Albert Barnes Commentary


Albert Barnes Commentary
"The heavens shall reveal his iniquity, And the earth shall rise up against him." — Job 20:27 (ASV)
The heaven shall reveal his iniquity - The meaning here is, that the whole creation would conspire against such a man. Heaven and earth would be arrayed against him. The course of events would be so ordered as to seem designed to bring his character out, and to show what he was. He would attempt to conceal his sin, but it would be in vain. He would hide it in his bosom, but it would be developed. He would put on the air of piety and innocence, but his secret sin would be known.
This seems to be the general sense of the verse; and it is not necessary to attempt to show how it would be done - whether by lightning from heaven, as Noyes supposes, or whether by some direct manifestation from the skies. Probably the meaning is, that the divine dispensations toward such a man - the overwhelming calamities which he would experience, would show what he was. The word “heaven” is not infrequently used for God Himself. For example, Daniel 4:23, the heavens do rule.Luke 15:21, I have sinned against heaven.
The earth shall rise up against him - Calamities from the earth. The course of events here. Want of success - sterility of soil - blight and mildew, would rise up against such a man and show what he was. His real character would in some way be brought out, and it would be seen that he was a wicked man. .
They fought from heaven;
The stars in their courses fought against Sisera.