Bible Heaven/Bible Heaven.iso/online/mhcc21/v21450

Text File | 1994-03-02 | 6KB | 104 lines

21450
 #11-23 Job's friends, on the same subject, spoke of the misery
 of wicked men before death as proportioned to their crimes; Job
 considered that if it were not so, still the consequences of
 their death would be dreadful. Job undertook to set this matter
 in a true light. Death to a godly man, is like a fair gale of
 wind to convey him to the heavenly country; but, to a wicked
 man, it is like a storm, that hurries him away to destruction.
 While he lived, he had the benefit of sparing mercy; but now the
 day of God's patience is over, and he will pour out upon him his
 wrath. When God casts down a man, there is no flying from, nor
 bearing up under his anger. Those who will not now flee to the
 arms of Divine grace, which are stretched out to receive them,
 will not be able to flee from the arms of Divine wrath, which
 will shortly be stretched out to destroy them. And what is a man
 profited if he gain the whole world, and thus lose his own soul?
21463
 * Concerning worldly wealth. (1-11) Wisdom is of inestimable
 value. (12-19) Wisdom is the gift of God. (20-28)

 #1-11 Job maintained that the dispensations of Providence were
 regulated by the highest wisdom. To confirm this, he showed of
 what a great deal of knowledge and wealth men may make
 themselves masters. The caverns of the earth may be discovered,
 but not the counsels of Heaven. Go to the miners, thou sluggard
 in religion, consider their ways, and be wise. Let their courage
 and diligence in seeking the wealth that perishes, shame us out
 of slothfulness and faint-heartedness in labouring for the true
 riches. How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! How much
 easier, and safer! Yet gold is sought for, but grace neglected.
 Will the hopes of precious things out of the earth, so men call
 them, though really they are paltry and perishing, be such a
 spur to industry, and shall not the certain prospect of truly
 precious things in heaven be much more so?

21474
 #12-19 Job here speaks of wisdom and understanding, the knowing
 and enjoying of God and ourselves. Its worth is infinitely more
 than all the riches in this world. It is a gift of the Holy
 Ghost which cannot be bought with money. Let that which is most
 precious in God's account, be so in ours. Job asks after it as
 one that truly desired to find it, and despaired of finding it
 any where but in God; any way but by Divine revelation.

21482
 #20-28 There is a two-fold wisdom; one hid in God, which is
 secret, and belongs not to us; the other made known by him, and
 revealed to man. One day's events, and one man's affairs, have
 such reference to, and so hang one upon another, that He only,
 to whom all is open, and who sees the whole at one view, can
 rightly judge of every part. But the knowledge of God's revealed
 will is within our reach, and will do us good. Let man look upon
 this as his wisdom, To fear the Lord, and to depart from evil.
 Let him learn that, and he is learned enough. Where is this
 wisdom to be found? The treasures of it are hid in Christ,
 revealed by the word, received by faith, through the Holy Ghost.
 It will not feed pride or vanity, or amuse our vain curiosity.
 It teaches and encourages sinners to fear the Lord, and to
 depart from evil, in the exercise of repentance and faith,
 without desiring to solve all difficulties about the events of
 this life.
21491
 * Job's former comforts. (1-6) The honour paid to Job, His
 usefulness. (7-17) His prospect of prosperity. (18-25)

 #1-6 Job proceeds to contrast his former prosperity with his
 present misery, through God's withdrawing from him. A gracious
 soul delights in God's smiles, not in the smiles of this world.
 Four things were then very pleasant to holy Job. 1. The
 confidence he had in the Divine protection. 2. The enjoyment he
 had of the Divine favour. 3. The communion he had with the
 Divine word. 4. The assurance he had of the Divine presence.
 God's presence with a man in his house, though it be but a
 cottage, makes it a castle and a palace. Then also he had
 comfort in his family. Riches and flourishing families, like a
 candle, may be soon extinguished. But when the mind is
 enlightened by the Holy Spirit, when a man walks in the light of
 God's countenance, every outward comfort is doubled, every
 trouble is diminished, and he may pass cheerfully by this light
 through life and through death. Yet the sensible comfort of this
 state is often withdrawn for a season; and commonly this arises
 from sinful neglect, and grieving the Holy Spirit: sometimes it
 may be a trial of a man's faith and grace. But it is needful to
 examine ourselves, to seek for the cause of such a change by
 fervent prayer, and to increase our watchfulness.

21497
 #7-17 All sorts of people paid respect to Job, not only for the
 dignity of his rank, but for his personal merit, his prudence,
 integrity, and good management. Happy the men who are blessed
 with such gifts as these! They have great opportunities of
 honouring God and doing good, but have great need to watch
 against pride. Happy the people who are blessed with such men!
 it is a token for good to them. Here we see what Job valued
 himself by, in the day of his prosperity. It was by his
 usefulness. He valued himself by the check he gave to the
 violence of proud and evil men. Good magistrates must thus be a
 restraint to evil-doers, and protect the innocent; in order to
 this, they should arm themselves with zeal and resolution. Such
 men are public blessings, and resemble Him who rescues poor
 sinners from Satan. How many who were ready to perish, now are
 blessing Him! But who can show forth His praises? May we trust
 in His mercy, and seek to imitate His truth, justice, and love.