Bnd seen. 2, Clouds. "Which the clouds do drop and distil upon man abundantly" ( ver. 28). Not the least interesting among those objects which attract the student of nature o.re the clouds of heaven, which receive the evaporated moisture of earth, and retain it floating in tho atmosphere until it is again required by the parched soil. Objects of beauty in themselves, they strikingly attest the almighty power, matchless wisdom, and essential goodness of God. 3. Thwnder, " Also can any understand the spreadings of the clouds, or the noiee of hie tabernacle?" (ver. 29), The appearance of the sky in a thunderstorm is what the poet aims at depicting, when the dark clouds spread a.cross the firmament, and the first thunder-crash falls upon the ear (vide homiletic, on next chapter). 4. Lightning. "Behold, he sprea.deth his light upon it," or over b im- self (Hab. iii. 4), "and covereth the bottom [literally,' the roots'] of the sea" (ver. 30); i.e. he lights up the whole heaven, and even illuminates the hidden depths of tbe ocean by the glare of his lightning. VII. BENEFICENT IN HIS ADMINISTRATION. "The two ideas of power and goodnes1 are associated closely in Elihu's mind; whereas the three friends dwell more upon the combination of power and justice, and Job upon that of power and wisdom. Goodness, righteousness, wisdom, are one in God; various aspects under which the essential principle of love is manifested" (Canon Cook). The beneficence of the Divine adminis- tration in nature is represented in a twofold form. 1 Negatively, as judgment upon the nations. "For by them judgeth he the people" (ver. 31). Seemingly severe in themselves, God's judgments upon the wicked men and nations are to righteous men and nations acts of grace and kindness. It is for the benefit of the world that sin should be chastised. Love no less than justice demands that the wicked should be overthrown. 2. Positively, as kindness to his people. "He giveth meat in abundance." In this aspect Elihu thinks of the rain, the clouds, the thunder, the lightning. The beneficent uses of these and other ordinary phenomena of nature are patent to the slightest reflec- tion. The rain is the great fertilizer of the soil ; the cloud, besides serving as a screen to moderate the warmth of the sun, operates to prevent the too speedy radiation of the earth's heat, while it also acts as the great rain-collector and distributor for the parched ground; the thunderstorm is the most effective of all atmospheric purifiers and rectifiers. VIII. GLORIOUS IN BIB HANIFESTATIO::srs. Taking advantage, as usual, of the extreme obscurity of the last two verses (vide Exposition), and availing ourselves of the more probable of the offered interpretations, we find Elihu suggesting concerning the Divine manifestations that they are: 1 .Announced 1ry the elements. Elihu alludes, it is thought, to an approaching theophany, of which the thunderstorm was the herald. "With clouds he covereth the light," etc.; literally, "Upon both hands he spreadeth ~ a covering the light" (i.e. the lightning), "and commandeth it as one who hitteth the mark P (Delitzsch) against his enemy (Gesenius, Umbreit), in striking (Carey) whom it shall reach (Canon Cook). So was God's appro;ich to Adam after he had fallen announced by a rush of wind through the garden (Gen. iii. 8); to Israel by thunders and lightnings and the noise of a trumpet (Exod. x:x. 18); to Elijah by a wind, an earthquake, and a fire (1 Kings xi:x.11). So was God's advent to the world at the lncarr.ation proclaimed by signs and wonders both in heaven and on earth. The descent of the Holy Ghost at Pentecost was accompanied by a rushing mighty wind. The return of God to judge the world will be attended with alarming prodigies. 2. Recognized by the irrational creation. To the herds the rumble of the thunder is pictured by Elihu as announcing the arri,·al of God. So when Christ the Son of God came to earth, not only did the winds and the seas obey him (Mark iv. 41), but the wild beasts gathered round him and forgot their ferocity (Mark i. 13). Among the signs that shall foretell his second coming will be the lying down of the wolf with the lamb, and of the leopard with the kid (Isa. :xi. 6-9). 3. Presented to man. Neither tho inanimate creation nor the irrational animals can consciously apprehend the glory of God. Hence the Divine manifestations, though heralded and unconsciously recognized by them, are not specifically meant for them, but for man, the head and crown of the material globe. To man alone of all God's creatures on the earth belongs the power of apprehending the Divine glory. Hence God's self-revelations are always for the sake of man. The one now approaching was for Job's sake. The Iucarnation was for the sake of humanity. The second advent will be fo,. •.he sake of the Church. 4. Directed against unrighteoU,Sness. "The BOund thereof (fa. the thunder-crash) announces concerning their fierceness of wrntli 588 THE BOOK OF JOB. [a&. XXXVI, 1-88.
against unrighteousness" (Oook), Even so the first Divine manifestation In the Incarnl\• tion and crOBB was a revelation of the wrath of God against all umighteouenees of men (Rom. i. 18); though of this character much more will the next Divine apocalypse \1&rt11ke. 6. Designed _(01· the Ba1vation of the righteoUB. .According to another render- ing (Umbre;t), Elihu is understood to say that, while God fille both his bane-ls with light, in the one hand 1,e holds the lightning-shaft wherewith to strike the wicked, but in the 01.her the ohcering light of the sun to reveal to his friend, and even unto cattle and to plants. It may remind UB again of the double purpose of all God's manifesta- tions. The pillar of cloud and fire meant destruction to E~ypt, but emancipation to h1'&81. Even the gospel is a savour of life unto some, but of death unto others, When Christ next comes, it will be not alone to punish bis foes, but also to save his friends .. Learn : 1. To magnify the work of God. 2. To celebrate the praise of God. 3. T9 reverence the Name or God. 4. 'l'o delight in the revelation of God. 5. 'l'o acquiesce in the purpose of God. 6. To listen to the teaching of God. 7. To accept the eal n~tion of God.