Reference: Job
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A patriarch distinguished for his integrity and piety, his wealth, honors, and domestic happiness, whom God permitted, for the trial of his faith, to be deprived of friends, property, and health, and at once plunged into deep affliction. He lived in the land of Uz, lying, it is generally thought, in Eastern Edom, probably not far from Bozrah.
THE BOOK OF JOB, has originated much criticism, and on many points a considerable diversity of opinion still exists. Sceptics have denied its inspiration, and called it a mere philosophical romance; but no one who respects revelation can entertain this notion, or doubt that Job was a real person. Inspired writers testify to both. See Eze 14:14; Jas 5:11, and compare 1Co 3:19 with Job 5:13. The book itself specifies persons, places, and circumstances in the manner of true history. Moreover, the name and history of Job are spread throughout the East; Arabian writers mention him, and many Mohammedan families perpetuate his name. Five different places claim the possession of his tomb.
The precise period of his life cannot be ascertained, yet no doubt can exist as to its patriarchal antiquity. The book seems to allude to the flood, Job 22:15-17, but not to the destruction of Sodom, to the exodus from Egypt, or the giving of the Law. No reference is made to any order of priesthood, Job himself being the priest of his household, like Noah and Abraham. There is allusion to the most ancient form of idolatry, star-worship, and to the earliest mode of writing, Job 19:24. The longevity of Job also places him among the patriarchs. He survived his trial one hundred and forty years, and was an old man before his trial began, for his children were established each at the head of his own household, Job 1:4; 42:16. The period of long lives had not wholly passed away, Job 15:10. Hales places the trial of Job before the birth of Abraham, and Usher, about thirty years before the exodus, B. C. 1521.
As to the authorship of the book, many opinions have been held. It has all the freedom of an original composition, bearing no marks of its being a translation; and if so, it would appear that its author must have been a Hebrew, since it is written in the purest Hebrew. It exhibits, moreover, the most intimate acquaintance with both Egyptian and Arabian scenery, and is in the loftiest style of oriental poetry. All these circumstances are consistent with the views of those who regard Moses as its probable author. It has, however, been ascribed to various other persons. IT presents a beautiful exhibition of patriarchal religion. It teaches the being and perfections of God, his creation of all things, and his universal providence; the apostasy and guilt of evil spirits and of mankind; the mercy of God, on the basis of a sacrifice, and on condition of repentance and faith, Job 33:27-30; 42:6,8; the immortality of the soul, and the resurrection of the body, Job 14:7-15; 19:25-27.
The main problem discussed in Job is the justice of God in suffering the righteous to be afflicted, while the wicked prosper. It is settled, by showing that, while the hand of a just God is manifest in his providential government of human affairs, it is his sovereign right to choose his own time and mode of retribution both to the evil and the good, and to subject the graces of his people to whatever trials he deems best.
The conference of Job and his friends may be divided into three parts. In the first, Eliphaz addresses Job, and Job replies; then Bildad and Job, and Zophar and Job speak, in turn. In the second part, the same order is observed and in the third also, except that after Job's reply to Bildad, the three friends have no more to urge, and instead of Zophar, a fourth friend named Elihu takes up the word; and the whole is concluded by the decision of Jehovah himself. The friends of Job argue that his remarkable afflictions must have been sent in punishment of highly aggravated transgressions, and urge him to confession and repentance. The pious patriarch, conscious of his own integrity and love to God cast down and bewildered by his sore chastisements, and pained by the suspicions of his friends, warmly vindicates his innocence, and shows that the best of men are sometimes the most afflicted; but forgets that his inward sins merit far heavier punishment, and though he still maintains faith in God, yet he charges Him foolishly. Afterwards he humbly confesses his wrong, and is cheered by the returning smile of God, while his uncharitable friends are reproved. The whole book is written in the highest style of Hebrew poetry, except the two introductory chapters and part of the last, which are prose. As a poem, it is full of sublime sentiments and bold and striking images.
The DISEASE of Job is generally supposed to have been the elephantiasis, or black leprosy. The word rendered "boils" does not necessarily mean abscesses, but burning and inflammation; and no known disease better answers to the description given, Job 2:7-8; 7:5,13/type/mstc'>13,13/type/mstc'>13; 19:17; 30:17, than the leprosy referred to above. See LEPER.
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And his sons went and made banquets - one day in one house, another day in another - and sent for their three sisters to eat and to drink with them.
So went Satan forth from the LORD, and smote Job with marvelous sore boils, from the sole of the foot unto his crown; so that he sat upon the ground in the ashes, and scraped off the filth of his sores with a potsherd.
which compasseth the wise in their own craftiness, and overthroweth the counsel of the wicked.
My flesh is clothed with worms, filthiness and dust; my skin is withered, and crumpled together;
When I think, 'My bed shall comfort me; I shall have some refreshing by talking to myself upon my couch,'
When I think, 'My bed shall comfort me; I shall have some refreshing by talking to myself upon my couch,'
"If a tree be cut down, there is some hope yet, that it will sprout and shoot forth the branches again; For though a root be waxen old and dead in the ground, read more. yet when the stock getteth the scent of water, it will bud, and bring forth bows, like as when it was first planted. But as for man; when he is dead, perished and consumed away, what becometh of him? The floods when they be dried up, and the rivers when they be empty, are filled again through the flowing waters of the sea: but when man sleepeth, he riseth not again, until the heaven perish: he shall not wake up nor rise out of his sleep. O that thou wouldest keep me, and hide me in the hell, until thy wrath were stilled: and to appoint me a time, wherein thou mightest remember me. May a dead man live again? All the days of this my pilgrimage am I looking, till my changing shall come. If thou wouldest but call me, I should obey thee: only despise not the work of thine own hands.
With us are old and aged men; yea, such as have lived longer than thy forefathers.
Mine own wife may not abide my breath, I was fain to speak fair for the children of mine own body.
would God they were graven with an iron pen in lead or in stone. "For I am sure that my redeemer liveth, and that I shall rise out of the earth in the latter day: read more. that I shall be clothed again with this skin, and see God in my flesh. Yea, I myself shall behold him - not with other, but with these same eyes, though my reins are consumed within me.
"Well, thou wilt keep the old way, that all wicked men have gone: which were cut down out of time, and whose foundation was as a running water, read more. which said unto God, 'Go from us.' And what did the Almighty do with them?
