We in our Language, call the estate of man his substance, and a rich man a substan∣tiall man: the greater his possessions were, the greater was his loss and patience. Numquam quippè sine dolore amittitur, nisi quod sine amore possidetur. Greg.
Verse 5. Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all.] This was not will worship though not written worship: for though Job offered sacrifice before the Law of sacrifice was written, yet not before it was given; it was given from the beginning as all other parts of worship used from the beginning were. We must not only seek God for our children in the lump, but child by child. Mr Broughton renders, He offered for every one of them a burnt-offering.
It may be my sonnes have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts. Mr Broughton renders it, It may be my children have sinned, and little blessed God in their hearts; that is, have sinned so as to provoke God and scandalize men in this their feasting.
Thus did Job continually.] That is, in the renewed seasons when occasioned. We are said to do continually when seasonably. Ephes. 6. 18.
Verse 6. Now there was a day, when the sonnes of God came to present themselves before the Lord.] See Ch. 2. 1. the Angels came to receive commands from him. See Ch. 38. 7. Vide Drusium.
Verse 7. Then Satan answered the Lord and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.] Full of despair, not so full of torment as may be. See 1 Pet. 1. 8.
Vers. 8. A perfect and upright man, one that feareth God and eseheweth evil.] This is to be understood in reference to that generation. Secondly, Not only in one par∣ticular grace, though that be true, but take it for the latitude of his holiness and grace.
Vers. 9, 10. Doth Job fear God for nought. Hast thou not made a hedg about him?] q. d. Job is but a mercenary, his fear and service of thee is but in respect of his wealth and prosperity. Putavit inimicus propterea illum talem virum colere Deum, quia illa omnia donaverat ei, & petivit ut auferrentur ab eo.
Ver. 10. Hast thou not made a hedg round about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side?] Heb. A hedg of Thorns, Hos. 2. 5. a hedg ad separa∣tionem & munitionem, a translation from fields which are fenced with hedges to drive away wild beasts. Drusius,
Vers. 11. And he will curse thee to thy face.] And then he will little bless thee to thy face. Broughton. If he curse thee not to thy face, something is wanting, I will confess my damnation is righteous, that God is just.
Vers. 16. The fire of God is fallen from Heaven.] Because extraordinary; an He∣braisme, sent by the devil but by Gods permission. It may import a great and ter∣rible fire, as wrestlings of God, Cedars of God. See Junius.
Vers. 20. And cut his mantle.] It was the custom of the East-Country in out∣ward afflictions, Gen. 35. 34. 2 Sam. 1. 11. & 3. 31.
Vers. 21. Naked came I out of my mothers womb, and naked shall I return thi∣ther, to my mother the earth, Job 34. 15.
The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away.] He gave freely, and hath justly