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JOB CHAPTER 5
Wrath foolish: the wicked miserable, Job_5:1-5. Evil cometh not by chance; it is natural to our condition, Job_5:6,7. This is our motive to prayer and trust in God, Job_5:8; whose unsearchable power and wisdom are against the high and crafty, for the relief of the poor, Job_5:9-16. Their happiness whom God correcteth, and God’s gracious care of such, Job_5:17-27.
Call now, i.e. invite, or make proclamation, as this word is oft used, as Deu_20:10 Jud_12:1 Jer_2:2 3:12 7:2. Call them all as it were by their names; consult the whole catalogue of them all, which thou didst ever know or hear of.
If there be any, to wit, of the saints, as it follows.
That will answer thee, i.e. comply with thee, answer thy desires or expectations; try if there be any one saint that will defend or allow thee in these bold expostulations with God; or, as it is in the Hebrew,
if there be any that doth answer thee, i.e. whose opinion or disposition and carriage is answerable or like to thine. So answering is sometimes used, as Pro_27:19 Ecc_10:19. Thou wilt find many fools or wicked men, as it follows, Job_5:2, to answer or imitate thee in their speeches and carriages, but not one of the saints like thee; which deserves thy serious consideration, and gives thee just cause to question thine integrity.
The saints; either,
1. The angels, who are sometimes called saints, as Job_15:15 Dan_8:13 Zec_14:5, because they are eminently and perfectly holy; or rather,
2. Holy men, as appears both from the word, which most commonly is so used, and from the opposition of the foolish man to these, Job_5:2, and because the example of men was more proper and effectual for Job’s conviction than of angels.
Wilt thou turn, or look? look about thee, view them all, and see if thou canst find one like thee.