10 If he cut off, and shut up, or gather together, then who can hinder him?
Behold, he taketh away, who can hinder him? who will say unto him, What doest thou? If God will not withdraw his anger, the proud helpers do stoop under him.
Behold, he breaketh down, and it cannot be built again: he shutteth up a man, and there can be no opening.
How should one chase a thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight, except their Rock had sold them, and the LORD had shut them up?
For he maketh sore, and bindeth up: he woundeth, and his hands make whole.
When he giveth quietness, who then can make trouble? and when he hideth his face, who then can behold him? whether it be done against a nation, or against a man only:
Or who shut up the sea with doors, when it brake forth, as if it had issued out of the womb?
The first shall say to Zion, Behold, behold them: and I will give to Jerusalem one that bringeth good tidings.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on Job 11
Commentary on Job 11 Matthew Henry Commentary
Chapter 11
Poor Job's wound's were yet bleeding, his sore still runs and ceases not, but none of his friends bring him any oil, any balm; Zophar, the third, pours into them as much vinegar as the two former had done.
Job 11:1-6
It is sad to see what intemperate passions even wise and good men are sometimes betrayed into by the heat of disputation, of which Zophar here is an instance. Eliphaz began with a very modest preface, ch. 4:2. Bildad was a little more rough upon Job, ch. 8:2. But Zophar falls upon him without mercy, and gives him very bad language: Should a man full of talk be justified? And should thy lies make men hold their peace? Is this the way to comfort Job? No, nor to convince him neither. Does this become one that appears as an advocate for God and his justice? Tantaene animis coelestibus irae?-In heavenly breasts can such resentment dwell? Those that engage in controversy will find it very hard to keep their temper. All the wisdom, caution, and resolution they have will be little enough to prevent their breaking out into such indecencies as we here find Zophar guilty of.
Job 11:7-12
Zophar here speaks very good things concerning God and his greatness and glory, concerning man and his vanity and folly: these two compared together, and duly considered, will have a powerful influence upon our submission to all the dispensations of the divine Providence.
Job 11:13-20
Zophar, as the other two, here encourages Job to hope for better times if he would but come to a better temper.