The Pulpit Commentary — Job — Section 658

cein tbem, that be IK'tB a high va.loe on them. Then he ahould apply them to him• seH. " Therefore thou art inexcusable, 0 man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou oondemnest thyself; for thou that judgest docat the Arne thingB" (Rom. ii. 1). Further, the habit of censoriousness provokes accusa• tion11. It 11howa an unkind and a proud spirit. There is not the motive of compassion to lead u11 to paRB lightly over bis fault.I in the case of a censorious person, which influencei; u1 when we have to do with one of a modest and kindly disposition (Matt. vii. 1-7). Il. GOD Ill ANGBT WlTB THOSE WHO ADVOCATE HI8 OAU8E UNRIGBTBOUBLY, Thie W&I! the grllllt fault of the three friends. They represented themselves as God's champion&, and professed to speak for God when they arraigned Job. Yet they spoke what WIii! not right. God cannot but be angry when he is thus misrepresented. He does not aeek the low-toned homage of the courtier who cares only to propitiate his M.&Ster, regardless of right and trut-h. Some of the people who think themselves God's best friendB will have a great deal to answer for when their just and righteous Lord calls them to account. No falsehood can please God, and least of all can one pleaae him that profeoses to be uttered for his benefit. This is not a case in which Ule end justifies the m~ans. It is most grievous in the sight of God, becalllle it dis- honoun; his Name. We cannot depend on unjust actions by representing_ them as beneficial to the cause of religion. A false theology is not redeemed by the pretext Uiat it glorifies God. Ill. 'l'BE TBUB BEVKNGE IS TO " HEAP COALS OF FIRE " ON MEN BY DEEDS OF XINO. Nl:IIL Job is fully and gloriously avenged. Not only is his innocence of th11 gross charges brought against him by his friends made clear, not only are they condemned by God, but Job is called upon to intercede for their pardon. Thus in the first place they are Uioroughly humiliated, as Haman was when he was condemned to lead the horse of Mordecai (Esth. vi. 9, 10). But Job is far too magnanimous to triumph over their defeat. Even when he is interceding for them, we may be sure that his action bevays no pride. For has he not been repenting himself in dust and ashes (ver. 6)? Assuredly Job's interCBEsion was generous and heartfelt. He could afford to forgive when he had himself been gracionsly accepted by God. The best vengea,i;ice we can have on those who ill-treat us is to pray for them, not in hypocritical. self~righteous- n-, but in true-hearted, u.n&ffected kindness. This is Ghrist's method. _He subdues his enemies by dying for them.-W. F. A. V81'. 10.-~ w.ptivi.tg tunied. L Tm: BEVEBSAL. 1. .d troe reversal. Job's troubles have come to an end. That was a long a,venue of fire which he was made to pa111 through; but the terminus WBS reached at last. Man m11,y be "born unto trouble .. the aparks fly upward" ( eh. v. 7); })ut he is not bom to. everlasting trouble. St. Paul writes of "our light affliction, which is but for a moment 0 (2 Cor. iv. 17). Preaent distress is not .a presage oJ foture evil The very blackness of the clouds that gather about our heads in the dark hour prevents us foom seeing the distant prospect where tiunshine awaits those who are fait,hful in triaL T,bere is room for hope, even if we see no light, for though trouble may be leogthy, love outlf!tlits it; "the mercy of the Lord endureth for ever." 2. .d Di,vim reversal. Satan inflicted the blows, though with the permission of God. It is God himself who brings back prosperity. Thtougb what.ever channels and instruments evil may come upon us, good comes from the hand of God. Satan simply diaappeara _from the dnuoa. His bold assertions are so abso,,, lutely refuted, and he is so completely discomfited, that he passes into oblivion. In the day of the L<mi. God's action is everything. II. ITS OOCABION. Why did the reversal come when it did? Why not earlier? Why not later? The note of time is significant. God reversed the fortune of Job " when he prayed for his friend&" 1. In humility. Job was first brought very low, HiB fidelity had been severely tested, and it had stood t.he strain. Job did not "curse God and die." Sat.iin's charge was abund&lltly refuted. Job.-was not serving God only for the profiiuccruing .fi'QJ:n religi9il. Dillinterest.ed devotion waa proved. to be possible. Ytit Job 1'.111 ·not faultlfltll. At leut there were advantagee to be gained by discipline. lt would have been cruel to have used him 88 a.n unconscious example for the settlement of a qw.iion with which he had DO oPJl08l'D, like the rietim of ririsection. This waa OH, XLII, 1-17,] 'l'HE BOOK OF JOB. 675