Job 3:13 Commentary - Dr Peter Masters | Metropolitan Tabernacle

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Job 3:13

Comments

Job speaks of an afterlife of sorts, but he emphasises features that are used to further his case against God. He imagines the future life to be a place of release from all the hardships which he is experiencing, and preferable to it. It is a place where the wicked are no longer able to practice their wickedness, and the inequalities of life are removed. The small and great are all on the same level, and the slave is released from his master, but this future life is not a place where Job looks forward to being with the Lord and seeing him face to face.Calvin gives Job some credit, despite the violence of his speech: ‘Let us note the grace that was given to Job, in that he did not completely consent to this extreme talk (because that would have been blasphemy of God), but he only let slip such words at random. If a man had asked him, “What are you saying? Is there no difference between good men and bad? Does death make a final end of all things? You speak here like an infidel who never knew of God or of God’s religion, for God teaches us that after death there is a better life than this, and an everlasting heritage, which he has prepared for those who are his, and for those whom he has chosen. And reprobates, seeing that they have despised him during their lives, shall know him to be their judge.” If Job had been presented with these questions he would have confessed such things, yes, even unfeignedly. And yet for all that he does not stop over-stating these matters’ (Calvin – English updated).

Application

He goes on to say, ‘We see that what matters is not just knowing, but persevering in that knowledge to withstand temptation when it assails us. For if we have read the Holy Scripture, if we have listened to sermons, if we have been taught what is required for man’s salvation, and yet for all that we are negligent and do not direct our minds to think of the things that we have heard before, it is as if a man was well furnished with sword and target, and should hang them all on a spigot [peg], and allow his armour to rust and his sword to stick fast in the scabbard when he should come to have need of them … We see … that it is not enough for us to have known the thing that God shows us for our profit, but we also need to exercise it without ceasing, and our memories need to be refreshed so that we know what is the proper use of the Holy Scripture.’

Questions

Outline

Purpose

Introduction

Job 3:13 Commentary and Bible Study