18 While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, Thy sons and thy daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house:
18 While he was still speaking, yet another messenger came and said, "Your sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother's house,
18 While he was yet speaking, there came another and said, "Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother's house,
18 While he was still talking, another messenger arrived and said, "Your children were having a party at the home of the oldest brother
18 While he was still speaking, another also came and said, "Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother's house,
18 While he was still speaking, another messenger arrived with this news: "Your sons and daughters were feasting in their oldest brother's home.
35 I have seen a wicked and ruthless man flourishing like a luxuriant native tree,
35 I have seen a wicked, ruthless man, spreading himself like a green laurel tree.
35 I saw Wicked bloated like a toad, croaking pretentious nonsense.
35 I have seen the wicked in great power, And spreading himself like a native green tree.
35 I have seen wicked and ruthless people flourishing like a tree in its native soil.
(Read Psalm 37:34-40)
Duty is ours, and we must mind it; but events are God's, we must refer the disposal of them to him. What a striking picture is in verses 35,36, of many a prosperous enemy of God! But God remarkably blights the projects of the prosperous wicked, especially persecutors. None are perfect in themselves, but believers are so in Christ Jesus. If all the saint's days continue dark and cloudy, his dying day may prove comfortable, and his sun set bright; or, if it should set under a cloud, yet his future state will be everlasting peace. The salvation of the righteous will be the Lord's doing. He will help them to do their duties, to bear their burdens; help them to bear their troubles well, and get good by them, and, in due time, will deliver them out of their troubles. Let sinners then depart from evil, and do good; repent of and forsake sin, and trust in the mercy of God through Jesus Christ. Let them take his yoke upon them, and learn of him, that they may dwell for evermore in heaven. Let us mark the closing scenes of different characters, and always depend on God's mercy.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Job 1:18
Commentary on Job 1:13-19
(Read Job 1:13-19)
Satan brought Job's troubles upon him on the day that his children began their course of feasting. The troubles all came upon Job at once; while one messenger of evil tidings was speaking, another followed. His dearest and most valuable possessions were his ten children; news is brought him that they are killed. They were taken away when he had most need of them to comfort him under other losses. In God only have we a help present at all times.