Bible Commentary

Job 12:5

Job 12:5

John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible · John Gill (1697–1771) · Public Domain

He that is ready to slip with [his] feet,.... Not into sin, though this is often the case of good men, but into calamities and afflictions; and Job means himself, and every just upright man in the like circumstances: or he that is "prepared" or "destined" to be among them, that "totter" and stagger in their "feet" ; that cannot stand upon their feet, but fall to the ground; which may describe man in declining and distressing circumstances; or that is appointed to be the laughing stock of such as are unstable in the word and ways of God; double minded men, hypocrites, and formal professors, that totter and stagger at everything they meet with disagreeable to the flesh: with such, a poor afflicted saint is laughed to scorn; he[is as] a lamp despised in the thought of him that is at ease; who are in affluent circumstances, enjoy great prosperity, live in plenty, and are not in trouble as others; their hearts are at ease: now with such, poor good men are had in great contempt; they are despised at heart, in the thoughts of such persons, if they do not in words express it; they are like a lamp just going out, which is neglected, and looked upon as useless; or like a torch burnt to the end, when it is thrown away; and thus it is with men, while the lamp of prosperity burns clear and bright, they are valued and had in esteem, but when their lamp becomes dim, and is almost, or quite extinguished, they are despised, see ; some apply this to Christ, who was a lamp or light, a great one, but despised of men, and even as a light; they loved darkness rather than light; and especially by the Pharisees, who were at ease, settled on their lees, that trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others; and this is true of Gospel ministers, though bright and burning lights, and even of every good man, in whom the true light of grace, and of the Gospel, shines, and especially when under afflictive circumstances.

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Job 12 — OverviewJob 12 · Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole BibleIn this and the two following chapters we have Job's answer to Zophar's discourse, in which, as before, he first reasons with his friends (see ch. xiii. 19) and then turns to his God, and directs his…Job 12 — OverviewJob 12 · Treasury of Scripture KnowledgeJob 12:1, Job maintains himself against his friends that reprove him; Job 12:7, He acknowledges the general doctrine of God’s omnipotence.Job 12 — OverviewJob 12 · John Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleIn this and the two following chapter Job makes answer to Zophar's discourse in the former; who having represented him as an ignorant man, he resents it, and begins his defence with a biting sarcasm on him and his…Job 12:1-5Job 12:1-5 · Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole BibleThe reproofs Job here gives to his friends, whether they were just or no, were very sharp, and may serve for a rebuke to all that are proud and scornful, and an exposure of their folly. I. He upbraids them with…Job 12:1-5Job 12:1-5 · The Pulpit CommentaryJob to Zophar: 1. The conduct of the friends criticized. I. ARROGANT ASSUMPTION REPELLED. 1. With sarcastic admiration. "No doubt but ye are the people, and wisdom shall die with you." Irony is a weapon difficult and…Job 12:1-6Job 12:1-6 · The Pulpit CommentaryThe resentment of a wounded spirit. Repeated reproaches and accusations falling upon the conscience of an innocent man sting him into self-defence. They may do a service by rousing him out of stupor and weakness, and…