Psalms 50:15(v26)Call on me in the day of trouble. I will deliver you, and you will honor me.”
Psalms 30:5(v26)For his anger is but for a moment. His favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may stay for the night, but joy comes in the morning.
Romans 6:21(v27)What fruit then did you have at that time in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death.
2 Samuel 12:13(v27)David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against Yahweh.” Nathan said to David, “Yahweh also has put away your sin. You will not die.
Acts 2:28(v26)You made known to me the ways of life. You will make me full of gladness with your presence.’
Show all 75 cross-references
Acts 9:11(v26)The Lord said to him, “Arise, and go to the street which is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judah for one named Saul, a man of…
Psalms 14:2(v27)Yahweh looked down from heaven on the children of men, to see if there were any who understood, who sought after God.
Isaiah 30:19(v26)For the people will dwell in Zion at Jerusalem. You will weep no more. He will surely be gracious to you at the voice of your cry. When he…
Job 33:24(v28)then God is gracious to him, and says, ‘Deliver him from going down to the pit, I have found a ransom.’
Psalms 91:15(v26)He will call on me, and I will answer him. I will be with him in trouble. I will deliver him, and honor him.
Jeremiah 31:18-19(v27)“I have surely heard Ephraim grieving thus, ‘You have chastised me, and I was chastised, as an untrained calf. Turn me, and I will be…
Jeremiah 33:3(v26)‘Call to me, and I will answer you, and will show you great and difficult things, which you don’t know.’
Matthew 16:26(v27)For what will it profit a man, if he gains the whole world, and forfeits his life? Or what will a man give in exchange for his life?
Romans 7:22(v27)For I delight in God’s law after the inward man,
Hebrews 11:26(v26)considering the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he looked to the reward.
1 John 1:8-10(v27)If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to…
Jude 1:24(v26)Now to him who is able to keep them from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory in great joy,
Numbers 6:25-26(v26)Yahweh make his face to shine on you, and be gracious to you. Yahweh lift up his face toward you, and give you peace.’
Numbers 12:11(v27)Aaron said to Moses, “Oh, my lord, please don’t count this sin against us, in which we have done foolishly, and in which we have sinned.
1 Samuel 26:23(v26)Yahweh will render to every man his righteousness and his faithfulness; because Yahweh delivered you into my hand today, and I wouldn’t…
2 Kings 20:2-5(v26)Then he turned his face to the wall, and prayed to Yahweh, saying, “Remember now, Yahweh, I beg you, how I have walked before you in truth…
2 Chronicles 16:9(v27)For Yahweh’s eyes run back and forth throughout the whole earth, to show himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward…
Job 3:9(v28)Let the stars of its twilight be dark. Let it look for light, but have none, neither let it see the eyelids of the morning,
Job 3:16(v28)or as a hidden untimely birth I had not been, as infants who never saw light.
Job 7:20(v27)If I have sinned, what do I do to you, you watcher of men? Why have you set me as a mark for you, so that I am a burden to myself?
Job 33:22(v28)Yes, his soul draws near to the pit, and his life to the destroyers.
Psalms 11:4(v27)Yahweh is in his holy temple. Yahweh is on his throne in heaven. His eyes observe. His eyes examine the children of men.
Psalms 19:7-8(v27)Yahweh’s law is perfect, restoring the soul. Yahweh’s covenant is sure, making wise the simple. Yahweh’s precepts are right, rejoicing the…
Psalms 67:1(v26)May God be merciful to us, bless us, and cause his face to shine on us.
Psalms 116:1-6(v26)I love Yahweh, because he listens to my voice, and my cries for mercy. Because he has turned his ear to me, therefore I will call on him as…
Psalms 139:1-4(v27)Yahweh, you have searched me, and you know me. You know my sitting down and my rising up. You perceive my thoughts from afar. You search…
Proverbs 24:12(v26)If you say, “Behold, we didn’t know this,” doesn’t he who weighs the hearts consider it? He who keeps your soul, doesn’t he know it? Shall…
Proverbs 28:13(v27)He who conceals his sins doesn’t prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.
Jeremiah 3:13(v27)Only acknowledge your iniquity, that you have transgressed against Yahweh your God, and have scattered your ways to the strangers under…
Jeremiah 23:24(v27)Can anyone hide himself in secret places so that I can’t see him?” says Yahweh. “Don’t I fill heaven and earth?” says Yahweh.
Jonah 2:2-7(v26)He said, “I called because of my affliction to Yahweh. He answered me. Out of the belly of Sheol I cried. You heard my voice. For you threw…
Matthew 10:41-42(v26)He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward. He who receives a righteous man in the name of a…
Luke 15:18-22(v27)I will get up and go to my father, and will tell him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in your sight. I am no more worthy to be…
Luke 18:13(v27)But the tax collector, standing far away, wouldn’t even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a…
Romans 7:16(v27)But if what I don’t desire, that I do, I consent to the law that it is good.
Genesis 16:13(v27)She called the name of Yahweh who spoke to her, “You are a God who sees,” for she said, “Have I even stayed alive after seeing him?”
2 Chronicles 33:12-13(v26)When he was in distress, he begged Yahweh his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers. He prayed to him; and he was…
2 Chronicles 33:19(v26)His prayer also, and how God was entreated of him, and all his sin and his trespass, and the places in which he built high places, and set…
Job 3:20(v28)“Why is light given to him who is in misery, life to the bitter in soul,
Job 17:16(v28)Shall it go down with me to the gates of Sheol, or descend together into the dust?”
Job 22:26-27(v26)For then you will delight yourself in the Almighty, and will lift up your face to God. You will make your prayer to him, and he will hear…
Job 22:28(v28)You will also decree a thing, and it will be established to you. Light will shine on your ways.
Job 33:18(v28)He keeps back his soul from the pit, and his life from perishing by the sword.
Job 33:20(v28)so that his life abhors bread, and his soul dainty food.
Job 34:9(v27)For he has said, ‘It profits a man nothing that he should delight himself with God.’
Job 34:11(v26)For the work of a man he will render to him, and cause every man to find according to his ways.
Job 34:28(v26)so that they caused the cry of the poor to come to him. He heard the cry of the afflicted.
Job 42:8-9(v26)Now therefore, take to yourselves seven bulls and seven rams, and go to my servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and…
Psalms 4:6-7(v26)Many say, “Who will show us any good?” Yahweh, let the light of your face shine on us. You have put gladness in my heart, more than when…
Psalms 6:1-9(v26)Yahweh, don’t rebuke me in your anger, neither discipline me in your wrath. Have mercy on me, Yahweh, for I am faint. Yahweh, heal me, for…
Psalms 16:11(v26)You will show me the path of life. In your presence is fullness of joy. In your right hand there are pleasures forever more.
Psalms 18:20(v26)Yahweh has rewarded me according to my righteousness. According to the cleanness of my hands, he has recompensed me.
Psalms 28:1-2(v26)To you, Yahweh, I call. My rock, don’t be deaf to me, lest, if you are silent to me, I would become like those who go down into the pit.…
Psalms 28:6(v26)Blessed be Yahweh, because he has heard the voice of my petitions.
