Job Chapter 33

From The Open Bible Project

33:1 "However, Job, please hear my speech, and listen to all my words.

33:2 See now, I have opened my mouth. My tongue has spoken in my mouth.

33:3 My words shall utter the uprightness of my heart. That which my lips know they shall speak sincerely.

33:4 The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.

• (a) I confess the power of God, and am one of his, therefore you should hear me.

33:5 If you can, answer me. Set your words in order before me, and stand forth.

33:6 Behold, I am toward God even as you are. I am also formed out of the clay.

• (b) Because Job had wished to dispute his cause with God, (Job 16:21) so that he might do it without fear, Elihu says, he will reason in God�s stead, whom he does not need to fear.

33:7 Behold, my terror shall not make you afraid, neither shall my pressure be heavy on you.

• (c) I will not handle you so roughly as these others have done.

33:8 "Surely you have spoken in my hearing, I have heard the voice of your words, saying,

33:9 'I am clean, without disobedience. I am innocent, neither is there iniquity in me.

• (d) He repeats Job�s words, by which he protested his innocency in various places, but especially in the 13th, 16th and 30th chapters.

33:10 Behold, he finds occasions against me. He counts me for his enemy.

33:11 He puts my feet in the stocks. He marks all my paths.'

33:12 "Behold, I will answer you. In this you are not just, for God is greater than man.

33:13 Why do you strive against him, because he doesn't give account of any of his matters?

• (e) The cause of his judgments is not always declared to man.

33:14 For God speaks once, yes twice, though man pays no attention.

• (f) Though God by various examples of his judgments speak to man, yet the reason for it is not known, yea and though God should speak yet is he not understood.

33:15 In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls on men, in slumbering on the bed;

• (g) God, he says, speaks commonly, either by visions to teach us the cause of his judgments, of else by affliction or by his messenger.

33:16 Then he opens the ears of men, and seals their instruction,

• (h) That is, determined to send on them.

33:17 That he may withdraw man from his purpose, and hide pride from man.

• (i) He shows for why God sends afflictions: to beat down man�s pride, and to turn from evil.

33:18 He keeps back his soul from the pit, and his life from perishing by the sword.

33:19 He is chastened also with pain on his bed, with continual strife in his bones;

33:20 So that his life abhors bread, and his soul dainty food.

• (k) That is, his painful and miserable life.

33:21 His flesh is so consumed away, that it can't be seen. His bones that were not seen stick out.

33:22 Yes, his soul draws near to the pit, and his life to the destroyers.

• (l) To them that will bury him.

33:23 "If there is beside him an angel, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to show to man what is right for him;

• (m) A man sent from God to declare his will.
• (n) A singular man, and as one chosen out of a thousand, who is able to declare the great mercies of God to sinners: and in which man's righteousness stands, which is through the justice of Jesus Christ.

33:24 then God is gracious to him, and says, 'Deliver him from going down to the pit, I have found a ransom.'

• (o) He shows that it is a sure token of God�s mercy toward sinners, when he causes his word to be preached to them.
• (p) That is, the minister will by the preaching of the word pronounce to him the forgiveness of his sins.

33:25 His flesh shall be fresher than a child's. He returns to the days of his youth.

• (q) He will feel God�s favour and rejoice; declaring by this in which stands the true joy of the faithful, and that God will restore him to health, which is a token of his blessing.

33:26 He prays to God, and he is favorable to him, so that he sees his face with joy. He restores to man his righteousness.

• (r) God will forgive his sins, and accept him as just.

33:27 He sings before men, and says, 'I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, and it didn't profit me.

• (s) That is, done wickedly.
• (t) But my sins have been the cause of God�s wrath toward me.

33:28 He has redeemed my soul from going into the pit. My life shall see the light.'

• (u) God will forgive the penitent sinner.

33:29 "Behold, God works all these things, twice, yes three times, with a man,

• (x) Meaning, as often as a sinner repents.

33:30 to bring back his soul from the pit, that he may be enlightened with the light of the living.

33:31 Mark well, Job, and listen to me. Hold your peace, and I will speak.

33:32 If you have anything to say, answer me. Speak, for I desire to justify you.

• (y) If you doubt anything, or see opportunity to speak against it.
• (z) That is, to show you, in which mans justification consists.

33:33 If not, listen to me. Hold your peace, and I will teach you wisdom."