19 "Man is also chastened with pain on his bed , And with unceasing complaint in his bones ; 20 So that his life loathes bread , And his soul favorite food . 21 "His flesh wastes away from sight , And his bones which were not seen stick out. 22 "Then his soul draws near to the pit , And his life to those who bring death . 23 "If there is an angel as mediator for him, One out of a thousand , To remind a man what is right for him, 24 Then let him be gracious to him, and say , 'Deliver him from going down to the pit , I have found a ransom '; 25 Let his flesh become fresher than in youth , Let him return to the days of his youthful vigor ; 26 Then he will pray to God , and He will accept him, That he may see His face with joy , And He may restore His righteousness to man .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Job 33:19-26
Commentary on Job 33:19-28
(Read Job 33:19-28)
Job complained of his diseases, and judged by them that God was angry with him; his friends did so too: but Elihu shows that God often afflicts the body for good to the soul. This thought will be of great use for our getting good from sickness, in and by which God speaks to men. Pain is the fruit of sin; yet, by the grace of God, the pain of the body is often made a means of good to the soul. When afflictions have done their work, they shall be removed. A ransom or propitiation is found. Jesus Christ is the Messenger and the Ransom, so Elihu calls him, as Job had called him his Redeemer, for he is both the Purchaser and the Price, the Priest and the sacrifice. So high was the value of souls, that nothing less would redeem them; and so great the hurt done by sin, that nothing less would atone for it, than the blood of the Son of God, who gave his life a ransom for many. A blessed change follows. Recovery from sickness is a mercy indeed, when it proceeds from the remission of sin. All that truly repent of their sins, shall find mercy with God. The works of darkness are unfruitful works; all the gains of sin will come far short of the damage. We must, with a broken and contrite heart, confess our sins to God, 1 John 1:9. We must confess the fact of sin; and not try to justify or excuse ourselves. We must confess the fault of sin; I have perverted that which was right. We must confess the folly of sin; So foolish have I been and ignorant. Is there not good reason why we should make such a confession?