An exposition with practical observations continued upon the thirty second, the thirty third, and…An exposition with practicall observations continued upon the thirty second, the thirty third, and…

This verse may have a four-fold respect.

First, To the insufficiency, or incompetency of Job's parts and intellectuals to deal with Elihu in this matter; as if they were a daring challenge, Answer me if thou canst, do thy worst. And hence some of the Ancients charge Elihu, as if he came upon Job boastingly, and spake thus in the pride of his own spirit, and in the disdain of Job, at once to show and slight his weakness, If thou canst answer me. As if (like some irrefragable Doctor) he had said; I shall speak such reason, as I know thou canst not answer; do what thou canst, set all thy wits awork, and beat thy brains as much as thou wilt, thou wilt but loose thy labour, and weary thy self in vain. Thus the meaning of, Answer me if thou canst, is, Thou canst not answer. But I suppose Elihu, (though hot spirited enough) was yet of a better spirit & temper then to speak either thus proudly of himself, or despisingly of so worthy a man as he had before him; nor did Elihu look upon Job as such a puny to him, or so much his underling as that he durst not hold up the Bucklers in dispute against him. Elihu knew Job was an old experienced Soldier, well versed in the ways and things of God. And therefore

First, To the insufficiency, or incompetency of Job's parts and intellectuals to deale with Elihu in this matter; as if they were a daring challenge, Answer me if thou canst, doe thy worst. And hence some of the Ancients charge Elihu, as if he came upon Job boastingly, and spake thus in the pride of his owne spirit, and in the disdaine of Job, at once to shew and slight his weaknesse, If thou canst answer me. As if (like some irrefragable Doctor) he had said; I shall speak such reason, as I know thou canst not answer; doe what thou canst, set all thy wits aworke, and beate thy braines as much as thou wilt, thou wilt but loose thy labour, and weary thy selfe in vaine. Thus the meaning of, Answer me if thou canst, is, Thou canst not answer. But I suppose Elihu, (though hot spirited enough) was yet of a better spirit & temper then to speak either thus proudly of himselfe, or despisingly of so worthy a man as he had before him; nor did Elihu look upon Job as such a puny to him, or so much his underling as that he durst not hold up the Bucklers in dispute against him. Elihu knew Job was an old experienced Souldier, well vers'd in the wayes and things of God. And therefore