Psalms 30:7-11(v26)You, Yahweh, when you favored me, made my mountain stand strong; but when you hid your face, I was troubled. I cried to you, Yahweh. I made…
Psalms 41:8-11(v26)“An evil disease”, they say, “has afflicted him. Now that he lies he shall rise up no more.” Yes, my own familiar friend, in whom I…
Psalms 49:19(v28)he shall go to the generation of his fathers. They shall never see the light.
Psalms 55:23(v28)But you, God, will bring them down into the pit of destruction. Bloodthirsty and deceitful men shall not live out half their days, but I…
Psalms 62:12(v26)Also to you, Lord, belongs loving kindness, for you reward every man according to his work.
Psalms 69:15(v28)Don’t let the flood waters overwhelm me, neither let the deep swallow me up. Don’t let the pit shut its mouth on me.
Psalms 119:128(v27)Therefore I consider all of your precepts to be right. I hate every false way.
Proverbs 5:21(v27)For the ways of man are before Yahweh’s eyes. He examines all his paths.
Proverbs 15:3(v27)Yahweh’s eyes are everywhere, keeping watch on the evil and the good.
Ecclesiastes 5:8(v27)If you see the oppression of the poor, and the violent taking away of justice and righteousness in a district, don’t marvel at the matter,…
Isaiah 9:2(v28)The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. The light has shined on those who lived in the land of the shadow of death.
Isaiah 38:17-18(v28)Behold, for peace I had great anguish, but you have in love for my soul delivered it from the pit of corruption; for you have cast all my…
Jeremiah 2:8(v27)The priests didn’t say, ‘Where is Yahweh?’ and those who handle the law didn’t know me. The rulers also transgressed against me, and the…
John 11:9(v28)Jesus answered, “Aren’t there twelve hours of daylight? If a man walks in the day, he doesn’t stumble, because he sees the light of this…
Romans 7:12-14(v27)Therefore the law indeed is holy, and the commandment holy, and righteous, and good. Did then that which is good become death to me? May it…
Revelation 20:1-3(v28)I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key of the abyss and a great chain in his hand. He seized the dragon, the old serpent,…
Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)
Explain this passage (17 sources)
Historical commentary, presented as a primary source — not an endorsement.
Geneva Bible translators1599 · Public DomainOn vv26–28God will forgive his sins, and accept him as…
God will forgive his sins, and accept him as just.
Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain.
John Trapp1656 · Public DomainOn vv26–28Job 33:26 He shall pray unto God, and he…
Job 33:26 He shall pray unto God, and he will be favourable unto him: and he shall see his face with joy: for he will render unto man his righteousness.
Ver. 26. He shall pray unto God, and he will be favourable unto him] All former unkindnesses notwithstanding. God will cast his sins into the bottom of the sea, and be as propitious to the poor sinner now reconciled, recovered, and making request, as if he had never been offended by him. Amongst men, Reconciliationes sunt vulpinae amicitiae, Reconciliations are for the most part fox like friendships; and there is little trust to them. Not so between God and men; witness Peter, of whom Christ thought no whit the worse for his threefold denial of him, when once he wept bitterly, and prayed for pardon. Go, tell the disciples and Peter, that I am risen, Mar 16:7. If any man want wisdom, or any other good thing else, let him ask it of God, who giveth unto all men liberally, and hitteth no man in the teeth, either with his present weaknesses or by past wickednesses, Jas 2:5. Imo plus est propemodum a vitiis se revocasse, quam vitia ipsa nescivisse, saith a Father. Penitence is in a manner as good as innocence (Ambros. in Psa.).
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He shall see his face with joy] Or, God shall make him to see his face with joy, Ostendet ei faciem suam in iubilo, even with joyful acclamation, when he shall find himself possessed of God’s kingdom, which consisteth in righteousness and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost; which Chrysostom rightly calleth ουρανον προ ουρανου, heaven beforehand.
For he will render unto man his righteousness] Which he had lost by falling into sin, as Eze 18:24. Understand it of degrees and measures for true grace cannot wholly be lost. Or, he will render unto him now in Christ that righteousness he lost in Adam, he will fully and freely justify him, and sweetly seal him up to the day of redemption, Rursus eum in album iustorum et plorum referet (Lav.); the former falling out shall be but a renewing of love; as it was between Christ and his spouse, Son 5:1-16; Son 6:1-13
John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Matthew Poole1685 · Public DomainOn vv26–28He; either,
He; either,
1. The messenger; or rather,
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2. The sick man.
Shall pray unto God; being engaged and encouraged to do so, either by the aforesaid gracious message, or by his miraculous recovery through God’s goodness.
He will be favourable unto him, in hearing and answering his prayers, which before he seemed to neglect.
He shall see his face with joy; either,
1. God will look upon the man with a smiling or well-pleased countenance; whereas before he either hid his face from him, or frowned upon him. Or,
2. The man shall then be imboldened and encouraged to look God in the face with comfort and joy; which before he was, not without cause, afraid to do; but now he shall find that God is reconciled to him by the blessed effects of it, both in his body and in his conscience.
His righteousness, i.e. according to his righteousness, or the fruit of his righteousness; as on the contrary, iniquity is oft put for the punishment of iniquity. The sense is, he will deal with him as with one reconciled to him through the Mediator, and sincerely repenting of and turning from his former sins unto the serious practice of righteousness and true holiness, and therefore must needs be favourable to him, as he hath declared and engaged himself to be in such cases.
Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
John Gill1763 · Public DomainOn vv26–28He shall pray unto God,.... As the former verse…
He shall pray unto God,.... As the former verse expresses the condition of the body of the man recovered from sickness, this the frame of his soul, and the spiritual blessings enjoyed by him: some understand this of his praying in the time of his affliction, and consider it as one means of his recovery; and indeed a time of affliction is a time for prayer; and which brings a good man to it, who in health and prosperity has been negligent of it; such an one will make his application to God for deliverance, and not to the creature; and it is his mercy and privilege he has a God to pray unto, who can and will help him. But according to the course and connection of the words, it seems rather to respect what the good man would do, and the frame he would be in upon his recovery; who would entreat the Lord to make him thankful the mercy received, and accept of his thanksgiving for the same; that his affliction might appear to be sanctified unto him, and that he is much the better for it, more holy and more humble; and that he would manifest his pardoning grace to him for all the sins and transgressions he had been guilty of, his murmurings and repinings, and everything else during his affliction; and that he may make use of his health and strength given him in the service of God, and for the glory of his name;
and he will be favourable to him; which, if understood of the time of affliction, it may be interpreted of his laying no more on him than he will enable him to bear, and supporting him under it; of granting his gracious presence in it, and of his taking notice of him, visiting him, knowing, owning, and choosing him in the furnace of affliction, and manifesting his care unto him; and of the deliverance of him out of it. But if it respects the man as recovered out of affliction, it denotes further discoveries of the special care and favour of God to him, which are very enlivening and refreshing, strengthening and supporting; and of his gracious acceptance of his person, and of his sacrifices of prayer, praise, and thanksgiving, through Christ the Mediator and messenger of the covenant;
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and he shall see his face with joy: that is, either God who is favourable to him, he looks with a smiling countenance upon the man now recovered, who before seemed to look upon him with frowns in his countenance, there being a change in the outward dispensations of his providence towards him, though none in his heart: his countenance beholds the upright with pleasure, whether they see it or not; he looks upon his people in Christ with the utmost complacency and delight, and particularly when they come to him in the exercise of grace, with their prayers, praises, and thanksgivings. Or the man recovered from illness, God being favourable to him, he beholds the face of God with joy, who perhaps had hid it from him in his affliction, which caused trouble; but now showing his face and favour, it causes joy and exultation, even a jubilee in his soul. He beholds him in Christ as the God of grace and peace; and through him can come to him, and look him in the face with comfort and pleasure, as nothing is more delightful to him than the light of his countenance;
for he will render unto man his righteousness: not the sick man recovered render to another man what is his right and due, or what he may have wronged him of; for which being reproved by the affliction, and convicted of, is desirous of making restitution: but God, who will render, return, or restore to the man recovered his righteousness, which is the foundation of his joy; not render to him according to his own righteousness, as the Targum, which would be but a poor recompense if strictly given; nor restore to him the righteousness he lost in Adam, which is but a creature righteousness; but the righteousness of Christ, as Mr. Broughton, which is the good man's or the believer's in Christ, because wrought out for him, imputed to him, and bestowed as a free gift on him. Now though this righteousness can never be lost, being an everlasting one, yet a sense of interest in it may, which is returned, restored, and rendered to a man, when that righteousness is afresh revealed to him from faith to faith; the consequence of which is peace and comfort, joy and triumph.