My bones are pierced through in the night season, and my sinews take no rest.
Such a respect hath he unto men. Therefore let a man confess, and say, 'I offended, but he hath chastened and reformed me: I did unrighteously nevertheless he hath not recompensed me thereafter. Yea, he hath delivered my soul from destruction, and my life, that it seeth the light.' read more. "Lo, thus worketh God always with man, that he keepeth his soul from perishing, and letteth him enjoy the light of the living.
Wherefore I give mine own self the blame, and take repentance in the dust and ashes."
Therefore take seven oxen and seven rams, and go to my servant Job, offer up also for yourselves a burnt offering: and let my servant Job pray for you. Him will I accept, and not deal with you after your foolishness: in that ye have not spoken the thing which is right, like as my servant Job hath done."
After this lived Job forty years, so that he saw his children, and his children's children to the fourth generation.
And though Noah, Daniel and Job these three men were among them, yet shall they in their righteousness deliver but their own souls, sayeth the LORD God.
For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, "He compasseth the wise in their craftiness."
Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have known what end the Lord made. For the Lord is very pitiful, and merciful.
Easton
persecuted, an Arabian patriarch who resided in the land of Uz (q.v.). While living in the midst of great prosperity, he was suddenly overwhelmed by a series of sore trials that fell upon him. Amid all his sufferings he maintained his integrity. Once more God visited him with the rich tokens of his goodness and even greater prosperity than he had enjoyed before. He survived the period of trial for one hundred and forty years, and died in a good old age, an example to succeeding generations of integrity (Eze 14:14,20) and of submissive patience under the sorest calamities (Jas 5:11). His history, so far as it is known, is recorded in his book.
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And though Noah, Daniel and Job these three men were among them, yet shall they in their righteousness deliver but their own souls, sayeth the LORD God.
and if Noah, Daniel and Job were therein: as truly as I live, sayeth the LORD God, they shall deliver neither sons nor daughters, but save their own souls in their righteousness.
Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have known what end the Lord made. For the Lord is very pitiful, and merciful.
Fausets
Age, and relation to the canon. The book has a unique position in the canon. It is unconnected with Israel, God's covenant people, with whom all the other scriptures are associated. "The law" (towrah),the Magna Charta of the rest, occurs but once, and then not in its technical sense (Job 22:22). The Exodus is never alluded to, though the miraculous events connected with it in Egypt and the desert, with both of which Job shows his acquaintance, would have been appropriate to his and the friends' argument. The destruction of the guilty by the flood (Job 22:15), and that of Sodom and Gomorrah (Job 18:15) possibly, are referred to; but no later facts. The inference seems natural that the book was of an age anterior to Israel. Job's own life was of patriarchal length, 200 years. The only idolatry alluded to is the earliest, Sabeanism, the worship of the sun, moon, and seba or heavenly hosts (Job 31:26-28).
Job sacrifices as priest for his family according to patriarchal usage, and alludes to no exclusive priesthood, temple, or altar. Lastly, the language is Hebrew with an Arabic and Syriac infusion found in no other sacred book, answering to an age when Hebrew still retained many of the elements of the original common Semitic, from which in time branched off Hebrew, Syriac, and Arabic, carrying with them severally fragments of the common stock. The obscurity of several phrases, the obsolete words and forgotten traditions (e.g. that of the bushmen, Job 30:4-7), all mark a remote antiquity. The admission of the book into the Hebrew canon, notwithstanding the absence of reference to Israel, is accounted for if Let's theory be adopted that Moses became acquainted with it during his stay in Arabia, near Horeb, and added the prologue and epilogue. To the afflicted Israelites Job's patience and restoration were calculated to be a lesson of special utility.
The restriction of "Jehovah" (the divine name revealed to Moses in its bringing the fulfillment of the promise to God's covenant people just at that time: Ex 6:3) mostly to the prologue and epilogue favors this view. The Holy Spirit directed him to canonize the oriental patriarch's inspired book, just as he embodies in the Pentateuch the utterances of Balaam the prophet from the mountains of the East. The grand theme of the book is to reconcile the saint's afflictions with God's moral government in this present world. The doctrine of a future life in which the seeming anomalies of the present shall be cleared up would have given the main solution to the problem. But as yet this great truth was kept less prominent until "the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ who hath abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel." Job plainly refers to the resurrection, but not with that persistent prominence with which the New Testament saints rest on it as their continual hope; Job does not make it his main solution.
Even still we need something in addition, to clear off the clouds which hang over God's present government of this fallen earth. The first consideration suggested in this sublime history and poem is, "an enemy hath done this." The veil which hides the world of spirits is drawn aside, and Satan, the accuser of the brethren, appears as the mediate cause of Job's afflictions. Satan must be let do his worst to show that his sneer is false that religion is but selfishness," doth Job fear God for naught?" (Job 1:9). The patience and the final perseverance of the saints (Job 1:21; 2:10; 13:15), notwithstanding temporary distrust under Satan's persecutions which entailed loss of family, friends, possessions, and bodily health, are illustrated in Job's history.
God's people serve Him for His own sake, not merely for the temporary reward His service generally brings; they serve Him even in overwhelming trial (Ge 15:1). Herein Job is a type though imperfectly of Him who alone, without once harbouring a distrustful thought, endured all this as well as death in its most agonizing, humiliating form, and, worse than all, the hiding of even God's countenance from Him. Job's chief agony was not so much his accumulated losses and sufferings, not even his being misunderstood by friends, but that God hid His face from him, as these calamities too truly seemed to prove (Job 23:9). Yet conscience told him he was no hypocrite, nay though God was slaying him he still trusted in God (Job 23:10-15; 13:15; compare Abraham, Genesis 22). Job's three trials are progressive:
1. His sudden loss of all blessings external to himself, possessions, servants, and sons; he conquers this temptation: "naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return there; the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away, blessed be the name of the Lord."
2. His loss of bodily health by the most loathsome sickness; still he conquers: "shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil?"
3. His mental conflict brought on by the three friends' suspicion of his insincerity, which he felt untrue, but which seemed justified by his trials from God; this was the poignant sting to his soul, for he accepted their premises, that great suffering proved great sin.
