Job 5:7-17

7 yet man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward.

8 "I would seek unto God, and unto God would I commit my cause.

9 He doeth great things and unsearchable, marvelous things without number:

10 He giveth rain upon the earth, and sendeth waters upon the fields,

11 to set up on high those that are low, that those who mourn may be exalted to safety.

12 He disappointeth the devices of the crafty, so that their hands cannot perform their enterprise.

13 He taketh the wise in their own craftiness, and the counsel of the froward is carried headlong.

14 They meet with darkness in the daytime, and grope in the noonday as in the night.

15 But He saveth the poor from the sword, from the mouth and from the hand of the mighty.

16 So the poor hath hope, and iniquity stoppeth her mouth.

17 "Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth; therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty.

Job 5:7-17 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO JOB 5

In this chapter Eliphaz goes on to prove, and further confirm and establish, what he had before asserted, that not good men, but wicked men only, are afflicted of God, at least greatly, so as to have their substance wholly destroyed and perish, which was Job's case; and this partly from the case, state, and sentiments of all the saints, Job 5:1,2; and from his own observation and experience, Job 5:3-5; and then he proceeds to give some advice; and seeing afflictions do not come by chance, but are of God, it is right in such circumstances for a man to seek to the Lord for pardon and salvation, and commit his cause unto him, Job 5:6-8; who does many great things in a providential way to the good of man in general, and to the disappointment of wicked crafty men, and to the serving of the poor in particular, Job 5:9-16; so that it is best patiently to bear the afflicting hand of God, and it is an happiness to be corrected by him, since he delivers such out of all their troubles, and preserves them from many evils, and bestows many good things on them; which would be Job's case particularly, if he behaved according to the advice given, and which is left with him to consider of, Job 5:17-27.