Job 12:14 - Exposition

Behold, he breaketh down, and it cannot be built again . Professor Lee thinks that the allusion is to the cities of the plain ( Genesis 19:24-29 ). But the sentiment is so general, that we may well doubt if particular instances were in Job's mind. At any rate, the destructive agencies of nature must be as much included as any supernatural acts. He shutteth up a man (comp. Job 11:10 ). God "shuts up" men when be hedges them in with calamities or other circumstances, which take away from them all freedom of action ( Job 3:23 ; Job 19:8 ) When he does this, the result follows— There can be no opening . No other power can give release.