Matthew Poole and continuators on Job 29

2. Oh that I were as in months past, as in the days when God preserved me :

To wit, from all those miseries which now I feel. This he desires, not only for his own Ease and comfort, but also for the vindication of his Reputation, and of the honour of Religion, which suffered by his means: For as his calamities were the only ground of all their hard Speeches and censures of him, as a man for saken and hated by God, so he rightly judged that this ground being removed, and his prosperity restored, his Friends would take it for a token of Gods favour to him, and beget in them a milder and better opinion of him.

3. When his Candle shined upon my head , and when by his light I walked through darkness .

i. e. His Favour and Blessing, oft signified by the name light, as his displeasure, and a state of affliction is frequently called darkness.

Or, over my bead, to comfort and direct me. The ground of the Expression is this, that lights used to be carried and set on high, that men may make the better use of them, as the Sun for that end was placed above us.

I passed safely through many difficulties, and dangers, and common calamities, which befell others who lived round about me, and overcame those troubles which fell upon my self.

Marginal references: Or, [illegible: 1 word].

4. As I was in the days of my youth , when the secret of God was upon my Tabernacle :

i. e. In my former and flourishing days, which he calls the days of Youth, because those are commonly the times of mirth and comfort, as Old-age is called evil days, Eccles. 12. 1.

When there was a secret Blessing of God upon me, and my Family, protecting, directing, and succeeding us in all our affairs, which the Devil observed, Ch. 1. 10. whereas now there is a visible curse of God upon me and mine.

5. When the Almighty was yet with me , when my Children were about me:

i. e. On my side, whereas now he is against me, and hath forsaken me.

Or, servants, or both, and therefore he useth this word which comprehends both.

6. When I washed my steps with ‖ butter , and the Rock poured † me out Rivers of Oil :

i. e. When I abounded in all sorts of Blessings; which is oft signified by this or the like Phrases, as Gen. 49. 11. Deut. 33. 24. Iob 20. 17. Psal. 81. 16. When I had such numerous Herds of Cattle, and consequently such plenty of Butter, that if I had needed it, or been pleased so to use it, I might have washed my Feet with it.

When not only fruitful fields, but even barren and rocky places (such as that part of Arabia was where Iob lived) yielded me Olive Trees and Oil in great plenty. See on Deut. 32. 13.

Marginal references: [illegible: 1 word].; [illegible: 1 word] [illegible: 1 word]. 17. [illegible: 1 word] [illegible: 1 word]

7. When I went out to the gate , through the City , when I prepared my seat in the street .

From my dwelling.

To wit, of the City, as the following words shew, to the place of Judicature, which was in the Gates, as hath been oft observed.

Through that part of the City which was between my House and the Gate. Or, to the City, i. e. the Gate belonging to the City: So Iob might live in the Country adjoining to it.

When I caused the seat of Justice to be set for me. By this, and divers other Expressions, it appears that Iob was a Magistrate, or Judge in his Country.

i. e. In that void and open place within, or near the Gate, where the People assembled for the administration of Justice among them.

8. The young men saw me, and hid themselves : and the aged arose, and stood up .

Either out of a profound Reverence to my Person and Dignity, or out of a Conscience of their own Guilt or Folly, which they supposed I might either understand by Information from others, or discover by their countenances or carriages in my presence, for which they knew I would reprove them, and bring them to shame or other punishment.

Whilest I either passed by them, or was present with them. See Levit. 19. 3[illegible: 1+ letters] ▪ 1 Kings 2. 19. So great a veneration they had for my Person, [illegible: 1 word] regard of that Wisdom, and Justice, and faithfulness which they discerned in me, and in all my proceedings. And therefore they judged quite otherwise of me than you now do.

9. The Princes refrained talking , and laid their hand on their mouth .

Either fearing that I should discern their weakness by their words; or desiring to hear my words and sentence which they readily approved of, and fully assented to. Such an opinion had they of my Wisdom, and did not think me such a foolish, erroneous, and impertinent Person as you fancy or represent me to be.

