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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Job 5:6-16

Eliphaz, having touched Job in a very tender part, in mentioning both the loss of his estate and the death of his children as the just punishment of his sin, that he might not drive him to despair, here begins to encourage him, and puts him in a way to make himself easy. Now he very much changes his voice (Gal. 4:20), and speaks in the accents of kindness, as if he would atone for the hard words he had given him. I. He reminds him that no affliction comes by chance, nor is to be attributed to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 5:12

He disappointeth the devices of the crafty ,.... Or, "it disappointeth"; that is, the rain, as some Jewish commentators F13 Aben Ezra, Jarchi, & R. Simeon Bar Tzemach. interpret it, and the whole paragraph to this sense; the rain coming upon the earth makes it fruitful, and causes it to produce a plentiful crop, whereby the schemes of crafty men are disappointed, who in a time of drought withhold the corn, and enhance the price of it, and distress the poor; and this in order to... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Job 5:12

He disappointeth the devices of the crafty - All these sayings refer to God's particular providence, by which he is ever working for the good, and counterworking the plots of the wicked. And as various as are the contingent, capricious, and malevolent acts of men, so varied are his providential interferences; disappointing the devices, snares, and plots of the crafty, so that their plans being confounded, and their machinery broken in pieces, their hands cannot perform their enterprises. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 5:1-27

Eliphaz, having narrated his vision, and rehearsed the words which the spirit spoke in his ear, continues in his own person, first ( Job 5:1-7 ) covertly reproaching Job, and then (verses 8-27) seeking to comfort him by the suggestion that, if he will place himself unreservedly in the hands of God, it is still possible that God may relent, remove his chastening hand, deliver him from his troubles, and even give him back all his former prosperity. The anticipation is in remarkable... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 5:8-16

Eliphaz to Job: 4. The saint's confidence in God. I. THE SAINT 'S CHARACTER DESCRIBED . 1 . Negatively. By way of contrast to the ungodly, who are depicted as 2 . Positively. Exhibiting them as II. THE SAINT 'S GOD EXTOLLED . 1 . As a God of power. 2 . As a God of benevolence. Operating: (a) confounding the crafty,—exploding their schemes, neutralizing their actions, outwitting their cunning, precipitating their purposes, so causing their... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 5:8-16

God the true Refuge in affliction. "I would seek unto God." Wisely did Eliphaz urge his friend to seek refuge in the only true and safe resort. "Under his feathers shalt thou trust." In the midst of all sorrows— "God is the Refuge of his saints, When storms of sharp distress invade; Ere we can offer our complaints, Behold him present with his aid." To seek this Refuge men are encouraged by— I. THE GREATNESS OF THE DIVINE POWER . He "doeth great things and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 5:8-16

Seeking unto God. As usual, the advice of Eliphaz is excellent in the abstract. The error is in the particular way of applying it to Job. Here is the sting of it. But its general truth is always instructive. This is certainly the case with the recommendation to "seek unto God." I. INQUIRE WHAT IT IS TO SEEK UNTO GOD . 1 . It begins with remoteness from God. We have lost God if we have to seek him, as we need not think of finding what we already possess and enjoy.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 5:8-27

Refuge from trouble in the thought of God. Conclusion of Eliphaz's address. His language suddenly changes into a gentler strain. It is like the clearing of a dark sky, revealing once more the deep blue; or the bend of a stream which has been flowing through a stern gorge, now broadening out into a sunlit lake. I. THE GREATNESS AND BENEFICENCE OF GOD . ( Job 5:8-16 .) Let men turn to him for comfort and for strength. It is a bright gem of description. 1 . God is the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 5:12

He disappointeth the devices of the crafty ; or, frustrateth—makes them of no effect (comp. Psalms 33:10 ; Isaiah 8:10 ). Some suppose Eliphaz to insinuate here that Job's apparent wisdom has not been true wisdom, but cunning or craft, and that therefore God has brought it to nought. But to us it rather seems that he enunciates a.general sentiment, and a true one. He is giving examples of the "marvellous things" which God does (verse 9), and naturally enumerates among them his... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Job 5:12

He disappointeth the devices of the crafty - He foils them in their schemes, or makes their plans vain. This too was the result of close observation on the part of Eliphaz. He had seen instances where the plans of crafty, designing, and artful people had been defeated, and where the straightforward had been prospered and honored. Such cases led him to believe that God was the friend of virtue, and was worthy of entire confidence.So that their hands - So that they. The hands are the instruments... read more

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