19 He is chastened also with pain on his bed,
with continual strife in his bones; 20 So that his life abhors bread,
and his soul dainty food. 21 His flesh is so consumed away, that it can’t be seen.
His bones that were not seen stick out. 22 Yes, his soul draws near to the pit,
and his life to the destroyers. 23 “If there is beside him an angel,
an interpreter, one among a thousand,
to show to man what is right for him; 24 then God is gracious to him, and says,
‘Deliver him from going down to the pit,
I have found a ransom.’ 25 His flesh shall be fresher than a child’s.
He returns to the days of his youth. 26 He prays to God, and he is favorable to him,
so that he sees his face with joy.
He restores to man his righteousness.
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?