Geneva Study Bible Then answered Bildad the Shuhite, and said, Then answered Bildad the Shuhite, and said,
How long wilt thou speak these things? and how long shall the words of thy mouth be like a strong wind? How long wilt thou speak these things? and how long shall the words of thy mouth {a} be like a strong wind?
(a) He declares that their words which would diminish anything from the justice of God, are but as a puff of wind that vanishes away. Doth God pervert judgment? or doth the Almighty pervert justice? Doth God pervert judgment? or doth the Almighty pervert justice?
If thy children have sinned against him, and he have cast them away for their transgression; If thy children have sinned against him, and he have cast them away for their {b} transgression;
(b) That is, has rewarded them according to their iniquity, meaning that Job should be warned by the example of his children, that he not offend God. If thou wouldest seek unto God betimes, and make thy supplication to the Almighty; If thou {c} wouldest seek unto God betimes, and make thy supplication to the Almighty;
(c) That is, if you turn while God calls you to repentance. If thou wert pure and upright; surely now he would awake for thee, and make the habitation of thy righteousness prosperous. If thou wert pure and upright; surely now he would awake for thee, and make the habitation of thy righteousness prosperous.
Though thy beginning was small, yet thy latter end should greatly increase. Though thy beginning {d} was small, yet thy latter end should greatly increase.
(d) Though the beginning is not as pleasant as you would like, yet in the end you will have sufficient opportunity to please yourself. For inquire, I pray thee, of the former age, and prepare thyself to the search of their fathers: For {e} enquire, I pray thee, of the former age, and prepare thyself to the search of their fathers:
(e) He wills Job to examine all antiquity and he will find it true which he here says. (For we are but of yesterday, and know nothing, because our days upon earth are a shadow:) (For we are but of {f} yesterday, and know nothing, because our days upon earth are a shadow:)
(f) Meaning, that it is not enough to have the experience of ourselves, but to be confirmed by the examples of those who went before us. Shall not they teach thee, and tell thee, and utter words out of their heart? Shall not they teach thee, and tell thee, and utter words out of their heart?
Can the rush grow up without mire? can the flag grow without water? Can the rush {g} grow up without mire? can the flag grow without water?
(g) As a rush cannot grow without moisture, so the hypocrite because he does not have faith which is watered with God's Spirit. Whilst it is yet in his greenness, and not cut down, it withereth before any other herb. Whilst it is yet in his greenness, and not cut down, it withereth before any other herb.
So are the paths of all that forget God; and the hypocrite's hope shall perish: So are the paths of all that forget God; and the hypocrite's hope shall perish:
Whose hope shall be cut off, and whose trust shall be a spider's web. Whose hope shall be cut off, and whose trust shall be a {h} spider's web.
(h) Which is today and tomorrow swept away. He shall lean upon his house, but it shall not stand: he shall hold it fast, but it shall not endure. He shall lean upon his house, but it shall not stand: he shall hold it fast, but it shall not endure.
He is green before the sun, and his branch shooteth forth in his garden. He is {i} green before the sun, and his branch shooteth forth in his garden.
(i) He compares the just to a tree, which although it is moved from one place to another, yet flourishes: so the affliction of the godly turns to their profit. His roots are wrapped about the heap, and seeth the place of stones. His roots are wrapped about the heap, and seeth the place of stones.
If he destroy him from his place, then it shall deny him, saying, I have not seen thee. If he destroy him from his place, then it shall {k} deny him, saying, I have not seen thee.
(k) That is, so that there remains nothing there to prove whether the tree had grown there or not. Behold, this is the joy of his way, and out of the earth shall others grow. Behold, this is the joy {l} of his way, and out of the earth shall others grow.
(l) To be planted in another place, where it may grow as it pleases. Behold, God will not cast away a perfect man, neither will he help the evil doers: Behold, God will not cast away a perfect man, neither will he help the evil doers:
Till he fill thy mouth with laughing, and thy lips with rejoicing. Till he fill thy mouth with {m} laughing, and thy lips with rejoicing.
(m) If you are godly, he will give you opportunity to rejoice and if not your affliction will increase. They that hate thee shall be clothed with shame; and the dwelling place of the wicked shall come to nought. They that hate thee shall be clothed with shame; and the dwelling place of the wicked shall come to nought. The Geneva Bible Translation Notes [1599] Bible Hub |
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