Here he failed; yet amidst his impatient groans he still clung desperately to his faith and followed hard after God, and felt sure God would yet vindicate him (Job 23:10; 19:25-27). His chief error was his undue self justification before God, which he at last utterly renounces (Job 30:25 to Job 31; Job 32:1; 33:9; 9:17; 10:7; 16:17; 27:5; 29:10-17; 40:4-5; 42:5-6). After fretfully demanding God's interposition (23) to vindicate his innocence he had settled down into the sad conviction that God heeds not, and that His ways of providence are as a theory inexplicable to man while practical wisdom is the fear of the Lord (Job 28:28). Elihu gives a leading solution of the problem. God not only hereafter shall judge the world, but even now providentially and morally controls all its affairs.
Even the righteous have sin which needs correction. God speaks to them by chastisement; He is not really silent (Job 16:21; 23:3; 31:35), as Job had complained (Job 33:14, etc.); He teaches them humility, and prepares them for pardon and life through the mediating Angel of the covenant (of whom Elihu is the type: Job 33:6-7,23-30). To Job's charge against God of injustice Elihu answers that God's omnipotence (Job 34:35-36), upholding man in life when He could destroy him, and His universal government, exclude the idea of injustice in Him. To Job's charge that God's providence is unsearchable, Elihu answers that suffering is to teach humility and adorntion of His greatness. Affliction to the saint is justice and mercy in disguise; he is thereby led to feel the heinousness of sin (via crucis via salutis), and not being permitted by God's love to fall away for ever he repents of the impatience which suffering betrayed him into for a time.
Then, justifying God and condemning himself, he is finally delivered from temporal afflictions. Now already the godly are happier amidst afflictions than the ungodly (Mr 10:29-30). Even these considerations do not exhaust the subject; still difficulties remain. To answer these, God Himself (Job 38) appears on the scene, and resolves all that remains uncleared into the one resting thought of faith, the sovereignty of God. We must wait for His solution hereafter of what we know not now (Joh 13:7). Elihu is the preacher appealing to Job's reason and conscience. God alone, in His appearing, brings home the truth experimentally to Job's heart: "Judge not the Lord by feeble sense, But trust Him for His grace; Behind a frowning Providence He hides a smiling face. Blind unbelief is sure to err, And scan God's work in vain; God is His own interpreter, And He will make it plain."
CONSTRUCTION. The artificial construction of the poem appears in the oft recurring sacred numbers three and seven. Job had seven thousand sheep, seven sons, and three daughters, both before and after his trials. His three friends sit with him seven days and nights. "Job" in Arabic means repentance, the name given him in after life from his experiences. His personal reality appears f
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And the dwelling of them was from Mesha until thou come unto Sephar, a mountain of the east land.
After these deeds, the word of God came unto Abram in a vision, saying, "Fear not Abram, I am thy shield; and thy reward shall be exceeding great."
Uz his eldest son and Buz his brother, and Kemuel the father of the Syrians,
These were dukes of the sons of Esau. The children of Eliphaz the first son of Esau were these: duke Teman, duke Omar, duke Zepho, duke Kenaz,
and I appeared unto Abraham, Isaac and Jacob an Almighty God: but in my name Jehovah was I not known unto them.
I see him but not now, I behold him but not nigh. There shall come a star of Jacob and rise a scepter of Israel, which shall smite the coasts of Moab and undermine all the children of Seth.
His substance was seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen, five hundred she-asses, and a very great household: so that he was one of the most principal men among all them of the east country.
Satan answered, and said unto the LORD, "Doth Job fear God for naught?
and said, "Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I turn thither again. The LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; now blessed be the name of the LORD."
But Job said unto her, "Thou speakest like a foolish woman. Seeing we have received prosperity at the hand of God, wherefore should we not be content with adversity also?" In all these things, did not Job sin with his lips.
and the night in the which it was said, 'There is a man child conceived.'
which compasseth the wise in their own craftiness, and overthroweth the counsel of the wicked.
He troubleth me so with the tempest, and woundeth me out of measure without a cause.
Whereas, notwithstanding, thou knowest that I am no wicked person, and that there is no man able to deliver me out of thine hand.
Lo, though he slay me, yet will I put my trust in him. But if I shew and reprove mine own ways in his sight,
Lo, though he slay me, yet will I put my trust in him. But if I shew and reprove mine own ways in his sight,
The floods when they be dried up, and the rivers when they be empty, are filled again through the flowing waters of the sea:
May a dead man live again? All the days of this my pilgrimage am I looking, till my changing shall come.
Hast thou heard the secret counsel of God, that all wisdom is too little for thee?
"Howbeit there is no wickedness in my hands, and my prayer is clean.
Though a body might plead with God, as one man doth with another,
Other men shall dwell in his house - which now is none of his - and brimstone shall be scattered upon his habitation.
"For I am sure that my redeemer liveth, and that I shall rise out of the earth in the latter day:
"For I am sure that my redeemer liveth, and that I shall rise out of the earth in the latter day: that I shall be clothed again with this skin, and see God in my flesh. read more. Yea, I myself shall behold him - not with other, but with these same eyes, though my reins are consumed within me.
"For though the wicked have never so much to fill his belly, yet God shall send his wrath upon him, and cause his indignation to rain over him: so that if he flee the iron weapons, he shall be shot with the steel bow.
"Well, thou wilt keep the old way, that all wicked men have gone:
Receive the law at his mouth, and lay up his words in thine heart.
For who so humbleth himself, him shall he set up: and who so looketh meekly, shall be healed.
If I go on the left side to ponder his works, I can not attain unto them. Again, if I go on the rightside, he hideth himself, that I cannot see him. But as for my way, he knoweth it: and tryeth me as the gold in the fire.
But as for my way, he knoweth it: and tryeth me as the gold in the fire. My foot doth keep his path; his highway have I holden, and will not go out of it. read more. I have not forsaken the commandment of his lips; but look, what he charged me with his mouth, that have I shut up in my heart. "It is he, himself, alone. Who will turn him back? He doth as him listeth, and bringeth to pass what he will. He rewardeth me into my bosom, and many other things more doth he, as he may by his power. This is the cause, that I shrink at his presence, so that when I consider him I am afraid of him.
God forbid, that I should grant your cause to be right! As for me, until mine end come will I never go from my innocence.
