The Pulpit Commentary — Job — Section 305

111oro than once in his harangue (e.g. ver. 18). As usual, we may here follow the imagery of the Shuhite without applying it to Job. Wickedness extinguishes light. I. 'f1rn LIGIIT 01!' KNOWl,EDGE. Bad men may be learned and good men may be ignorant in regard to the knowle<lge of the schools and the world. But there is a deeper knowledge from which sin excludes, a light to which wickedness simply blinds the eye, 1. The lcnowledge of God, Spiritual knowledge depends on sympathy. But God is holy. 'fherefore the unholy, being out of Aympathy with him, cannot understand his thoughts or his ways. 2. The knowledge of goodness. The wicked life is spent in a state of ignorance concerning the very nature of the Christian life. No one knows what that better life is till he has tried to live it. 3. The knowledge o/ the largest truth. Sin degrades and narrows the soul. It shuts off that wide, com- prehensive vision which is only possible when passion and lust and all dark experiences are removed. II. THE LIGHT OF LOVE. All sin is selfishness. The wicked man degrades the very name of love. Its true meaning is quite unknown to him; or if it dawn upon him in his better moments, as when he takes his little child upon his knee and looks into its innocent eyes, it is like a light from a far-off world, which only makes the foul darkness of the regions his soul inhabits the more visible to his startled apprehension. III. THE LIGHT OF JOY. There is a mad pleasure in sin, and for a while it seems to fulfil its deceitful promises. But it is not long before its dupe discovers his folly, and finds that his so-called pleasure is a mockery. Of real unalloyed gladness he has none. 'l'here are bitter dregs at the bottom of the cup of self-indulgent pleasure which he drinks so greedily. All that he delights in is superficial, transient, unreal. When he has made the most of it, it leaves the deeper hunger of his soul unsatisfied. IV. THE LIGHT OF LIFE, Light vitalizes; darkness is akin to death. The sinful soul is on the road to the gates of darkness, through which the road leads to the dreadful death which is its rightful wages. Already much of the light of life has faded away, and dim shadows as from the tomb hover about the career of wickedness. He who has chosen sin for his inheritance has chosen a sunless territory overshadowed by the dark wings of death. V. THE LIGHT OF Goo's FAVOUR, When God lifts up his conntena.nce upon any one, his light shines forth; for God is Light (1 John i. 5). But the wickedness that otierids the Law of God necessarily removes the light of his favour. A certain temporary prosperity may remain, so that the foolish sinner may think himself a favourite of fertune. But there is no grace of God in it; and even in the glaring brightness of its immediate presence it is possible to see the meretricious tinsel, which is very different from the true glory of God's goodness.-W. F. A. Vers. 8-10.-17ie sinner entrapped by his own feet. According to Bildad's repre- sentation, the wicked man needs no huntsman to run him to earth. His own fatuous course will lead him to ruin, his own foolish feet walk into the snare. I. THE BEADY SN ABE. "The snare is laid for him in the ground." 1. Its author. It is laid for him. He does not make and set it; he does not know where it is. If he knew, of course he would avoid it. He does not even think of its existence. Were he to do so, he would be on his guard. Another has laid the snare. Man has a great enemy, watching to pounce on him-a robber of souls, who sets traps and gins for the unwary. Let us be on our guard. Like the Pilgrim, we are on the enchanter's ground; this earth has become our foe's territory. 2. Its character. A snare is a hidden device. The net is set among the bushes, the wires are hidden by the grass. Men are deluded into ruin. Deceitful appearances lure them to destruction. 3. Its condition. The snare is already laid. If we are not ready to meet our foe, he is ready for us. No one can accUBe Satan of dilatoriness. He is beforehand with his schemes. He was pre- pared to entrap the first man. The snare was ready almost as soon as Ed~n was planted. 4. Its position. "In the way." (1) The bad man's way. Tbis is its most usual place. The snares are most numerous on the broad road. (2) The common way. The snares are also to be found on the narrow way that leads to life. The Christian is not out of danger, BunyRD's enchanted ground lay right in the road to the Celestial City. We do not escape the dangers of temptation by becoming Christians. U. 'l'JIE trlfWAI\Y Fl!iET, 'l'he wickeq man walk~ straight into the snare. llere ie  818 THE BOOK OF JOB. [oH. xvnr. 1-21,