_Wherefore, Job, I pray thee, hear my speeches._
PERSONAL APPLICATIONS OF TRUTH
Here is the great failure in the case of the three friends and Elihu:
they speak broad generalities; they are sure the doctrine is right.
With these, as mere utterances, we have no fault to find; but where
was the wisdo... [ Continue Reading ]
_The Spirit of God hath made me._
ON THE GENERAL DISPENSATION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT WITH RESPECT TO THE NEW
CREATION
The Holy Spirit completed the work of creation in all its parts. With
respect to the new creation, the work is threefold.
I. His rich and copious influences and operations. The dispen... [ Continue Reading ]
_Behold, I am according to thy wish in God’s stead._
THE PHILOSOPHY OF MEDIATION
The words mediation and intercession present fundamentally the same
idea--a coming between, to bridge over a gulf, or to avert a stroke.
Some being to stand between him and God, and to be the interpreter of
God’s deali... [ Continue Reading ]
_God is greater than man._
Why dost thou strive with Him?
MAN’S CONTENTIONS, WITH GOD
The mysterious meeting place of the Divine and human wills. Unknown by
us and undiscoverable. Both wills are operative, and can only be
reconciled by filial acquiescence. Man has two prerogatives to choose,
and... [ Continue Reading ]
_For God speaketh once._
ELIHU’S FIRST DISCOURSE
Elihu says, God does speak to men in various ways. It is not true that
He gives no account of Himself, and of His dealings with men. Two or
three of God’s ways Elihu specifies.
1. God quickens men to thought and moral emotion in the silence and
slu... [ Continue Reading ]
_In a dream._
A HARD CASE
How persevering is Divine love. God has voices which He uses in such a
way that men must and shall hear.
I. So, then, first, let us begin with what is a very humbling
consideration, namely, that man is very hard to influence for good.
“Can the Ethiopian change his skin, o... [ Continue Reading ]
_He is chastened also with pain upon his bed._
SANCTIFIED AFFLICTION
Two Chapter s in the hook of human life are hard to understand--the
prosperity of the wicked, and the afflictions of the righteous. The
Book of Job is a luminous commentary on both. Carefully studied, these
verses furnish a chain... [ Continue Reading ]
_If there be any messenger with him, an interpreter._
HOW TO VISIT THE SICK
It is not man’s torment or ruin that God desires, but his
reformation and amendment. To this end He speaks to men in dreams.
When that will not do, by afflictions. To make those afflictions more
intelligible and effectual,... [ Continue Reading ]
_He shall return to the days of his youth._
THE AUTUMN CROCUS
If the snowdrop may be called the morning star that ushers in the dawn
of the floral year, the crocus may be said to be its sunrise. So much
is the crocus associated with the showers and the sunbeams of April,
that it requires a special... [ Continue Reading ]
_He looketh upon men._
A PENITENTIAL SPIRIT
The text--
I. Presents to us the extent of the Divine inspection. “He looketh
upon men.” God’s omniscience ought to make us adore and tremble.
He watches over men’s actions, and there is no darkness or shadow of
death where the workers of iniquity may h... [ Continue Reading ]
_Lo, all these things worketh God oftentimes with man._
DIVINE PROVIDENCE
He who believes in the being of a God, must logically believe in the
doctrine of Divine providence. That providence is over all things--a
general providence--must imply a particular providence, for all
generals are made up o... [ Continue Reading ]