The tents of robbers prosper, and they that provoke God are secure; into whose hand God brings abundantly.
Read Chapter 12
George Leo Haydock
AD 1849
Abound. Hebrew, "are at peace. "(Calmet)
The prosperity of the wicked is therefore no proof that they are pleasing to him. (Haydock)
All nature testifies that God exercises a sovereign dominion over his works. He may therefore cause the just to suffer, though they be guiltless. This is one of Job's grand maxims. (Calmet)
2. It is easy for a man, at the time, to despise riches, when he has them, but it is hard to hold them worthless, when he lacks them. Hence it is clearly shewn, how great a contempt of earthly things was lodged in the breast of blessed Job, who then declares that all is nought which the lost enjoy in plenty, at the time when he had lost every thing. Thus he says, The tabernacles of robbers have plenty, and they provoke God with boldness; for it very commonly happens that bad men set themselves up the more against God, even the more they are enriched by His bounty contrary to their desert, and they that ought to be impelled by good gifts to better conduct, are rendered worse men by the blessings.
3. But we have to make out how they are called ‘robbers,’ whereas it is thereupon added, When He hath given all into their hands. For if they are robbers, then they took by force, and there is no doubt that God is no abettor of those that use force. In what sense then does He Himself bes...
Certainly the subtlety of your entire conjecture leans toward this, that is, to a reflection on the merits for prosperity and misfortune, so that you want to show that I am guilty, and you righteous, because not even a contrary breath blows against you. This is a plain accusation against the justice of God or a way to lay blame on his patience. “The tents are abundant,” those, whom above he had called “rich,” he now accuses of corruption by the name of “robbers.” - "Exposition on the Book of Job 12.6"
