious thoughts and principles. He does not acknowledge, Eliphaz says, either the majesty or the omniscience of God. Here he has, at any rate, some tangible ground for his reproaches. Job's words have been over-bold, over-venturesome. He has seemed to forget the distance between God and man ( Job 9:30-33 ; Job 10:2 , Job 10:3 ; Job 13:3 , etc.), and to call in question... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 22:13

And thou sayest, How doth God know? Job had not said this in so many words, but, by equalizing the godly and the wicked ( Job 9:22 ; Job 21:23-26 ), he might be supposed to mean that God took no note of men's conduct, and therefore had not a perfect knowledge of all things. The psalmist implies that many men so thought ( Psalms 10:11 ; Psalms 73:11 ; Psalms 94:7 ). Can he judge through the dark cloud? rather, through the thick darkness. God was supposed to dwell remote from... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 22:13

God's knowledge. I. THE APPARENT DIFFICULTY OF IT . It may not be asserted that God does not know all, and yet people act as though they could hide from God. In distress and loneliness it sometimes seems as though God could not know whet were the troubles of his children, or he would not permit them to be so grievously tried. The vastness of the universe raises the same difficulty. Many things are covered up, and it is not easy for us to believe that he can "judge through the thick... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 22:13-14

The unseen eye. God is exalted; he is "in the height of heaven." He is unseen by man, and therefore often forgotten. He is above, beyond; and the frail judgment perverts this great truth into— I. A SUPPOSITION OF THE DIVINE IGNORANCE OF HUMAN AFFAIRS . "How doth God know?" "Thick clouds are a covering to him, that he seeth not." Thus ignorance or folly perverts the right and the good. Either the judgment or the moral character is at fault. Men sin in forgetfulness that... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 22:14

Thick clouds are a covering to him, that he seeth not (see the comment on the preceding verse); and he walketh in the circuit of heaven; or, on the circumference of the heavens. The heavens are regarded as a solid vault, outside which is the place where God dwells. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 22:15

Hast thou marked the old way which wicked men have trodden? rather, Wilt thou keep the old way ' etc.? (see the Revised Version). Eliphaz assumes that it is Job's intention to cast in his lot with these persons whose prosperous wickedness he has described in the preceding chapter (verses 7-15). And this notwithstanding Job's final protest, "Be the counsel of the wicked far from me" (verse 16). He calls the mode of life pursued by these wicked persons "the old way," either with allusion... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 22:16

Which were cut down (rather, swept or snatched away ) out of time ; i.e. before their time , prematurely. Whose foundation was overflown with a flood. Some suppose an allusion to the general destruction of mankind by the Noachian Deluge; but perhaps no more is meant than that the supports of the wicked are ordinarily loosened and carried away by a flood of calamity. No single event need be referred to. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 22:17

Who said unto God, Depart from us (comp. Job 21:14 ). Eliphaz tries, though with no very great success, to turn Job's words against him. And, What can the Almighty do for them? i.e. and ask what the Almighty can do for them. A change from the second to the third person, without any change of subject, is not unusual in Hebrew. The wicked renounce God, and bid him depart from them—conduct which they justify by asking what good he could do them if they acted otherwise. The idea is the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 22:18

Yet he filled their houses with good things . The "he" is emphatic ( הוּא ). Translate, Yet it was he that filled their houses with good things ; and comp. Job 21:16 , where the prosperity of the wicked is said not to have proceeded from themselves. But the counsel of the wicked is far from me; or, but let the counsel of the wicked be far from me. Again, Job's words in Job 21:16 are echoed, perhaps that Eliphaz may show himself to be at least as pious as Job. read more

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