And unto man he said, 'Behold, to fear the LORD is wisdom: and to forsake evil, is understanding.'"
when the mighty kept still their voice, and when their tongues cleaved to the roof of their mouths; When all they that heard me, called me happy, and when all they that saw me, wished me good. read more. "For I delivered the poor when he cried, and the fatherless that wanted help. He that should have been lost, gave me a good word, and the widow's heart praised me. And why? I put upon me righteousness, which covered me as a garment, and equity was my crown. I was an eye unto the blind, and a foot to the lame; I was a father unto the poor, and when I knew not their cause, I sought it out diligently. I brake the jaws of the unrighteous, and plucked the spoil out of their teeth.
When I agreed unto their way, I was the chief, and sat as a king among his servants; and when they were in heaviness, I was their comforter.
plucking up herbs from among the bushes, and the Juniper's root was their meat. And when they were driven forth, men cried after them, as it had been after a thief. read more. Their dwelling was beside foul brooks, yea in the caves and dens of the earth. Upon the dry heath went they about crying, and under the thorns they gathered themselves together.
Did not I weep in the time of trouble? Had not my soul compassion upon the poor?
Did I ever greatly regard the rising of the sun? Or, had I the going down of the moon in great reputation? Hath my heart meddled privily with any deceit? Or, did I ever kiss mine own hand? read more. That were a wickedness worth to be punished, for then should I have denied the God that is above.
O that I had one which would hear me. Lo, this is my cause: Let the almighty give me answer, and let him that is my contrary party, sue me with libel.
So these three men would strive no more with Job, because he held himself a righteous man.
Behold, before God am I, even as thou, for I am fashioned and made even of the same mould. Therefore, thou needest not be afraid of me, neither needest thou to fear that my authority shall be too heavy for thee.
'I am clean without any fault, I am innocent, and there is no wickedness in me.
For when God doth once command a thing, there should no man be curious to search whether it be right.
Now if there be a messenger, one among a thousand sent for to speak unto man, and to show him the right way; then the LORD is merciful unto him, and sayeth, 'He shall be delivered, that he fall not down to destruction, for I am sufficiently reconciled.' read more. Then his flesh, which hath been in misery and trouble, shall be as it was in his youth. For if he submit himself unto God, he is gracious, and showeth him his countenance joyfully, and rewardeth man for his righteousness. Such a respect hath he unto men. Therefore let a man confess, and say, 'I offended, but he hath chastened and reformed me: I did unrighteously nevertheless he hath not recompensed me thereafter. Yea, he hath delivered my soul from destruction, and my life, that it seeth the light.' "Lo, thus worketh God always with man, that he keepeth his soul from perishing, and letteth him enjoy the light of the living.
As for Job he hath neither spoken to the purpose nor wisely. O father let Job be well tried, because he hath turned himself to the wicked:
When spake the LORD unto Job out of the storm, and said,
"Behold, I am too vile a person to answer thee, therefore will I lay my hand upon my mouth. Once or twice have I spoken, but I will say no more."
I have given diligent ear unto thee, and now I see thee with mine eyes.
I have given diligent ear unto thee, and now I see thee with mine eyes. Wherefore I give mine own self the blame, and take repentance in the dust and ashes."
For why? Thou shalt not leave my soul in hell, neither shalt thou suffer thy holy one to see corruption.
They have children at their desire, and leave the rest of their substance for their babes. But as for me, I shall behold thy presence in righteousness: and when I awake up after thy likeness, I shall be satisfied with it.
The water of the sea shall be drawn out, the Nile shall sink away, and be drunk up.
Cursed be the day wherein I was born! Unhappy be the day, wherein my mother brought me forth! Cursed be the man, that brought my father the tidings, to make him glad, saying, "Thou hast gotten a son."
And though Noah, Daniel and Job these three men were among them, yet shall they in their righteousness deliver but their own souls, sayeth the LORD God.
if these three men also were in the land, as truly as I live, sayeth the LORD God, they shall save neither sons nor daughters, but be only delivered themselves: and as for the land, it shall be waste. Or if I bring a sword into the land, and charge it to go through the land, so that I slay down man and beast in it, read more. and if these three men were therein: As truly as I live, sayeth the LORD God, they shall deliver neither sons nor daughters, but only be saved themselves. If I send a pestilence into the land, and pour out my sore indignation upon it in blood, so that I root out of it both man and beast, and if Noah, Daniel and Job were therein: as truly as I live, sayeth the LORD God, they shall deliver neither sons nor daughters, but save their own souls in their righteousness.
For wheresoever a dead carcass is, even thither will the eagles resort.
Jesus answered and said, "Verily I say unto you, there is no man that hath forsaketh house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, other children, or lands, for my sake and the gospel's, which shall not receive a hundred fold now in this life, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers and children, and lands with persecutions, and in the world to come eternal life.
And he said unto them, "These are the words, which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you: that all must be fulfilled which were written of me in the law of Moses, and in the Prophets, and in the Psalms."
Jesus answered and said unto him, "What I do, thou knowest not now, but thou shalt know hereafter."
For who hath known the mind of the Lord? Or who was his counselor? Other who hath given unto him first, that he might be recompensed again?
Cast down yourselves before the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have known what end the Lord made. For the Lord is very pitiful, and merciful.
searching when, or at what time, the spirit of Christ which was in them should signify - which spirit testified before - the passions that should come unto Christ, and the glory that should follow after. Unto which prophets it was declared, that not unto themselves, but unto us, they should minister the things which are now showed unto you, of them which, by the holy ghost sent down from heaven, have preached unto you the things which the angels desire to behold.
Hastings
JOB
1. The man Job.
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And when Bela died, Jobab the son of Zerah out of Bozrah, reigned in his stead.
And when Bela died, Jobab the son of Zerah out of Bozrah, reigned in his stead.
And Moses said unto the LORD, "Then the Egyptians shall hear it, for thou broughtest this people with thy might from among them. And it will be told to the inhabiters of this land also, for they have heard likewise, that thou the LORD art among this people, and that thou art seen face to face, and that thy cloud standeth over them and that thou goest before them by day time in a pillar of cloud, and in a pillar of fire by night. read more. If thou shalt kill all this people as they were but one man then the nations which have heard the fame of thee, will speak, saying, 'Because the LORD was not able to bring in this people into the land which he swore unto them, therefore he slew them in the wilderness.'