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
John Wesley1765 · Public DomainOn vv26, 28Render - He will deal with him as with…
Render - He will deal with him as with one reconciled to him through the mediator, and turning from sin to righteousness.
John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.
Adam Clarke1810 · Public DomainOn vv26–28Verse 26. He shall pray unto God] Being now…
Verse 26. He shall pray unto God] Being now adopted into the heavenly family, and become a new creature, he shall have the spirit of prayer, which is indeed the very breath and language of the new or spiritual life.
He will be favourable unto him] He shall manifest his good will to him; he shall live under the influences of Divine grace.
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He shall see his face with joy] He shall know that God is reconciled to him; and this shall fill him with joy, בתרועה bithruah, with exultation: for, "being justified by faith, he has peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom he has received the atonement; and REJOICES in the hope of the glory of God."
He will render unto man his righteousness.] So good and gracious is the Lord, that by his grace he will enable this convert to live to his glory, to bring forth all the fruits of the Spirit, and then reward him for the work, as if it were done by his own might.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Joseph Benson1811 · Public DomainOn v27Job 33:27-28. He looketh upon men — God diligently…
Job 33:27-28. He looketh upon men — God diligently observes all mankind, and the conduct of every one, especially of every one in sickness and distress. If any say, I have sinned — If any one sincerely, humbly, and penitently confess and forsake his sins: I have perverted that which was right — I have judged perversely of the just and righteous ways of God, censuring his proceedings against me, as too rigorous and severe; whereas, in truth, I only was to be blamed; or I have swerved from the right and good way of God’s commands, and have made to myself crooked paths; and it profited me not — I got no good by so doing, as I vainly supposed I should, but got much hurt by it, and that both in body and mind, which was the just fruit of my sins. He will deliver his soul from going into the pit — The pit of hell: iniquity shall not be his everlasting ruin; and his life shall see the light — The light of this world, the light of the living, Job 33:30. His life, which was endangered, shall be restored and continued: yea, further, his life, his ever living and immortal soul, shall see and enjoy light, all good in the vision and fruition of God for ever.
Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Albert Barnes1834 · Public DomainOn vv26–28He shall pray unto God ... - That is,…
He shall pray unto God ... - That is, when he fully understands the design of affliction; and when his mind is brought to a proper state of penitence for his past conduct, then he will find God merciful and ready to show him kindness.
And he shall see his face with joy - The face of God. That is, he shall be able to look up to him with peace and comfort. This language is similar to that which is so frequently employed in the Scriptures, in which God is said to lift upon us the light of his countenance. The meaning here is, that the afflicted man would be again permitted to look by faith on God, being reconciled to him, and would see in his face no indication of displeasure.
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For he will render unto man his righteousness - He will deal with him in justice and equity. When he sees evidence of penitence, he will treat him accordingly; and if in the afflicted man he discerns true piety, he will regard and treat him as his friend. The meaning is, that if there is in the sufferer any sincere love to God, he will not be indifferent to it, but will treat him as possessing it. This is still true, and universally true. If there is in the heart of one who is afflicted any real piety, God will not treat him as an impenitent sinner, but will manifest his mercy to him, and show to him the favors which he confers only on his friends.
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary1859 · Public DomainOn v26And he. It is ambiguous whether this refer to…
And he. It is ambiguous whether this refer to God or to man. (Calmet) --- But both shall see each other with joy. The penitent will be restored to as much favour as if he had never sinned. (Haydock)
George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown1871 · Public DomainOn vv26–28Job shall no longer pray to God, as he…
Job shall no longer pray to God, as he complains, in vain (Job 23:3, Job 23:8-9). True especially to the redeemed in Jesus Christ (Joh 16:23-27).
he--Job.
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shall see his face--or, God shall make Job to see His face [MAURER]. God shall no longer "hide His face" (Job 13:24). True to the believer now (Joh 14:21-22); eternally (Psa 17:15; Joh 17:24).
his--God's
righteousness--God will again make the restored Job no longer ("I perverted . . . right," Job 33:27) doubt God's justice, but to justify Him in His dealings. The penitent justifies God (Psa 51:4). So the believer is made to see God's righteousness in Jesus Christ (Isa 45:24; Isa 46:13).
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
Daniel D. Whedon1874 · Public DomainOn vv26–2726. Pray unto God — Referring to habitual prayer…
26. Pray unto God — Referring to habitual prayer after pardon. “In this description of the renovation which the man experiences, it is everywhere assumed that he has taken the right way announced to him by the mediating angel.” — Delitzsch.
Joy — Shouts of joy. (Furst.) The experience of the redeemed man is of the most joyous description. He beholds God’s face reconciled.
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His righteousness — St. Gregory’s comment is exceedingly happy: “It is called our righteousness, not because it is ours from ourselves, but because it is made ours from the divine bounty, as we say in the Lord’s prayer, ‘Give us this day our daily bread.’ See; we both call it ours and yet pray for it to be given us. For it becomes ours when we receive it; but yet it is God’s, who gives it.”
Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges1878 · Public DomainOn vv26–2826. His restoration to the fellowship of God with…
26. His restoration to the fellowship of God with its joy.
for he will render] Rather, and he restoreth unto man his righteousness. God restores to him his righteous standing before Him with its joys, regards him again as righteous, and admits him to all the blessings of righteousness. The clause generalizes the ideas of the rest of the verse.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers1878 · Public DomainOn vv26–28(26) He will be favourable unto him.—Very beautiful is…
(26) He will be favourable unto him.—Very beautiful is this description of the restoration of the penitent sinner and his recovery from sickness. He shall thankfully resort unto the house of God with joy, for that He has rewarded him according to his righteousness, which was the fruit of faith (Gen_15:6; Psa_32:1-2).
