The Pulpit Commentary — Job — Section 158

III. AN EXTRAORDINARY SUPPOSITION. "If he will contend with him;" i.e. if tho indindual arraigned by Dil'ine providence ~hould propose to impeach the Divine equity, aud even undertake to demonstrate his own innocence; or, AB others interpret tho pro- nouns, if God should be willing to enter into controversy with him, i.e. weak and imperfect man. Aocording to the former explanation, the language is suggestive of Finful presumption; according to the latter, of gracious condescension; according to either, the subject of debate is not the question of man's sinfulness iu general, but of man's guiltiness in respect of particular offences. IV. A HOPF.LESS CONTENTION. On two grounds Job protests that any such litigation with the Almighty as to man's innocence of individual transgressions (much more therefore, as to the question of man's sinful condition) would be unavailing. 1. Man'; ignorance and fmilty would disqualify him from replying to God's accusations. Infinite in subtlety and endless in succession, the charges that by such nn assailant might be brought nii:ainst him would simply confound and paralyze him. Overpowered by terror at the iuelfable majesty of his Divine opponent~ he would entirely lose command of hie poor faculties, such as they were, and would be utterly unablo to repel so much as one charge in a thousand. even were they all untrue (ver. 3; cf. Ps. cxxx. 3). 2. God's wisdom and strcn_qth would render it impossible for nny one engaging in. such an enter• prise to escape unlrnrt. "Wise in heart, and mighty in strength, who hath braved him and been successful?" (ver. 4). 'l'he wisdom of the Almighty, which enables him to search the heart (1 Chron. xxviii. 9; Ps. vii 9), to understand the thoughts (Ps, cxxxix. 2), to know the worke (eh. xxxiv. 25), to consider the ways (eh. xxxiv. 21), of men; nnd the power of the Omniscient, which secures that his counsel shall stand (Isa. xlvi. 10) and his purpose shall be fulfilled (eh. xxiii. 13, 14), clearly present a combination (eh. xxxvi 5; xxxvii. 23; Dan. ii. 20), against which it is not only needless, but must for el"er be positively ruinous, to strive. • Learn : 1. It becomes good men to acknowledge and confide in the righteousness of God. 2. The higher man's ideas rise of God's holiness an,d equity, the lower fall his thoughts concerning his own impurity and iniquity. 3. As there can be no unrighteousness with God, so neither can there be any righteousness with man. 4. Though it is hopeless to contend with God in argument, it is not so to wrestle with him in prayer. 5. The best attitude for a frail and sinful man to assume before God is that of self-al,aeement and penitence. 6. Man's ignorance and weakness are no match for God's wiBdom and might. 7. God's wisdom and might have, for man's :dvantage, been deposited in Christ, who is the Power and the Wisdom of God. Vcrs. 1-4.-.A gospel outline. L A BU11LIME TRUTH. There is r.o unrighteousneee p,ith God (ver. 1), in ~ither: 1. Permitting 6in. (Ps. xcii. 5.) 2. .Ajfiicting man. (Deut. viii. 5.) 3. Saving the penitent. (Rom. iii. 26; l John i 9.) 4. Punishing the wicked. (Rom. iii. 5 ; 2 Thess. i. 6.) IL A MELANCHOLY FA.OT. It ifl impossible for man to establish his righteousness before God (ver. 2), hie guiltiness being: 1. Declared by Scripture. (Pe. cxliii. 2; Prov. xx. 9; Eccles. vii. 20; Isa.. !iii. 6; Rom. iii. 19, 23.) 2 . .Attested by conscience. (Rom. ii. 15.) 3. Confirmed by experience. (Ps. lviii. 3; Eph. iv. 17, 18; Jaa. iii. 2:) III. AJ. HUMILIATIKG DISCOVERY. That man ifl utterly unable to answer God's .accu- sations against him (ver. 3), in respect of either: (1) their number, man's sins being as numerous as the hairs of his head (Ps. xl. 12) ; or (2) their character, being infinitely heinous in the eight of God (Prov. xv. 9; Isa. xliii. 24; Jer. xliv. 4); or (3) their proof, the evidence in support of God's charges being clear and overwhelming (Gen. xviii. 21; Jer. xvii. 10). IV. A CHEERING EVANGEL. That salvation may be found by yielding to God (ver. 4). 1. Nothing ~t hurt can arise from bra_vi:ig and opposing God (~?a. nvii. 4 ). 2: Certain salvation s.vnngs from humble subIWSs10n to God (eh. XXlilll. 27; Pa. ixxvi. 9; Isa. xxvii 5). Vere. 5-10.-.Tob, to Bildad: 2. The ,nn,jeaty of God depicted. I. h TERREB- TlllAL PHENOMENA. 1. Overturniny 'fTW'Untaina. "Which removeth," i.e. uprooteth or overturnetb," the mountaioe, and they know not: which overturneth them in his trnger" (ver, 6). Whatever be tlie allusion intended, whether to the convulsioDII of OIi, IX, 1--85.] THE BOOK OJ!' JOB. lfll