Job 16 Bible Commentary

John Wesley’s Explanatory Notes

<< Job 15 | Job 16 | Job 17 >>
(Read all of Job 16)

Verse 2

[2] I have heard many such things: miserable comforters are ye all.

Such things — These things are but vulgar and trivial. And so are all creatures, to a soul under deep conviction of sin, or the arrest of death.

Verse 3

[3] Shall vain words have an end? or what emboldeneth thee that thou answerest?

End — When wilt thou put an end to these impertinent discourses? He retorts upon him his charge, chap. 15:2,3.

Verse 7

[7] But now he hath made me weary: thou hast made desolate all my company.

He — God, as appears by the following words.

Weary — Either of complaining, or, of my life.

Desolate — Hast turned my society into desolation, by destroying my children and servants.

Verse 9

[9] He teareth me in his wrath, who hateth me: he gnasheth upon me with his teeth; mine enemy sharpeneth his eyes upon me.

Eyes — Looks upon me with a fierce, and sparkling eye, as enraged persons use to do.

Verse 10

[10] They have gaped upon me with their mouth; they have smitten me upon the cheek reproachfully; they have gathered themselves together against me.

They — My friends.

Gaped — Opened their mouths wide against me. In all this Job was a type of Christ. These very expressions are used in the predictions of his sufferings, Micah 5:1. They shall smite the judge of Israel upon the check.

Verse 11

[11] God hath delivered me to the ungodly, and turned me over into the hands of the wicked.

The wicked — And thus Christ was delivered into wicked hands, by the determinate counsel of God.

Verse 12

[12] I was at ease, but he hath broken me asunder: he hath also taken me by my neck, and shaken me to pieces, and set me up for his mark.

Shaken — As a mighty man doth with some stripling, when he wrestleth with him.

Mark — That he may shoot all his arrows in me.

Verse 13

[13] His archers compass me round about, he cleaveth my reins asunder, and doth not spare; he poureth out my gall upon the ground.

His archers — Whoever are our enemies, we must look on them as God's archers, and see him directing the arrow.

Verse 15

[15] I have sewed sackcloth upon my skin, and defiled my horn in the dust.

I have — So far am I from stretching out my hand against God, chap. 15:25, that I have humbled myself deeply under his hand. I have not only put on sackcloth, but sewed it on, as being resolved to continue my humiliation, as long as my affliction continues.

Defiled my horn — I have willingly parted with all my wealth, and power, and glory (as the horn often signifies in scripture,) and been content to lie in the dust.

Verse 17

[17] Not for any injustice in mine hands: also my prayer is pure.

Not — And all this is not come upon me for any injurious dealing, but for other reasons known to God only.

Pure — I do not cast off God's fear and service, chap. 15:4. I do still pray and worship God, and my prayer is accompanied with a sincere heart.

Verse 18

[18] O earth, cover not thou my blood, and let my cry have no place.

Earth — The earth is said to cover that blood, which lies undiscovered and unrevenged: but saith Job, if I be guilty of destroying any man, let the earth disclose it; let it be brought to light.

Cry — Let the cry of my complaints to men, or prayers to God, find no place in the ears or hearts of God or men, if this be true.

Verse 19

[19] Also now, behold, my witness is in heaven, and my record is on high.

Witness — Besides the witness of my conscience, God is witness of my integrity.

Verse 22

[22] When a few years are come, then I shall go the way whence I shall not return.

Go — To the state and place of the dead, whence men cannot return to this life. The meaning is, my death hastens, and therefore I earnestly desire that the cause depending, between me and my friends, may be determined, that if I be guilty of these things, I may bear the shame of it before all men, and if I be innocent, that I may see my own integrity, and the credit of religion, (which suffers upon this occasion) vindicated. How very certainly, and how very shortly are we likewise to go this journey.