A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Pulpit Commentary1880 · Public DomainOn vv26–28He shall pray unto God, and he (i.e. God)…
He shall pray unto God, and he (i.e. God) will be favourable unto him, Being restored to God"s favour, he will once more be able to address him in "effectual fervent prayer," and obtain whatever he desires of him. And he shall see his face with joy. God"s face shall no longer be a terror to him, but he shall look upon it with joy and gladness. For he (i.e. God), will render unto man his righteousness. That is, will both account and make him righteous both justify and sanctify him.
The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Biblical Illustrator1887 · Public DomainOn v27He looketh upon men.
Job_33:27-28
He looketh upon men.
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A penitential spirit
The text--
I. Presents to us the extent of the Divine inspection. He looketh upon men. Gods omniscience ought to make us adore and tremble. He watches over mens actions, and there is no darkness or shadow of death where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves from His eye. He looks upon men universally. He sees them all at one glance, in one view.
II. Unfolds the language of unfeigned repentance. Here God fixes His eyes upon one who says, I have sinned. The man who makes a confession like this is far better in the sight of God than he who says he has no sin, and deceives himself. Here is--
1. A confession of having by sin offended against God. Wherever the Spirit of God has begun to work upon the soul, there will be this sense of unworthiness, this conviction of sin.
2. A confession of having abused the best of blessings. I have perverted that which was right. That is, Thy holy providence gave me many and peculiar favours, which I employed to a bad purpose, or entirely neglected.
3. A confession of having experienced disappointment in the ways of sin. I have done all this, and it profiteth me not. Every penitent can testify that the way of transgressors is hard.
III. Discovers the triumph of retaking grace. This humble penitent who looks to the Redeemer, obtains grace in His sight; for the Lord--
1. prevents his soul from enduring eternal perdition.
2. Raises him to the everlasting enjoyment of Divine illumination. Learn--
(1) The richness of Gods pardoning mercy, extending even to sins of perverseness.
(2) The madness of impenitent sinners; they must be banished to the pit, never to see the light.
(3) The importance of imploring daily a penitential spirit. We sin daily; therefore beg always for mercy. (T. Spencer.)
Repentance
Three points arising out of the text.
I. The fact that God looketh upon man. This is the doctrine of Gods omniscience. Go wheresoever we may, whether in the crowd or in solitude, we can never escape from the eye of God. He sees the very thoughts of our hearts; He reads the motives from which actions spring. This is a very marvellous truth--it almost baffles our comprehension. The eye of God is not only upon us, it is upon the entire universe. This must be a necessary attribute of God. How should God govern the world if He were not able at one glance to scan the thoughts and actions of all mankind?
II. The character of a true penitent. This includes--
1. The personal consciousness of sin. Sin brought home to the individual, sin acknowledged--sin confessed as a burden resting upon the individual himself; not merely a burden shared in common with others.
2. The absence of all self-excusing. I have perverted that which was right. An insincere penitent will always endeavour rather to palliate his fault than otherwise; to extenuate his trespass, The true penitent is rather ready to aggravate than to extenuate the sins of which he is conscious.
3. Hopeless dissatisfaction. It profiteth me not. Every transgressor of God must be brought, at one time or another, to exclaim, It profiteth me not. Sin always comes with the offer of profit. The temptation to transgress would fall powerless if it were not accompanied with the bribe of some prospective advantage.
III. The blessed effects following true repentance. Two things--
1. Deliverance from condemnation He will deliver his soul from going into the pit. This speaks of full and complete forgiveness.
2. Translation to reward. His life shall see the light. He shall be translated to everlasting life. (Bishop Boyd Carpenter.)
God looking upon men
Whether God visits with affliction, with adversity, or prosperity, yet all these things worketh God oftentimes with man, to bring back his soul from the pit, to be enlightened with the light of the living.
I. He looketh upon man. As a Creator. As the Governor of the world. As a holy Being. As the Judge of men. As a compassionate parent looks upon his family.
II. The penitent man looking up to God.
1. I have sinned. This supposes reflection. I thought on my ways. This supposes self-abhorrence. Woe is me, for I am undone. This supposes godly sorrow, sorrow for sin. I have sinned. My sin has brought misery and evil upon myself, and exposed me to future punishment.
2. And perverted that which was right. These words may be considered in reference to the dispensations of providence, whether prosperous or adverse. They are perverted by man. Man perverteth his way as to opinion; as to moral practice; for interest or gain, as well as pleasure.
III. The merciful determination of God in behalf of the penitent. He will deliver his soul from going down to the pit, and his life shall see the light. These expressions are sometimes used for deliverance from natural death to life and health. Sometimes these expressions are used figuratively for deliverance from distress, and restoration to happiness. God will hear our cry, and deliver us out of all our troubles. (J. Walker, D. D.)
The penitent pardoned
True repentance begins in conviction, awakens contrition, leads to confession, and ends in conversion. Many encouragements are given to sinners to repent.
I. God sees the conduct of penitent sinners.
1. God looks upon men universally. Our power of vision is limited. God sees all things.
2. God looks upon men individually. No man can hide from God.
II. God hears the confession of penitent sinners. Many have sinned who do not admit their sinfulness; many confess their sins who do not forsake them.
1. The true penitent confesses his sins. The penitents confession is full, free, and sincere.
2. The true penitent acknowledges his folly. We have perverted our spiritual blessings.
3. The true penitent admits his disappointment. Sin is a great blunder. There is no satisfaction in sin.
III. God delivers the soul of penitent sinners. God knows the backwardness of the trembling penitent, and seeks to encourage him with the fullest assurance of pardon.
1. God saves the penitent from eternal death.
2. God rewards the penitent with eternal life. (J. T. Woodhouse.)
The penitents creed
There is the whole philosophy of penitence in the text.
I. The creed of penitence.
1. An absolute good and evil, right and wrong. There are those in whose sight the burden of a guilty conscience is but a bad form of hypochondria. While the world lasts, the penitents creed will express the conviction and reefing of mankind.
2. I have perverted that which is right. This is the second article of the penitents confession of faith. No man knows what I means, but the man who has felt himself isolated from God by transgression. According to the pantheistic philosophy, there is, strictly speaking, no such thing as sin. Man sins like a sullen dog, or a vicious horse.
3. And it profited me not. The wages of sin is death. If any other confession than this of the text were possible for a sinner in the long run, and after full experience of an evil way, it would simply mean that the righteous God had ceased to be the ruler of the world.
II. The confession of penitence. If any say, I have sinned. That implies fundamentally that evil is not of God. God has made a being capable of sin, but God has not made sin. Saying to God, I have sinned, is essential to complete forgiveness; on what ground of reason does this necessity rest? If a man is convinced, is not that sufficient? God demands confession.
1. Confession alone makes the penitence complete.
2. Confession alone re-establishes that filial relation, without which the penitence can have no lasting fruits,
III. The fruits of confession through the abounding mercy and love of God. The fruits here set forth are two fold. He will deliver his soul from going into the pit, and his life shall see the light. A glory shall gild its path, even through this weary wilderness of discipline. (J. Baldwin Brown, B. A.)