And when Jabin king of Hazor had heard that, he sent to Jobab king of Madon, and to the king of Shimron, and to the king of Achshaph;
the Sabeans came in violently, and took them all away: yea, they have slain thy servants with the sword, and I only ran my way, to tell thee." And while he was yet speaking, there came another, and said, "The fire of God is fallen from heaven, it hath consumed, and burnt up all thy sheep and servants: and I only ran my way, to tell thee." read more. In the mean season while he was yet speaking, there came another, and said, "The Chaldeans made three armies, and fell upon thy camels, which they have carried away: yea, and slain thy servants with the sword, and I only am gotten away, to tell thee."
and suddenly there came a mighty great wind out of the South, and smote the four corners of the house: which fell upon thy children, so that they are dead, and I alone am gotten away, to tell thee."
and said, "Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I turn thither again. The LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; now blessed be the name of the LORD."
so that he sat upon the ground in the ashes, and scraped off the filth of his sores with a potsherd.
Now when Job's friends heard of all the trouble that happened to him, there came three of them, every one from his own place: namely, Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite. For they were agreed together to come, to shew their compassion on him, and to comfort him.
After this, opened Job his mouth, and cursed his day,
and the night in the which it was said, 'There is a man child conceived.' The same day be turned to darkness, and not regarded of God from above, neither let the light shine upon it:
give it their curse also, even those that be ready to raise vp Leviathan. Let the stars of that night be dim through darkness of it. Let it look for light, but let it see none, neither the raising up of the fair morning: read more. because it shut not up the womb that bare me. For then should these sorrows have been hid from mine eyes.
"And unto me came the word secretly, and mine ear hath received a little thereof. In the fantasies and thoughts of the visions of the night, when sleep cometh on men: read more. Fear came upon me, and dread, and made all my bones to shake. And when the wind passed by before my presence it made the hairs of my flesh stand up. He stood there, and I knew not his face. An image there was, before mine eyes, and in the stillness heard I a voice. 'Shall man be more just than God? Or shall man be purer than his maker? Behold, he hath found unfaithfulness among his own servants, and proud disobedience among his angels. How much more then shall they that dwell in houses of clay, whose foundation is but earth: which shall be consumed by the moth? They shall be destroyed from morning unto the evening: yea, they shall perish everlastingly, and no man think thereon. Is not their dignity taken away with them? They shall die - and not in wisdom.'
Mine own brethren pass over by me, as the water brook that hastily runneth through the valleys. But they that fear the hoarfrost, the snow shall fall upon them. read more. When their time cometh, they shall be destroyed and perish: and when they be set on fire, they shall be removed out of their place, for the paths that they go in are crooked: they haste after vain things, and shall perish. Consider the paths of Tema, and the ways of Sheba, wherein they have put their trust. Confounded are they that put any confidence in them: For when they came to obtain the things that they looked for, they were brought to confusion.
"What is man, that thou dost magnify him? And that thou settest thy heart upon him?
Even so goeth it with all them that forget God: and even thus also shall the hypocrite's hope come to naught.
"He maketh the wains of heaven; the Orion, the seven stars, and the secret places of the south.
He is God, whose wrath no man may withstand: but the proudest of all must stoop under him.
"Thy hands have made me, and fashioned me altogether round about. Wilt thou then destroy me suddenly? O remember, I beseech thee, how that thou madest me of the mould of the earth, and shalt bring me into dust again. read more. Hast thou not turned me, as it were milk: and turned me to cruddes like cheese? Thou hast covered me with skin and flesh, and joined me together with bones and sinews. Thou hast granted me life, and done me good: and the diligent heed that thou tookest upon me hath preserved my spirit. Though thou hidest these things in thine heart, yet am I sure that thou rememberest them all. "If I did sin, thou haddest an eye unto me, and shalt not declare me innocent because of mine offense. If I have done wickedly, woe is me therefore. If I have done righteously, yet dare I not lift up my head; so full am I of confusion, and see mine own misery. Thou huntest me out, being in heaviness, as it were a lion, and troublest me out of measure. Thou bringest fresh witnesses against me, and thy wrath increasest thou upon me; very many are the plagues that I am in.
What is he, but he knoweth that the hand of the LORD made all these?
He carrieth away the wise men, as it were a spoil, and bringeth the judges out of their wits. He taketh away the subjection of the people from their kings, and girdeth their loins with a bond. read more. He leadeth away the priests into captivity, and turneth the mighty upside down. He taketh the verity from out of the mouth, and disappointeth the aged of their wisdom. He poureth out confusion upon princes, and comforteth them that have been oppressed. "Look: what lieth hid in darkness, he declareth it openly! And the very shadow of death bringeth he to light! He both increaseth the people and destroyeth them; He maketh them to multiply, and driveth them away. He changeth the heart of the princes and kings of the earth, and disapointeth them; so that they go wandering out of the way, and grope in the dark without light, staggering to and fro like drunken men.
Man that is born of a woman hath but a short time to live, and is full of divers miseries. He cometh up and is cut down like a flower. He flyeth as it were a shadow, and never continueth in one state. read more. Doest thou open thine eyes upon such one, and bringest me in thy judgment? Who can make it clean, that cometh from an unclean thing? Nobody.
Who can make it clean, that cometh from an unclean thing? Nobody. The days of man are short, the number of his months are known only to thee. Thou hast appointed him his bounds; he cannot go beyond them. read more. Go from him, that he may rest until his day come: which he looketh for, like as a hireling doth. "If a tree be cut down, there is some hope yet, that it will sprout and shoot forth the branches again; For though a root be waxen old and dead in the ground, yet when the stock getteth the scent of water, it will bud, and bring forth bows, like as when it was first planted. But as for man; when he is dead, perished and consumed away, what becometh of him? The floods when they be dried up, and the rivers when they be empty, are filled again through the flowing waters of the sea: but when man sleepeth, he riseth not again, until the heaven perish: he shall not wake up nor rise out of his sleep.
But now that God hath sent me adversity, thou hast troubled all my congregation. And that thou hast filled me with wrinkles, my flesh is witness; and my leanness riseth up against me and beareth witness thereof in my face. read more. He is angry at me, he hateth me, and gnasheth upon me with his teeth. Mine enemy scowleth upon me with his eyes. They have opened their mouths wide upon me, and smitten me upon the cheek despitefully, they have eased themselves through mine adversity. God hath given me over to the ungodly, and delivered me into the hands of the wicked. I was some time in wealth, but suddenly hath he brought me to naught. He hath taken me by the neck, he hath rent me, and set me, as it were a mark for him to shoot at. His archers compass me round about; he hath wounded my loins, and not spared. My bowels hath he poured upon the ground. He hath given me one wound upon another, and is fallen upon me like a giant. I have sewed a sackcloth upon my skin, and lie with my strength in the dust. My face is swollen with weeping, and mine eyes are waxen dim. "Howbeit there is no wickedness in my hands, and my prayer is clean.
