The Pulpit Commentary — Job — Section 614

Vera. 81, 32.-Aserology and astronomy. The earliest science was that which concerned itself with the movements of the heavenly bodies; until recent time8 this 8oience was universally nssociated with the fortunes of men, and it is still thus associated by the greater part of the world. What is our relation to the heavenly bodies? I. IN COMMON WITH THE STARS, WE AKE PART OF ONE DIVINE UNIVERSE. The stuc.y of the heavens is the study of God's works. He dwells in the most distant systems, and equally in this familiar world. All parts of the universe ohey the fixed laws of God; all move in harmony under his directing hand. Thus all the worlds are linked together. We are members of a very large "household of God." II. WE ARE SUDJE0T TO INFLUENCES FROM THE HEAVENLY BODIES. We have given up astrology as a delusion. But we are entirely dependent for life itself upon one heavenly body, the sun. This earth is not self-sufficient. It would be frozen to death if the sun were to cease to pour into it his streams of heat. Some have connected sun-spots with social and financial crises! Although this may be but a survival of an ancient superstition, perhaps it is not wise to affirm that it must be nothing more. Now, the physical heavens have always been to us a type of the spiritual heavens. Spiritually our life is not self-contained. ABtrology had this in its favour, that it taught a certain largeness of view. It did not permit a person to confine his attention to his own parish. It compelled him to look up and to look to distant things. It is our duty to "do the next thing," and not to waste our time in star-gazing. Never- theless, we need to be lifted in thought out of the petty round of interests that imme- diately concern us, even in order that we may best discharge our duty in connection with those interests. Astronomy is an elevating and enlarging science; much more so is a true theology. III. WE CANNOT AFFECT THE HEAVENLY DODIEB. They roll on their age-long courses in sublime indifference to our greatest achievements and strongest desires. Job is asked whether be can bind up the cluster of Pleiades, as he would bind up a bunch or jewels. Can be unclasp the belt of great Orion ? Here man is nothing. This is a ) lesson in humility. Yet have we not e. grand encouragement in knowing that the . Lord of the sta1Ty universe is our Father who cares for us, listens to our cry, and helps , our need? IV. WE CANNOT RULE THE BEABONB. As summer came on, Job would see the brilliant little group of the Pleiades rising before the sun and the giant Orion sinking out of sight; and this would be e. sign that the fruitful season was approaching. But Job could not hasten it. The farmer cannot bring about the seasons he would choose. It is useless to murmur at their apparent inopportuneness. It is wiser to learn the lesson they tiiach us of our absolute dependence on God. Before these great phenomena. of nature we are as nothing. Yet in the sight of God we are more than all of them; for they a.re materinl, we spiritual; they bis works, we bis children.-W. F. A. Ver. 41.-The raven. Job is asked to think of the raven, and consider how it is provided for. Christ answers the question : "Consider the ravens; that they sow not, neither reap; which have no store-chamber nor barn; and God feedeth them: of how much more value are ye tbe.n the birds I" (Luke xii. 24). But the lessons are not the same in both ce.ses. While Job is to see the greatness of God in providence, Christ directs attention to his care and kindness in providing for his creatures. There artl some characteristics of the raven that accentuate the ideas of providential power and kindness. I. ONE OF THE LOWER CREATURES. God is not only concerned with spiritual beings. He makes bis power felt, and be shows bis kindness in the animal world. Nothing is so insignificant as to be beneath his notice. Material wants are thought of and supplied by God. Bu.t if he supplies these we.nts of the lower creatures, much more will he satisfy the deeper huni:er of spiritual beings. II. A WILD nrnn. Man cares for bis domestic pets, e.nd leaves the wild creatures to shift fur themselves. But these animals are not neglected by God. '!'hough building its nest in the deptiie of the forest or in some remote mouutain recess among desolate 630 TIIE BOOK OF JOB. ---- -------------------------------- r\iffi; and crags, the l'ftven is watched over Rnd Ol\red for by God. Though no meek caged bird, but e. free deniv.en of the wilderness, it iA not beyond hill control. God cares for his wanderin!!: chilrlren. Wild races, BILV&ge tribes, forgotten peoples, forlorn ~ouls, a.re all under the notioe IUld o&re of God. Ill. A REPuLsrvi: urnn. The raven bu no gorgeous plumage; there is no mualo in itl! croak; it feerls on carrion. Yet God provides for it. God is very wide ln. hi■ i:;vmpat,bies. We are nllZ'l'Ow, partia.l, selective. \\7hile we fa.vour one person and i:light another, the large bounty of God is extended to all bis creatures. God provides for the insigni6Cllllt sparrow and the croaking raven. He cares for both insignificant and objectionable men and women. We must remember, however, that the repulsive- ness of the raven is not moral. Sin is worse than feeding on carrion. God provides for ~inners, sending rain and sunshine a.like on the good a.nd on the evil Nevertheless, his best blessings l\l'e reserved for those of his children who know and love him. IV. A NATURAL CREATURE. The raven is a part of nature. It simply follows its unconscious instincts, and in doing so it finds that its wants are provided for. .God who impla.nted instincts satisfies them. We are to follow our whole nature, not the animal part only, but also the spiritual, which in us is as natural as the animal, and more important. Then, just in proportion as we keep to the laws of our being as God has constituted us, eha.11 we find that our real wants a.re provided for. But if God has given to us reason and conscienoe, and only instinct to the raven, we must use our higher faculties in obtaining what is needful, just as the raven uses what is highest in its nature. The raven is not fed if it lives idly like the lily, which God still .cares for in its own sphere; and man will not be satisfied if he lives only like, .the raven. Each creature must follow its full nature. • V. .A. PA.BENT. God implants pa.rents.I love. When the young ravens cry, God feeds them by lea.ding their parents to food. God uses natural affections for the good .of hill creatures. He blesses children through their pa.rents.-W. F. A.