In token both of their wonder at Iob's wise Speeches and Sentences, and of their resolution to be silent. See Iob 21. 5. Prov. 30. 32.

10. The nobles held their peace, and their Tongue cleaved to the roof of their mouth .

It lay as still as if it had done so, and they could not have spoken.

Marginal references: [illegible: 1 word] [illegible: 1 word] was [illegible: 1 word]

11. When the ear heard me, then it blessed me , and when the Eye saw me, it gave witness to me :

i. e. Pronounced me to be a man blessed of God with eminent Gifts and Graces; or heartily prayed for Gods Blessing upon me, because of that Wisdom and Integrity which they saw in all my actions, and of the satisfaction which I gave to all, and the relief which I gave to the oppressed, by my righteous and equitable decrees in all causes which were brought before me.

When my appearance gave them occasion to speak of me, they gave Testimony to my pious, and just, and blameless conversation. So far was I from being, or being thought to be, guilty of those crimes wherewith you charge me; of which see Ch. 22. 9.

12. Because I delivered the poor that cried, and the fatherless, and him that had none to help him .

From his potent oppressour. They did not honour me for my great Wealth or Power, but for my impartial Justice and pity to the afflicted, and courage in maintaining their cause and right against their mighty Adversaries.

None would own or help them, partly because they were poor, and unable to recompence them for it: and partly because their Enemies were great, and likely to crush both them and their helpers. Which made Iob's virtue mo[illegible: 1+ letters]e glorious.

Marginal references: [illegible: 1 word] [illegible: 1+ letters]2. 12. [illegible: 1 word] [illegible: 1+ letters]1. 13.

13. The blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon me: and I caused the Widows heart to sing for joy :

Wherewith both he and others for his sake blessed me, and begged that God would bless me.

To lose his Life or estate by the malice and tyranny of wicked men.

Who are the common object of injuries and oppressions, because for the most part they are unable, either to offend those who molest them, or to desend themselves from their Violence.

For her great and unexpected deliverance.

14. I put on Righteousness, and it cloathed me : my judgment was as a robe and diadem .

As a Garment covers the whole Body, and is worn continually all the day long, so I was constantly just in the whole course of all my administrations, publick and private, and never put off this Garment out of a partial respect to my self, or to the persons of other men, as the manner of many Judges is.

My judgments or decrees were so equal and righteous, that they never brought shame and reproach upon me, but always Honour and great Reputation.

Marginal references: Isa. 59. 17 Eph. 6. 14. 1 Thes. 5. 8.

15. I was eyes to the blind , and feet was I to the lame ,

i. e. Instead of Eyes to instruct, and direct and assist.

Either 1. Corporally. Or rather 2. Spiritually; such as through Ignorance or weakness were apt to mistake, and to be seduced or cheated by the craft and Artifices of evil-minded men. These I cautioned, and advised, and led into the right way.

i. e. Ready to help him who was unable to help himself.

16. I was a father to the poor: and the cause which I knew not I searched out.

i. e. Had the care and bowels of a Father to them.

Either 1. Those which were not brought to my knowledge or Tribunal, either through neglect, or because the injured persons durst not complain, I diligently enquired after. Or 2. Those which were hard and difficult, and possibly were made so by the frauds or arts of the oppressours, or their advocates, which the poor injured person could not find out, I took pains to discover.

17. And I brake the jaws of the wicked, and pluckt the spoil out of his Teeth .

Or, the jaw-bones: or, the grinders, the sharpest and strongest Teeth in the Jaw, i. e. their power and violence wherewith they used to oppress others. It is a Metaphor from Wild-beasts which break their Prey with their Teeth. Compare Psalm 38. & 57. 4. & 58. 6.

i. e. Forced them to restore what they had violently and unjustly taken away.

Marginal references: Heb. the jaw-teeth, or, grinders.; Heb. cast.

