Ver. 17 .-The wicJced 'IIJorki,ng far the g«Jd. This is not intentional. But it is a fact of observation and experience. Let us consider first the fact, and then how it is brought about. I. TRAT TRE WORK OF THE WIOXED IB FOil THE ADVANTAGE OF THE GOOD. First there is the negative side of the truth. Bad people do not ·enjoy the fruits of their own misdeeds. They may heap up riches, but they are not able to keep possession- of them; for even if they meet with no reverse of fortune, they· must forsake all-when they die. But now we are carried a step further. • What becomes of the forsaken wealth? Job says that it falls into the hands of the just, who put on the raiment which the wicked have prepared. This does not always happen in the direct manner that Job's words indicate, though sometimes his statement is .literally verified. But in indirect ways it has a much wider application. "All things work together for-good to thew that love God" (Rom. viii. 28). The earth helps the woman (Rev. xii. 16). The meek shall inherit-the earth (Matt. v. 5). Nebuchadnezzar fought for -his- own- advantage only. Yet he was used as God's servant (Jer. xxv. 9), and his achievements were turned to the real advantage of the devout 'remnant cif Israel. -Persecution, lias spread. the gogpel, as when the Church was scattered at the death-of Stephen, and so became missionary. Thus "the·blood of the martyrs is the aeed of the Church!~ Modern wars have opened np countries to the gospel of Christ-not wars of -the cross in the interests of Christianity, but selfish, wicked ware, the leaders of which had no good end in view. So it may be that all sin and Satanic evil will be utilized, like offensive manure ont of which spring beautifal and fragrant-flowers. II. How THE WORK OF THE WICKED COMES TO BE FOil THE ADVANTAGH OF 'l'HE GOOD. This thing is not aimed at by the wicked, nor do they i.r:cagine that it will come about, How, then, is it produced? 1. By the overnding provi,de11ce of God.· God governs even through the wicked deeds of bad men. He " shapes our ends, _rough-hew them how we wilL" •• Man proposes, and God disposes." We are not like pawns on the chess-board, because we have free-will. But God is infinitely greater than a skilful eh-player. He does more than manipulate inert things. He works among the wild and wayward wills of men, and so acts ·that they resalt in accomplishing his great purpoWlll. Thllll God employs unconsciollll agents and brings good out of evil. _2. Th.r(IIJgh hwmanjitnesa. The good must be fit to profit b;rGod's providential use of the work of the wicked. That work tends to their advantage just -in proportion -aa they are capable of being benefited. (1) Moral fitness. This is a condition of the •pecia.l favour that is indicated by the providential action. God will give -aa a favour what, indeed, ill not eamed, but what ill in a measure thneward oC fidelity. - (2) Personal on, uivm, 1-28.] THE BOOK OF JOB. 4-55
fltneils. We 011n only rocelve real good tn proportion to our Cl\pacity for H. There are men who cannot 11\ke God's blesl!lngs, simply because they hl\ve no sueceptihility for them, Now, the real good even of property is not in the thing itself, but in th~ ricrht use of It. God will mako things a blessing to thlllse who are in the condition to :se them well.-W. F. A.
Ver. 21.-The east wind. Kingsley wrote an ode to the ell8t wind. But few men have a good word for it. We in England, however, have quite our _sbare of the presence of this unwelcome viHitor, Has the enst wind any religioll8 significance to us'? I. THEDE ABE DESTRUOTIVE ll'OROES IN NATURE. The east wind ie destructive. It brings blight to plants and illness to men. We might have expected that a perfect world would have only fresh, healthy west winds. Yet we must recognize the fact that, like the east wind, lightning, tempest, earthquakes, drought, and deluge are nnturo.lly hurtful influences. We need nut resort to a Manichrean explanation, and suppose Jhat a malignant being is at the root of these things. For scientific research teaches us that the destroying agencies of nature minister to its progress. The biting east wind that cuts off the more tender plants leaves the hardier ones to flourish with greater freedom, and so tends to promote their growth and propagation. The buffeting of the world helps to develop robustness of character. II. OOLUENOE PARTAKES OF THE OHAB..lCTER OF ITS ORIGIN. The east wind is gendered on the .dreary steppes of Russia. Arid plains suck out of it all its exhilarating properties. Cold regions lend it cruel barbs of ice. Even in beautiful, smiling England, the east wind comes as a blast from Siberia, and the desolation of the land of exile accompanies it. Spiritual influence is like its origin. Cruel natures can only spread an atmosphere of cruelty and distress about them. No man can influence others excepting through what he possesses. We cannot permanently disguise our characters. As we are in our-hearts and homes, so shall we be ultimately in our work and in the outcome of our lives. Ill, CHILDHOOD J:!ETERMINES MANHOOD. Leagues away beyond whole empires the east wind is born in the far-off Russian solitude. Yet when it flies over our fields and rushes in at our doors it is true to the character it received in the land of ics birth. Not only is its influence true to its origin, but the wind itself continues of the same harsh character, although it is now surrounded by very genial circumstances. The tone and set of life are determined in youth. Some asperity may be softened and mellowed by the discipline of later years; but in the main most men are of the character of their youth. Hence the great importance of a right life at the start. IV. EAST WINDS ARE COl'IFINED TO EARTH. There are none in heaven. The storms and terrors of life that beset God's children are peculiar to this brief time of discipline. The fruits of the heavenly Eden a.re not touched by frost or blighting blast. Those people who have no portion in the better land may well dread the destructive agencies of nature, which tear away all that they have to live for. But true Christians should learn to face the east wind of cutting calamity, knowing that they have but to croBS the moor, Bild a cheerful home will welcome them on the other sin11.-W. F. A.