Job 5:14

"He takes the wise in their own craftiness; the counsel of the cunning is carried headlong."

Key Reflection

In Job 5:14, the speaker asserts that God often exposes the wisdom and cunning of those who rely on their own cleverness by turning it against them. This reflects a cultural understanding where the wise and astute are not immune to divine intervention; instead, they can find themselves in unexpected trouble precisely because of their craftiness. This verse hints at a cosmic irony where the very wisdom these individuals trust becomes their downfall, underscoring the unpredictable nature of God's sovereignty and the limitations of human intelligence and strategy.

From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes

They meet with darkness in the day-time -Margin, “run into;” compare the notes atIsaiah 59:10. The sense is, that where there is really no obstacle to the accomplishment of an honest plan - any more than there is for a man to walk in the day-time - they become perplexed and embarrassed, as much as a man would be, should sudden darkness come around him at mid-day. The same sentiment occurs inJob 12:25. A life of honesty and uprightness will be attended with prosperity, but a man who attempts to carry his plans by trick and art, will meet with unexpected embarrassments.

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