how in our pbysica,l constitution we are never without warnings, forebodings, timely hints, of coming pain and disease; how in our moral constitution in like manner coming events of retribution cast their shadows before, and rouse us Crom the stupor of guilt and shame. A kindly voice is ever calling us in these ways to flee from the wrath that is to come. 2. Severe sickness as the visif,a,Uon of God. (Vers. 19-22.) Suffer- ing is felt to be chaetisement. When 11.1\ the frame is unstrung, when the sweet sense of life turns to loathing, and the body w&stes away, and death draws near, then man feels his dependence on a higher power; then often for the first time learns to pray, to believe in_ God! and ~o feel_ his nc!'rness and his good~ess. N~ doubt theI"? Wll.8 ';ll~ch of super- ~t1t1on m ancient times with regard to supposmg suffering to be a direct V!Sltation of the anger of God. But while we get rid of the superstition, let us preserve the truth of which it is 11. distortion-that in this mixed constitution of ours the proper effect of pain is to lead the mind to the Author or all that we both enjoy and suffer. "In some constitutions affliction seems peculiarly necessary as a hint of God. Some trees wilf not thri 1·e unless their roots be laid bare; or unless, besides pruning, their bodies be gashed and sliced. Others that are too luxnriant need their blossoms to be pulled off, or they will yield notbing. Rank corn, if it be not timely eaten down, may yield something to the barn, but little to the granary. Every man can say he thanks God for ease; but for me, I bless God for my troubles" (Bishop Hall). 3. The ministry of angiu. (Vers. 23-28.) Literally in the last verse the" destroyers" are the" angels of death," sent upon their fatal errand by the Almighty. In contrast we have now the mention of the good, delivering angel who brings release from the doom. The ministering angel draws near to the penitent sufferer in comp&ssion, and says, .. Relieve him from going down into the pit; I have found a ransom." In the forms of the poetical imagination, an unexpected recovery from deadly sickness is thus described. Then returning health covers his flesh again with the bloom of youth; the sorrow vanishes from his mind; it is once more summer in the soul. He ·prays to the Almighty, and is graciously heard and accepted; he basks in the sunshine of God's countenance; anti the lost peace is restored to the purified conscience, And the heart hreaks out into singing, for a new song is put into the restored one's mouth-a song of praise to God. And this is its burden: "I had sinned and perverted right; but it was not requited to me; he redeemed my soul, that I might not go into the grave, and my life sees his pleasure in the light" (comp. Ps. x:xii. 23, seq.; Ii. 17). Such is the portion of the man who hears the rod, and who bas appointed it; who bows beneath affliction only to rise to a purer height of spiritual joy. His sins are pardoned, his good endP.avoure accepted, his crosses sanctified, his prayers heard ; everything that he has is a bless- ing to him, everything that he suffers an advantage. CoNCLUSION. (Vers. 31-33.) These are the dealings of God with man; this the purport of all his afflictions. Experience seals the truth. Let Job or any other gainsay or refute it if he will or can ! But rather this strong deep personal conviction of Elihu will vibrate and awake a response in the snlferer's heart. There is 11. contagion in true faith. Oh for the victory that overcomes the world I Once realize God to be our God, our Refuge and Strength, our present Help in trouble, and earth or hell in ,ain labour to make us other than blessed.-J.
Vers. 1-33_.1'le Divine correction. In the self-assurance of his competency to give wisdom to Job, and to correct his errors and to solve the mystery of his affliction, .Elihu continues his speech and invites reply. "If thou canst answer me, set thy words in order before me, stand up." He makes his accusation against Job that he has not ouly affirmed his own innocence, but that he has also made charges against God. He then proceeds to vindicate the purposes of God in human affliction. "God epeaketh once, yea twice;" the error is on man's part, who" perceiveth it not." He gives a view of the Divine corrections. I. .Ai5 TO THEIB KETHOJJ. The God that "is greater than man," who worketh secretly and "giveth not a{count of any of hie matters," giveth instruction : 1. In a dream, in the visions of the night; opening the ears of men, and sealing their instruc- tion. 2. By the severities of afiliction; when man is "chastened with pain upon hia bed." This is applicable to Job; ~d tJie for~er IQBY have ~ll mentioned gently to introdu<:e tbie, - :UXIII, 1-38,] THE BOOK OJ!' JOB. 641
II. Aa TO THEIB PURPOSE. This is always gracious. It ia to aave from impending danger, and to lead in safe o.nd good waya. 1. To restrain man from evil paths. "To withdraw him from his purpose." 2. To hide pride from mo.n. To bring down the high looks of the self-complo.cent and the wicked. 3. To save from untimely death, and from the weapons of destructive violence. To keep" his life from perishing by the sword." Sin tends to death both by natural causes and by violence. Then E\ihu views these corrections- III. IN TREIB HAPPY BBBULT. (1) Should the mediating Counsellor be near, and the way of life, the right we.y-the way of righteousness-be pointed out; and (2) the smitten one return with repentance, saying, "I have sinned, and perverted that which was right ; " o.nd {3) lifl.ing up his voice " pray unto God ; " then ( 4) shall the Divine deliverance come: (a) in an expression of the Divine forbearance; (b) in admission to the Divine favour-" he shall see his face with joy;" (c) in a gracious restoration, delivering "his soul from going into the pit," and bringing him to rejoice in the light. This is the Divine response to repentance which Elihu urges upon Job, Happy is every smitten one who, returning to God, finds a ransom price paid for his soul, and rejoices in a deliverance which restores to him the days of his youth, when "his very flesh becometh fresher than a. child's."-R. G.