Have dealt deceitfully as a brook - There is probably an allusion here to those land torrents which make a sudden appearance, and as suddenly vanish; being produced by the rains that fall upon the mountains during the rainy season, and are soon absorbed by the thirsty sands over which they run. At first they seem to promise a permanent stream, and are noticed with delight by the people, who fill their tanks or reservoirs from their waters; but sometimes they are so large and rapid as to carry every thing before them: and then suddenly fail, so that there is no time to fill the tanks. The approach of Job's friends promised much of sympathy and compassion; his expectations were raised: but their conduct soon convinced him that they were physicians of no value; therefore he compares them to the deceitful torrents that soon pass away.

My brethren.

Job 19:19 All my inward friends abhorred me: and they whom I loved are turned against me.

Psalm 38:11 My lovers and my friends stand aloof from my sore; and my kinsmen stand afar off.

Psalm 41:9 Yes, my own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, has lifted up his heel against me.

Psalm 55:12-14 For it was not an enemy that reproached me; then I could have borne it...

Psalm 88:18 Lover and friend have you put far from me, and my acquaintance into darkness.

Jeremiah 9:4,5 Take you heed every one of his neighbor, and trust you not in any brother: for every brother will utterly supplant...

Jeremiah 30:14 All your lovers have forgotten you; they seek you not; for I have wounded you with the wound of an enemy...

Micah 7:5,6 Trust you not in a friend, put you not confidence in a guide: keep the doors of your mouth from her that lies in your bosom...

John 13:18 I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled...

John 16:32 Behold, the hour comes, yes, is now come, that you shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone...

as the stream.

Jeremiah 15:18 Why is my pain perpetual, and my wound incurable, which refuses to be healed? will you be altogether to me as a liar...

Jude 1:12 These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water...

"Thou Shall Keep Him in Perfect Peace, Whose Mind is Stayed on Thee, Because He Trusteth in Thee. "
Isaiah xxvi. 3.--"Thou shall keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee, because he trusteth in thee." Christ hath left us his peace, as the great and comprehensive legacy, "My peace I leave you," John xiv. 27. And this was not peace in the world that he enjoyed; you know what his life was, a continual warfare; but a peace above the world, that passeth understanding. "In the world you shall have trouble, but in me you shall have peace," saith Christ,--a peace that shall make trouble …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning