Chap. 22. An Expofition upon the Rook of J o B. Verf. z. thou wert(which Ifhallprefently difprove)aa thouhaft often boafted, righteous, yetis it any pleafiare to the Almighty that thou art righ- teous ? This feems to be the intent ofthe whole Chapter, in which we may further take notice of two diftin& pares. The firft is repre. henfory, Eliphaz reproves and rebukes lob forely, to theendof the 20. verfe. The fecond is hortatory ; Eliphazmoveth lob earnelily to re- pentance, in which he coucheth many promifes, and gives Affu. ranee that it (hall not be in vain, from the 20th ver. to the end of theChapter ; Acquaint aacsv thy [elfe with hire, and be at peace, therebygood/hall c,me unto tire, &c. The firft part, his reprehenfionbegins at the fecondverf V. 2. Can a man be profitable un:o God?There are thr a readings ofthefe words.Firft thus, Can a man be compared to Clod ? Some ñ'amgceid Dea labour much in the defenceof this reading, but I (hall not flay up- ho oar etiaV on it. For though it be a truth that man cannot becompared to okra perfe£ta God, howwife or how good foever he is. What's the wifdorne or fkrrit Jciamia. the goodneffeofman to God ? Yet the Original( Text doth not vulg freely yecid it belie up to that eradiationwhich bears this truth, 2. Mafter Broughton renders thus. Can the humane sight teach the Omnipotent ? that word which we render to beprofitable, he, to Teach ; The Chaidee Paraphrafefavours this tranflation, and 4 idam ver. fume render it fo in both parts of the verfe ; Cana man teach God hum dtí7i As be that is wife may teachhimfelfe? Ifa man fhould be fo bold p'odocere expa to take uponhim to teach God, wouldGod regard his ruching; ? hoar in + g g bamïlti.hía. bu_ I (hall pals by this al,o,efpecially confideringthat eliphaz had Merc. no reafon to tax 'ob with fuch a prefumption, as jibe had taken upon him to dire&God how toorder his affayres ; when asfob himfelfe (chap. 21. verf.' 22.) had itrongly repreffed and con- demned fuch a boldneffe. Shall any teach God knowledge ? 7ob having fo lately exalted God above mans teaching (aswas chew- ed in opening that verfe) it is not probable that Eliphaz fhould, reprove him, as conceiting himfelfe wifeenough to teach God : Or that hethought 74 either haddone, or wasabout to doe that which withhis last breath aimed, he confeffed no man could do. The third is our reading, Can a man be profitable unto God? Can a man ? he d9th not mean an ordinary weake, fickly, fraile man ; but a man, yea any man at his belt : the word here ofd B z notes 3
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