22 ; Ps. xxxvi, 11 ; lxxxv. 6), AHhough the oppressor is sometimes in deepair of life yet he rises up 11,11d flourishes a.gain. God grantl! him ae.fety, and he is supported, and God's eyes e.ro upon bis ways to protect and to bless. But it is for a little while only that this recovery and this security last-then they vanish (Gen. v. 24). Oppressors e.ro bowed down, perish, pass awe.y like ears of corn. Conclusion or Job's nddress. "If it should not be so, who will punish me for lies, and me.ke my speech as nought?" It is a triumphant expression of his superiority, maintained in these lessons of experience on the incomparable dealings of God in the destinies of men. Because sin seems unpunished, it is not forgotten. Retribution is cortnin, though it may be delayed. The "trnacherous calm" is more to be dreaded than the "tempests overhead." The greater the forbearance and the long-suffering shown by God towards the wicked, the more severe their punishment in the end.-J. Vera. 1-22,-Apparent anomalies in the Divine fudgment. Job again points to the anomalous conditions of human life-goodness, which bas its approval in every breast, and on which, by universal consent of belief, a Divine blessing rests, is never- theless often overcast with the ijhadow of calamity; and, on the other hand, evil-doing, which merits only judgment, affliction, and correction, is often found to prosper. To it outward events seem to be favourable. Men sin without let or hindrance. Apparently, "God layeth not folly to them." This aspect of human affairs is much dwelt upon in the Book of Job; it seems to be one of the central themes of the book. It finds its exemplification in the case of Job himself. The principal idea or the book is the unravelling of this mysterious confusion. Punishment may follow evil-doing, but it does not always immediately accompany it. Therefore some explanation is needed. It is evident- !. 'l'HAT A TRUE ESTIMATE 011' THE DIVINE JUDGMENT MUST NOT BE BASED ON MEJlE INCIDENTS. Incidents do not always explain themselves. There are bidden springs of events. We know but little of every incident. We cannot trace its rise or its end. Other considerations must be taken into view besides the mere events on which judgment is to be passed. II. THE ESTIMATE OF THE DIVINE JUDGMENT MUST NOT BE B.!SED ON A PARTIAL VIEW. All the materials needed to enable one to form a just estimate or God's dealings in any single instance are not always immediately to hand. Much is hidden. Many purposes are to be served as much by the Divine inaction as by the Divine work. Men expect judgment upon an evil work to be presently executed. The Divine hand is withheld for many purposes which are not apparent. All judgment, to be true, must take all things into account. A wide range of vision needed for this. Few have opportunity of making it; therefore judgment must be suspended. III. THE ESTIMATE OF THE DIVINE JUDGMENT 0AN ONLY BE TRULY FORMED WHEN THE WHOLE PURPOSES 011' Goo ABE MADE KNOWN. The one purpose most vital to a. correct esti1Da.te may be withheld. It may be beyond the power of the human mind to grasp all, Certainly it is not possible to see all the bearings of the conduct of men. God alone can see the end from the beginning. In patience then must men wait for the end. A final judgment is needed to clear up the apparent anomalies of the present. Judgmont upon the wicked is mercifully suspended that men may repent; chastise- ment falls upon the righteous for the perfecting of character. In due time the chastened, sorrowful, but good man shall receive an ample reward. These latter truths are especially illustrated in the history of Job.-R. G.
Vers. 23, 24.-The prosperity of the wicked unsolved. In the midst of many apparent anomalies in the method of the Divine dealing with evil-doing, there shines out one obvious indication of the Divine judgment against the evil-doer. "They are exalted for a little while," but suddenly they "a.re gone and brought low." Patiently the gocd Ruler waits, giving opportunity for repentance and amendment; but if the wicked return not, he will bend his bow and make ready his arrow uvon the string. Iniquity shall not go wholly unpunished; nor she.II that punishment be merely a hidden one-it shall be ma.de apparent. Such is the general testimony and experience; but there are many striking instances which seem to contradict this view, and Job adduces the frequent prosperity of the evil-doer, ~~ 2• '18 TBE BOOK OF JOB. [OH. XXIV, 1-28,
I. To PBOBPDITY OF Tlll!I WIOKED 18 AN umoLVBD KYIITIIBY, Even with tbe clearer light that now shines on human life it ie not poseible whollf to divest the milld of the feeling of surprise at the anomalous instances of prospermg wickedness and suffering virtue. II. THE PROSPERITY OF THE WIOKED A FURTHER BXEROIBE TO THE PATIENCE AND FAITH OF THE oooLy. It demands that the eye of faith be turned upwards to God. Events do not e:r,;:plam themselves. Nor are men able to find the Divine purposes n;vealed by events. More and more must the ttied and tempted believer look off from the uncertain event, and place his faith in God alone. That faith is strained, but it grows thereby. Ill. THE PROSPERITY OF THE WICKED IS NO GUARANTEE OF DEFENCE FROM JUDG• MEn. J udgment lingers. It is even hidden. The good Lord of all would fain el!ogetber restrain it. Re rejoices in mercy. Wickedness often takes advantage or ~he withholding of judgment; but in this is no assurance that the judgment which 1s he!,: back shall not be revealed. • IV. THE PROSPERITY OF THE WIOKBD NEEDS THE SOLUTION OF THE FUTURE, Jt points to e future judgment when men must give account, and seems to demand it. In that future what is mysterious in history will doubtless be ma<le plain. No work can be fairly estimated until its completion. If it ever please the Lord of all to justify bis dealings with men, he will do it in that dread judgnient when each shall receive the due reward of his deeds. \. THE PROSPERITY OF THE WICKED MAY BE A MERCIFUL FORBEARANCE IN THE HOPE OF REPENTANCE. God is kind, and waiteth long for the n:turning one, in hope that e,·en the goodness of God may lead him to repentance. How often is .this abused I but such is the spirit of wrong thnt it abuses the best of God's gifts, and is indifferent to the kindest of God's dealin~ The Book of Job represent.a the entanglement of human affairs, but it throws light upon it and helps to resolve it. We live in clearer light, but the clearest light of all has yet to shine when we shall see light in his light. For this we must prepare and patiently wait.-R. G.