Job 12:16 Commentary - Dr Peter Masters

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Job 12:16

Comments

His strength and prudence are also seen in the way that he governs all classes of men. Nothing is outside of his wisdom; he can deal with every situation, even the complex situations that arise from the presence of sin. The deceived and the deceiver are both his. Obviously this does not just mean that they are his creatures – that goes without saying – but that their actions and their behaviour are within the scope of his plan and both (Calvin) are under the government of God. These are taken as examples of the very different types of men that God’s rule must take into account, and deal with appropriately. The deceived include the wicked and the righteous. On one, deception is allowed to come as a snare and a punishment perhaps in retribution for their own acts of deception: ‘But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived’ (2 Timothy 3:13). On others deception is a darkness which is only allowed to work for a time and from which God will protect his children (Revelation 2:9; 1 John 2:19). But the deceiver is also in the hand of God. God allows the world to continue in its state of rebellion and does not instantly judge it. Has sin taken men outside of God’s control? Not at all. He is sovereign over the wicked as well as the righteous. He can use even the wicked to bring about his purposes. This is of course implied by God’s decision to let the world continue in its fallen state, for that could only be done if he retained his sovereignty over good and evil alike. Atheists and blasphemers are just as much in the secret will of God as the righteous.

Application

Let no one imagine therefore that they have escaped from the Lord, or that by plunging themselves into sin, men and women cannot put themselves outside God’s plan. Rather the opposite is true. With horror they realise that the destructive path they have chosen to follow has only succeeded in bringing about his will. Without being tainted in the least by what they did, God has made use of their most extreme evil acts to accomplish his will. For their part, they will be punished with all due punishment, but for his part he remains beyond reproach. What harm did they do him? In what way did they thwart his purposes? ‘For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth’ (2 Corinthians 13:8). Neither deceived nor deceiver are allowed to go beyond the limit set by the Lord; even the evil and cunning schemes of men are woven into his plan.

Questions

Calvin refers to those who try to defend God from blame for evil in the world by saying that he is responsible for good acts but not for evil. The latter should be put wholly to the charge of men; God simply permits it. But Job does not allow this escape route. This cannot be done without denying the power of God and his government of the world. The problem must be solved in another way, namely that our understanding of why God acts is very limited, and we must continue to trust that he is good even when we cannot trace his working. ‘Gracious is the LORD, and righteous’ (Psalm 116:5). Great evil may bring about great good – ‘Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain’ (Acts 2:23). God does not simply permit deceivers, but ‘seeks for deceivers, and will have deceits to have their full scope, for so says the Holy Scriptures … The devil offers himself and says I will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all the prophets to beguile Ahab (1 Kings 22:20). God then sends forth Satan and wills that he should deceive both the king and the people’ (Calvin – English updated).

Outline

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Introduction

Job 12:16 Commentary and Bible Study