A35538:1222
An exposition with practical observations continued upon the thirty-eighth, thirty-ninth, fortieth, forty-first, and forty-second,…
An exposition with practical observations continued upon the thirty-eighth, thirty-ninth, fortieth, forty-first, and forty-second, being the five last, chapters of the book of Job being the substance of fifty-two lectures or meditations / by Joseph Caryl ...
London: printed by M. and S. Simmons, 1666
Title page typeset from the transcription.
AN EXPOSITION WITH Practical Observations UPON The Thirty-eighth, T… › Chapter 38 › Verse 39-41
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
As if they were asleep, as if they minded nothing but their ease; yet even then they are busily minding how to catch their prey. As if the Lord had said, Hast thou (O Job) taught the Lion that art and cunning, to lye couchant in his den, that he may steal upon beasts passant, and surprise them unawares. They couch in their dens, And abide in the covert to lye in wait.
As if they were asleep, as if they minded nothing but their ease; yet even then they are busily minding how to catch their prey. As if the Lord had said, Hast thou (O Job) taught the Lion that art and cunning, to lye couchant in his den, that he may steal upon beasts passant, and surprize them unawares. They couch in their dens, And abide in the covert to lye in wait.
The word rendered Covert signifieth a Tabernacle or Tent in which men abode for a time, and is therefore here opposed (as some conceive) to the Lions dens or houses spoken of in the beginning of the verse. Beasts (say they) are aware of Lions dens, and so avoid them; but they may pass unawares by the coverts and thickets, where they lye in ambush. But I suppose we need not be thus critical in distinguishing between dens and coverts, both words may signify the same place and thing; or at least in both places Lions do the same thing, Lye in wait. It is said of the Lord himself (Jerem. 25.38.) he hath forsaken his covert as a Lion. The meaning of the Prophet was to show the Lords purpose to come forth, and tear and rend his enemies by some sore judgment, as a young Lion that rangeth about for his prey. We ⟨p. 291⟩read a little before (at the 34th verse) of the howling of the shepherds, that is, of the rulers and governors, and of the cry of the principal of the flock, that is, of the wealthiest among the people. When the Lion came forth of his covert, there was a howling and a cry made; why so? the Lion came forth to destroy both sheep and shepherds. Thus the Lord comes forth, even as a young Lion, full of wrath and fury to destroy the wicked: He is sometimes like a Lion couching in his den, and abiding in his covert, but he doth it as the Lion, To lye in wait.