Jehovahs look of love
I. Gods merciful regard to man. He looketh upon man. The looking upon man is not of a general kind; it is expressive of that kind, benignant attention which has immediate respect to the welfare of its objects. It is not the scrutinising look of a hard and rigorous taskmaster, who feels a pleasure in finding out a fault; it is the look of a Father, who, though when He sees evil may not and cannot suffer it to pass unnoticed, desires to behold nothing but what is right, and affectionately fixes His eyes upon the least sign of a favourable kind in the conduct of His child.
II. What God expects from man. He looks to discover a humbled, penitent state of heart. All morality, and all that is called religion which is not founded on a sense of guilt, and which does not rise from humiliation for sin, is but a splendid delusion, a mere form, and shadow, and mockery of piety. There must be the full, open, frank acknowledgment of guilt. Confession is the first, proper, natural language of repentance. When your minds are deeply humbled, you will not only confess that you have sinned, but you will feel and acknowledge too that it profited you not.
III. The blessings which God imparts to those who comply with this demand. He will deliver his soul from going down into the pit, and his life shall see the light. It is not certain Elihu meant more than that humiliation before God would he the means of preserving Jobs life, and of restoring him to his former peace and prosperity. We can have no difficulty in giving to the language a much wider and more general meaning. Beyond the grave there is a deeper and more awful pit. But there is now no condemnation to the humble and believing penitent. (Stephen Bridge, M. A.)
God waiting to discover repentance, and to accept the penitent
1. Gods eye is fixed upon every individual of the family of man. The very opposite sentiment, the negation of this truth, was maintained by some of the most eminent heathen philosophers. Their notions of the Deity were such as led them to conceive it impossible that He should be in any way concerned with the things of this our world.
2. What God specially looks for is a full confession of sin.
(1) An acknowledgment of sins essential guilt, as a perversion of that which is right.
(2) Confession of the actual fact of sin.
(3) Acknowledgment of its disappointing and deceptive folly.
3. Such penitent confession shall turn to our unspeakable advantage. Learn then to view the confession of sin as a duty of the first importance. The language of confession in our text every living being has reason to make his own. (Robert Eden, M. A.)
The unprofitableness of sin in this life an argument for repentance
The great folly and perverseness of human nature is in nothing more apparent than in this, that when in all other things men are generally led and governed by their interests, and can hardly be imposed on by any art, or persuaded by any solicitation, to act plainly contrary to it; yet, in matter of their sin and duty, they have little or no regard to it. Of this every sinner, when he comes to himself and considers what he hath done, is abundantly convinced. In these words is a great blessing and benefit promised on Gods part, and a condition required on our part.
1. A penitent confession of our sins to God.
2. A true contrition for our sin; not only for fear of the pernicious consequences of sin, but from a just sense of the evil nature of sin, and the fault and offence of it against God.
3. Here is a description of the evil nature of sin--it is a perverting of that which is right. Sin is a perverting of the constitution and appointment of God, and of the nature and order of things. When we do that which is right, we act agreeably to the design and frame of our beings; we do what becomes us; but sin perverts the nature of things and puts them out of course.
4. An acknowledgment of the mischievous and pernicious consequences of sin. This is not only true as to the final issue and event of an evil course in the other world, but even in respect of this world and the present life, the practice of some sins is plainly mischievous to the temporal interests of men; that others are wholly unprofitable.
Reflections--
1. What has been said upon this argument ought particularly to move those who have so great a consideration of this present life, and the temporal happiness of it, that the practice of all virtues is a friend to their temporal as well as eternal welfare, and all vice is an enemy to both.
2. This likewise takes off all manner of excuse from sin and vice. It pretends not to serve the soul, and to profit our future happiness in another world; and if it be an enemy also to our present welfare in this world, what is there to be said for it?
3. All the arguments used to convince men of the folly of a wicked course, are so many strong and unanswerable reasons for repentance. Men make mistakes about repentance. Some make the great force and virtue of it to consist, not so much in the resolution of the penitent, as in the absolution of the priest. Some make repentance to consist in the bare resolution of amendment, though it never has its effect. (J. Tillotson, D. D.)
The Biblical Illustrator, edited by Joseph S. Exell (c. 1880s–1900s) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
unfoldingWord translationNotes2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0On v27General Information:
General Information:
Elihu continues speaking to Job.
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but my sin was not punished
This can be stated in active form. AT: "but God did not punish me for sinning" (See: Active or Passive)
rescued my soul from going down into the pit
Here the person is referred to by his "soul." AT: "rescued me from dying and going to the pit" (See: Synecdoche)
the pit
The place where people go when they die is referred to here as "the pit." AT: "the place where dead people are" (See: Metaphor)
my life will continue to see light
Here the person is represented by his "life." Also, living is spoken of as seeing the light. AT: "I will continue to live and see the daylight" or "I will continue to live" (See: Metonymy and Metaphor)
GEBible — Godless Engineer's Bible App
Geneva Bible translators 1599 · Public Domain On vv26–28 God will forgive his sins, and accept him as…
God will forgive his sins, and accept him as just.
Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain.
John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain On vv26–28 Job 33:26 He shall pray unto God, and he…
Job 33:26 He shall pray unto God, and he will be favourable unto him: and he shall see his face with joy: for he will render unto man his righteousness.
Ver. 26. He shall pray unto God, and he will be favourable unto him] All former unkindnesses notwithstanding. God will cast his sins into the bottom of the sea, and be as propitious to the poor sinner now reconciled, recovered, and making request, as if he had never been offended by him. Amongst men, Reconciliationes sunt vulpinae amicitiae, Reconciliations are for the most part fox like friendships; and there is little trust to them. Not so between God and men; witness Peter, of whom Christ thought no whit the worse for his threefold denial of him, when once he wept bitterly, and prayed for pardon. Go, tell the disciples and Peter, that I am risen, Mar 16:7. If any man want wisdom, or any other good thing else, let him ask it of God, who giveth unto all men liberally, and hitteth no man in the teeth, either with his present weaknesses or by past wickednesses, Jas 2:5. Imo plus est propemodum a vitiis se revocasse, quam vitia ipsa nescivisse, saith a Father. Penitence is in a manner as good as innocence (Ambros. in Psa.).
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He shall see his face with joy] Or, God shall make him to see his face with joy, Ostendet ei faciem suam in iubilo, even with joyful acclamation, when he shall find himself possessed of God’s kingdom, which consisteth in righteousness and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost; which Chrysostom rightly calleth ουρανον προ ουρανου, heaven beforehand.
For he will render unto man his righteousness] Which he had lost by falling into sin, as Eze 18:24. Understand it of degrees and measures for true grace cannot wholly be lost. Or, he will render unto him now in Christ that righteousness he lost in Adam, he will fully and freely justify him, and sweetly seal him up to the day of redemption, Rursus eum in album iustorum et plorum referet (Lav.); the former falling out shall be but a renewing of love; as it was between Christ and his spouse, Son 5:1-16; Son 6:1-13
John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain On vv26–28 He; either,
He; either,
1. The messenger; or rather,
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2. The sick man.
Shall pray unto God; being engaged and encouraged to do so, either by the aforesaid gracious message, or by his miraculous recovery through God’s goodness.
He will be favourable unto him, in hearing and answering his prayers, which before he seemed to neglect.
