Job 23

He, &c. - God will have so great a respect to thy innocency, that for thy sake he will deliver those that belong to thee, or live with thee, or near thee, thought in themselves they be ripe for destruction. Their hands - By thy prayers proceeding from a pure heart and conscience. So Eliphaz and his two friends, who in this matter were not innocent, were delivered by the pureness of Job's hands, chap.42:8. To - day - Even at this time, notwithstanding all your pretended consolations. Stroke - The hand or stroke of God upon me. Groaning - Doth exceed my complaints. Know - If he should discover to me any secret sins, for which he contendeth with me, I would humble myself before him, and accept of the punishment of mine iniquity. No - He would not use his power against me, but for me; by enabling me to plead my cause, and giving sentence according to that clemency, which he uses towards his children. There - At that throne of grace, where God lays aside his majesty, and judges according to his wonted clemency. Dispute - Humbly propounding the grounds of their confidence. So - Upon such a fair and equal hearing. Delivered - From the damnatory sentence of God. This and some such expressions of Job cannot be excused from irreverence towards God, for which God afterwards reproves him, and Job abhorreth himself. Is not - As a judge to hear and determine my causes, otherwise he knew God was essentially present in all places. Gold - Which comes out of the furnace pure from all dross. Steps - The steps or paths which God hath appointed men to walk in. Performeth - Those calamities which he hath allotted to me. And - There are many such examples of God's proceeding with men. Soft - He hath bruised, and broken, or melted it, so that I have no spirit in me. Because - God did not cut me off by death. Before - These miseries came upon me. Covered - By hiding me in the grave.