Job 29:13

The blessing of him that was ready to perish.

The blessedness of doing good

I. Job had the blessing of those ready to perish.

1. A man may be ready to perish through adverse circumstances.

2. Or by some imminent danger and peril to which he is exposed.

3. In such cases men of pure benevolence interpose to save the poor unhappy wretch who is ready to perish.

4. How many in the moral world are ready to perish by their sins and iniquities. The blessing of him who is ready to perish comes on the man who relieves the needy, rescues them that are exposed to danger, and who converteth a sinner from the error of his ways.

II. Job had caused the widow’s heart to sing for joy.

1. Widows are placed in very distressing circumstances.

2. Often she has a large family left to her care.

3. The world is ever ready to take advantage of a desolate widow.

4. Job was kind to widows in the days of his prosperity. His conduct was generous and noble, and worthy of a great and good man. Let us imitate the example of Job. Inferences--

(1) Acts of benevolence are good proofs of a renewed heart.

(2) Those who are kind to others will be abundantly repaid.

(3) In the day of judgment works of mercy will be brought forward as evidences of piety. (Sketches of Four Hundred Sermons.)

Rescue the perishing

I. An urgent necessity. “Ready to perish.” Oh that we all might go to the help of the poor, who are ready to perish in the midst of the ocean of drunkenness, misery, and wretchedness. There is a want of sympathy. We find it in all classes. Men are perishing about us for want of the power of the Gospel.

II. An assured recompense. There is a sure recompense, if you will do God’s bidding. Be an enthusiast. Seek out the perishing people, and risk yourselves in the service of the Lord Jesus Christ.

III. A personal enjoyment. There has been One who, in order to save you, gave Himself. Let your blessing come upon Him as you stand in faith at the foot of the Cross. This personal enjoyment can only come to us when we are true Christians. (William Birch.)