He shall see his face with joy; either,
1. God will look upon the man with a smiling or well-pleased countenance; whereas before he either hid his face from him, or frowned upon him. Or,
2. The man shall then be imboldened and encouraged to look God in the face with comfort and joy; which before he was, not without cause, afraid to do; but now he shall find that God is reconciled to him by the blessed effects of it, both in his body and in his conscience.
His righteousness, i.e. according to his righteousness, or the fruit of his righteousness; as on the contrary, iniquity is oft put for the punishment of iniquity. The sense is, he will deal with him as with one reconciled to him through the Mediator, and sincerely repenting of and turning from his former sins unto the serious practice of righteousness and true holiness, and therefore must needs be favourable to him, as he hath declared and engaged himself to be in such cases.
Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain On vv26–28 He shall pray unto God,.... As the former verse…
He shall pray unto God,.... As the former verse expresses the condition of the body of the man recovered from sickness, this the frame of his soul, and the spiritual blessings enjoyed by him: some understand this of his praying in the time of his affliction, and consider it as one means of his recovery; and indeed a time of affliction is a time for prayer; and which brings a good man to it, who in health and prosperity has been negligent of it; such an one will make his application to God for deliverance, and not to the creature; and it is his mercy and privilege he has a God to pray unto, who can and will help him. But according to the course and connection of the words, it seems rather to respect what the good man would do, and the frame he would be in upon his recovery; who would entreat the Lord to make him thankful the mercy received, and accept of his thanksgiving for the same; that his affliction might appear to be sanctified unto him, and that he is much the better for it, more holy and more humble; and that he would manifest his pardoning grace to him for all the sins and transgressions he had been guilty of, his murmurings and repinings, and everything else during his affliction; and that he may make use of his health and strength given him in the service of God, and for the glory of his name;
and he will be favourable to him; which, if understood of the time of affliction, it may be interpreted of his laying no more on him than he will enable him to bear, and supporting him under it; of granting his gracious presence in it, and of his taking notice of him, visiting him, knowing, owning, and choosing him in the furnace of affliction, and manifesting his care unto him; and of the deliverance of him out of it. But if it respects the man as recovered out of affliction, it denotes further discoveries of the special care and favour of God to him, which are very enlivening and refreshing, strengthening and supporting; and of his gracious acceptance of his person, and of his sacrifices of prayer, praise, and thanksgiving, through Christ the Mediator and messenger of the covenant;
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and he shall see his face with joy: that is, either God who is favourable to him, he looks with a smiling countenance upon the man now recovered, who before seemed to look upon him with frowns in his countenance, there being a change in the outward dispensations of his providence towards him, though none in his heart: his countenance beholds the upright with pleasure, whether they see it or not; he looks upon his people in Christ with the utmost complacency and delight, and particularly when they come to him in the exercise of grace, with their prayers, praises, and thanksgivings. Or the man recovered from illness, God being favourable to him, he beholds the face of God with joy, who perhaps had hid it from him in his affliction, which caused trouble; but now showing his face and favour, it causes joy and exultation, even a jubilee in his soul. He beholds him in Christ as the God of grace and peace; and through him can come to him, and look him in the face with comfort and pleasure, as nothing is more delightful to him than the light of his countenance;
for he will render unto man his righteousness: not the sick man recovered render to another man what is his right and due, or what he may have wronged him of; for which being reproved by the affliction, and convicted of, is desirous of making restitution: but God, who will render, return, or restore to the man recovered his righteousness, which is the foundation of his joy; not render to him according to his own righteousness, as the Targum, which would be but a poor recompense if strictly given; nor restore to him the righteousness he lost in Adam, which is but a creature righteousness; but the righteousness of Christ, as Mr. Broughton, which is the good man's or the believer's in Christ, because wrought out for him, imputed to him, and bestowed as a free gift on him. Now though this righteousness can never be lost, being an everlasting one, yet a sense of interest in it may, which is returned, restored, and rendered to a man, when that righteousness is afresh revealed to him from faith to faith; the consequence of which is peace and comfort, joy and triumph.
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
John Wesley 1765 · Public Domain On vv26, 28 Render - He will deal with him as with…
Render - He will deal with him as with one reconciled to him through the mediator, and turning from sin to righteousness.
John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain On vv26–28 Verse 26. He shall pray unto God] Being now…
Verse 26. He shall pray unto God] Being now adopted into the heavenly family, and become a new creature, he shall have the spirit of prayer, which is indeed the very breath and language of the new or spiritual life.
He will be favourable unto him] He shall manifest his good will to him; he shall live under the influences of Divine grace.
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He shall see his face with joy] He shall know that God is reconciled to him; and this shall fill him with joy, בתרועה bithruah, with exultation: for, "being justified by faith, he has peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom he has received the atonement; and REJOICES in the hope of the glory of God."
He will render unto man his righteousness.] So good and gracious is the Lord, that by his grace he will enable this convert to live to his glory, to bring forth all the fruits of the Spirit, and then reward him for the work, as if it were done by his own might.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Joseph Benson 1811 · Public Domain On v27 Job 33:27-28. He looketh upon men — God diligently…
Job 33:27-28. He looketh upon men — God diligently observes all mankind, and the conduct of every one, especially of every one in sickness and distress. If any say, I have sinned — If any one sincerely, humbly, and penitently confess and forsake his sins: I have perverted that which was right — I have judged perversely of the just and righteous ways of God, censuring his proceedings against me, as too rigorous and severe; whereas, in truth, I only was to be blamed; or I have swerved from the right and good way of God’s commands, and have made to myself crooked paths; and it profited me not — I got no good by so doing, as I vainly supposed I should, but got much hurt by it, and that both in body and mind, which was the just fruit of my sins. He will deliver his soul from going into the pit — The pit of hell: iniquity shall not be his everlasting ruin; and his life shall see the light — The light of this world, the light of the living, Job 33:30. His life, which was endangered, shall be restored and continued: yea, further, his life, his ever living and immortal soul, shall see and enjoy light, all good in the vision and fruition of God for ever.
Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Albert Barnes 1834 · Public Domain On vv26–28 He shall pray unto God ... - That is,…
He shall pray unto God ... - That is, when he fully understands the design of affliction; and when his mind is brought to a proper state of penitence for his past conduct, then he will find God merciful and ready to show him kindness.
And he shall see his face with joy - The face of God. That is, he shall be able to look up to him with peace and comfort. This language is similar to that which is so frequently employed in the Scriptures, in which God is said to lift upon us the light of his countenance. The meaning here is, that the afflicted man would be again permitted to look by faith on God, being reconciled to him, and would see in his face no indication of displeasure.
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For he will render unto man his righteousness - He will deal with him in justice and equity. When he sees evidence of penitence, he will treat him accordingly; and if in the afflicted man he discerns true piety, he will regard and treat him as his friend. The meaning is, that if there is in the sufferer any sincere love to God, he will not be indifferent to it, but will treat him as possessing it. This is still true, and universally true. If there is in the heart of one who is afflicted any real piety, God will not treat him as an impenitent sinner, but will manifest his mercy to him, and show to him the favors which he confers only on his friends.