18. Then I said , I shall die in my nest , and I shall multiply my days as the sand .

i. e. I persuaded my self, being thus strongly fortified with the Conscience of my own universal integrity, and with the singular favour of God and of all men. But although this was sometimes Iob's opinion, vet at other times he was subject to fears, and expectation of changes, as appears from Chap. 3. 25, 26.

Not a violent or untimely, but a natural, and peaceable, and seasonable death, sweetly expiring in my own Bed and Habitation, in the midst of my Children and Friends, leaving the pretious perfume of a Good-name behind me, and a plentiful Inheritance to all my posterity.

Which is innumerable. See Gen. 22. 17. & 41. 49.

19. My root was spread out by the waters, and the dew lay all night upon my branch .

I was continually watred by divine favour and blessing, as a tree which is constantly supplied with moisture, both in its root and branches, and consequently must needs be fruitful and flourishing.

Marginal references: Heb. opened.; Psal. 1. 3. Jer. 17. 8.

20. My glory was fresh in me , and my bow was renewed in my hand.

The reputation which I had gained by my just and virtuous Life was not decaying, but growing, and every day augmented, with the accession of new honours.

Heb. with me.

i. e. My strength, which is signified by a Bow, Gen. 49. 24. 1 Sam. 2. 4. because in ancient times the Bow and Arrows were principal instruments of War.

Heb changed itself, i. e. grew as it were a new Bow, when other Bows by much use, grow weak and useless. O[illegible: 1+ letters], changed its strength, which word may be here understood, as it is expressed, Isa. 40. 31. i. e. hath got new strength.

Marginal references: Heb. new.; Gen. [illegible: 1+ letters]9. 24.; Heb. hanged. Isa. 40. 31.

21. Unto me men gave ear, and waited and kept silence at my counsel .

Expecting till I spoke, and silently listening to my Counsel, which they were confident would be like the Oracle of God, wise, and just, and good, and preferring it before their own Judgment.

22. After my words they spake not again , and my speech dropped upon them .

Either to consute them as false, or to add to them as lame and imperfect.

To wit, as the rain, as the next Verse explains it, which when it comes down gently and droppingly upon the earth, is most acceptable and beneficial to it, not so when it comes in great and violent showers.

23. And they waited for me, as for the rain , and they opened their mouth for me as for the latter rain.

As the Earth or the Husbandman waiteth for the rain, to wit, the former rain▪ of which see Deut. 11. 14. because the latter rain is here opposed to it: See Iam. 5. 7.

To receive my words, and therewith to satisfie their thirst, as the dry and parched Earth gapes or opens its mouth to receive the Rain.

24. If I laughed on them , they believed it not , and the light of my countenance they cast not down .

Or sported, or jested with them i. e. carried my self familiarly and pleasantly with them.

It was so acceptable to them to see me well-pleased with them, that they could scarce believe their Eyes and Ears that it was so: Compare Gen. 45. 26. Psalm 126. 1.

My familiarity did not breed contempt or presumption in them to say or do any thing that might grieve me, or make my countenance to fall, as it doth in case of shame or sorrow, Gen. 4. 5. They were very cautious not to abuse my smiles, nor to give me any occasion to change my Countenance or carriage towards them.

25. I chose out their way , and sat chief , and dwelt as a king in the army , as one that comforteth the mourners .

They sought to me for my advice in all doubtful and difficult Cases, and I chalked out their Path, and directed them what methods they should take to accomplish their desires.

As a Prince or Judge, whilest they stood waiting for my counsel.

Or Head, as their Head or Ruler, and my mind and word was as a Law or Oracle to them.

Whose presence puts life, and courage and joy into the whole Army. And no less acceptable was my presence to them.

As I was able and ready to comfort any afflicted or sorrowful persons, so my Consolations were always grateful and welcom to them. Or, when he, to wit, the King, comforteth the mourners, i. e. his Army, when they are under some great Consternation or Dejection by reason of some great loss or danger, but are revived by the presence and speech of a wise and valiant King or General.