Job 22:28

22:21-30 The answer of Eliphaz wrongly implied that Job had hitherto not known God, and that prosperity in this life would follow his sincere conversion. The counsel Eliphaz here gives is good, though, as to Job, it was built upon a false supposition that he was a stranger and enemy to God. Let us beware of slandering our brethren; and if it be our lot to suffer in this manner, let us remember how Job was treated; yea, how Jesus was reviled, that we may be patient. Let us examine whether there may not be some colour for the slander, and walk watchfully, so as to be clear of all appearances of evil.

Strictly speaking, this is only true of God, whose decrees are unfrustrable, whose counsel shall stand, and the thoughts of his heart be established to all generations; and frequently so it is, according to an usual saying, man appoints, but God disappoints; this may be understood of Job, either as a civil magistrate, that he should decree a thing in a court of judicature with so much wisdom and equity, that it should stand firm and sure, and, though made on earth, should be ratified in heaven, as the decrees and doctrines of the apostles of Christ are said to be, Matthew 16:19 ; see Proverbs 8:15 ; or, as a private man in civil affairs, signifying that he should be so guided by the Lord, and prospered and succeeded in all his ways and works, that what he determined to do, and formed a scheme for the execution of, it should be brought about and confirmed; he committing his ways to the Lord, his thoughts should be established, or his purposes and designs effected, see Psalm 1:3 ; or rather as a praying man; and so it agrees with what goes before, that he should lift up his voice to God, and pray unto him with success, and have just occasion to praise him, or pay his vows to him, since he should have the desires of his heart; whatever was upon his mind, and he prayed in faith for, he should have it; as Elijah prayed, both that it might not rain, and that it might rain, and both were according to his word, or the decree of his lips in prayer: see 1 Kings 17:1 ; and the light sha

Job 22:28-29 . It shall be established — Thy purposes shall not be disappointed, but ratified by God. And in all thy counsels and actions God shall give thee the light of his direction and governance, and of comfort and success. When men are cast down — When, in a time of general calamity, all are cast down round about thee, cast down in their affairs, cast down in their spirits, sinking, desponding, ready to despair; when men’s hearts fail them for fear, or, rather, according to the Hebrew, (in which there is nothing for men, and which is only כי השׁפילו , chi hishpilu, cum depresserint, ) when they have cast thee down, or, when thou art cast down; when God, in the course of his providence, shall bring thee, or suffer thee to be brought, into any trouble which he sees will be good for thee; thou shalt say — Within thyself, with good confidence and assurance; There is lifting up — Or, there shall be lifting up; either, 1st, For them, who, if they repent and humble themselves, shall be preserved and restored: or, rather, for thee and thine: God will deliver thee, when others are crushed and destroyed. Hebrew, Thou shalt say, גרה , gerah, exaltation! an expression to be admired for its conciseness and comprehensiveness. Thou shalt expect exaltation in the time of depression; nay, thy depression shall be in order to, and the means of, thy exaltation.

And thou shalt find that consolation in thyself, which will not only bear thee up under thy troubles, and keep thee from fainting, but lift thee up above thy troubles, and enable thee to rejoice notwithstanding them. And he — God, from whom alone cometh salvation; shall save — Temporally from the evils here mentioned, and eternally from other and infinitely greater evils; the humble person — Hebrew, שׁח עינים , shach gneinaim, him that hath low or cast-down eyes; which phrase may denote, either, 1st, Humility and lowliness of mind, as pride is often expressed by high or lofty looks; and so this is a tacit reproof of Job, for his confident justification of himself: or, 2d, Lowness of state and condition, as James 1:10 . And so understood, it describes him, whose eyes and countenance are dejected by reason of great troubles and miseries.

Verse 28. - Thou shalt also decree a thing, and it shall be established unto thee . Whatever thou resolvest on, i.e. , God shall ratify with his authority, and bring to pass in due time for thy benefit - a promise which has certainly "a touch of audacity" about it (Cook). David is less bold, but intends to give the same sort of encouragement when he says, "Delight thyself in the Lord, and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart; commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass ( Psalm 37:4, 5 ). And the light shall shine upon thy ways . Job had complained of the "darkness" by which his path was shadowed ( Job 19:8 ). Eliphaz promises that this cause of complaint shall be removed. Job's way shall be "made plain before his face." A bright light shall illumine it - a light that shall ever "shine more and more unto the perfect day" ( Proverbs 4:18 ). Job 22:28

Thy purposes and designs shall not be disappointed, but effected and ratified by God; which is a great satisfaction. In all thy counsels, and courses, and actions, God shall give thee the light of his direction and governance, and of comfort and success; and thou shalt not be in such a dark, and doubtful, and perplexed condition as now thou art.

Thou shalt also decree a thing, and it shall be established unto thee - Thou shalt form a purpose or plan, and it shall not be frustrated. It shall not be opposed by the events of divine Providence, but whatever you undertake shall prosper. And the light shall shine upon thy ways - Thou shalt be prospered in all things, instead of being overtaken with calamity.