For lo, my witness is in heaven, and he that knoweth me, is above in the height.
"For I am sure that my redeemer liveth, and that I shall rise out of the earth in the latter day:
"For I am sure that my redeemer liveth, and that I shall rise out of the earth in the latter day: that I shall be clothed again with this skin, and see God in my flesh.
that I shall be clothed again with this skin, and see God in my flesh. Yea, I myself shall behold him - not with other, but with these same eyes, though my reins are consumed within me.
Yea, I myself shall behold him - not with other, but with these same eyes, though my reins are consumed within me.
Is not thy wickedness great, and thine ungracious deeds innumerable? Thou hast taken the pledge from thy brethren for naught, and robbed the naked of their clothing; read more. To such as were weary, hast thou given no water to drink, and thou hast withdrawn bread from the hungry. Should such one then as useth violence, wrong and oppression, doing all things of partiality, and having respect of persons, dwell in the land? Thou hast sent widows away empty and oppressed the poor fatherless.
Receive the law at his mouth, and lay up his words in thine heart.
"The ungodly is very swift: O that his portion also upon earth were swifter than the running water, which suffereth not the shipman to behold the fair and pleasant vineyards. O that they, for the wickedness which they have done, were drawn to the hell, sooner than snow melteth at the heat. read more. O that all compassion upon them were forgotten: that their dainties were worms, that they were clean put out of remembrance, and utterly hewn down like an unfruitful tree. For they maintain the barren, and make them that they cannot bear, and unto widows they do no good.
"Power and fear is with him above, that maketh peace, sitting in his highness,
Job answered, and said, "O how helpest thou the weak? What comfort givest thou unto him that hath no strength? read more. Where is the counsel that thou shouldest give him, which hath no wisdom? Wilt thou so show thine excellent righteousness? Before whom hast thou spoken those words? Who made the breath to come out of the mouth? "The giants and worthies that are slain, and lie under the world with their companions; yea, and all they which dwell beneath in the hell are not hid from him, and the very destruction itself cannot be kept out of his sight. He stretcheth out the north over the empty place, and hangeth the earth upon nothing. He bindeth the water in his clouds, and the cloud is not broken under them. He holdeth back his stool, that it can not be seen, and spreadeth his clouds before it. He hath compassed the waters with certain bounds, until the day and night come to an end. The very pillars of heaven tremble and quake at his reproof. He filleth the sea with his power, and through his wisdom smiteth he the strength thereof.
He filleth the sea with his power, and through his wisdom smiteth he the strength thereof. With his spirit hath he garnished the heavens, and with his hand hath he wounded the rebellious serpent.
With his spirit hath he garnished the heavens, and with his hand hath he wounded the rebellious serpent. This is now a short sum of his doings. But who is able sufficiently to rehearse his works? Who can perceive and understand the thunder of his power?"
"As truly as God liveth, which hath taken away my power from me; and the Almighty, that hath vexed my mind; My lips shall talk of no vanity, and my tongue shall speak no deceit, read more. while my breath is in me, and as long as the wind that God hath given me is in my nostrils. God forbid, that I should grant your cause to be right! As for me, until mine end come will I never go from my innocence.
God forbid, that I should grant your cause to be right! As for me, until mine end come will I never go from my innocence. My righteous dealing will I keep fast, and not forsake it; for my conscience reproveth me not in all my conversation.
My righteous dealing will I keep fast, and not forsake it; for my conscience reproveth me not in all my conversation. "Therefore mine enemy shall be found as the ungodly; and he that taketh part against me, as the unrighteous.
"Therefore mine enemy shall be found as the ungodly; and he that taketh part against me, as the unrighteous. What hope hath the hypocrite, though he have great good, and though God give him riches after his heart's desire?
What hope hath the hypocrite, though he have great good, and though God give him riches after his heart's desire? Doth God hear him the sooner, when he crieth unto him in his necessity?
Doth God hear him the sooner, when he crieth unto him in his necessity? Hath he such pleasure and delight in the Almighty, that he dare always call upon God?
Hath he such pleasure and delight in the Almighty, that he dare always call upon God? "I will teach you in the name of God: and the thing that I have of the Almighty, will I not keep from you.
"I will teach you in the name of God: and the thing that I have of the Almighty, will I not keep from you. Behold, ye stand in your own conceit, as though ye knew all things. Wherefore then do ye go about with such vain words, read more. saying, 'This is that portion that the wicked shall have of God, and the heritage that Tyrants shall receive of the Almighty'?
saying, 'This is that portion that the wicked shall have of God, and the heritage that Tyrants shall receive of the Almighty'? If he get many children, they shall perish with the sword, and his posterity shall have scarceness of bread.
If he get many children, they shall perish with the sword, and his posterity shall have scarceness of bread. Look, whom he leaveth behind him, they shall die and be buried, and no man shall have pity of his widows. read more. Though he have as much money as the dust of the earth, and raiment as ready as the clay, he may well prepare it: but the godly shall put it upon him, and the innocent shall deal out the money. His house shall endure as the moth, and as a booth that the watchman maketh. When the rich man dieth, he carrieth nothing with him: he is gone in the twinkling of an eye. Destruction taketh hold upon him as a water flood, and the tempest stealeth him away in the night season. A vehement wind carrieth him hence, and departeth: a storm plucketh him out of his place. It rusheth in upon him, and spareth him not, he may not escape from the power thereof. Then clap men their hands at him, yea and jest of him, when they look upon his place.
Then clap men their hands at him, yea and jest of him, when they look upon his place.
And unto man he said, 'Behold, to fear the LORD is wisdom: and to forsake evil, is understanding.'"
"Therefore, I thought verily that I should have died in my nest: and that my days should have been as many as the sands of the sea.
then let thistles grow instead of my wheat, and thorns for my barley."
then let thistles grow instead of my wheat, and thorns for my barley."
