Matthew Poole and continuators on Job 33:24

24. Then he is gracious unto him , and saith, Deliver him from going down into the pit, I have found a ransom .

In that case, or upon the sick-man's knowledge and practice of his duty.

Either 1. the Messenger or Interpreter last mentioned, who is pitiful unto the sick man, and in compassion to him doth all that he can for him, counselling and comforting him, and praying to God for his recovery in the following words, Deliver him, &c. for the sake of that ransom which thou hast revealed, and I have discovered to him. Or rather 2. God, who is oft in this Book designed by this Particle he, or him; whose property and prerogative it is to be gracious unto man; and who alone can speak the following words with power and authority.

Pardoning his sins, and delivering him from his dangerous disease, and from death, and from the Hell which attends upon it.

To the Angel or Messenger.

To wit, ministerially and declaratively; in which sense the acts of forgiving Sins, and reconciling Sinners, and saving Souls, are ascribed to God's Ministers; as Iohn 20. 23. 2 Cor. 5. 19, 20. 1 Tim. 4. 16. Declare to him that I have pardoned and will heal him.

Although I might justly destroy him, and should do it if I were severe to mark what is amiss in him, yet I will spare him, for I have found out an expedient and a way of ransoming and redeeming Sinners from Death both temporal and eternal, which they by their sins have deserved, which is by the death of my Son the Redeemer of the World, which shall be in the fulness of time, and with respect to which I will pardon this sick man▪ and others that shall repent and sue to me for mercy as he hath done.

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