Ver. 1.-Job. The Book of Job opens with a description of its hero. The portrait is drawn with the few swift, strong strokes of a master-hand. We have first the outer man and then the inner-first Job as he was known to any casual observer, and then Job as he was seen by the more thoughtful and penetrating, i.e. as he was in his true self. I. 'l'HE OUTER MAN. 1. .A man. Job first appears before us as a man. (1) Only a man. Not a demi-god, not an angel. Frail as a man, feeble, and fallible. (2) A true man. Diogenes went about with a lantborn to search for a man. He need not have gone far if be had been in the land of Uz. Here was one who revealed the heroism of true manhood in the hour of most severe triRl. (3) A typical man. Job is not called "the man," but" a man," one of a race. He is not named "the son of man." Only One could bear that title iu its fulness of meaning. Job was an excep- tional man indeed. But he was not unique. We are not to think of him as standing alone. The drama which is enacted in his experience is a type-though on a large sea.le-of the drama of human life generally. 2 . .A Gentile. Job was of ".the laud of Uz "-a Syrian or an .Arab. Yet his story occurs in the Jewish Scriptures, and there he appears as one of God's most choice saints. Even in the Old 'l'estament the Books of Job and Jonah show that all Divine grace is not confined to the narrow line of Israel. God has now those whom he owns in heathen lands. 'l'o be out of the covenant is not to be rer:.ounced by God, if one's heart and life are turned heaven- wards. 3. .A marked individual. "Whose name was Job." This man had a name, and his history has made it a great name. Though one of a race, every man has his own personality, character, and career. The significance of a name will depend on the conduct of the ma.n who bears it. Job-Judas: what opposite ideas do these two names suggest? What will be the flavour of our names for those who come after us? II. THE D.~'ER MAN. 1. .A moral character. (1) Inwardly true, This seems to be the idea of the biblical word "perfect," No one is perfect in our sense of the word. Certainly Job was not faultless, nor had he attained to the top of the highest pinnacle of grace. But he was no hypocrite. There was no guile, no duplicity, in him. He was true to the core, a man of moral simplicity, who wore no mask. Tests of trouble could not prove such a man false. (2) Outwardly upright. This characteristic is .a necessary consequence of the preceding one. No man can Le iul'.-,rnliy true whose way of life is crooked. Truth in the inward parts must be followed by righteousness of conduct. Note what tremendous stress the Bible lays on plain integrity. There is no saintlin.ess ,vithout it. Job was an honest man-true to his word, fair in his dealings, trustworthy, and honourable. Such i:; the man in whom God delights. 2. .A religious character. (I) Positively devout. •• One that feared God." Thus Job had '' the beginning of wisdom." Here was the e cret of hie moral integrity. The deepest moral charac- 0
teristics of a good man rest oa his religion. 'l'he interior life cannot be sound without this ; for then, even if the second table of commandments may be kept, tho first is neglected. (2) Negatively opposed to sin. Sin is the opposite of devoutness. The religioUB man not only shuns it; he hates it. Though sometimes he weakly succumbs to it, yet he detests it. It is not enough not to sin, we mUBt hate and loathe sin.- W. F.A. VerL 2-5-2?wi ilan,!ler, of pro,perit1J. This boak proposes to give w a, picture of d'R, I, 1-22,] THE BOOK OF JOB. 2!l
extreme and probably unprecedented adversity, It is fitting that it should open with a scene of exceptional prosperity, to serve as a contrast to the dark scenes that follow. Moreover, the idea of the book is the better realized if we observe that.. the original prosperity ie considered in its moral aspect, ns concealing a possible temptation to sin. I. THE PROSPERITY WAS SUBSTANTIAL. 1. A large family. This is always regarded in the Bible as a mark of prosperity. It is an unnatural social condition c,f congested populations that has led to the opposite idea in our own time. Certainly, where there are means for a livelihood, the family is a source of joy and influence, as well as wholesome self-sacrifice. 2. Great proverty. Job had more than the means for a livelihood. According to the estimate of a pastoral life, he was a very rich man, notoriously rich, and without an equal. Yet this man knew and feared God. It is therefore possible with God for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven (Matt, xix. 26). II. 'l'HE PROSPERITY WAS ENJOYED. Job's sons and daughters were feasting together. Here is a picture of happy family life in the midst of affluence, The jealousy and bitterness that sometimes poison the cup of prosperity were not known in Job's house- hold. His family was united and affectionate. It was by no means ascetic; but we have no reason for thinking it ought to have been so. No reproach is urged against Job's sons and daughters for feasting together. There is a time for innocent enjoyment, and when this is taken temperately and gratefully, only superstitious fears can suggest the idea of a Nemesis. 'l'he motto Oarpe diem is mean and execrable, because it carrks with it an implied renunciation of duty. III. THERE WAS A DANGER IN THIS PROSPERITY. Job feared lest his children might have renounced God in their hearts. 1. A danger of godlessness. This is serious in the mind of Job, though it did not show itself in unkind or unjust conduct to men. To forsake God is sin, even though a man pay his debts. 2. An internal evi"l. " In their hearts." There might be no open blasphemy; yet the hearts of the gay and careless young men and women might be alienated from God. Even this is sin. 3. An evil threatened by prosperity. It is remarkable that this is the very sin which Job is subsequently tempted to commit by the agonies of overwhelming calamities. Hera he thinks that prosperity may induce it in his children, for that tempts men to be satisfied with earth, to be vain, proud, and self-complacent. IV. Jon GUARDED AGAINST THE DANGER. The r,atriarchal religion made the father the priest of his household. So be must be always when he realizes his position. Parents lay up property for their children; it is more important that they should make provision for their children's spiritual welfare. They watch anxiously for symptoms of disease in them; much more should they be on their guard against the first signs of moral defects. Job's children were sanctified-ceremonially cleansed. Ours need to be truly dedicated to God by parental prayers.-W. F. A.