Job 12:20

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Job 12:12-25

This is a noble discourse of Job's concerning the wisdom, power, and sovereignty of God, in ordering and disposing of all the affairs of the children of men, according to the counsel of his own will, which none dares gainsay or can resist. Take both him and them out of the controversy in which they were so warmly engaged, and they all spoke admirably well; but, in that, we sometimes scarcely know what to make of them. It were well if wise and good men, that differ in their apprehensions about... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 12:20

He removeth away the speech of the trusty ,.... Speech is proper to mankind, and a benefit unto them, whereby they can converse together, and communicate their minds to each other; this is the gift of God, he gives to men in common the faculty of speaking; to some the tongue of the learned to speak various tongues, either in an ordinary or in an extraordinary manner; and he that gives can take away; he that made man's mouth or lip can make it speechless, as he does at death; when he takes... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Job 12:20

He removeth away the speech of the trusty - The faithful counsellor and the eloquent orator avail nothing: Quos Deus vult perdere, prius dementat ; "God infatuates those whom he is determined to destroy." The writer might have had his eyes on Isaiah 3:1-3 , which the reader will do well to consult. The understanding of the aged - זקנים zekenim signifies the same here as our word elders or elder-men; which includes in itself the two ideas of seniority, or considerably advanced... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 12:1-25

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 12:11-25

The Devine supremacy illustrated. Bildad appeals to "the ancients." Job replies, "I also know their teaching." But there is a wisdom higher than that of the ancients. Wisdom—unfailing wisdom—is a Divine attribute. From the earthly to the heavenly wisdom Job turns. He speaks of a higher and a mightier One—One "with whom is strength and wisdom," by which he rules. The supremacy of that Divine rule he illustrates from a very wide field of survey. He points to the evidences of the Divine... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 12:13-25

Job to Zophar: 3. The providence of God described. I. As INFINITELY WISE AND POWERFUL . "With God is wisdom and strength, he hath counsel and understanding" (verse 13)—a sentiment repeated in verse 16. Of the two attributes here mentioned, the first is involved in his supreme Divinity; though in the connection Job seems to base it on his eternal existence, as if he meant to say, "You affirm that in length of days is understanding, and I grant it; but what then must be the wisdom of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 12:13-25

Images of the irresistible power of God. I. THE WALL , OR HOUSE , OR CITY THUS DEMOLISHED CANNOT BE BUILT UP AGAIN . ( Job 12:14 .) Swept with the besom of destruction, it becomes the possession of the bittern and pools of water ( Isaiah 14:23 ). The ruined walls of Babylon and her charred gates defy the weary toil of the people ( Jeremiah 51:58 ); she sinks, and shall not rise from the evil that Jehovah will bring upon her ( Jeremiah 51:64 ). Men may build,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 12:13-25

The wisdom and might of God. Job meets his friend's authoritative utterances of proverbs and worldly maxims by a citation of similar sayings, but with a different import. It is not true that the righteous always prosper, and that the wicked always suffer. Such a primitive notion implies too anthropocentric a conception of the universe; it goes on the assumption that all things are done just to suit our condition and conduct. Now, Job takes a higher and wider view. He appeals to sayings that... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 12:16-22

Instances of the overruling wisdom of God. I. THE DECEIVER AND THE DECEIVED ARE HIS . ( Job 12:16 .) He can cause the spirit of the faithless prophet to be a lying spirit ( 1 Kings 22:1-53 .), to be deceived in his oracles, and incur destruction ( Ezekiel 14:9 ). II. So THE JUDGES ARE MADE FOOLS . ( Job 12:17 .) In short, God hath made from time to time the wisdom of this world foolishness ( 1 Corinthians 1:1-31 .), that no flesh might glory in his... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 12:20

He removeth away the speech of the trusty . God deprives trusted statesmen of their eloquence, destroys their reputation and their authority. And taketh away the understanding of the aged . He turns wise and aged men into fools and drivellers, weakening their judgments and reducing them to imbecility. read more

Group of Brands