The Pulpit Commentary on Job 12:23

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

He increaseth the nations, and destroyeth them. God's providence concerns itself, not only with the fate of individual men, bet also with that of nations. With Israel, his "peculiar people" (Deuteronomy 14:2), he especially concerned himself, but not with Israel only.

Babylon, Assyria, Egypt, Elam, Edom, Ammon, Moab, were likewise objects of his attention, of his guidance, of his chastening hand, of his avenging rod. Particular nations were consigned by God to the charge of particular angels (Daniel 10:13, Daniel 10:20).

At his pleasure he can "increase" nations by blessing them with extraordinary fecundity (Exodus 1:7-12), or "destroy" them by internal decay, by civil wars, or by the swords of their neighbours. He enlargeth the nations, and straiteneth them again; i.

e. "enlarges their bounds, or diminishes them." In Western Asia, where Job lived, empires were continually starting up, growing and expanding, increasing to vast dimensions, and then after a while shrinking back again to their original narrow limits Egypt, Elam, Babylon, and the Hittite nation were eases in point.

More for Job 12:23

Continue with other commentaries and DiscipleDeck content connected to this verse, chapter, or topic.

Other commentaries

The Pulpit Commentary on Job 12:1-25Job 12:1-25 · The Pulpit CommentaryEXPOSITION The discourse of Job, here begun, continues through three chapters (Job 12:1-25; Job 13:1-28; Job 14:1-22.). It is thought to form the conclusion of the first day's colloquy. In it Job for the first time real…The Pulpit Commentary on Job 12:11-25Job 12:11-25 · The Pulpit CommentaryThe Devine supremacy illustrated. Bildad appeals to "the ancients." Job replies, "I also know their teaching." But there is a wisdom higher than that of the ancients. Wisdom—unfailing wisdom—is a Divine attribute. From…Matthew Henry on Job 12:12-25Job 12:12-25 · Matthew Henry Concise CommentaryThis is a noble discourse of Job concerning the wisdom, power, and sovereignty of God, in ordering all the affairs of the children of men, according to the counsel of His own will, which none can resist. It were well if…Matthew Henry on Job 12:12-25Job 12:12-25 · Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole BibleThis is a noble discourse of Job's concerning the wisdom, power, and sovereignty of God, in ordering and disposing of all the affairs of the children of men, according to the counsel of his own will, which none dares ga…The Pulpit Commentary on Job 12:13-25Job 12:13-25 · The Pulpit CommentaryThe wisdom and might of God. Job meets his friend's authoritative utterances of proverbs and worldly maxims by a citation of similar sayings, but with a different import. It is not true that the righteous always prosper…The Pulpit Commentary on Job 12:13-25Job 12:13-25 · The Pulpit CommentaryJob to Zophar: 3. The providence of God described. I. As INFINITELY WISE AND POWERFUL. "With God is wisdom and strength, he hath counsel and understanding" (verse 13)—a sentiment repeated in verse 16. Of the two attribu…

commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Job 12:1-25EXPOSITION The discourse of Job, here begun, continues through three chapters (Job 12:1-25; Job 13:1-28; Job 14:1-22.). It is thought to form the conclusion of the first day's colloquy. In it Job for the first time real…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Job 12:11-25The Devine supremacy illustrated. Bildad appeals to "the ancients." Job replies, "I also know their teaching." But there is a wisdom higher than that of the ancients. Wisdom—unfailing wisdom—is a Divine attribute. From…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryMatthew Henry on Job 12:12-25This is a noble discourse of Job concerning the wisdom, power, and sovereignty of God, in ordering all the affairs of the children of men, according to the counsel of His own will, which none can resist. It were well if…Matthew Henry commentaryMatthew Henry on Job 12:12-25This is a noble discourse of Job's concerning the wisdom, power, and sovereignty of God, in ordering and disposing of all the affairs of the children of men, according to the counsel of his own will, which none dares ga…Matthew Henry commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Job 12:13-25The wisdom and might of God. Job meets his friend's authoritative utterances of proverbs and worldly maxims by a citation of similar sayings, but with a different import. It is not true that the righteous always prosper…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Job 12:13-25Job to Zophar: 3. The providence of God described. I. As INFINITELY WISE AND POWERFUL. "With God is wisdom and strength, he hath counsel and understanding" (verse 13)—a sentiment repeated in verse 16. Of the two attribu…Joseph S. Exell and contributors