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary 1859 · Public Domain On v26 And he. It is ambiguous whether this refer to…
And he. It is ambiguous whether this refer to God or to man. (Calmet) --- But both shall see each other with joy. The penitent will be restored to as much favour as if he had never sinned. (Haydock)
George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown 1871 · Public Domain On vv26–28 Job shall no longer pray to God, as he…
Job shall no longer pray to God, as he complains, in vain (Job 23:3, Job 23:8-9). True especially to the redeemed in Jesus Christ (Joh 16:23-27).
he--Job.
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shall see his face--or, God shall make Job to see His face [MAURER]. God shall no longer "hide His face" (Job 13:24). True to the believer now (Joh 14:21-22); eternally (Psa 17:15; Joh 17:24).
his--God's
righteousness--God will again make the restored Job no longer ("I perverted . . . right," Job 33:27) doubt God's justice, but to justify Him in His dealings. The penitent justifies God (Psa 51:4). So the believer is made to see God's righteousness in Jesus Christ (Isa 45:24; Isa 46:13).
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain On vv26–27 26. Pray unto God — Referring to habitual prayer…
26. Pray unto God — Referring to habitual prayer after pardon. “In this description of the renovation which the man experiences, it is everywhere assumed that he has taken the right way announced to him by the mediating angel.” — Delitzsch.
Joy — Shouts of joy. (Furst.) The experience of the redeemed man is of the most joyous description. He beholds God’s face reconciled.
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His righteousness — St. Gregory’s comment is exceedingly happy: “It is called our righteousness, not because it is ours from ourselves, but because it is made ours from the divine bounty, as we say in the Lord’s prayer, ‘Give us this day our daily bread.’ See; we both call it ours and yet pray for it to be given us. For it becomes ours when we receive it; but yet it is God’s, who gives it.”
Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain On vv26–28 26. His restoration to the fellowship of God with…
26. His restoration to the fellowship of God with its joy.
for he will render] Rather, and he restoreth unto man his righteousness. God restores to him his righteous standing before Him with its joys, regards him again as righteous, and admits him to all the blessings of righteousness. The clause generalizes the ideas of the rest of the verse.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain On vv26–28 (26) He will be favourable unto him.—Very beautiful is…
(26) He will be favourable unto him.—Very beautiful is this description of the restoration of the penitent sinner and his recovery from sickness. He shall thankfully resort unto the house of God with joy, for that He has rewarded him according to his righteousness, which was the fruit of faith (Gen_15:6; Psa_32:1-2).
A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain On vv26–28 He shall pray unto God, and he (i.e. God)…
He shall pray unto God, and he (i.e. God) will be favourable unto him, Being restored to God"s favour, he will once more be able to address him in "effectual fervent prayer," and obtain whatever he desires of him. And he shall see his face with joy. God"s face shall no longer be a terror to him, but he shall look upon it with joy and gladness. For he (i.e. God), will render unto man his righteousness. That is, will both account and make him righteous both justify and sanctify him.
The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Biblical Illustrator 1887 · Public Domain On v27 He looketh upon men.
Job_33:27-28
He looketh upon men.
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A penitential spirit
The text--
I. Presents to us the extent of the Divine inspection. He looketh upon men. Gods omniscience ought to make us adore and tremble. He watches over mens actions, and there is no darkness or shadow of death where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves from His eye. He looks upon men universally. He sees them all at one glance, in one view.
II. Unfolds the language of unfeigned repentance. Here God fixes His eyes upon one who says, I have sinned. The man who makes a confession like this is far better in the sight of God than he who says he has no sin, and deceives himself. Here is--
1. A confession of having by sin offended against God. Wherever the Spirit of God has begun to work upon the soul, there will be this sense of unworthiness, this conviction of sin.
2. A confession of having abused the best of blessings. I have perverted that which was right. That is, Thy holy providence gave me many and peculiar favours, which I employed to a bad purpose, or entirely neglected.
3. A confession of having experienced disappointment in the ways of sin. I have done all this, and it profiteth me not. Every penitent can testify that the way of transgressors is hard.
III. Discovers the triumph of retaking grace. This humble penitent who looks to the Redeemer, obtains grace in His sight; for the Lord--
1. prevents his soul from enduring eternal perdition.
2. Raises him to the everlasting enjoyment of Divine illumination. Learn--
(1) The richness of Gods pardoning mercy, extending even to sins of perverseness.
(2) The madness of impenitent sinners; they must be banished to the pit, never to see the light.
(3) The importance of imploring daily a penitential spirit. We sin daily; therefore beg always for mercy. (T. Spencer.)
Repentance
Three points arising out of the text.
I. The fact that God looketh upon man. This is the doctrine of Gods omniscience. Go wheresoever we may, whether in the crowd or in solitude, we can never escape from the eye of God. He sees the very thoughts of our hearts; He reads the motives from which actions spring. This is a very marvellous truth--it almost baffles our comprehension. The eye of God is not only upon us, it is upon the entire universe. This must be a necessary attribute of God. How should God govern the world if He were not able at one glance to scan the thoughts and actions of all mankind?
II. The character of a true penitent. This includes--
1. The personal consciousness of sin. Sin brought home to the individual, sin acknowledged--sin confessed as a burden resting upon the individual himself; not merely a burden shared in common with others.
2. The absence of all self-excusing. I have perverted that which was right. An insincere penitent will always endeavour rather to palliate his fault than otherwise; to extenuate his trespass, The true penitent is rather ready to aggravate than to extenuate the sins of which he is conscious.
3. Hopeless dissatisfaction. It profiteth me not. Every transgressor of God must be brought, at one time or another, to exclaim, It profiteth me not. Sin always comes with the offer of profit. The temptation to transgress would fall powerless if it were not accompanied with the bribe of some prospective advantage.
III. The blessed effects following true repentance. Two things--
1. Deliverance from condemnation He will deliver his soul from going into the pit. This speaks of full and complete forgiveness.
2. Translation to reward. His life shall see the light. He shall be translated to everlasting life. (Bishop Boyd Carpenter.)
God looking upon men
Whether God visits with affliction, with adversity, or prosperity, yet all these things worketh God oftentimes with man, to bring back his soul from the pit, to be enlightened with the light of the living.
I. He looketh upon man. As a Creator. As the Governor of the world. As a holy Being. As the Judge of men. As a compassionate parent looks upon his family.
II. The penitent man looking up to God.
1. I have sinned. This supposes reflection. I thought on my ways. This supposes self-abhorrence. Woe is me, for I am undone. This supposes godly sorrow, sorrow for sin. I have sinned. My sin has brought misery and evil upon myself, and exposed me to future punishment.
2. And perverted that which was right. These words may be considered in reference to the dispensations of providence, whether prosperous or adverse. They are perverted by man. Man perverteth his way as to opinion; as to moral practice; for interest or gain, as well as pleasure.
III. The merciful determination of God in behalf of the penitent. He will deliver his soul from going down to the pit, and his life shall see the light. These expressions are sometimes used for deliverance from natural death to life and health. Sometimes these expressions are used figuratively for deliverance from distress, and restoration to happiness. God will hear our cry, and deliver us out of all our troubles. (J. Walker, D. D.)
The penitent pardoned
True repentance begins in conviction, awakens contrition, leads to confession, and ends in conversion. Many encouragements are given to sinners to repent.
