Vers. 13-19.-The grave a rest. In the toil and sorrow of life men long for rest. They lighten the toils and brighten the darkness of the present by the hope of repose and gladness in the future, Without such a hope life's burdens would be much heavier than they are; and in some cases almost insupportable. As the wom labourer longs for the resl, of the even-tide, so does the over-wrought spirit of the sad desire the rest of the grave. It is proper to consider if this is a healthy, a just, a well- grounded desire. 'l'o the grave men of widely different characters look for rest. Let -us think of the grave- l. As LONGED FOR BY THE WEARY. "Then had I been at rest." This is not always to be commended. 'l.'he present is our time for toil. 'l.'hese are the hours of the day. They that sleep should sleep in the night. It is not a Christian spirit to wish life _shorter. Rather should we ask for grace to be faithful, even unto death. Resignation, obedience, hope, will check the desire to diminish the term of life. What is suicide but the adding violence to this desire ? For our change we must wait. II. As THE ONLY REST KNOWN TO THE IGNORANT. By Christian teaching and discipline we learn where the spirit may find rest; and we are encouraged to wait for the end of our toil. But the ignorant know nothing of this good hope. III. THE GRAVE BRINGS NO REST TO THg UNFAITHFUL. He owns rest who does a day's work. To him that rest is sleep. To the idler death will bring no rest. It will change the conditions and surroundings of life. But it is a dire delusion to suppose that the spirit, in putthig off the garment of the f!esh 1 will e&c3pe from all toil. It1 62 THE BOOK OF JOB.
b11rden~ are.within itself, not in th~ fleshy tent. -~ll se~@&~ion is in the mind during' tho bodily life, and &11 the s!ld weariness of the spmt, spnngmg from consciousness of disobedience, that spirit carries with it. The sting of punish111ent for the wicked pierces the spirit; often through the flesh, it is true. But the sting is not left in the flesh to be C&St off when the body is laid down. The weapons of the spiritual foe penet;ate beyond the clothe&. The wicked deluded in life is deluded by death. Some long so eagerly for death that they rush through the thin veil that separatGS them from the regions of the dead. But it is rushing from darkness to light. It is rushing into the presence of the All-seeing One whose apprehended judgmcnt upon life iB the severest of all punishments. IV. THE REST OF THE GRAVE IS A TRUB REWARD TO THE FAITHFUL, Fidelity in toil bas its reward in rest. To the faithful ones it is sweet. But not as a mere ce1111&tion of activity. 1. It ends for them the time of exposure to temptation. 2. It marks the limits of probation. 3. It exchanges warfare for triumph; hard toil for honourable repose ; danger for safety ; the cross for the crown. 4. It brings the perfectness of all blessing in the everlasting life and the fulness of joy which are promised to the obedient and the pure.-R. G.
Vers. 20-26.-171e unanswered questwn. From the lips of Job words escape which prove how deeply he suffered. " Why ? " is ever on the lips of men when they consider God's hidden work. But he giveth none account of his ways. Clouds and darkness are round about him. Happy the man who at all times is persuaded that justice '811d judgment are the habitation of his throne. The question here proposed by Job .is :the unanswered question running through the whole book. Until all is accomplished, the design of the process is unexplained. That the afflictions of Job had some other purpose than merely to respond to Satan's appeal, none will deny; but what the purpose was is not stated in words. The whole story alone explains it. New Testament readers have light upon the mystery of human suffering denied to the saints of old. But with e.ll the light and teaching granted, a veil of mystery still hangs over all. Partial answers may, however, be found. The demand of Job .is unreasonable. It amounts to requiring that all who suffer should be permitted at once to end their sorrows in the silence of the grave. In other words, that none should suffer. ''. Why is life given unto the bitter in soul?" It is the cry of a sufferer distracted by his pain. Reasons why death should not come immediately to him that longs for it may .be readily given. Let our thoughts rest on the purposes that are obviously answered by pain. L SUFFEfilNG A.RISES FBOH THE INFRINGEMENT OJ!' SOME NATURAL LAW, EITHER WILFULLY OR IGIWRA.NTLY DOJx"E. Pain, therefore, is the guardian of the: life, giving sharp warning of disobedience or of ignorant exposure to wrong. How often would life be sacrificed in ignorance were not pain to declare the departure from the path of u~! •• Il p A.IN FOB.MS AN ELEK.ENT OF THAT TESTING OF TJIE HUMAN SPIRIT BY MEANS OF WHICH CHARACTER Is DEVELOPED. Patience, bravery, faith, resigoation, hope, and obedience, and maoy other graces that adorn the humao spirit, are called into play and strengthened by the sharp severities of pain. It is a means of growth. III. Afflictions, if not directly imposed by a Divine hand, are USED AB lllEANS OF SPIRITUAL CORRECTION, INSTRUCTION, .AND GOVERNMENT. The great law finds its appli- e&tion here, "It il! for chastening that ye endure." A wise father disciplines his loved son, not suffering him to run wild. So the Lord, the true Father," dealeth with" men "as with sons." IV. The true end of all i;uffering is thus found in the GROWTH, THE SANCTITY, THE CO'LTDRE, AND PERFECTING OF THE SOUL, "That we may be partakers of. -his holiness."-R. G. Ver. 1.-The curse of despair. Job had endured bravely up to this moment. But when bis courage broke down hie despair swept all before it like an avalanche. Existence itself then seemed only' a curse, e.nd Job thought it a matter of regret that he had ever been brought into the world. In his despair be cursed the .day of his birth. L TD CAUSES OF THE 0O'RSE. Job was no mere dyspeptic pessimist. Hie utterance of despair was not limply bred from the gloom of a discontented mind. Nor was he a OS, III, 1-26,] THE BOOK OF ,JOB, 68