Vers. 23. One dieth in his full strength, be∣ing wholly at ease and quiet:
24. His breasts are full of milk, and his bones are moistened in the marrow.
25. And another dieth in the bitterness of his soul, and never eateth with pleasure.
In the Second Branch of this Narration (in these verses) he gives an account of the various dispensati∣ons of God toward wicked men.
1. For prosperity, That some die in full strength of body, having inward and outward case, and with∣out any disquiet till their death, v. 23. which is fur∣ther amplified, v. 24. That they are in great vigour, and their bones full of marrow, like breasts full of milk; or, rather, that they have affluence of all things, instanced in the abundance of milk, where∣with their breasts (namely of their Cattel) or their Milk-pails (as the word also signifieth) are filled; and that, because of this affluence, they are in great vigour, every one of their bones (for the verb is sin∣gular) being moistned with marrow (or, as the words will also read, the marrow of their bones being water∣ed and refreshed) by reason of their plenty of food, and their encouragement in their prosperous condition. This last may also import their power and strength to maintain their prosperous condition. And so these two verses will contain four Branches of the prosperity of the wicked, their vigour and strength of body, their peace and quietness, v. 23. their plenty, or, af∣fluence of all things, and, their power to maintain all this, v. 24. any of which, if they be wanting, will render their prosperous condition defective.
2. For Adversity, That some of them die in great disquiet and bitterness, having had their very meat imbittered to them all their days, v. 25.
Whence Learn,
1. God exerciseth great variety in his dealings with the Children of Men; that he may prove he is debtor to none, that none may know love or hatred by out∣ward things; and, that the wit of man may not think to comprehend his way; For, so are we taught here by these various Instances.
2. It is profitable for men to be acquainted with this, that God exerciseth such variety in his dispensa∣tions, especially in their prosperity, that so they may not stumble at it in their adversity; For, Job shew∣eth he had been acquainted with all this before∣hand, and therefore did not stumble at his own lot, as his Friends did.
3. Bodily strength is no fence against death, which observeth not the Laws of Nature, but the appoint∣ment of God; For, here some die in their full strength, or, in the strength of their perfection.
4. To live plentifully, at case, and in strength and power, till death come, is no infallible mark of Gods favour; For, here the wicked have that, being wholly at ease, and quiet, and their breasts full of milk, &c.