The Pulpit Commentary — Job — Section 356

EXPOSITION. point; but perhaps Elipbaz thinks his com- CHAPTER XXII. plo.ints. and expostulations to imply a higher Vera. 1-30.-Eliphaz returns to the value m me.n, e.nd a greater claim to con- attack, but with observations that are at sideration at God's bands, than can rightly be challenged. Certainly God does not first strangely pointless o.nd irrelevant, e.g. depend on mnn for profit or advantage of on the unprofitableness of man to God (vers. any kind. Neither our wisdom nor our I, 2), and on the slight importance of Job's goodness " extendeth to him." As he that case (ver. 3). After this weak prelude, is wise m!!.y be profitable unto himself; howc,er, there is more vigour in bis assault. rather, truly he that is wise is profitable unto In vers. 4-9 be directly charges Job with himself; i.e. to himself only, a.ad not to God. Man's intelligence and researches can add a number of specified sins, and in vers. 10, nothing to God's knowledge. 11 declares his sufferings to be the con- Ver. 3.-ls it any pleasure to the Almighty, sequence of them. He then proceeds to that thou art righteous l As " our goodness accuse him of denying God's omniscience extendeth not to Goel," and as his all-perfect (vers. 12-14), 11nd, aftel' some not very suc- happiness knows neither increase nor dimi- nution, we cannot be sdid to adve.oto.ge him cessful attempts to retort on him his own by our goodness. SI ill "good works, which words (vers. 15-20), finally recurs to his are the fruits of fui1h, sod follow after favourite devices (see oh. v. 17-26) of justification, are pleasing and 11cceptabla to exhorting Job to submission and repento.nce, God in Christ;" a0<.I God himself con- and promising him restoration to God's descends to say that ho "takes pleasure in bis people," •• in them tbe.t fear him" (Ps. favour and a return of prosperity (vers. oxlvii. II; oxlix. 4). Or is it gain to him 21-S0). that thou makest thy wa.ya per!eot 1 Of course, the " gain" is to the man himself, Vere. I, 2.-Then Eliphu the Temwte and not to God. He saves his soul alive. amwered and aald, Oa.n a man be profitable God be.a one more worshipper in the courts unto God 1 Job bad said 110Uiing upon this ef heaven, one more voice added to the cboi1 JOJ. 2B  THE BOOK OF JOB. [OR, UII, 1~.