Job 5:9-19

9 who does great things and untraceable, glorious things also, and marvellous, of which there is no number:

10 who gives rain upon the earth, sending water on the earth:

11 who exalts the lowly, and raises up them that are lost:

12 frustrating the counsels of the crafty, and their hands shall not perform the truth:

13 who takes the wise in their wisdom, and subverts the counsel of the crafty

14 In the day darkness shall come upon them, and let them grope in the noon-day even as in the night:

15 and let them perish in war, and let the weak escape from the hand of the mighty.

16 And let the weak have hope, but the mouth of the unjust be stopped.

17 But blessed the man whom the Lord has reproved; and reject not thou the chastening of the Almighty.

18 for he causes to be in pain, and restores again: he smites, and his hands heal.

19 Six time he shall deliver thee out of distresses: and in the seventh harm shall not 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.