The Pulpit Commentary — Job — Section 185

who W&ll merely indifferent to his oreatures would not from the first plan their deatruc- tiuu. l fit is su~,::ested thl\t God might do this to display his own glory, the reply is th11.t such 11.n action could disph1y no glory, but the reverse. 'l.'o say that God may do as he will with his own is irrele~ant. His absolute rights over his creatures do not exclude moral considerations. Further, the holy, righteous, and loving character of God makes it 11.bsolutely certain that be could not have plllnned their ruin. 2. He can riever conse,1t that they should be ,·uined. "He hateth nothing that he hath made," '!'Le very fact of oreation gives God an interest in his creatures. The artist cannot be indillerent to the fate of his works. But God is more than an artist; he is a Father, and a father cannot be indifferent to the fate of his children. It may be necessary for the parent to chastise, but no true and worthy parent will ever really wish to hurt his offspring. Can we think that God is less strong in parental love than we are? It is necessary for God to be angry with the wicked-and there is a terror in God's anger which men can only despise at their peril-but behind that anger there can be no vindictive temper, much less can there be a spiteful malignity, God only desires the welfare of his children. - W. F. A. Ver. 12.-Li/e and favour from God. I. Goo THE ORIGINAL Souacs. Job appeals to bis Creator, and recognizes the Divine Source of all he is and all he has. The orologue shows that Job had always been a devout man, not forgetful of God. But nis frightful losses and troubles brought home to him the thought of his relations to God with a vividness never before experienced. Job is now face to face with God. Huge calamities have swept away all intermediate interests, and over the wreck of his wasted life he looks straight to God his Maker. Terrible hours of distress reveal the deeper facts of life, as the earthquake exposes the granite foundations of the hills. Tragedy destroys superficiality. Those who have been through the raging waters of trouble are best able to perceive the Divine Source of all things. IL GoD's PBUIAL GIFTS. 1. Life. (1) This can only come from God. The chemist may analyze the component elements of our bodily frame, but the subtle life-principle can never be caught in his crucible. '!'he engineer may construct a most delicate machine, but he can never breathe life in.to it. God is the one Source of life. (2) This is essential to all else. Here we are at·the first and most fundamental gift. Men may bury treasures with the dead, but the silent sleepers in the tomb can never touch one of the gifts that rW!t and moulder by their side. We must live if we are to own or use anything. We must have the spiritual life in order to enjoy the gospel blessings. 2. Far,our. Life is itself a favour. It is never deserved; yet it is good to live. But wiih life God gives other favourll. Even Job in his desolation did not forget this fact, as some seem to forget it when they murmur against Providence, and complain of. the world as though everything were working for the misery of man. Greater than all srthly favour is the grace of Christ, the favour shown to fallen man in the redemption of the race by the sacrifice of God's Son. ill Goo's CONTTh"UED GOODNESS. Job acknowledges that his very breath is con• tinued by God's care. God does not merely create once for all; he preserves his cre&tures. If he were to withdraw his hand for one moment, they would cease to be. That we are alive now is a sign that God is now good to UB. Present existence is a proof of present providence. Therefore our thanksgivings should be fresh; not the withered flowers of yesterday, but the new blossoms of to.day, with the dew still upon them. Daily renewed mercies call for daily renewed praises. We have not to look far for God, searching the annals of antiquity, inquirin~ of the deeds of old-world history, or scraping together the geologic records of the rocks, God is with 118 in the new 1umise, in each day's life and blessing. IV. Goo's ABBUBED CABE. It cannot be a.s Job supposes. His remonstrance is natural to him, but it is needless. If God has made and preserved 111, it is impossible that he should be turned against us. His past and present favours are proofs of his unchanging love. ':though he IIIIlites, he cannot hate. Though he withdraws his 11miling countenance, he does not remove his supporting hand. Creation and preserve. tion are prophecies of redemption and ealvation.-W. F. A. Ver. 18.-The thffig• that are hidd.tm in God,', heart. Job is possessed by a fearful  OH, X. 1-22,] THE BOOK OF JOB. 191