In Job, chapter twelve, verse five, the servant of God condemned the way prosperous people often think. In contempt, they look down on the poor and needy and justify their lack of sympathy by assuming that the unfortunate have brought adversity on themselves. At the same time, prosperous are “at ease” with their lifestyle because they believe God has rewarded them for their faith and righteousness. Both assumptions are erroneous, for there are numerous exceptions among those citizens of the kingdom of God.
The opening line of verse five of chapter twelve refers to the just man, last mentioned, who is ready to fall or has already fallen into trouble. The middle part of the verse means like a lamp or torch, which, while it shines clearly at night, is very useful and comfortable. However, when it is almost extinct, or when the light of the morning approaches is neglected and despised as unnecessary, troublesome, and offensive. So the same man, who while his feet stood fast in a prosperous condition, was magnified and honored by all, and he shone as a lamp. When he appears to be ready to slip with his feet and to fall into adversity and trouble, is looked upon as a lamp going out or as the snuff of a candle, which we throw to the ground and tread upon.
Despised in the thought of him that is at ease is the opinion of a man that lives in great ease, and outward happiness; which generally makes people forget and despise those who are in affliction. A lamp, despised in the opinion of an indolent man, is prepared for the slips of the foot: that is, he who is a lamp or light to enlighten and instruct other people, though despised by those who are indolent, as if they wanted no instruction, is prepared for the several accidents of life, (the trials or troubles,) which are as natural and common, to man as it is natural for him sometimes to stumble or slip with his foot. Here also Job’s words are general, without a particular application to himself, though doubtless he spoke them concerning his distressed circumstances.