I. God sees the conduct of penitent sinners.
1. God looks upon men universally. Our power of vision is limited. God sees all things.
2. God looks upon men individually. No man can hide from God.
II. God hears the confession of penitent sinners. Many have sinned who do not admit their sinfulness; many confess their sins who do not forsake them.
1. The true penitent confesses his sins. The penitents confession is full, free, and sincere.
2. The true penitent acknowledges his folly. We have perverted our spiritual blessings.
3. The true penitent admits his disappointment. Sin is a great blunder. There is no satisfaction in sin.
III. God delivers the soul of penitent sinners. God knows the backwardness of the trembling penitent, and seeks to encourage him with the fullest assurance of pardon.
1. God saves the penitent from eternal death.
2. God rewards the penitent with eternal life. (J. T. Woodhouse.)
The penitents creed
There is the whole philosophy of penitence in the text.
I. The creed of penitence.
1. An absolute good and evil, right and wrong. There are those in whose sight the burden of a guilty conscience is but a bad form of hypochondria. While the world lasts, the penitents creed will express the conviction and reefing of mankind.
2. I have perverted that which is right. This is the second article of the penitents confession of faith. No man knows what I means, but the man who has felt himself isolated from God by transgression. According to the pantheistic philosophy, there is, strictly speaking, no such thing as sin. Man sins like a sullen dog, or a vicious horse.
3. And it profited me not. The wages of sin is death. If any other confession than this of the text were possible for a sinner in the long run, and after full experience of an evil way, it would simply mean that the righteous God had ceased to be the ruler of the world.
II. The confession of penitence. If any say, I have sinned. That implies fundamentally that evil is not of God. God has made a being capable of sin, but God has not made sin. Saying to God, I have sinned, is essential to complete forgiveness; on what ground of reason does this necessity rest? If a man is convinced, is not that sufficient? God demands confession.
1. Confession alone makes the penitence complete.
2. Confession alone re-establishes that filial relation, without which the penitence can have no lasting fruits,
III. The fruits of confession through the abounding mercy and love of God. The fruits here set forth are two fold. He will deliver his soul from going into the pit, and his life shall see the light. A glory shall gild its path, even through this weary wilderness of discipline. (J. Baldwin Brown, B. A.)
Jehovahs look of love
I. Gods merciful regard to man. He looketh upon man. The looking upon man is not of a general kind; it is expressive of that kind, benignant attention which has immediate respect to the welfare of its objects. It is not the scrutinising look of a hard and rigorous taskmaster, who feels a pleasure in finding out a fault; it is the look of a Father, who, though when He sees evil may not and cannot suffer it to pass unnoticed, desires to behold nothing but what is right, and affectionately fixes His eyes upon the least sign of a favourable kind in the conduct of His child.
II. What God expects from man. He looks to discover a humbled, penitent state of heart. All morality, and all that is called religion which is not founded on a sense of guilt, and which does not rise from humiliation for sin, is but a splendid delusion, a mere form, and shadow, and mockery of piety. There must be the full, open, frank acknowledgment of guilt. Confession is the first, proper, natural language of repentance. When your minds are deeply humbled, you will not only confess that you have sinned, but you will feel and acknowledge too that it profited you not.
III. The blessings which God imparts to those who comply with this demand. He will deliver his soul from going down into the pit, and his life shall see the light. It is not certain Elihu meant more than that humiliation before God would he the means of preserving Jobs life, and of restoring him to his former peace and prosperity. We can have no difficulty in giving to the language a much wider and more general meaning. Beyond the grave there is a deeper and more awful pit. But there is now no condemnation to the humble and believing penitent. (Stephen Bridge, M. A.)
God waiting to discover repentance, and to accept the penitent
1. Gods eye is fixed upon every individual of the family of man. The very opposite sentiment, the negation of this truth, was maintained by some of the most eminent heathen philosophers. Their notions of the Deity were such as led them to conceive it impossible that He should be in any way concerned with the things of this our world.
2. What God specially looks for is a full confession of sin.
(1) An acknowledgment of sins essential guilt, as a perversion of that which is right.
(2) Confession of the actual fact of sin.
(3) Acknowledgment of its disappointing and deceptive folly.
3. Such penitent confession shall turn to our unspeakable advantage. Learn then to view the confession of sin as a duty of the first importance. The language of confession in our text every living being has reason to make his own. (Robert Eden, M. A.)
The unprofitableness of sin in this life an argument for repentance
The great folly and perverseness of human nature is in nothing more apparent than in this, that when in all other things men are generally led and governed by their interests, and can hardly be imposed on by any art, or persuaded by any solicitation, to act plainly contrary to it; yet, in matter of their sin and duty, they have little or no regard to it. Of this every sinner, when he comes to himself and considers what he hath done, is abundantly convinced. In these words is a great blessing and benefit promised on Gods part, and a condition required on our part.
1. A penitent confession of our sins to God.
2. A true contrition for our sin; not only for fear of the pernicious consequences of sin, but from a just sense of the evil nature of sin, and the fault and offence of it against God.
3. Here is a description of the evil nature of sin--it is a perverting of that which is right. Sin is a perverting of the constitution and appointment of God, and of the nature and order of things. When we do that which is right, we act agreeably to the design and frame of our beings; we do what becomes us; but sin perverts the nature of things and puts them out of course.
4. An acknowledgment of the mischievous and pernicious consequences of sin. This is not only true as to the final issue and event of an evil course in the other world, but even in respect of this world and the present life, the practice of some sins is plainly mischievous to the temporal interests of men; that others are wholly unprofitable.
Reflections--
1. What has been said upon this argument ought particularly to move those who have so great a consideration of this present life, and the temporal happiness of it, that the practice of all virtues is a friend to their temporal as well as eternal welfare, and all vice is an enemy to both.
2. This likewise takes off all manner of excuse from sin and vice. It pretends not to serve the soul, and to profit our future happiness in another world; and if it be an enemy also to our present welfare in this world, what is there to be said for it?
3. All the arguments used to convince men of the folly of a wicked course, are so many strong and unanswerable reasons for repentance. Men make mistakes about repentance. Some make the great force and virtue of it to consist, not so much in the resolution of the penitent, as in the absolution of the priest. Some make repentance to consist in the bare resolution of amendment, though it never has its effect. (J. Tillotson, D. D.)
The Biblical Illustrator, edited by Joseph S. Exell (c. 1880s–1900s) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On v27 General Information:
General Information:
Elihu continues speaking to Job.
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but my sin was not punished
This can be stated in active form. AT: "but God did not punish me for sinning" (See: Active or Passive)
rescued my soul from going down into the pit
Here the person is referred to by his "soul." AT: "rescued me from dying and going to the pit" (See: Synecdoche)
the pit
The place where people go when they die is referred to here as "the pit." AT: "the place where dead people are" (See: Metaphor)
my life will continue to see light
Here the person is represented by his "life." Also, living is spoken of as seeing the light. AT: "I will continue to live and see the daylight" or "I will continue to live" (See: Metonymy and Metaphor)
translationWords
sin
perverse
punish
pit
light
unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.
Tyndale Open Study Notes 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On v26 33:26 God will receive him with joy: Cp. Num…
33:26 God will receive him with joy: Cp. Num 6:24-26; Ps 67:1; Acts 2:28; Jude 1:24.
Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.