The Pulpit Commentary — Job — Section 434

or dogged egotism and etupi<l obstinacy irnit11tes that of conscious right: "I will never give in!" But tbe one is tbe m11rk of folly and weakness, the other is the evidence of vitality and strength. He will not part with the B<'nse of his integrity; it la as the jewel for which be has sold everything, which represents, amidst poverty and suffering and shame, all the property he has in the world. "Conscience is the grant magazine and rcpo!!itory of 1111 those plee.Rures th11t Mn afford any solid refreshment to the soul. When this is calm and serene and absolving, then properly a man enjoys all things, and what is more, himself; for thBt he must do before he CBn enjoy anything else, But it is only II pious life, led exactly by the rules of a severe religion, that can authorize e. man's conscionce to speak comfortably to him; it is this that must word the sentence before the conscience can pronounce it, and then it will do it with majesty and authority; it will not whisper, but proclaim a jubila to the mind; it will not drop, hut pour in oil upon the wounded heart" (South). 3. Inward :p= and ioy de,ii,e,i to the wicked. (Vers. 8-10.) This is a further argument of innocence. How can Job be numbered amongst the wicked? No hypocrite can possibly enjoy this ~nmity and unshaken hope in God which have been the portion of his soul amidst all calamities, and in the approach of death (eh. xvii. and xix.). When the cords of his life-tent are cut (comp. eh. iv. 21), the wicked man bas rwthing more to hope for. His preyers will receive no answer, and joyous and trustful intimacy with God is denied him. Whatever disturbs innocence, in the same degree makes inroad upon the comfort of the soul To be in the dark ; to find that the gate of prayer is closed ; to carry about a sick, ulcerated mind; to be harassed by the returning paroxysms of diffidence and despair; to be haunted with the dismal apparitions of a reviving guilt-the old blBck sores of past forgotten sins; to have the merciless handwriting against him, presented in new and flowing characters to his apprehension-is the case and condition of the sinner. But "why should a man choose to go to heaven through sloughs and ditches. briars and thorns, diffidence e.nd desertion, trembling and misgiving, and by the very borders of bell, with death staring him in the face, when he might pass from comfort to comfort, and have all his way paved with assure.nee, e.nd made easy and pleasant to him by the inward invaluable satisfaction of a well-grounded peace"? (South). II. INSTP.UCTION ON THE FATE OF THE WICKED. (Vere. 11-23.) 1. Introduction. (Vers. 11-13; comp. eh. xx. 29; xvi. 20.) The theme of disC()'ll,rse is to be the "hand of God "-his power and bis mode of moral government as seen by daily examples in the lives of men; and the" sense" or mind of the Almighty-the contents of his thoughts and counsels (cb. x. 13; xxiii. 10). And experience is to furnish the evidence and the illustrations (ver. 12). The facts are open to the view of all, but what was wanting in the friends of Job, as in many others, is a correct understanding and appreciation of them. Wisdom to mark the signs of the times, the hints of God's will, his meanings, his jndgment.s, not only in the course of nations, the great crises of history, but in the smaller sphere of every day, is what we need. Then the theme is announced (ver. 13): "the lot of the wicked man-the heritage of the tyrant." Compare the words of Zopbar (eh. :xx.. 29). 2. The instability of the wicked man'• conditi=. (Vers. 14-18.) His household andfamuy are first mentioned. The cor- ruption working outward is first felt in the nearest circle and surrounding of bis life. The sins of the father are visited upon the children. The sword, or famine, or pesti- lence makes them a prey. All modern as well as ancient experience confirms this law. The doctrine of "heredity" throws light upon many diseases, many vices, many woes. The children's teeth are set on edge because the fathers have eaten sour grapes. And this law of eternal retribution would seem intolerably stern and harsh did we not perceive that it is thus God constantly warns the world. The connection of causes e.nd effects, constant, unbroken, alike in the _physical, the moral, and the spiritual sphere, is the Datural revelation of the will of God. But there are compen- sations, redeeming agencies at work for the individuaL He suffers often as the scape- goat of others' sine externally ; he is the victim of a solemn necessity ; but in the large ree.1m of inward freedom be may be emancipated, redeemed, and blessed. "His widows weep not" (ver. 15) behind hill bier, perhaps because in the fearful ravages of the pestilence the funeral rites are slll!pended. The plural is used to indicate the wives of the heads of other families and relatives of the deceased generally. Then, ll.Ot oiu7 ii the wicked cursed in his family, but in his property, 4 picture of CTI, XXVJT. 1-28,] THE BOOK OF ,JOB. 449