Job 5:9-19

9 who does great things that no one can understand, and marvels that have no explanation;

10 who gives rain upon the earth and sends waters abroad;

11 who sets up the humble on high, that those who mourn may be lifted up with saving health.

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

13 He takes the wise in their own prudence, and the counsel of his adversaries is turned to folly.

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

15 But he saves the poor from the sword, from the mouth of the wicked, and from the hand of the violent.

16 Who is the hope of the poor, and iniquity closes her mouth.

17 Behold, blessed is the man whom God chastens; therefore, do not despise not the correction of the Almighty.

18 For he makes sore, and binds up; he wounds, and his hands make whole.

19 He shall deliver thee in six tribulations, and in the seventh no evil shall touch thee.

Job 5:9-19 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.