[1.] The opinion of a judge deeming or counting one wicked ; as to justify is to count one righteous : Rom. viii. 33, 34, ' It is God that justifies; who is he that condemns? ' So to condemn is to count one wicked. This respects the inward mind, and what appeareth on evidence. So it is said, Prov. xvii. 15, ' He that justifieth the wicked, and con- demneth the just, they are both an abomination unto the Lord.' It is not meant of judicial absolution and condemnation, but in private opinion.
[2.] The sentence passed or pronounced on the tribunal. So to condemn is to declare one unrighteous or punishable : Deut. xxv. 1, ' If there be a controversy between men, and they come unto judgment, that the judges may judge them, then they shall justify the righteous, and condemn the wicked ; ' that is, pass sentence upon them, pronounce them wicked. Otherwise to declare our opinion is not always lawful. We may pejus timere, fear the worst, for our caution ; but not sim- plicite7^ definire, absolutely determine, till called to the judgment.
[3.] The execution. When they are dealt with as wicked : 1 Kings viii. 32, ' Then hear thou in heaven, and judge thy servants, condemn- ing the wicked, to bring his way upon his own head; and justifying
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the ligliteous, to give liim according to bis righteousness.' Like expres- sions there are often : as Ps. cix. 7, ' When he shall be judged, let him be condemned; ' Heb. ' go out wicked, or guilty.' So Ps. cxxv. 5, ' They shall be led forth with the workers of iniquity ; ' that is, as malefactors to execution. Now all these senses are intended, opinion, sentence, stroke ; chiefly the last. Do not deal with me as a wicked person, or afflict me as an evil-doer. He desires God to deal more tenderly with him, not as a judge, but a father : Jer. x. 24, ' 0 Lord, correct me. but in judgment ; not in anger, lest thou bring me to nothing.'
2. His inquiry after the cause of his afflictions, ' Show me wherefore thou contendest Avith me.' The word ' contendest ' is emphatical. It notes God's contending with man as an adversary in a suit or cause. Before he considered God as a judge ; now as an advocate pleading, not for, but against him. For providence is a kind of arguing and pleading, not by words, but deeds ; aud therefore called his controversy ; as Hosea iv. 1, ' The Lord hath a controversy with the laud ; ' and Micah vi. 2, ' The Lord hath a controversy with his people, aud will plead with Israel.' This controversy is pleaded with sharp afflictions whereby God appeareth against them as their opposite party. Now Job desireth to know tlie reason and cause, he having feared God and eschewed evil. Aud yet God suffered all this misery to come upou him, as if he were condemned and executed without trial.
[1.] The sense. Before I tell you that, let me note to you that there is a mixed nature in a child of God, but a prevalency of the better part. Accordingly this scripture must be explained. There is some weakness bewrayed in these Avords, but more grace.
(1.) It was weakness that he mistook the present dispensation, thinking that God condemned him when he did but try him. He may sharply chastise those whom he loveth and justifieth, yet not condemn them as wicked ; rather the contrary : 1 Cor. xi. 32, ' When we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we may not be con- demned Avith the world.'
(2.) It was Aveakness, in that he thought there was no sufficient cause that God should condemn him ; Avhereas the common pollution Avherein we are involved doth sufficiently justify the severest trials he can bring upon us. He hath cause enough to condemn his best servants, and those that are not wicked ; yet because they are sinners, ought to look upon themselves, in strict justice, as deserving the greatest jiuuishments : Ps. cxxx. 3, ' If thou, Lord, shouldst mark iniquity, O Lord, who should stand ? ' Ps. cxliii. 2, ' Enter not into judgment Avith thy serA^ant, for in thy sight shall no man living be justified.'
(3.) Clearly he was under some perturbation and passion ; for he considered God not only as a judge, but as a litigant party Avitli whom he might expostulate about his quarrel and controversy : ' Show me Avherelbre thou contendest Avith me ; ' whereas an absolute submission is necessary. Partly because of his sovereignty : Job ix. 12, ' He giveth no account of his matters.' Partly because of his exact justice. God's judgments are sometimes secret, but always just : Ps. xcvii. 2, * Clouds and darkness are round about him.' There are reasons which we see not.
(4.) Here is some taxing of his proA'idence, as if his dealing were
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unjust, and God did oppress him with his great power. For so it followeth, ver. 3, ' Is it good for thee that thou shouldst oppress, and despise the work of thine hands ? '