_Can a man be profitable unto God?_ THE THIRD SPEECH OF ELIPHAZ Two general truths. I. That the great God is perfectly independent of man’s character, whether right or wrong. “Can a man be profitable unto God, as he that is wise may be profitable unto himself? Is it any pleasure to the Almighty,... [ Continue Reading ]
_Is it any pleasure to the Almighty that thou art righteous?_ GOD’S PLEASURE IN MAN’S RIGHTEOUSNESS To this Eliphaz we cannot take kindly. There is so much in him that reminds us of the Pharisee of our Lord’s day. With all his conscientiousness--and it is remarkable what sins against God and our b... [ Continue Reading ]
_Is not thy wickedness great?_ THE CHARGE AGAINST JOB I. Wrong in relation to man. In regard to the charge which he here brings against Job, it is worthy of note that whilst most expositors regard Eliphaz as speaking in his own name, others, amongst whom Dr. Bernard, regard him as indicating merel... [ Continue Reading ]
_Is not God in the height of heaven?_ GOD BROUGHT NEAR Is there anything that can make God a present God? Bring Him from the height of heaven beyond the stars into conscious contact with the experience of daily life? There is. What? Philosophic reasoning. Correct reasoning on the subject must inde... [ Continue Reading ]
_Hast thou marked the old way which wicked men have trodden?_ THE WAY OF THE WICKED DESCRIBED It is commonly remarked, how little advantage mankind make of each other’s experience. This is surely a striking proof of the folly and presumption of our nature. Eliphaz here is reasoning on the principl... [ Continue Reading ]
_Acquaint now thyself with Him, and be at peace._ ACQUAINTANCE WITH GOD I. What it is, or implies. 1. The knowledge of God’s character and attributes. All true religion rests upon correct views of God’s character. Many persons assume that they naturally know God; but they do not feel the necessit... [ Continue Reading ]
_And lay up His words in thine heart._ MEDITATION What is meditation? It is thinking steadily, continuously, repeatedly, on a subject. Surely we can find time to think in this steady way, of your business, your family, your politics, your amusements even? Is it so impossible, then, to think thus of... [ Continue Reading ]
_If thou return to the Almighty._ SPIRITUAL REFORMATION I. The nature of a true spiritual reformation is here set forth. 1. Reconciliation to God. Men in their unregenerate state are out of sympathy with their Maker. There is an estrangement of soul. 2. Practical regard to the Divine precepts. “... [ Continue Reading ]
_For then shalt thou have thy delight in the Almighty._ AN OUTLINE OF THE DEVOUT LIFE These words can be raised to a higher level than that on which Eliphaz placed them, and regarded as describing the sweet and wonderful prerogatives of the devout life. So understood they may rebuke, and stimulate... [ Continue Reading ]
_When men are cast down, then thou shalt say, There is lifting up; and He shall save the humble person._ THE HUMBLE SOUL THE PECULIAR FAVOURITE OF HEAVEN I. Some account of lowliness and humility. Lowliness being a relative grace, we must consider it in a threefold view. 1. With respect to oursel... [ Continue Reading ]