John Gill Commentary Job 34:33

"Shall his recompense be as thou wilt, that thou refusest it? For thou must choose, and not I: Therefore speak what thou knowest." — Job 34:33 (ASV)

[Should it be] according, to your mind ?
&c.] O Job, for the words seem to be directed to him; and may respect either the government of the world in general, and the disposal of all things in it, treated of in this chapter, though more remotely, (Job 34:13) . Is it not proper that God should govern it, who has made it, and do all things in it as he pleases? Is it fit he should consult with men what to do, or be instructed and taught by them in the path of judgment?

Is it meet that every man should have his mind and will, and have everything go in the form and course most eligible to him? Or else they may respect chastisement, with which the words are more nearly connected; and so the sense be, should man be consulted, as Job or any other, and his mind known first, whether he should be chastened or not? Should a son or a servant be asked first by a parent or master, whether it is fitting to give correction or not? Or is man to be advised with in what way and manner he should be chastened of God, whether in his person, or family, or estate? Or how long the chastening should endure upon him, and when it should be removed? No, surely; all should be left with God, the wise and sovereign Disposer of all things;

he will recompense it, whether you refuse, or whether you choose ,
and not I ;
that is, God will recompense chastisement; he will chastise whom he pleases, and in what manner he pleases, and as long as he pleases, whether man consents or submits to it or not; he will not ask his leave; he will do according to the counsel of his own will; and you Job may choose or refuse to submit to him as you like best; for my part, was it my case, I would not refuse submission to his will; I would say, "it is the Lord, let him do what seemeth good in his sight". Some make this last clause the words of God, put by way of question, "should you choose or refuse, and not I?" Should you have your option and refusal, and not I? Should man be his own chooser, or choose for himself what he likes best? Should he not say, the Lord shall choose mine inheritance for me, though that inheritance is affliction?

The words are rendered by others to different senses, all which to observe would be too tedious: some ^F12 to this sense, ``what is of yourself God recompenses;'' sin is of a man's self, it flows from his corrupt heart and will, he is not tempted to it of God; nor is it to be ascribed to the temptations of Satan, which, though they may have their influence, sin is a man's own act and deed; and God will recompense it in one way or another, whether man will or not; either in a way of punishment on the sinner himself, or on his surety for him; or in a way of fatherly correction and chastisement; and this is the Lord's doing and not mine, and he is just in so doing; therefore speak what you know : if you know anything better than this, or canst contradict what is said: or as others <sup>F13</sup> to this purpose, ``did ever such a speech come from you, as expressed in the preceding verses? God will recompense it, if you refuse to speak in such a submissive manner; you may refuse to do it, I would not; I should choose to submit and hear the affliction patiently; if you think otherwise, speak out your mind.''

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FOOTNOTES:

• F12: (hnmlvy Kmemh) "ecce de tuo rependit illud", Schultens.
• F13: Junius and Tremellius, Grotius.