(1 Kinge xvi. 26, 26), Ahab (1 Kings xvi. 31), Jehoahaz (2 Kings xiii. 2), and other monarohs both of Israel and of Judah, It is a special mercy to a people when God outs short the lives of wicked kings. V. THB OOUNBEL GIVEN, To adopt the model confession next recited (vers. 31, 32), in whioh 11re three things worthy of consideration. 1. A hwmble submission eo God', chastisements. "Surely it is meet to be said unto God, I have borne I" (sc. chBBtisement). Resignation in 11ffiiction is the duty of 11\l (Prov. iii. 11); it is specia11y incumbent 011 God's people (Luke x.xi. 19), indispens11hle ss a condition of returning favour (Lev. xxvi. 40-42), 11nd one of the surest signs of a truly penitent heart (Jer. x:ui. 18). Nothing enables one to manifest genuine resignation like the clear recognition of God's hand in affliction (MiCllh vi. 9; 1 Sam. iii. 18; Jas. iv. 7), and of the true design of affliction to chastise rather than punish (Heh. xii. 6; Ps. cxix. 75). Resignation in affliction and submission to Divine chastisement were exemplified by .Aaron (Lev. x. 3). the children oflerael (Judg. x. 16), Eli (1 Sam. iii.18), David (2 Sam. xv. 26), Job (eh. i. 21; ii. 10), Micah (vii. 9), St. Paul (.Acts xxi. 14). 2. A hearty promise of amendrrumt. "I will not offend any more" (ver. 31); "If I have done iniquity, I will do no more" (ver. 32). Such a promise distinctly involved the confession that one had offended; and without confession there can be no forgiveness (Prov. xxviii. 13; 1 John i. 9), as, on the other hand, without amendment there is no evidence that confession is sincere (eh. x.xii. 23; Isa. i. 16; Ezek. x.iv. 6; Hos. xiv. 8). 3. .1n ear11,&t desire after Divine instruction. "That which I see not tea.eh thou me" (ver. 32). Converted souls are always more or less deeply sensible of their ignorance, especially in regard to spiritual things, as e.g. the wickedness of their own hearts (Jer. xvii. 9), the subtlety of sin (Ps. xi:x. 12), the specific purposes of providential dispensations (John xiii. 7), the right path of holy living (Jer. x. 23); and with reference to all these and many other points they are ever ready to receive heavenly enlightenment, saying, " Teach me to know thy way " (Ps. x.xvii. 11), and "to do thy will" (Ps. cxliii. 10). VI. THE APPLIOATION MADE, 1. An appeal to Job. (1) .A question. "Shall he"- i.e. God-" recompense it'' (sc. man's wickedness, and actions generally) "according to thy mind? " i.e. shall God adopt a mode of government or principle of administration to please thee? (2) A reason. "For thou hast found fault" (Delitzsch); "For thou hast despised" (sc. bis judgments) (Cook). That is, Job had expressed dissatisfaction with God's dispensations. Whence the obvious inference arode that Job deemed these dispensations should have been framed according to his ideas. (3) .A duty. "So that thou hast to choose, and not I," mea.nir.g that in the circumstances Job had better make up his mind about that better plan of government for the world than God's, and publish it as soon as possible: "And what thou knowest speak out." 2. An address to the bystanders. Finding Job silent, Elihu turns to the listeners and spectators, whom he dexterously salutes as "men of understanding" and "wise ones," asking them to say whether it is not the case that they agree with him in the verdict," Job speaketh without knowledge, and his words are without wisdom" (vers. 34, 35). A severe verdict, whether the audience appealed to endorsed it or not I Yet Jehovah afterwards affirmed its truth (eh. xx.xviii. 2). And surely it is an index of folly for puny man, 68 Job did, to sit in judgment on God, 3. A declaration by Elihu. (1) Elihu's desire. That Job's trial might be further continued, which may signify either that Job's senti- ments might be more thoroughly examined, or that Job's afflictions might be further prolonged-the first, a wish becoming a genuine seeker after and an earnest preacher of the truth; and the second, though seemingly harsh, yet not necessarily unkind or inconsistent with the obligations and claims of friendship. (2) E!ihu's reason. Gene- rally, that Job's affliction had not yet produced that beneficial effect upon him for which it was intended. Particularly, that (a) his sentiments were irreligious-" his answers " were "after the manner of evil men;" (b) his wickedness was great-" he addeth rebellion," or the most airgravated form of transgression, "that of blasphemous speeches" (Delitzscb), " unto sin," i.e. his unconscious and unintentional errors; ( c) his scorn was conspicuous-" among us he clappeth" (sc. his hands), expressive of triumphant contempt, showing that" though victorious in the argument," he was" not yet humbled in spirit" (Robinson); and (d) his irreverence was extreme-he "mul- tiplieth hie words against God," "C11rrying himself as victor, not only over men, bu, also over God " (Robinson). li!S8 TH~ BOOK OF JOB,
Learn: L That good men, in pro'fl.01:inoing judgtnent upon their fellows 1 should pro,. oeed with the uttnost care Bnd e&ution. 2. 'That God's people should be· etudious in giYing utterance to words calculated to leave wrong ,impl:es~ions on the mindli'ofh61\1'8'l'8, 3. That !!!lints may sometimes be mistaken fol" •sinners because of the lndisoreetifre 1 of their talk. 4. Thllt the justice of God. is & fu:nd&mental ttl.&11.im in all· eut1nd t,beology. 6. That equally the unselfishness {or gratiousness) of God must in every adequate conception of his che.rll.Cter st1md correlative with his jt1stlce. (3, That• the God of the Bible is the only Deity possessed of qualifications adequa~ for the govern- ment of the world, not to say the universe. 7. That God's judaments as ~xhibl~d in his providential ~ernment of the earth, >are admirably fitted k> tee.eh· ,1:nan righteousness. 8. That God is profoundly interested ~n the welfare of nations and oommunities as well as of prive.te persons. 9. That the Divine administration is ever oarried on in the interests of holiness. 10. That the true attitude of man in presence of the Divine government is meek·.and cheerful submission,