So these three men would strive no more with Job, because he held himself a righteous man. But Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite of the kindred of Ram, was very sore displeased at Job, that he called himself just before God. read more. And with Job's three friends he was angry also, because they had found no reasonable answer to overcome him. Now tarried Elihu till they had ended their communication with Job: for why? They were elder than he. So when Elihu, the son of Barachel the Buzite, saw that these three men were not able to make Job answer, he was miscontent. So that he gave answer himself, and said, "Considering that I am young, and ye be men of age, I was afraid, and durst not show forth my mind,
"He chasteneth him with sickness, and bringeth him to his bed: he layeth sore punishment upon his bones, so that his life may away with no bread, and his soul abhorreth to eat any dainty meat: read more. Insomuch that his body is clean consumed away, and his bones appear no more. His soul draweth on to destruction, and his life to death. Now if there be a messenger, one among a thousand sent for to speak unto man, and to show him the right way; then the LORD is merciful unto him, and sayeth, 'He shall be delivered, that he fall not down to destruction, for I am sufficiently reconciled.' Then his flesh, which hath been in misery and trouble, shall be as it was in his youth. For if he submit himself unto God, he is gracious, and showeth him his countenance joyfully, and rewardeth man for his righteousness. Such a respect hath he unto men. Therefore let a man confess, and say, 'I offended, but he hath chastened and reformed me: I did unrighteously nevertheless he hath not recompensed me thereafter. Yea, he hath delivered my soul from destruction, and my life, that it seeth the light.'
He with punishing and nurturing of them, roundeth them in the ears, warneth them to leave off from their wickedness, and to amend.
"The poor delivereth he out of his affliction, and comforteth such as be in necessity and trouble.
"The poor delivereth he out of his affliction, and comforteth such as be in necessity and trouble.
Behold, God is of a mighty high power: Where is there such a guide and lawgiver as he?
When spake the LORD unto Job out of the storm, and said,
Hast thou brought the seven stars together? Or art thou able to loose the bands of Orion?
"Gavest thou the fair wings unto the peacocks, or wings and feathers unto the Ostrich? For she leaveth her eggs upon the ground, and heateth them in the dust. read more. She remembereth not that they might be trodden with feet or broken with some wild beast. So hard is she to her young ones, as though they were not hers, and laboureth in vain without any fear. And that because God hath taken wisdom from her, and hath not given her understanding. When her time is, she flyeth up on high, and careth neither for horse nor man.
I have given diligent ear unto thee, and now I see thee with mine eyes.
Now when the LORD had spoken these words unto Job, he said unto Eliphaz the Temanite, "I am displeased with thee and thy two friends, for ye have not spoken the thing that is right before me, like as my servant Job hath done.
Now when the LORD had spoken these words unto Job, he said unto Eliphaz the Temanite, "I am displeased with thee and thy two friends, for ye have not spoken the thing that is right before me, like as my servant Job hath done. Therefore take seven oxen and seven rams, and go to my servant Job, offer up also for yourselves a burnt offering: and let my servant Job pray for you. Him will I accept, and not deal with you after your foolishness: in that ye have not spoken the thing which is right, like as my servant Job hath done."
Therefore take seven oxen and seven rams, and go to my servant Job, offer up also for yourselves a burnt offering: and let my servant Job pray for you. Him will I accept, and not deal with you after your foolishness: in that ye have not spoken the thing which is right, like as my servant Job hath done." So Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite went their way, and did according as the LORD commanded them. The LORD also accepted the person of Job, read more. and the LORD turned him unto Job, when he prayed for his friends: Yea, the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had afore. And then came there unto him all his brethren, all his sisters, with all them that had been of his acquaintance afore, and ate bread with him in his house: wondering at him, and comforting him over all the trouble that the LORD had brought upon him. Every man gave him a sheep and a Jewel of gold. And the LORD made Job richer than he was before: for he had fourteen thousand sheep, and six thousand camels, and a thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand asses.
And the LORD made Job richer than he was before: for he had fourteen thousand sheep, and six thousand camels, and a thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand asses. He had children also, seven sons and three daughters.
He had children also, seven sons and three daughters.
He had children also, seven sons and three daughters. The first he called Day; the second Poverty; the third All-plenteousness. read more. In all the land were none found so fair, as the daughters of Job, and their father gave them inheritance among their brethren. After this lived Job forty years, so that he saw his children, and his children's children to the fourth generation. And so he died, being old and of a perfect age.
What is man, that thou art mindful of him? And what is the son of man that thou visitest him?
Cursed be the day wherein I was born! Unhappy be the day, wherein my mother brought me forth! Cursed be the man, that brought my father the tidings, to make him glad, saying, "Thou hast gotten a son." read more. Let it happen unto that man, as to the cities which the LORD turned upside down, when he had long heard the wicked rumor of them; because he slew me not, as soon as I came out of my mother's womb, and because my mother was not my grave herself, that the birth might not have come out, but remained still in her. Wherefore came I forth of my mother's womb? To have experience of labour and sorrow? And to lead my life with shame?
And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, "Thou son of man, when the land sinneth against me and goeth forth in wickedness: I will stretch out mine hand upon it, and destroy all the provision of their bread, and send dearth upon them, to destroy man and beast in the land. read more. And though Noah, Daniel and Job these three men were among them, yet shall they in their righteousness deliver but their own souls, sayeth the LORD God. If I bring noisome beasts into the land to waste it up, and it be so desolate that no man may go therein for beasts; if these three men also were in the land, as truly as I live, sayeth the LORD God, they shall save neither sons nor daughters, but be only delivered themselves: and as for the land, it shall be waste. Or if I bring a sword into the land, and charge it to go through the land, so that I slay down man and beast in it, and if these three men were therein: As truly as I live, sayeth the LORD God, they shall deliver neither sons nor daughters, but only be saved themselves. If I send a pestilence into the land, and pour out my sore indignation upon it in blood, so that I root out of it both man and beast, and if Noah, Daniel and Job were therein: as truly as I live, sayeth the LORD God, they shall deliver neither sons nor daughters, but save their own souls in their righteousness.
But upon the mount Zion, there shall a remnant escape: these shall be holy, and the house of Jacob shall possess even those, that had themselves afore in possession.
Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have known what end the Lord made. For the Lord is very pitiful, and merciful.
Morish
1. The 'perfect and upright man' whose history is given in the book of Job.
2. Son of Issachar. Ge 46:13. See JASHUB.
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Smith
(persecuted), the third son of Issachar,
called in another genealogy JASHUB.
