a butt for la.ughter and scorn. He ce.lle now and God no longer hee.re (ver, 4). 2. Th 8 fojustice of human opinion. (Ver. 6.) "Contempt belongs to misfortune, in the opinion of the secure." A. true description of the opinion of the world. If "nothing succeeds like success," then nothing damns like failure in the common opinion of the unfeelina world. 11 It awaits those whose foot is slipping." As the herd of wolves turn upo; the sick and fallen brute, eo the thonghtless man tramples upon the man who is down. 'l'o those who are banded together by the tie of eel fish pleasure only or convenience, the very eight of that which interferes for a moment with their content is hateful. How different the sanctified instincts of pity, compassion, and helpfulness which Christ has planted in his society, the Church I It is the mission of the Christian community to leaven with its principles the heartless mass of society. On the other hand, nothing succeeds like success; "restful dwellings" (ver. 6) and confident security a.re enjoyed by the wasters or desolators who by word a.nd deed hold God in contempt, and think to make him bend to their purposes. The rude man of violence, who owns no law but that of the strong hand, thinks that where force is there is God, and all must bow to force as ~f to God. So he II ta.keth God in his hand;" he" imputes his power unto his god;" he sacrifices to his net, and burns incense unto his drag (Hab. i. 11, 16). His motto is like that of the impious warrior, "My right hand is god" (Virg., 'lEn.,' x. 773, "Dextra mihi deus ").-J. Vers. 7-12.-The wisdom and the power of God a truth universally known. It is not the peculiar possession of those fancied wise friends. It is a. truth impresser! on all nature e.nd on the experience of man. I. APPEAL TO THE LIVING CREATURES. (Vers. 7-10.) The beasts, the binh of the e.ir, the earth with all its living growths, the creatures of the sea,-all bear traces of his skill, all receive from him their life and sustenance, all are subject to his omnipresent power (comp. Ps. civ. 26-30). II. APPEAL TO THE EXPERIENCE OF AGE. As the palate tries and discriminates between the different dishes on the table, so does the ear try the various opinions to which it listens, and selects the best, the ripest, as its guide (ver. 11). Long life means large experience, and large experience gives the criterion of truth and the guide of life. Yet experience is but the book of common experiences. It fails ns when we have to deal with the peculiar and the exceptional, which is the present situation of Job (ver. 12). III. ELOQUENT DEB0RIPTION OF THE POWER AND WISDOM OF Goo. (Vers. 13-25.) Here Job rivals and surpasses his friends. With repeated blows, as of the hammer on the anvil, he impresses the truth that the might and intelligence of the Supreme are irresistible, and before him a.II human craft and power must be reduced to impotence. The power and the wisdom of God alternately occupy his thought, appear and reappear in a variety of images.-J. Vers. 13-15, 18-21, 23-25.-Images of the irres-istible power of God. I. THE WALL, OR HOUSE, OR OITY THUS DEMOLISHED CANNOT BE BUILT UP AGAIN. (Ver. 14.) Swept with the besom of destruction, it becomes the possession of the bittern and pools of water (Isa. xiv. 23). The ruined walls of Babylon and her charred gates defy the weary toil of the people ( J er. Ii. 58); she sinks, and shall not rise from the evil that Jehovah will bring upon her (Jer. Ii. 64). Men ma.y build, but he will throw down (Ma.I. i. 4). II. THE PRISON-DOORS WHICH HE SHUTS NO MAN 0AN OPEl<'. (Ver. 14.) He bath .tbe key of David (Isa. xxii. 22; Rev. iii. 7). Vain 1111 human bravery when the Lord ·bath determined to "deliver a man into the hand of his enemy" (1 Sam. xxvi. S). Yet there is a merciful aspect of this seeming harsh truth, as pointed out by St. Paul: "He bath shut them all up in unbeliel~ that he might have mercy upon all" (Hom. xi. 32). III. THE DRYINO UP AND BENDING OF FLOODS. (Ver. 15.) As illustrated in the ancient story of Gen. vi. and viii., and of the drought in Elijah's time (1 Kings xvii.). 'He shuts the hearren (1 Kings viii. 35), and he alone c"n give showers (Jer. :xiv. 22). IV. THE RUDJUOATION OF EAUTULY KINGS. (Ver. 18.) .A.s illustrated in tho carrying of Manasseh captive to Bilbylon (2 Chron. niii.), and of Zeuekiah (Jer. lii.). 'l'b.e 218 THE BOOK OF JOB. [cm, XII, 1-26,
thought iB repe&ted in ver. 21, and further illustrations may be drawn from the oasea of Pharaoh, of Saul, of Ahab. V. TnE DEPRIVATION OF 8PEEOH AND WISDOM. (Ver. 20.) Men's 111.gaclty ia turned to folly; their prudence is vain when it plee.ses him to put forth hie power (comp. Iaa. iii. 1-3). So in vcr. 24-, where we are reminded of the striking judgmen\ upon Nebuchadnee:zar (Dan. iv.). ,,1. 'reE INCREASE AND DEBTRUOTION 01" NATIONS. (Ver. 23.) The rise and fall or empire11 and peo1,les is determined by const.a.nt laws. Obellienoe to law means increase &nd prosperity; violaLion of law, deoay and ruin. VII. CoNFUSION AND BEWILDERMENT are evidences of the practical power of God (vel'& 24, 25). Chaos, wandering, de.rknese, helpless vacillation, fall upon men and nations from time to time, because they have beon unfaithful to the true livht and the Divine leading.-J.
Vers. 16, 17, 22.-Instances of the overruUng wisdom of God. I. THE DEOEIVEB AND THE DECEIVED ARE HIS. (Ver. 16.) He can cause the spirit of the faithless prophet to be a lying spirit (l Kings xxii.), to be deceived in his oracles, and incur destruction (Ezek. xiv. 9). II. So THE JUDGES ARE MADE FOOLS. (Ver. 17.) In short, God bath made from ~im~ to time the wisdom of this world foolishness (1 Cor. i.), that no flesh might glory m his presence. ~ _-