He shall deliver thee in six troubles - The numbers six and seven are put here for many. Though a number of troubles should come upon thee all at once, and there should be no hope, humanly speaking, yet God would rid thee out of them all; for he saves as well from many as from few. We may also understand the words, He who hath been thy deliverer in past troubles, will not deny his help in those which are to come.
He shall deliver thee in six troubles - Six is used here to denote an indefinite number, meaning that he would support in many troubles. This mode of speech is not uncommon among the Hebrews, where one number is mentioned, so that an extreme number may be immediately added. The method is, to mention a number within the limit, and then to add one more, meaning that in all instances the thing referred to would occur. The limit here is seven, with the Hebrews a complete and perfect number; and the idea is, that in any succession of troubles, however numerous, God was able to deliver. Similar expressions not unfrequently occur. Thus, in Amos 1:3, Amos 1:6, Amos 1:9, Amos 1:11, Amos 1:13; Amos 2:1, Amos 2:4, Amos 2:6:
Thus saith the Lord:
For three transgressions of Damascus, and for four,
I will not turn away the punishment thereof.
Thus saith the Lord:
For three transgressions of Gaza, and for four,
I will not turn away, the punishment thereof.
Thus saith the Lord:
For three transgressions of Tyrus, and for four,
I will not turn away the punishment thereof.
Thus in Proverbs 30:15:
There are three things that are never satisfied,
Yea, four things say not, It is enough.
There be three things that are too wonderful for me,
Yea, four which I know not. Proverbs 30:18.
For three things the earth is disquieted,
And for four which it cannot bear.” Proverbs 30:21.
There be three things that go well,
Yea, four are comely in going:
A lion which is strongest among beasts,
And turneth not away for any;
A grey-hound;
An he-goat also;
And a king, against whom there is no rising up.” Proverbs 30:29-31.
Compare Homer, Iliad vi. 174:
Εννήμαρ ξείνισσε καὶ ἐννέα βοῦς ἱέρευσεν
Ennēmar ceinisse kai ennea bous hiereusen enumeration, in regard to number similar to the one before us, occurs in Proverbs 6:16:
These six things doth the Lord hate;
Yea, seven are an abomination to him.
There shall no evil touch thee - That is, permanently; for he could not mean that he would not be subjected to calamity at all, since by the very supposition he was a sufferer. But the sense is, that God would save from those calamities.
Happy is the man whom God correcteth.... He maketh sore, and bindeth up: he wounded, and his hands make whole. He shall deliver thee in six troubles; yea, in seven there shall no evil touch thee. Job 5:17-19. RC 364.1
Read in context »“Happy is the man whom God correcteth: ... He maketh sore, and bindeth up: He woundeth, and His hands make whole. He shall deliver thee in six troubles: yea, in seven there shall no evil touch thee.” Job 5:17-19. To every stricken one, Jesus comes with the ministry of healing. The life of bereavement, pain, and suffering may be brightened by precious revealings of His presence. MB 12.1
God would not have us remain pressed down by dumb sorrow, with sore and breaking hearts. He would have us look up and behold His dear face of love. The blessed Saviour stands by many whose eyes are so blinded by tears that they do not discern Him. He longs to clasp our hands, to have us look to Him in simple faith, permitting Him to guide us. His heart is open to our griefs, our sorrows, and our trials. He has loved us with an everlasting love and with loving-kindness compassed us about. We may keep the heart stayed upon Him and meditate upon His loving-kindness all the day. He will lift the soul above the daily sorrow and perplexity, into a realm of peace. MB 12.2
Think of this, children of suffering and sorrow, and rejoice in hope. “This is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.” 1 John 5:4. MB 12.3
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