See Jashub
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Watsons
JOB, a patriarch celebrated for his patience, and the constancy of his piety and virtue. That Job was a real, and not a fictitious, character, may be inferred from the manner in which he is mentioned in the Scriptures. Thus, the Prophet Ezekiel speaks of him: "Though these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they should deliver but their own souls by their righteousness, saith the Lord God," Eze 14:14. Now since Noah and Daniel were unquestionably real characters, we must conclude the same of Job. "Behold," says the Apostle James, "we count them happy which endure: ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord, that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy," Jas 5:11. It is scarcely to be believed that a divinely inspired Apostle would refer to an imaginary character as an example of patience, or in proof of the mercy of God. But, beside the authority of the inspired writers, we have the strongest internal evidence, from the book itself, that Job was a real person; for it expressly specifies the names of persons, places, facts, and other circumstances usually related in true histories. Thus, we have the name, country, piety, wealth, &c, of Job described, Job i; the names, number, and acts of his children are mentioned; the conduct of his wife is recorded as a fact, Job ii; his friends, their names, countries, and discourses with him in his afflictions are minutely delineated, Job 2:11, &c. Farther: no reasonable doubt can be entertained respecting the real existence of Job, when we consider that it is proved by the concurrent testimony of all eastern tradition: he is mentioned by the author of the book of Tobit, who lived during the Assyrian captivity; he is also repeatedly mentioned by Arabian writers as a real character. The whole of his history, with many fabulous additions, was known among the Syrians and Chaldeans; and many of the noblest families among the Arabs are distinguished by his name, and boast of being descended from him.
Since, then, says Horne, the book of Job contains the history of a real character, the next point is the age in which he lived, a question concerning which there is as great a diversity of opinion, as upon any other subject connected with this venerable monument of sacred antiquity. One thing, however, is generally admitted with respect to the age of the book of Job, namely, its remote antiquity. Even those who contend for the later production of the book of Job are compelled to acquiesce in this particular. Grotius thinks the events of the history are such as cannot be placed later than the sojourning of the Israelites in the wilderness. Bishop Warburton, in like manner, admits them to bear the marks of high antiquity; and Michaelis confesses the manners to be perfectly Abrahamic, that is, such as were common to all the seed of Abraham, Israelites, Ishmaelites, and Idumeans. The following are the principal circumstances from which the age of Job may be collected and ascertained:
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And Noah made an altar unto the LORD, and took of all manner of clean beasts and all manner of clean fowls, and offered sacrifice upon the altar.
Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine. And he being the priest of the most highest God, blessed him, saying,
which bare him Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak and Shuah. And Jockshan begat Sheba and Dedan. And the sons of Dedan were Asshurim, Letushim and Leummim.
And he called Joseph's name Zaphenath-Paneah. And he gave him to wife Asenath the daughter of Poti-Pherah priest of On. Then went Joseph abroad in the land of Egypt.
And Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, offered burnt offerings and sacrifices unto God. And Aaron and all the elders of Israel came to eat bread with Moses' father-in-law before God.
And the cities of the tribe of the children of Judah in all quarters, toward the coasts of Edom southward, were: Kabzeel, Eder, and Jagur;
Gederoth, Bethdagon, Naamah and Makkedah: sixteen cities with their villages.
In the land of Uz, there was a man called Job: an innocent and virtuous man, such a one as feared God, and eschewed evil.
And his sons went and made banquets - one day in one house, another day in another - and sent for their three sisters to eat and to drink with them. And it fortuned that when they had passed over the time of their banqueting round about; Job sent for them, and sanctified them, and gat up early, and offered for every one a burnt offering. For Job thought thus: "Peradventure my sons have done some offense, and have been unthankful to God in their hearts." And thus did Job everyday.
Now when Job's friends heard of all the trouble that happened to him, there came three of them, every one from his own place: namely, Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite. For they were agreed together to come, to shew their compassion on him, and to comfort him.
"Enquire, I pray thee, of them that have been before thee; and search diligently among thy forefathers. For we are but of yesterday, and consider not that our days upon earth are but a very shadow.
For thou layest sharply to my charge, and punisheth me, for the sins of my youth.
With us are old and aged men; yea, such as have lived longer than thy forefathers.
O that my words were written, O that they were put in a book: would God they were graven with an iron pen in lead or in stone.
Did I ever greatly regard the rising of the sun? Or, had I the going down of the moon in great reputation? Hath my heart meddled privily with any deceit? Or, did I ever kiss mine own hand? read more. That were a wickedness worth to be punished, for then should I have denied the God that is above.
"But insomuch as ye will not speak, standing still like dumb men, and making no answer: I have a good hope for my part to shape him an answer, and to show him my meaning.
And the LORD made Job richer than he was before: for he had fourteen thousand sheep, and six thousand camels, and a thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand asses.
After this lived Job forty years, so that he saw his children, and his children's children to the fourth generation.
After this lived Job forty years, so that he saw his children, and his children's children to the fourth generation.
"Upon the Edomites hath the LORD of Hosts spoken on this manner: Is there no wisdom in Tema? Is there no more good counsel among his people? Is their wisdom then turned clean to naught? Get you hence, turn your backs, creep down into the deep, O ye citizens of Dedan. For I will bring destruction upon Esau; yea, and the day of his visitation.
Therefore hear the counsel of the LORD, that he hath taken upon Idumaea: and his purpose, that he hath devised upon the citizens of Teman. The least of the flock shall tear them in pieces, and look: what fair thing they have, they shall make it waste, and themselves also.
And though Noah, Daniel and Job these three men were among them, yet shall they in their righteousness deliver but their own souls, sayeth the LORD God.
therefore thus sayeth the LORD: I will reach out mine hand upon Edom, and take away man and beast out of it. From Teman unto Dedan will I make it desolate; they shall be slain with the sword.
"Thus sayeth the LORD, 'For three and four wickednesses of Edom, I will not spare him, because he persecuted his brother with the sword, destroyed his mother's womb, bare hatred very long, and so kept indignation always by him. Therefore will I send a fire into Teman, which shall devour the palaces of Bozrah.'
Shall not I at the same time destroy the wise men of Edom; and those that have understanding, from the mount of Esau? Thy giants, O Teman, shall be afraid, for through the slaughter they shall be all overthrown upon the mount of Esau.
Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have known what end the Lord made. For the Lord is very pitiful, and merciful.